Wildlife at Walters Cove Lodge - Kyuquot, Vancouver Island, B.C.

		Resident Wildlife A few minutes boat ride will afford the guest of Walters Cove Lodge the opportunity to view a huge variety of wildlife. Some of the more prolific species include: Photo left: local sea otter eating an urchin

The Black Bear

Observing these powerful and potentially dangerous creatures in their natural habitat is truly a joy. Often they will be seen grazing on estuary grasses or rolling huge rocks over on the beach to feast on the crustaceans and sea-life found underneath. Generally these animals go about their business of foraging for food as long as left undisturbed.

Guests prepared to keep a respectable distance and quietly observe, will have the opportunity to create lifetime memories.

The Sea Otter

This incredible creature is a member of weasel family and like other members of the family have very thick fur, in fact up to one million hairs per square inch resulting in the thickest fur of any mammal.

The two layers of fur effectively trap a layer of air next to the skin thus keeping their skin dry. Sea otters are the smallest marine mammals, however a fully-grown adult male may reach up to 90 pounds. During the 1800's the fur traders brought the sea otter populations to extinction. In 1969 and 1972 a reintroduction program took place and 90 otters were relocated to the area.

This population quickly flourished to something around 2000. The local first Nations folks feel that the otter competes for their heredity food source and as a result there is some local controversy. Sea otters are the only marine mammal known to use tools and they may be observed diving to great depths (up to 250 ft.) and returning with a clam or urchin and a "Rock".

You will witness the otter rolling onto its back and placing dinner on the breast and breaking open the shell with the rock. These playful creatures will provide hours of entertainment for even the casual observer. They are plentiful and easily viewed for all guests of Walters Cove Lodge.

The Harbour Seal

Our most notable harbor seal is definitely "Miss Charlie". As a orphaned seal pup Miss Charlie was taken in by one of the locals to be bottle fed and raised in a bath tub.

This in itself may not be too unusual however that was 40 years ago and Charlie is still here. As she gets older the trip up the dock to her early home has become too much effort and she seems content to cruise around the bay and sun herself on the beach near the entrance to the harbor.

The only visible give away to her age is an impediment to her eye site, however other than that she seems in fine form. This local celebrity provides a little color and often some humor in her daily routine of checking things out around the bay.

Whales and other mammals

Visitors will often experience whale sightings.

This year we viewed Gray Whales, Humpback whales, the Orca, and Minky whales. On a single day we had porpoises in the bay, dolphins cruised through our traditional fishing area and a herd of Stellar sea lions provided some chaos right at the entrance to the harbor.

It is safe to say you can expect anything in this prolific area.

Sea Lions

The Brooks Peninsula is host to several large rookeries or colonies of the rather intimidating Stellar Sea Lion.

As the observer approaches the group their Lion like roar becomes significant and their general appearance is breath taking. A large male can weigh in at something around 2000 pounds, exceed 12 feet in length and if inclined can swim using their fins at speeds close to 20 miles per hour. If you consider the broad shoulders, thick mane and ominous roar of the mature male, it is easy to understand the name of Sea-Lion.

The Bald Eagle

Resident families of Bald Eagles afford the guest of Walters Cove Lodge to observe these magnificent birds in their natural environment.

The Brooks Peninsula area is well populated with this species however the visitor to Walters Cove will have the additional advantage of watching the Eagles activities from the comfort of the lodge. Several families seem to have adopted the huge conifers immediately adjacent to the lodge as their "home base".

Book your adventure today at Walters Cove Lodge.

Phone West Coast Resorts at: 1.800.810.8933 (TYEE)

Email West Coast Resorts here to book your visit.