Elusive Wildlife or Rarely Seen Behaviours

Some animals are easy to see here, like bears for example, but others are far more elusive such as wolves and cougars. This page showcases our efforts to document these species here as well as rarely seen behaviours by our commonly seen wildlife such as bears and otters. Much of this work will be from remote infrared triggered cameras situated throughout the forest. We will continue to update this page as new images come in from the field.

Cougar – ghost of the rainforest

The silent ghost of the rainforest is finally captured on a remote video camera. Though cougars are relatively common here, they are extremely difficult to see due to their nocturnal habits and elusive behaviour. We have recorded several individuals using remote cameras. We have seen their tracks right behind the lodge during winter. This video is Black & White due to the low light during this dusk encounter with this female.

Otters playing on the dock

River otters regularly visit the lodge, one of their favorite foraging areas, throughout the year. During the winter when the lodge is quiet they seem to take over the place. They especially enjoy playing in the snow on the docks.

Coastal grey wolf

This male wolf from the local pack was occasionally seen resting in the sunny cove north of the lodge during cold winter mornings. This clip shows him cautiously approaching Marg who is hiding behind her tripod. With the wind at his back, he doesn’t recognize that usual shape.

Black Bear scent marking a tree

A male black bear scent marks a two trees along a bear trail during breeding season. Captured on remote camera.

Bear rubbing in wallow

Grizzlies often use “wallows” during the spring/early summer breeding season, probably as a form of scent marking. The wallows appear as basically a mud hole to us but to the bears they are much more. Here a young male vigorously rubs his head in the mud and triggers a remote camera. Several male bears used this wallow last year.

Northern flying squirrels

As common as our diurnal Douglas squirrels, flying squirrels only come out after dusk and are rarely seen. They do have quite a fondness for oranges. Filmed from our canopy platform at Great Bear Lodge.

If you would like to see more videos, go to our YouTube channel.