WILDLIFE IN THE MACKENZIE FRONTIER - FRONTIER - Mackenzie Frontier Tourist Association
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THE NORTH
STAY
EAT
EXPLORE
MA CKENZ I E FR O N T I E R
WILDLIFE IN THE
FRONTIER
THE MACKENZIE FRONTIER.
MY FREEDOM. MY FRONTIER.
Come and explore the wildlife of the Mackenzie Frontier!
Be amazed at the over 80,000 square kilometers of beautiful wild country
comprising the Mackenzie Frontier. Spanning across 12 percent of
Alberta’s landmass, this vast, lush terrain is home to nearly 600 species
of wildlife.
CONTENTS
The Mackenzie Frontier hosts a diverse group of habitats including the
BOREAL FORESTS, the HAY-ZAMA WETLANDS, the CARIBOU MOUNTAINS, and the
BUFFALO HEAD HILLS. Additionally, the renowned WOOD BUFFALO NATIONAL PARK
borders the Mackenzie Frontier’s east side.
With so many diverse activities to choose from, the Frontier is the perfect
place to connect with nature. On any given day, you can cast a line into
BIRDS |2 WEASELS & RELATED | 16
Canada Goose / American White Ermine / American Marten /
one of many lakes and rivers or feel the adrenaline of stalking a deer with
Pelican / Birds of the Frontier American Mink / Fisher / Northern
the support of a well-equipped hunting outfitter. From camping, canoeing, Species index River Otter / Wolverine
horseback riding, ATV-ing, and hiking in the summer, to snowmobiling
and cross country skiing in our winter months; the Frontier always has FISH | 6 GARTER SNAKE | 17
something to offer. Arctic Grayling / Lake Whitefish
Northern Pike / Rainbow Trout / WILD CATS | 18
Walleye & more! Cougar / Canada Lynx
BEARS | 8 BISON, CARIBOU & HORSES | 20
Black Bear / Grizzly Bear Wood Bison / Wild Horses /
Woodland Caribou
DEER | 10
Mule Deer / White-Tailed Deer /
Elk / Moose WOLVES & FOXES | 22
Red Fox / Swift Fox / Gray Wolf /
REGIONAL MAP | 12 Coyote
The HAY-ZAMA LAKES is one of Hunting zones / Ecology / Services
the most extensive sedge wetlands
CONTACTS | 24
in Western North America. Credit: Ron Garnett/airscapes.ca
RABBITS & RODENTS | 14
Snowshoe Hare / Red Squirrel
Over 250,000 ducks and 177,000 geese have been observed during Muskrat / Woodchuck /
a single migration here. This park is also the only site in Alberta Porcupine / Beaver
targeted for re-introduction of the Wood Bison.
Explore the Mackenzie Frontier 1
EXPLORE
EXPLORE
inbow Lak n at Zama
WILDLIFE
WILDLIFE at Ra e. elica Pon
e se Cr
ed Ap d.
Ge i t: Cr
da e
di
Ad
na
t:
am
Ca
Ka
yla
In T
W
he W
ardley
ild Photogr
BIRDS OF
aph
y
THE FRONTIER
Hay-Zama Lakes Wildland Provincial Park,
Machesis Lake, Hutch Lake, Rainbow
Lake, Tourangeau Lake, Wadlin Lake, and
CANADA GOOSE AMERICAN WHITE
the Gull Lake Wetlands are perfect places
to bring your binoculars to catch a glimpse
GENERAL STATUS: Secure
These iconic geese nest in the
PELICAN
of many of the 250 species of birds here in Frontier on their way north in GENERAL STATUS: Sensitive
the region. Canoe along the Mighty Peace the spring and stop to feed These large, water-dwelling
River or the Chinchaga River to experience every fall on their way south. birds inhabit a small island
unspoiled landscape filled with wild
Skies fill with V-formations of in the middle of Wadlin Lake,
populations of birds.
geese and the sound of honking known as Pelican Island.
We are home to many birds species classified as at travels with them. Since they American white pelicans do not
risk or sensitive by the Alberta Environment and Parks. feed off of the fall harvest, dive for prey, but catch their
Barred Owl • Bay-breasted Warbler • Black-throated Green Warbler they are likely to be spotted in food while swimming. They eat
Canada Warbler • Cape May Warbler • Harlequin Duck • Northern farmers’ fields. over 4 pounds of fish per day!
Pygmy Owl • Peregrine Falcon • Short-eared Owl • Trumpeter Swan •
Western Grebe • White-winged Scoter • Whooping Cranes •
eak at T a p Waxwing. Cr
osb aw
Sa
n Gr
in
g ian ed
it:
em
dh
e
o
h
Pin
W
Bo
Lo
ill
en
dge
C
d
rane
y Quist
A Great Blue Heron in flight A flock of waders enjoys the
Credit: Meagan Peters shallows at Hutch Lake
2 Explore the Mackenzie Frontier 3
EXPLORE
EXPLORE PERCHING BIRDS cont.
A black-capped chickadee perched on a
sapling in the woods near High Level
WARBLER Black-throated
grey GROUSE
WILDLIFE
WILDLIFE Canada •
Credit: Alexandria Neufeld ORIOLE Northern GROUSE Ruffed
OVENBIRD Cape May • Spruce
PARULA Northern Conneticut Sharp-tailed
PEWEE Western Wood Magnolia
PHOEBE Eastern MacGillivray’s
American Mourning
BIRDS OF
PIPET
RAVEN Common Orange-crowned AERIALISTS
REDSTART American Palm
Tennessee GULL Bonaparte’s
ROBIN American California
ROSYFINCH Grey-crowned Wilson’s
Franklin’s
• at risk SISKIN Pine Yellow
THE FRONTIER
Yellow-rumped Herring
• sensitive SPARROW Chipping
WAXWING Bohemian Ring-billed
Clay-colored
* irregular Cedar PELICAN American White
Fox Common
V visitor House WREN House TEM
Long-billed marsh Black
F fall Le Conte’s
Lincon’s Winter
S spring YELLOWTHROAT Common
Savannah
T transient Sharp-Tailed
MIGRANTS Song
BIRDS OF PREY
Swamp
CRANE Whooping (S) •
Tree WADERS EAGLE Bald
DUCK FAMILY DOWITCHER Long-billed (S) PERCHING BIRDS Vesper
White-crowned AVOCET American
Golden
DUCK Black (V)* FALCON Peregrine •
White-throated BITTERN American
BUFFLEHEAD Harlequin • BLACK BIRD Brewers
European CRANE Sandhill
GOSHAWK Northern
CANVASBACK Red-Winged STARLING HARRIER Northern
GOOSE Blue (S/F) SWALLOW Bank DOWITCHER Short-billed
COOT American Snow (S/F) Rusty HAWK Broad-winged
CORMORANT Double-crested Yellow-Headed Barn HERON Great Blue Cooper’s
White-fronted (S/F)
GADWALL BLUEBIRD Mountain Cliff KILLDEER Red-tailed
HAWK Rough-legged (S/F) Tree PHALAROPE Rednecked
GOLDENEYE Barrow’s KNOT Red (S) BUNTING Lazuli Sharp-shinned
Common Black-Capped TANAGER Western Wilson’s
LARK Horned * CHICKADEE Swainson’s
GOOSE Canada Boreal THRUSH Grey-cheeked RAIL Virginia KESTREL American
OLDSQUAW (S) Hermit SANDPIPER Curlew
GREBE Eared PHALAROPE Northern (V) COWBIRD Brown-Headed MERLIN
Horned Red Swainson’s Solitary
PLOVER American Golden S/F CROSSBILL OSPREY
Pied-billed White-Winged Varied Spotted Barred •
Blackbellied (S/F) OWL
Red-necked American VEERY Upland
Semipalmated * CROW Boreal
Western • FINCH Purple VIREO Philidelphia SNIPE Common Great Grey
SANDERLING (S) Red-Eyed SORA
LOON Common SANDPIPER Baird’s (S/F) FLYCATCHER Alder Great Horned
Red-throated Great Crested Solitary YELLOWLEGS Greater Long-eared
Least (S/F) Warbling Lesser
MALLARD Stilt (S/F) Least Northern hawk
MERGANSER Common Olive-Sided WATERTHRUSH Northern Northern pigmy •
Pectoral (S/F) Bay-breasted •
Hooded Willow WARBLER Northern saw-whet
Semipalmated (T)
Black & White Short-eared •
Red-breasted SWAN Trumpeter (S/F) • Yellow-bellied
Blackburnian
PINTAIL Northern Tundra (S/F) GOLDFINCH American
REDHEAD GRACKLE Common Blackpoll
TURNSTONE Ruddy (S) Black-throated
RING-NECKED GROSBEAK Evening
RUDDY DUCK Rose-breasted green •
SCAUP Greater Pine
Lesser WINTER RESIDENTS JAY Blue
SCOTER Surf Grey (Canada) Be sure to pick up a bird
White-winged • BUNTING Snow JUNCO Dark-eyed sighting checklist at the Fort
SHOVELER Northen GYRFALCON (V) KINGBIRD Easten Vermilion Heritage Centre
TEAL Blue-winged OWL Snowy (V) KINGLET Golden-crowned for your tour around the
Cinnamon PTARMIGAN Rock (V)* Ruby-crowned The great grey owl is Mackenzie Frontier!
Green-winged Willow MAGPIE Black-billed
North America’s tallest owl,
WIGEON American REDPOLL Common MEADOWLARK Western
Hoary Red-breasted standing up to 2 ft.
NUTHATCH
White-breasted Credit: Adam in the Wild Photography
4 Species index adapted from Fort Vemilion Heritage Center research Explore the Mackenzie Frontier 5
EXPLORE
NEED A FISHING LICENSE?
FISH
WILDLIFE
Wild Pho
Anglers over the age of 16 must have a Wildlife Identification Number (WiN)
n The
mi tog
ra card and a license before fishing. Fishing license and WiN card can be purchased
Ada ph
: Cast a line in one of The Mackenzie Frontier’s many online at www.albertarelm.com or at selected retail stores.
t
y
di
stunning bodies of water. Home to seven different
re
Every lake in Alberta has specific guidelines beyond the general fishing
e. C
native species of fish, the flowing rivers make for a regulations. Mackenzie Frontier is zoned NB3. To find the fishing guidelines for
A Walley
serene evening of fishing. For weekend excursions, the lake you will be fishing at visit www.albertafishingguide.com
stay at one of the Frontier’s many campgrounds. Regulations change every year. They include daily/trip possession limits and
In winter, feel the thrill of pulling a fish through an cleaning/transporting rules. For updated fishing regulations visit:
open hole in the ice while standing in the middle of www.albertaregulations.ca.
one of many frozen lakes.
NORTHERN PIKE GENERAL STATUS: Secure
BURBOT GENERAL STATUS: Secure
FOUND IN: Bistcho Lake, Chinchaga River, Hutch Lake, Peace River, Rainbow
Lake, and Wadlin Lake
FOUND IN: Bistcho Lake, Chinchaga River, They have been known to weigh up to 50 pounds!
Peace River, Rainbow Lake, and Wadlin
ARCTIC GRAYLING Lake
They are bottom feeders and have skin
RECOMMENDED HOOKS: Len Thompson lures
GENERAL STATUS: Sensitive instead of scales.
FOUND IN: The Peace River and Chinchaga
River
They can weigh up to 2.9 pounds. Arctic
grayling feed on small fish, insects, WALLEYE GENERAL STATUS: Secure
worms, slugs, and snails.
RECOMMENDED HOOKS: The colour pink
seems to catch their attention
LAKE WHITEFISH FOUND IN: Bistcho Lake, Chinchaga River,
Hutch Lake, Peace River, Rainbow Lake,
and Wadlin Lake
through murky waters. GENERAL STATUS: Secure
RECOMMENDED HOOKS: Smaller spooners;
FOUND IN: Bistcho Lake, Wadlin Lake divers for trolling and jigging during the
summer months with frozen bait
RECOMMENDED HOOKS: Use small hooks.
Lake whitefish are most
commonly caught while ice
fishing.
RAINBOW TROUT
GENERAL STATUS: May be at risk
BISTCHO LAKE, in the northwest corner of the province, is perfect for adventurous
souls. During the summer, fly to TAPAWINGO LODGE, or snowmobile on a 93
FOUND IN: Machesis Lake, Rainbow Lake
Pond, and Zama Community Pond
YELLOW PERCH
kilometer trail during the winter. Experience the tranquil lake filled with WALLEYE GENERAL STATUS: Secure
and NORTHERN PIKE while surrounded by vast wilderness filled with wildlife. RECOMMENDED HOOKS: Small spoons and
spinners FOUND IN: Hutch Lake and Wadlin Lake
6 Thank you to the friendly staff at La Crete Home Hardware who recommended hooks for each fish species. Explore the Mackenzie Frontier 7
EXPLORE
EXPLORE A black bear near For trapping and hunting regulations please visit www.albertaregulations.ca
WILDLIFE
WILDLIFE
BEARS Rainbow Lake
Credit: Adam in the
Wild Photography
BLACK BEARS GENERAL STATUS: Secure
BEARS IDENTIFICATION: Black bears are the smallest of the
North American bears. Distinguished by their
18 cm
large, almost pointed, ears and straight face
Both black bears and grizzly profile.
bears call the Mackenzie
Frontier their home. Many Adult Male (boar) 220-440 lbs 9 cm 9.5 cm
tourists hope to achieve even ow Lake Cre
a glimpse of one as they drive Adult Female (sow) 100-310 lbs ainb dit
rR :A
ea da
through the vast boreal forests HIBERNATION: Black bears hibernate for 5 to 6 rn
m
a
of the region.
be
months in their winter dens. They do not eat,
in
ack
het
International hunters travel drink, defecate, or urinate during the entire
A bl
Wild
from Europe and the United hibernation period.
Photograp
States to hunt black bear with
CUBS: Black bear cubs are born at
our local outfitters.
approximately 9-12 ounces and will gain
about 5 pounds by the time they leave the
hy
den in spring.
GRIZZLY BEARS These symbols of Alberta’s untamed wilderness
can be found in the boreal forests blanketing the
northwest part of the Mackenzie Frontier.
GENERAL STATUS: Threatened
BEAR SAFETY
Bears are very intelligent and complex animals. Each
IDENTIFICATION: Grizzlies are distinguished by a
24.5 cm
bear and each encounter is unique; there is no single
shoulder hump and a dished face. strategy that will work in all situations.
Adult Male (boar) 400–790 lbs
Adult Female (sow) 290–400 lbs 13 cm 14 cm
IF YOU ENCOUNTER A BEAR
HIBERNATION: Grizzly bears are active from spring until late autumn. In the
Leave the area or take a detour. If
Frontier, they hibernate in the winter, although the time spent in their dens
Stay calm. Most bears don’t want to this is impossible, wait until the bear
is slightly less that the black bear. They will occaisionally wake up and roam moves away. Always leave the bear an
near the den during the winter. attack you; they usually want to avoid
you and ensure you’re not a threat. escape route.
A THREATENED SPECIES: The Bear Management Area 1 (BMA1), which
includes the forested and farmlands of the Chinchaga, is
Cred Immediately pick up small children
the second largest in Alberta (approximately 42,000 it :R Talk calmly and firmly. If a bear rears and stay in a group.
i ch
square kilometres). It is the most remote grizzly on its hind legs and waves its nose
ar
habitat and the only high boreal habitat in the about, it is trying to identify you.
dL
province. The area is saturated by bog-land and
ee
Remain still and talk calmly so it
Back away slowly, never run! Bears can
tight stands of mixed coniferous and deciduous knows you are a human and not a prey
run as fast as a race-horse, both uphill
forest. animal. A scream or sudden movement
and downhill.
may trigger an attack.
FUN FACT: Bears rub their backs against trees
and power poles to leave behind their scent as a
If a bear stalks you and attacks, or
message — “a grizzly bear’s version of Facebook.” Don’t drop your pack. It can provide attacks at night, do not play dead.
protection. Fight back!
8 Explore the Mackenzie Frontier 9
EXPLORE
EXPLORE A mule doe in Buffalo Head Prairie For trapping and hunting regulations for deer please visit www.albertaregulations.ca
WILDLIFE
WILDLIFE
Mule deer and white-tailed deer ELK (WAPITI) GENERAL STATUS: Secure
DEER
are similar in seasonal coloring
and overall appearance, and both SIZE: Elk are one of the world’s largest species of deer. They stand almost 5
species possess excellent senses of feet tall at the shoulder and adult males can weigh over 700 pounds.
sight, smell and hearing.
DIET: Adult elk consume approximately 20 pounds of
vegetation per day.
FUN FACTS: Unlike any other deer, the elk have upper
canine teeth, which serve no purpose at all, but in
the 18th century were very popular for jewelry.
Elk’s antlers are made of bone which can grow up
to 1 inch per day.
SIGHTINGS: Elk are most likely to be seen in the Rocky
Lane area.
Credit: Gary Muzichuk
Cows average about
770 lbs, and are
White-tailed deer are the antler-less.
most commonly sighted
deer in the Mackenzie Mule deer are named for
Frontier their large, mule-like ears.
regon Depar
it: O tm
ed en
Cr t
of
Fis
h&
Wildlife
Healthy cows have a high
chance of bearing twins.
WHITE-TAILED DEER MULE DEER MOOSE GENERAL STATUS: Secure
GENERAL STATUS: Secure GENERAL STATUS: Secure DIET: Moose need to eat 55 pounds
APPEARANCE: Moose are the world’s of plants per day, and can hold
ANTLERS: Unbranched tines extending ANTLERS: Divided into two equal tines largest members of the deer family. up to 100 pounds of food in their
from single beams Bulls can weigh over 1000 pounds stomachs.
TAIL: Narrow, brown tail with a and stand 7.5 feet at the shoulder,
TAIL: Broad brown tail, fringed black tip, held down as they run,
with antlers that can measure as HABITAT: Moose tend to live in
with white, held erect as they run, surrounded by a white rump patch swamp-like wetlands. They can hold
much as 6 feet tip to tip. Moose
exposing a white underside
BEHAVIOR: Inquisitive. When alarmed have a pouch of skin that hangs their breath underwater for up to a
BEHAVIOR: Wary and running, they often stop for a last from their necks called a bell. minute and dive up to 20 feet.
look before bounding out of sight. 11
10 Explore the Mackenzie Frontier
EXPLORE
WILDLIFE NORTHWES T TERRITORE S BORDER
539 534
Bistcho Lake
WO OD BU FFA LO
NA TIO NA L PA RK
35
Caribou Mountains Park spans upwards CA RIB OU MO UN TA INS
WI LD LA ND PR OV INC IAL PA RK
of 6000 km and is the province’s largest
provincial park. This habitat is known
for its fragile ecosystem containing
20 8 Meander River sensitive wetlands and a permafrost
Pitchimi
habitat with its rich breeding bird Lake
grounds and sanctuary for Woodland
Caribou.
LEGEND
Margaret Lake
19
4
WATT Hutch Lake
MOUNTAIN 7
Footner Lake 6
58 58
7
58
Campground Rocky Lane 6
3 5 5 1
1 2
Picnic Site 11
9 14 Peace River
536
Lookout
Rainbow Lake
35
9
10 3
697
FIRST NATION’S
4 15
RESERVATIONS
3
13 17
CAMPGROUNDS & PICNIC SITES 9
1. Beaver Ranch
12 2. Boyer
1. Aspen Ridge Campground
2. Buffalo Head Tower 697 3. Bushe River
Tompkins Landing
3. Elmwood RV Park
2 88 4. Chateh
4. Fantasy North RV Park 5. Child Lake
Pe
16 8
ac
5. Fort Vermilion Bridge Campsite 6. Fox Lake
eR
HUNGRY BEND SANDHILLS
ive
6. Fox Haven Golf & Country Club The stretch between
7. John D’Or Prairie
r
7. Hutch Lake 3 communities; High Level to the northwest,
8. La Crete Ferry Campground Fort Vermilion to the east, and La Crete to the 8. Meander River
9. Lederer Enterprises southeast. It also adjoins the Beaver First Nations Wadlin Lake 9. Tall Cree
10. Machesis Lake Reserve, Child Lake Reserve, and North Vermilion 18
11. Mackenzie Crossroads Museum
540
(Buttertown).
12. Pioneer Country Cabins & Campground
528
13. Rainbow Lake Provincial Campground
14. Shady Acres Hotel & Campground
15. SS D.A. Thomas Park
16. Tompkins Landing
17. Tourangeau Lake All of the Mackenzie Frontier
18. Wadlin Lake Campground
19. Watt Mountain
falls in Trapping Zone 2
20. Zama Community Park and Campgound
12 Explore the Mackenzie Frontier 13
EXPLORE For trapping and hunting regulations please visit www.albertaregulations.ca
WILDLIFE
WOODCHUCK
RABBITS &
GENERAL STATUS: Secure
The woodchuck is a member of a group of large,
ground dwelling squirrels, called marmots or
RODENTS
groundhogs.
IDENTIFICATION: Robust bodies, broad heads, and short
legs and tails
BEHAVIOR: They hibernate during the winter. A woodchuck’s
eW
ild P h ot o g r a p
hy burrow will usually have multiple entraces and chambers with specific purposes,
th
in such as nesting or waste.
am
FUN FACT: Because these creatures are reliable hibernators, they are used for
Ad :
Credit
extensive medical research, studying their ability to lower body temperature,
and reduce heart rates and oxygen levels.
The SNOWSHOE HARE
is the only rabbit species living in the
PORCUPINE GENERAL STATUS: Secure
Mackenzie frontier. The porcupine is covered with a dense brown fur
GENERAL STATUS: Secure RED SQUIRREL undercoat with yellow tipped quills. The quills can
vary from 1 to 2.5 inches. A female will only give
birth to one baby during early summer. The baby
IDENTIFICATION: Reddish/greyish brown GENERAL STATUS: Secure is born covered in hair and quills, with their eyes
fur that turns completely white in the
IDENTIFICATION: Reddish/greyish brown open. Their quills are limp when born but as they
winter; black tipped ears
fur and white underbodies dry they begin to stand up. They are weaned in their
FUN FACTS: Broad hind feet covered in second week.
thick, stiff hair allow the hare to glide DIET & BEHAVIOUR: They do not hibernate
on top of the snow, like it’s wearing during the winter, but ensure they
it’s namesake snowshoes. Their young
are born with long hair and their eyes
have stored plenty of food for
the cold months in tree cavities,
underbrush piles, and dens. Though
BEAVER GENERAL STATUS: Secure
in
the
Wild
P h ot o g r a p
hy
open. They leave the nest a few days The beaver is North America’s largest rodent. A
am
after birth. they mainly feed on nuts and seeds,
beaver will only take one mate, which it keeps for
Ad
their diets also consist of flowers,
:
Credit
life. Amazingly, they can see as well in water as
berries, mushrooms, bugs, mice, and
on land.
small birds.
tson
b er THESE RODENTS ARE THE REASON CANADA WAS EXPLORED.
Ro
E.
GENERAL STATUS: Secure Looking for gold and not finding any, French
on
MUSKRAT
ord
explorers discovered an abundance of beavers,
Credit: D. G
The is the largest member of which sparked the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) fur
the rat and mouse family in North America. Like trade in the 16th century. In Europe, beaver pelts were
beavers, its habitat is in the water, but they do used to make hats, coats, robes, and more. During the peak
not build dams. Its tail is narrow and used as a of the fur trade, about 200,000 pelts were sent to Europe each year. The HBC
rudder while swimming.
incorporated the beaver onto their coat of arms, which lead other companies
and governments to use the water-dwelling rodent to represent Canada.
14 Explore the Mackenzie Frontier 15
EXPLORE Credit: Gord Klassen ’Trapper Gord’ For trapping and hunting regulations please visit www.albertaregulations.ca
WILDLIFE
NORTHERN RIVER OTTER FUN FACTS: An otter can stay
WEASEL FAMILY
under water up to 4 minutes, even though most of its dives
are less than 60 seconds.
Its thick pelt traps an insulating layer of air next to its skin
that keeps the animal warm even in the icy water of winter.
During the
summer, Otters have long whiskers on their snouts, which assists
ERMINE GENERAL STATUS: Secure the ermine’s them in dark murky water to catch their prey. Their whiskers
are sensitive to the underwater pressure waves created by
Also known as a short-tailed weasel or stoat. coat is sandy-
brown with white escaping prey .
While males mature at 10 -11 months, underbelly, but
female stoats will be breed at 2-3 weeks, during the winter
while still blind, deaf, hairless, and not months it adopts
yet weaned. a completely
white coat with a
black tipped tail.
WOLVERINE
The wolverine is the largest
of the weasel family in the
Frontier. Average adults weigh
22 to 33 pounds.
AMERICAN MARTEN IDENTIFICATION: Orange underbelly, Despite their size, they have been
seen taking down adult caribou!
adult weight ranges from 1 to 3 pounds.
The wolverine’s scientific name is
BEHAVIOR: It is very rare to see a marten on the ground. They Gulo gulo, which in Latin means
spend the majority of their time either in trees hunting for ‘glutton’ because of their reputation
squirrels or scurrying in tunnels under the snow. for eating large amounts of food in
one sitting.
AMERICAN MINK
Photo Credit: Vincent Can Zalinge
IDENTIFICATION: A fully grown mink
weighs approximately 2 pounds, with long narrow bodies
ranging from 25 to 30 inches long.
BEHAVIOR & DIET: Minks love the waterside and can swim
up to 95 feet under water! Their diet consists of ducks,
fish, small birds, rodents, frogs, mice, snakes and even
muskrats! RED SIDED GARTER SNAKE
GENERAL STATUS: Sensitive
This snake is non-venomous and can
FISHER IDENTIFICATION: Fishers are nearly twice as large and grow up to 40 inches long.
four times as heavy as the marten, with extremely sharp claws. The snake gives birth to 6 to 18 live
young at a time and does not lay eggs.
FUN FACTS: They are one of the few animals that will eat a skunk.
The fisher has very few predators other than humans since few
animals can take on the large weasel.
16 Explore the Mackenzie Frontier 17EXPLORE
ild Ph
o t ogr a p h
y NATURAL SNOWSHOES In the winter, lynxes’ large feet
WILDLIFE Cougars’ large paws th
eW
grow dense, course hair to help them travel on
in
and hind legs make
m
top of the snow.
da
them incredible
it: A
Cr e d
jumpers. They can
CANADA LYNX
leap vertically
over 18 ft and
horizontally up to
40 ft!
The Canada lynx is a secretive wild cat that
lives in the boreal forests of the Mackenzie
Frontier. When spotted, it can be easily recognized
by its prominent ear tufts, short, black-tipped tail and
furry ruff - which looks like a double-pointed beard.
COUGAR POPULATION: The Canada lynx has no natural preditors.
Their population fluctuates in ten year cycles, varying
with the snowshoe hare, their primary prey.
GENERAL STATUS: Secure
LIFESPAN: 15-20 years SNOWSHOE HARE
CANADA LYNX
SIZE: The average lynx weighs 17 to 30 pounds and POPULATION
The cougar is known by 40 1 5 10
different names in English, stands 23 inches tall at the shoulder.
YEARS
including mountain lion, puma,
panther, ghost cat, painter, CANADA
deer tiger, and mountain
screamer.
LYNX IDENTITY MIX-UP
A lynx
pelt can The Canada lynx
IF YOU ENCOUNTER A COUGAR is often confused
fetch up
GENERAL STATUS: Secure to several with the bobcat,
hundred who lives in the
SIGHTINGS: Rare Immediately pick up South of Alberta.
small children or small pets. dollars.
The bobcat has
SIZE: The average cougar weighs Trapping shorter ear tufts
about 93 pounds and stands 23 to 30 season is only and it has a
inches tall at the shoulder. Face the animal, and retreat slowly for 2 and a half red spotted
– Do NOT run or play dead. months each
LIFESPAN: Cougars live about 10 years coat.
year.
in the wild and up to 20 years in
captivity
Try to appear bigger by holding For trapping and
PREY: Cougars hunt deer, elk, moose your arms or an object above your hunting regulations
calves, and some smaller prey. head. Actions such as shouting, please visit
waving a stick and throwing rocks www.albertaregulations.ca
According to locals living in the Frontier, may deter an attack.
cougars are also known to kill livestock,
and have been spotted in close A lynx near Rainbow Lake
BE AGGRESSIVE.
proximity of towns and communities. Credit: Adam in The Wild Photography
18 Explore the Mackenzie Frontier 19EXPLORE
EXPLORE
WILDLIFE
WILDLIFE
WOODLAND CARIBOU GENERAL STATUS: At Risk
SIZE:
Caribou stand just over 3 feet at the shoulder and weigh 240 to 460
pounds
RANGES: The Frontier hosts five woodland caribou ranges; Bistcho, Yates,
Caribou Mountains, Chinchaga, and the Red Earth region. Some of these
areas span into British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and even into
Wood Buffalo National Park.
Wood Bison NUMBERS: There are 2,849 caribou in Alberta and over one thousand call
are the largest the Frontier home. The Canadian population of all sub-species of caribou
herbivore living is about 2.4 million. In comparison, there are about 500,000 to one million
in the Mackenzie moose in Canada.
Frontier.
Wood Bison near Zama City FOOD: Caribou eat lichen which is their major food source, but also eat
WOOD BISON
Credit: Adam in the Wild Photography grasses, sedges, birch and willow leaves, and mosses.
GENERAL STATUS: At Risk PREDATORS: Wolves, bears, wolverine, lynx, cougar and coyotes
SIGHTINGS: Areas around Zama City, Rainbow Lake,
LIFESPAN: 15 years. Chateh, Cameron Hills, Caribou Mountains and south
THE HAY-ZAMA HERD: Wood bison thrive in the wet meadows of the boreal eco- towards Red Earth
region in the Zama City and Chateh area. The Hay-Zama Bison are a healthy, non-
Credit: Gary Muzichuk
diseased herd and have been surveyed annually since 1994. The herd has since
expanded to over 650 animals.
HUNTING: Since the winter of 2008/2009 the Hay-Zama Bison Hunt has been in
effect and is the only recreational bison hunt in Alberta. Bison hunting is closely
monitored to manage heard growth and range in order to maintain a population
of 400 to 600. For more information regarding the Wood Bison Hunt visit: mywildalberta.ca/hunting/
game-species/wood-bison-hunt-hay-zama.aspx
SIGHTING: While traveling through or toZama City or Chateh areas, bison are seen
frequently. Their presence is a wonderful addition to any northern road trip.
For trapping and hunting regulations please visit www.albertaregulations.ca
Wild horses near Chateh
Credit: Adam in the Wild Photography
Mackenzie Frontier is home to a herd of wild horses! A herd of approximately 30,
part-mustang horses breed and foal every year. These magnificent wild spirits
belong to the community and families of Chateh, and roam in the northwest
corner of the Mackenzie Frontier. The herd moves into the Hay-Zama Lakes for
the fall and winter.
WILD HORSES
History dates this herd back as far as the 1930’s. One story states that a wolf
scattered the horses from where they were fenced. However, no one truly
knows, as only the elders that are long gone know the true story behind them.
20 Explore the Mackenzie Frontier 21EXPLORE A uniquely-colored red fox near High Level Ph
TIMBER WOLF
ot
Credit: Adam in the Wild Photography o
WILDLIFE Cr
ed
it:
E
llen
GENERAL STATUS: Secure
Attebery
Foxes have whiskers SIZE: The gray wolf is the largest in
on their face and the wild dog family. On average, they
legs to help navigate weigh around 130 pounds and stand
their way through thick 26 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder.
bushes, and long grass. LIFESPAN: 6 to 8 years and up to 16
The fox’s tail helps it years in captivity
to balance APPEARANCE: Their coats are long and BEHAVIOUR: Wolves are social animals
dense, with fur ranging in color from that live in packs of 2 to over 20. They
almost black to white. Wolves have travel and hunt together as a family.
broader faces and rounder ears than
coyotes. DIET: Mainly moose, deer and caribou,
RED FOX
but occaisionally hare, fish, and
beaver
DID YOU KNOW? Foxes’ have vertical
pupils, like cats which helps . Credit: Adam
GENERAL STATUS: Secure e
COYOTE GENERAL STATUS:
them see better at night. Lak in
t
ow he
SIZE: The average red fox weighs 7 nb Secure
W
ai
to 11 lbs Foxes are known to be sneaky creatures
ild
rR
LIFESPAN: 10 – 14 years in the wild and up
ea
Ph
and are rarely spotted in the wild. They
LIFESPAN: 2 – 5 years in the wild to 20 years in captivity
A c oy o t e n
otog
have a slim and graceful build with a
and up to 15 years in captivity coat of dense fur. Their fluffy tail is just
raphy
as long as their body. SIZE: The average coyote weighs 22 to
APPEARANCE: They are usually red 50 pounds and stands 23 to 26 inches
in colour but have been known DIET: The fox’s diet changes tall.
to have a silver coat or red with throughout the year depending on
black markings on the back. what is available. They primarily hunt Coyotes are highly adaptable wild dogs
mice, but also feed on other small with a reddish grey or grey fur coat, black
mammals, insects, fruit, and eggs back markings, pointed ears, and narrow
snouts. They carry their tails tucked between
SWIFT FOX
of ground nesting birds. They also
scavenge off of carrion. Foxes mainly their hind legs. They are not picky eaters and will
. hunt at night. feed on mice, hares, livestock carcasses, young calves, and fresh berries during
A swift fox. the summer months.
GENERAL STATUS At Risk Cre
di
t: In the Frontier, coyotes are often heard communicating with each other from a
SIZE: Swift foxes average 4 to 7 lbs long distance away. Usually heard during the late evening or night, their howls
Ni
ko
sound more like a cackle.
la
LIFESPAN: 8 – 10 years in the wild and
y Tc
Coyotes have survived repeated attempts to be eliminated by humans. They
haouchev
up to 13 years in captivity
have an incredible ability to adapt to many changes brought about by people.
APPEARANCE: The swift fox has soft Coyotes can reach incredible speeds (40 – 64km/ hour) and have a remarkable
grey fur tinged with orange or tan sense of hearing and smell; they will even change direction mid step.
on the legs and lower part of the
body. They have a light throat, chest
and belly, and a black tipped tail. For trapping and hunting regulations please visit www.albertaregulations.ca
22 Explore the Mackenzie Frontier 23EXPLORE
EXPLORE
WILDLIFE
WILDLIFE
REPORT A POACHER
Dial toll free – 1-800-642-3800
CONTACTS
Report online at
www.reportapoacher.com
FISH AND WILDLIFE
CONTACTS
HIGH LEVEL
2nd Floor, 10106 100 Ave
(780) 926-2238
ALBERTA TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION
FORT VERMILION
(780) 926-1428
5001 46 Ave
www.albertatrappers.com/
(780) 927-4488
HAY ZAMA WILDLAND PARK:
www.albertaparks.ca/media/2661/
A red fox in winter
HayZama_web.pdf
Credit: Adam in the Wild Photography
CARIBOU MOUNTAIN WILDLAND
PARK
www.albertaparks.ca/parks/northwest/
caribou-mountains-wpp/#hunting
WOOD BUFFALO NATIONAL PARK
www.travelalberta.com/ca/places-
to-go/national-parks/wood-buffalo-
national-park/
RESEARCH REFERENCES IMAGE ATTRIBUTION
Albertawilderness.ca justfunfacts.com Page 10: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
[CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/
aep.alberta.ca earthrangers.com licenses/by-sa/2.0)]
cbc.ca cdnhistorybits.wordpress.com Page 14: D. Gordon E. Robertson [CC BY-SA
3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/
hww.ca aiwc.ca by-sa/3.0/}
animalfactguide.com albertaviews.ca Page 23: Ellie Attebery [CC BY 2.0 (https://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)] Photos: Adam in the Wild Photography
24MACKENZIE FRONTIER
TOURIST ASSOCIATION
PO Box 26
High Level, Alberta,
Canada T0H 1Z0
www.mackenziefrontier.com
info@mackenziefrontier.com
Follow along:
facebook.com/mackenziefrontier
Instagram: @mackenziefrontier
Cover Image: Adam in the Wild Photography
Production: Wilma O’Rourke
Design: Meagan PetersYou can also read
