Summary:
Tundra animals of the Canadian Arctic are fascinating. How do species manage to thrive in extreme conditions reaching temperatures of minus 50 degrees?
We’ve been lucky enough to travel to the Arctic a few times and we’ve also had the privilege of visiting some pretty special wildlife sanctuaries to get up close and personal with tundra animals that often remain elusive and hard to see.
We’ve had the privilege of witnessing polar bears on The Hudson Bay twice with Churchill Wild. Once in the summer at Nanuk Lodge and once in the winter at Seal River Lodge.
However, there is a lot more to see than just polar bears; the Arctic is alive with animals scurrying around.
If you can’t make it to Churchill, Manitoba, a visit to Parc Omega in Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours in Quebec is a must. The animals we didn’t see on the tundra are living in a sanctuary just north of Montreal.
Adorable Tundra Animals
Combining our latest trips to the north, we really got to know the animals of the Arctic tundra and witness them frolicking in their natural habitat.
During our daily walks around Seal River Lodge, the Arctic landscape was filled with life.
Arctic foxes played on the frozen bay, and Arctic hares hung out by the airplane runway, surprisingly thriving in the -40-degree weather we were experiencing.
When going on an Arctic expedition or polar bear safari, it’s just as exciting as an African safari, but there is a lot more to prepare for.
How to Dress for an Arctic Safari
Dressing properly is essential. Luckily, Churchill Wild supplies winter gear for those who don’t want to invest in an expensive arctic parka for a one-off safari.
They rent parkas, snow pants, and winter boots. Everything needs to be rated for temperatures down to 50 below!
Be sure to bring hand and toe warmers, and it’s crucial to layer your clothing effectively.
A balaclava is a must, and ski goggles will keep your face warmer than sunglasses.
Polar Bears
The Hudson Bay froze early this year, and what is normally a legendary spot called the Polar Bear Highway was empty, save for one lonely bear walking away from us in the distance.
That’s okay, though; polar bears have been suffering over the years due to climate change, and the early freeze means they could get out on the ice early to start hunting.
When we talked with the polar bear experts at the Assiniboine Zoo in Manitoba, they informed us that the thaw was actually a positive development.
Consequently, we missed the polar bear traffic by two weeks, but for others, it meant they saw more than they expected.
However, going on an arctic safari isn’t solely about polar bears.
The Arctic tundra is filled with life, showcasing how animals survive extreme conditions by adapting to severe cold and thriving in relatively balmy summers.
We hope you enjoy this photo essay of tundra animals from the Canadian Arctic.
Rock Ptarmigan
We saw a lot of ptarmigan during our walks with Churchill Wild. Whenever wildlife was scarce, our guides would take us over to the shrubs where the flock was hanging out.
We could get quite close to these members of the grouse family, displaying their stunning white winter plumage.
Fun fact: in the summer, these beauties turn brown to blend in with the tundra.
Parc Omega Quebec
While exploring Ottawa in winter, we took a detour to Parc Omega in Quebec. It’s just a 50-minute drive from Ottawa or 30 minutes from Montreal.
We were greeted by our guide Serge Lussier, who specializes in conservation and has worked with gorillas in Rwanda and pandas in China.
Right now, he is back home in Quebec, working as a consultant for Parc Omega, and we were honored to have him as our guide for the day.
Mountain Goat
One aspect we loved about Parc Omega in Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours is how it has recreated the Arctic landscape.
The mountain goats we saw were new to the park, perched atop a rocky hill and looking right at home. Given that mountain goats typically live at high altitudes, this habitat provides a suitable alternative.
Caribou
For years, we have wanted to see caribou of the Arctic. Although we saw the Woodland Caribou on the slate islands of Lake Superior in Ontario, our search for them in the Arctic has been less fruitful.
We saw one on the Dempster Highway, but while visiting northern Manitoba, the Yukon, and Northwest Territories, we were not fortunate enough to spot more.
Fortunately, Parc Omega has a herd of caribou that we could observe from the comfort of our truck. Known as reindeer in Europe, caribou are native to northern Canada, Northern Europe, and Siberia.
Arctic Fox
While in Churchill, we noticed that a National Geographic team was filming the Arctic fox at our lodge. These fast creatures move quickly, making it difficult to capture a photo.
So when we visited Parc Omega, we were thrilled to see a skulk of Arctic foxes relaxing on a hill.
We were lucky to be out early in the morning when they were most active, as later, they had burrowed away somewhere fast asleep for the afternoon.
Arctic Wolf
It was our first time seeing an Arctic wolf. We have encountered wolves before, but the stunning coats of the Arctic wolf were new to us.
Their white coats allow them to blend in with the snow, and they typically feed on caribou and Arctic hare.
Musk Ox
During a visit to Hershel Island in the Yukon, we spotted one musk ox in the distance.
Our guide took us on a hike to a hill in hopes of seeing more closely, but we never got a better view.
In contrast, Parc Omega has musk oxen, allowing us to finally see a couple munching away in their corral.
Elk
I often confuse elk with caribou or deer; however, an elk is much larger than both.
The elk are related to deer but are more majestic in appearance.
While visiting Parc Omega, the elk were just starting to shed their antlers, allowing us to capture photos of one that still had them intact.
Elk shed their antlers yearly; they drop off in winter and regenerate in spring, fully growing by the end of summer when the velvet is rubbed off by fall.
These are the tundra animals we’ve seen over various trips to Northern Canada and Quebec sanctuaries.
Canada is an extraordinary destination for wildlife spotting.
Where is your favorite spot for a wildlife safari?
