GO WILD IN QUÉBEC
Q
uébec is home to an incredible variety of wildlife – from polar bears and whales to caribou and beavers. Whether your clients
take a day trip from a major city or immerse themselves in the wilder side of life by basing themselves in a resort, Québec’s animals, mammals and birds are easily accessible and the interactions are usually memorable and rewarding.
What to see and where
Caribou, moose, black bear and beaver are found across the province while polar bear and musk ox are seen in the far north. For white beluga whales your clients need to go to the Saguenay Fjord (the most southerly fjord in the northern hemisphere) and they’ll fi nd humpback whales in the mighty St. Lawrence River.
Wise up to the wildlife
Whale-watching: Watching a whale burst through the water’s surface is an unforgettable sight and on the St. Lawrence River, close to the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord, visitors can observe the creatures during a guided cruise by kayak, zodiac or boat. Over
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13 species of marine mammals here include blue, sperm and humpback whales, white beluga whales, minke and fi n whales and dolphins. The whales are attracted by the river’s wealth of shellfi sh and its impressive depth. Many ports in the estuary and gulf offer whale-watching excursions daily from May to October. The preferred spots for viewing are the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park (with numerous departures from Tadoussac, Baie-Sainte- Catherine, Rivière-du-Loup and Trois-Pistoles), the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada (Duplessis) and the Forillon National Park of Canada, in the Gaspésie. Recommend the Whale Route across Côte-Nord, which gives access to many cetaceans, birds and other wildlife. Expert guides explain the secrets of the region and their natural inhabitants. In some spots, the river is so deep near the shore visitors can regularly see whales from the banks – at the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord, Cap-de-Bon- Désir (Bergeronnes), two sites in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park and Pointe des Monts (Duplessis).
Black bears: Black bears inhabit most of Québec’s forests but worth recommending is Parc national
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de la Jacques-Cartier, just an hour north of the walled city of Québec, the province’s historic capital, or to the Station touristique Duchesnay (also near Québec City). Observation of this omnivore in its natural habitat—a rigorously supervised activity— is also possible at the Réserve faunique des Laurentides and near Montebello in the Outaouais.
Moose: Perhaps Canada’s most iconic animal, moose can be viewed all year around in Québec. The largest members of the cervid (deer) family, they are easily spotted in the Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier which runs regular moose-watching safaris. Further east, the untamed Matane Reserve, Gaspésie, has the greatest concentration of moose in the province and encourages observation through its interpretation centre, wildlife tours, trails, guided activities and holiday packages.
What to book
Complete North America has launched a ‘Just Québec’ fl y-drive itinerary which combines the province’s wildlife with its other highlights. Priced from £2999pp it includes direct fl ights from Heathrow, hire car, 15 nights’ accommodation, some
Moose encounters
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