Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Seals are common around Vancouver Island.
These two parks are also good places to view local animal populations. Coyotes, rac-
coons, skunks, and a variety of squirrels call the parks home. Beavers live in many water-
ways within Vancouver, but the most accessible spot to view these industrious critters is
Burnaby Lake, west of downtown Vancouver. On Vancouver's North Shore, forested pro-
vincial parks such as Cypress, Golden Ears, Indian Arm, and Mount Seymour hold popu-
lations of larger mammals, including black and grizzly bears, deer, and mountain goats.
Marinelife in the waters between Vancouver and Victoria is abundant, a major draw
for scuba divers and anglers alike. Sea lions, seals, and whales are all present, and they
occasionally venture into busy urban waterways. All five species of North Pacific salmon
spawn in local river systems—Chinook, chum, coho, pink, and sockeye—and, along with
halibut,lingcod,andperch,makeforexcellent fishing.Onasmallerscale,tidalrockpools
hold a great variety of marinelife. Wander down to the shoreline of Stanley Park or any-
where along Victoria's waterfront at low tide and you'll see crabs, sea anemones, sea cu-
cumbers, and sea urchins.
More than 350 bird species have been reported within Metro Vancouver alone. The
FraserRiverdeltaisanimportantmigratorystopforhundredsofthousandsofbirds.It'son
