Grizzly Bears
Ursus arctos horribilis • Coastal Giants
While Grizzlies are primarily found on the BC mainland, Telegraph Cove is a major departure point for tours into deep coastal inlets, such as Knight Inlet, where these magnificent bears thrive. These coastal grizzlies are among the largest bears in the world, thanks to their salmon-rich diet.
Habitat & Diet
Coastal grizzlies frequent estuaries in the spring to feed on protein-rich sedges and grasses. These lush meadows provide crucial nutrition after emerging from winter dens.
In late summer and fall, they congregate along rivers to feast on migrating salmon. This high-calorie food source is critical for building fat reserves for hibernation. A large bear can catch and eat 30+ salmon per day.
The salmon-rich diet of coastal grizzlies allows them to grow significantly larger than their interior counterparts, with males reaching up to 360 kg (800 lbs) or more.
Physical Characteristics
Grizzlies can be distinguished from Black Bears by several features: a prominent shoulder hump (a mass of muscle used for digging), a dish-shaped facial profile, and longer, lighter-colored claws.
Their color varies from blonde to nearly black, often with grizzled (silver-tipped) fur that gives them their name. Coastal grizzlies tend to be darker than interior bears.
Adult males can stand 3 meters tall on their hind legs and have a reach of over 3.5 meters. Their claws can be 10 cm long, adapted for digging rather than climbing.
Salmon Fishing Masters
Fishing Techniques
Grizzlies employ various fishing techniques: stand-and-wait at waterfalls, plunging into pools, or snorkeling in deeper water. Each bear often develops its own preferred method.
Dominant bears get the best fishing spots, while subordinates must wait their turn or fish in less productive areas. A strict hierarchy minimizes conflicts.
Selective Feeding
When salmon are abundant, bears become selective, often eating only the brain, roe, and skin - the most calorie-rich parts. This “high-grading” maximizes caloric intake.
Leftover carcasses feed other wildlife and fertilize the forest, making bears crucial to the ecosystem’s nutrient cycle.
Ecosystem Engineers
Grizzly bears play a crucial role in coastal ecosystems. They transport thousands of salmon carcasses into the forest, providing marine-derived nutrients to terrestrial ecosystems.
Trees near salmon streams grow up to three times faster due to bear-distributed nutrients. The nitrogen from salmon can be detected in trees up to 150 meters from streams.
As seed dispersers, bears spread berry seeds throughout their range. Their digging aerates soil and creates microsites for plant colonization.
Life Cycle & Behavior
Females have cubs every 3-4 years, with 1-4 cubs per litter (usually 2)
Cubs stay with mother for 2-3 years, learning crucial survival skills
Can live 20-25 years in the wild, occasionally up to 30 years
Enter dens in November-December, emerging in April-May
Home ranges can span 50-1,500 km², depending on food availability
Excellent memory allows them to remember food locations for years
Fascinating Facts
Can smell carrion from up to 30 km away
Despite their size, can run up to 55 km/h - faster than an Olympic sprinter
Bite force of 1,200 PSI can crush a bowling ball
Can gain up to 180 kg during summer/fall feeding
Intelligence comparable to higher primates
Only about 15,000 grizzlies remain in British Columbia
Prime Viewing Locations
Knight Inlet:
Located about 80 km from Telegraph Cove, Knight Inlet is one of the best places in the world to view grizzly bears. The Glendale River estuary supports 50-60 bears during peak salmon season.
Viewing Platforms:
Purpose-built viewing platforms and stands allow safe, non-intrusive observation. Bears have become habituated to quiet human presence, offering exceptional viewing opportunities.
Grizzly Bear Safety
Essential safety guidelines:
- •Always view grizzlies with experienced guides
- •Maintain minimum 100 meters distance
- •Never approach cubs - mother is always nearby
- •If charged, use bear spray and play dead if contact occurs
- •Store all food in bear-proof containers
Best Viewing Times
August through October
Peak viewing during salmon runs (September). Spring (May-June) offers opportunities to see bears grazing in estuaries. Tours to Knight Inlet depart daily from Telegraph Cove.