Discover Jasper National Park’s Beauties and Beasts

Wildlife in Jasper National Park

Mountain goats are one of the many players on this wild stage.

By Nicholas J Parkinson

Staff Writer

Rockies.com

JASPER, Alberta (Rockies.com) – Everyday in the Canadian Rockies tourists from all over the world discover big game wildlife they have never seen before. In Jasper National Park alone, it is possible to see big horn sheep, caribou, elk and the elusive grizzly bear all in the same day. The best way to do this is by hiking through the least frequented places in the park. And if that scares you, buckle your seat belt and take a guided wildlife tour.

Osprey and eagles fly overhead, moose, elk and deer consort on the banks of high alpine lakes and big horn sheep pop up in places normally thought of as unreachable. Seeing these creatures in their natural habitat gives visitors a rare chance to spy on Mother Nature.

To gain a better vantage point, Jasper-based tour operator Sundog Tours offers its classic Wildlife Discovery Tour, leading groups of camera-laden nature lovers into the wilds of Jasper National Park.

The tour lasts between 3 and 3.5 hours and departs twice daily in the summer season. Along the route, an interpretive guide and wildlife expert takes visitors to Maligne Valley, one of park’s more famed spots for big game. Atop the 165 foot gorge, the group then sets off on a short walk to marvel at the Maligne River, pounding the canyon walls.

The nature-spying continues as the group silently walks towards Medicine Lake, and finally Maligne Lake.

Government funded-Parks Canada advises all tourists to maintain a distance of 100 meters from elk, and many more meters from bears. It is against the law to feed any of the wild animals in the park, and campers especially  must be careful with food and food remnants to keep scavengers from attacking their campsite.

There's always a possibility of seeing the majestic grizzly bear.

“Since Jasper’s designation as a national park in 1907, two people have been killed by grizzly bears and countless numbers have been bluff-charged or attacked. This usually occurs when hikers or mountain bikers surprise a bear, especially around a corner or near flowing water. Hikers and mountain bikers should familiarize themselves with the Keep the Wild in Wildlife brochure before starting their trip and should always make noise while on the trail,” Parks Canada advises. Learn more by visiting their website, www.parkscanada.ca.