Yukon, Canada Wildlife

The Yukon Territory is very well known in Canada for its rugged wilderness beauty, its mining heritage, its backcountry adventures and its wildlife. The many eco systems in the Yukon provide many different natural environments for a variety of wildlife species.

The network of waterways, highways, backcountry roads and recreation trails located throughout the Yukon Territory, Canada provide an opportunity to explore boreal forests, alpine plateaus, river valleys, mountain passes, lowlands, wetlands and deltas. Each eco system with its own wildlife.

Wildlife sightings are enjoyed on self guided adventures and on guided tours. Guided tours - like canoe, horseback riding, backpacking, flight seeing and river rafting - often lead deep into the wilderness backcountry where wildlife sightings are more common. Tours include interpretive guides who know the land and where wildlife sightings are best.

Each Yukon community listed on this adventure website provides the descriptions and photos for some of the more popular parks, trails and highways where wildlife sightings are common. The contact information for participating wildlife sightseeing tour operators are listed under each community.

Self guided tours - like hiking, backpacking, kayaking, canoeing, cycling or driving the backcountry highways - are also very good for wildlife sightings. It is not uncommon to spot wildlife from the comforts of your vehicle while driving the long Yukon Highways. In some areas avoiding wildlife is an issue, so pay attention while driving at all times.

There are many species of wildlife and birds in the Yukon Territory. To many to list. But here are a few of the more popular wildlife species you may see during your visit - grizzly bear, black bear, moose, caribou, fox, porcupine, beaver, marmot, wolf, lynx, Dall sheep and cougar.

The Yukon Territory is "Bear Country". Do not approach wildlife at anytime, do not get out of your car for wildlife and do not feed wildlife. You should be at least 200 metres from wildlife at all times. Wildlife is for sightseeing and photography.. not for touching and petting.