Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
URBAN WILDLIFE
Vancouver's urban green spaces are home to a surprising array of critters. Many
of them roam the city's streets after dark foraging for extra food. During your vis-
it, you'll see
black squirrels
everywhere, but don't be surprised to also spot
ra-
coons
. Common in several parks, they are often bold enough to hang out on
porches and root through garbage bins. Don't attempt to pet them, though: they
carry rabies.
Skunks
are almost as common, but the only time you'll likely see
them is after an unfortunate roadkill incident (a fairly common occurrence
around area parks). But while squirrels, raccoons and skunks are regarded as
urban nuisances, some animals are more dangerous.
Every spring, one or two neighborhoods post notices of
coyote
spottings
(there are an estimated 3000 living in metro Vancouver). This is the time of year
when the wolf-like wild dogs build dens and raise pups, often in remote corners of
city parks, and they become more protective of their territory in the process. This
can lead to problems with domesticated pets. Vancouverites are warned to keep
pets inside when coyotes are spotted in their neighborhoods, and report any
sightings to authorities. Most locals will tell you they've only seen a coyote once
or twice in their lives - the animals are mostly very adept at avoiding humans.
Animal encounters are a bigger problem for areas that back directly on to wil-
derness regions. The North Shore is shadowed by a forest and mountain swathe
that's long been a traditional home for
bears
- mostly black bears. Residents in
North Vancouver and West Vancouver know how to secure their garbage so as
not to encourage bears to become habitualized to human food. But every year -
often in spring when the hungry furballs are waking from hibernation - a few are
trapped and relocated from the area.
At the other end of the scale, Vancouver is a great city for bird spotters. In
Queen Elizabeth Park, keep your eyes peeled for
bald eagles
whirling overhead.
Northern Flicker woodpeckers
(known for their red cheeks and black-spotted
plumage) are worth looking out for, although they're harder to see than
yellow
warblers
,
American robins
and
Steller's jays
, a blue feathered friend that's
also BC's provincial bird. if you have trouble spotting any birds - sometimes,
they're as hard to catch sight of as the elusive but lovely local
Rufous humming-
bird
- head into the Bloedel Conservatory (
Click here
). Here, you can take photos
of a host of birds who are perfectly happy to be snapped.
For more information on wildlife in Vancouver's parks - and beyond - check
