Harbour seals live in British Columbia year-round. They favour nearshore locations (usually within 20 kilometres of the coastline) including tidal mudflats, sandbars, reefs, and log booms. Some seals have adapted to live far upriver and have even been found in some BC lakes!
Where can I see seals in Vancouver Island?
They are sometimes seen on the rocks beside the ferry route through Active Pass, and at Race Rocks near Victoria, among many other suitable rocky islets. From December through April, sea lions converge on the east side of Vancouver Island to feed on herring that are returning to spawn.
Does Vancouver Island have seals or sea lions?
Steller sea lions are the most common sea lion on Vancouver Island and numbers are estimated close to 25,000 in British Columbia. They can be seen on all areas on Vancouver Island though you will most likely see them from a boat since they seem to hang out on isolated rocks and small islands.
Are there seals in Victoria BC?
Our goal was to see some of Victoria’s most iconic spots on a sunny summer weekend. First on our list was Fisherman’s Wharf. There are seals that swim along the docks waiting for the many tourists that can buy bait from a local shop and feed them. Watching the seals surface from the water was a highlight.
Where can you see seals in Victoria BC?
Harbour Seals can be found all along the North Pacific coast, with favourite haul-outs in the area at Race Rocks, Trial Island and Chain Islands. Because the waters are so cold here, the seals haul-out on the rocky shores at low tide to save energy trying to keep warm in the frigid waters.
Can you see seals in Nanaimo?
Popular for wildlife viewing; bald eagles, sea-lions, seals and even harbour porpoises can be seen from the park. Jack Point is an amazing location to watch the sunset.
Are there seals in Nanaimo?
Snorkelling with the seals is a very popular year round activity in Nanaimo, though most go out in the warmer summer months. Snake Island, located about 10 minutes by boat from Departure Bay, is home to up to 250 Harbour Seals.
Are there crocodiles on Vancouver Island?
Well, no, not really. But there is a creature called the Northern Alligator Lizard living here. It’s actually the largest lizard in Canada, but that doesn’t mean much when it reaches less than a foot long.
Do we have lynx on Vancouver Island?
In British Columbia, lynxes occur over most of the province, but not on the coastal islands and only rarely in the wet forests west of the Coast Range and the Lower Mainland west of Hope.
Are cougars a problem on Vancouver Island?
There are an estimated 4000 cougars that live in BC and an estimated 600-800 live on Vancouver Island making it the highest concentration for this mountain lion in North America.
Are there seals in Tofino?
3. Wildlife Watching. Keep your eyes peeled for the abundance of wildlife in Tofino, including eagles, sea lions, harbour seals, deer, bears, whales, wolves and more!
Are there elephant seals on Vancouver Island?
Most elephant seals seen off B.C. shores are adult males or juveniles, whereas females tend to remain further offshore. They can be spotted off Vancouver Island’s West Coast, in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and off the Queen Charlotte Islands.
What kind of seals live in Victoria BC?
Pacific Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina)
- distribution is north of the equator.
- found at various haul-out (rocky outcrops) sites around the Victoria area.
- tens of thousands of harbour seals are found along the coasts of Vancouver Island.
- one pup per female and approx.
Where is the beach with all the seals?
Elephant Seals haul out on beaches near San Simeon year round, as they go through different phases in their life cycle. In peak times, there are up to 17,000 animals on the San simeon shores.
Are there cougars in Victoria BC?
“We estimate that there are only about 10 cougars in our study area,” says Thompson. “And we found that the least used campsites report the most cougar sightings.
Where are the sea lions in Comox Valley?
You’ll find Steller Sea Lions around Courtenay and Comox Harbour. They are more ‘lionish” than their California cousins in Fanny Bay and three times the size.
Are the sea lions still at Cowichan Bay?
These big boys visit Cowichan Bay every November to feast on the salmon returning to the Cowichan and Koksilah Rivers on their way to the spawning grounds. Weighing up to 800 kg, male Steller sea lions are so big that one or two of them can sink a small sailboat, as some locals have recently learned the hard way.
Are there wolves in Nanaimo?
Between 150 and 250 wolves live on Vancouver Island. Their range includes the Nanaimo Lakes area and other forests “on the outskirts” of Nanaimo.
Are there orcas in Nanaimo?
Our coastal wilderness is home to killer whales, humpback whales, sea lions, porpoises, seals, eagles, and more! Our 3-5 hour whale watching tours depart daily all year from downtown Nanaimo BC.
Are there cougars in Nanaimo BC?
Conservation Officers safely captured this cougar near the #Nanaimo Regional General Hospital this morning. It was relocated to a wilderness area outside of the city. COs, using hounds, tracked and located the cougar in a parking lot outside a nearby daycare shortly after 9 a.m. The media could not be played.
How deep is the ocean between Nanaimo and Vancouver?
The mean depth of these waters is 156 metres (512 ft), with a maximum depth of 447 metres (1,467 ft). Its surface area is approximately 6,800 square kilometres (2,600 sq mi).