Vancouver’s mountains are more than just a backdrop of beauty, they’re alive with some of Canada’s most fascinating wildlife. From snow-dusted peaks to lush coastal forests, the region surrounding Grouse, Seymour, and Cypress Mountains is a thriving ecosystem where wild animals roam freely just beyond the city skyline.
Whether you’re hiking through alpine trails, exploring forested slopes, or gazing out across the North Shore, chances are you’re sharing the landscape with some remarkable creatures.
This article is for general knowledge only and is based on information from online sources. Wildlife sightings vary by season, weather, and location. Always observe animals from a safe distance and follow local guidelines for outdoor safety.
1. Black Bear
Vancouver’s North Shore mountains are home to a healthy population of black bears, often seen foraging in spring and summer. They typically avoid people, but hikers occasionally spot them near berry patches or creeks.
Always carry bear spray and make noise while walking through dense brush. Black bears are curious creatures and might investigate unusual sounds or scents. Keep food sealed and away from your campsite.
Most encounters end peacefully if you remain calm and give the bear space to retreat.
2. Cougar (Mountain Lion)
The cougar is one of British Columbia’s most elusive predators. Rarely seen but always present, they roam forested valleys and rocky ridges in search of deer.
Sightings are uncommon, but tracks and signs of their presence remind hikers they share the same wild spaces. Cougars are solitary hunters with an incredibly keen sense of hearing and sight. They prefer to stay hidden during daylight hours.
If you encounter one, never run. Stand tall, speak firmly, and back away slowly.
3. Mule Deer
Graceful and quiet, mule deer can often be spotted at dawn or dusk along forest edges and meadows. They’re a common sight on the lower slopes and occasionally wander close to suburban areas during winter when food is scarce.
Their large ears move independently to detect sounds from all directions. Mule deer are browsers, feeding on shrubs, grasses, and tender shoots.
Watch for their distinctive bounding gait when startled, called stotting.
4. Bald Eagle
One of Canada’s most iconic birds, the bald eagle is a regular sight soaring above mountain peaks or perched along rivers. The North Shore hosts several nesting pairs, particularly near Capilano River and Indian Arm, where salmon runs attract them year after year.
Their wingspan can reach over two meters, making them powerful fliers. Bald eagles mate for life and return to the same nests annually.
Look for them circling high above waterways during salmon season.
5. Coyote
Coyotes are highly adaptable and can be found throughout Vancouver’s greenbelts and foothills. They hunt small mammals and birds, often at night.
Their haunting yips and howls are a familiar soundtrack to anyone living near the forest’s edge. Coyotes play a vital role in controlling rodent populations. They’re smaller than wolves and often mistaken for large dogs from a distance.
Keep pets leashed during twilight hours when coyotes are most active in suburban areas.
6. Northern Goshawk
This powerful bird of prey prefers mature conifer forests, making Vancouver’s mountain slopes ideal habitat. The northern goshawk hunts silently through dense trees, chasing after squirrels and grouse with incredible speed and precision.
Their short wings and long tail allow them to navigate tight spaces between branches. Goshawks are fiercely protective of their nesting sites during breeding season.
Listen for their loud, repetitive calls echoing through old-growth stands in spring.
7. Snowshoe Hare
The snowshoe hare thrives in the region’s thick underbrush. Its seasonal camouflage, brown in summer, white in winter, helps it blend perfectly into its surroundings.
They’re a favourite prey for local predators, including coyotes and owls. Snowshoe hares have oversized hind feet that act like natural snowshoes, allowing them to move quickly across deep snow. Their populations fluctuate dramatically over roughly ten-year cycles.
Watch for their tracks in fresh powder during winter hikes.
8. Pacific Wren
Tiny but full of energy, the Pacific wren fills the forest with its rapid, cascading song. They build nests in mossy logs and stumps and can be found year-round in coastal forests, even during the damp winter months when few other birds are active.
Despite their small size, their voices carry surprisingly far through the trees. Pacific wrens forage for insects and spiders among fallen branches and root tangles.
Listen carefully for their complex melodies during early morning walks.
9. Roosevelt Elk
Once nearly wiped out, Roosevelt elk have been reintroduced in parts of British Columbia and can occasionally be seen in remote valleys near Vancouver’s mountain ranges. Spotting one is rare but unforgettable, they’re among the largest land mammals in Canada.
Males sport impressive antlers that can span over a meter wide. Roosevelt elk prefer dense rainforest and wet meadows.
Their bugling calls during autumn mating season are hauntingly beautiful and carry across mountain valleys.
10. Great Horned Owl
This nocturnal hunter is a master of stealth, often heard before it’s seen. Great horned owls nest in tall evergreens and prey on small mammals throughout the region.
Their deep hooting calls echo through Vancouver’s mountain forests at night. With powerful talons and silent flight, they’re one of the most formidable predators in the avian world. Great horned owls can take prey much larger than themselves, including skunks and porcupines.
Listen for their territorial calls during late winter evenings.
11. Black-Tailed Deer
A close relative of the mule deer, the black-tailed deer is smaller and prefers the dense coastal forests around Vancouver’s mountains. They move quietly through thick brush, browsing on ferns, shrubs, and young tree shoots.
Their tails are entirely black on top, giving them their name. Black-tailed deer are most active during early morning and evening hours. They’re excellent swimmers and sometimes cross mountain streams in search of food.
Watch for them along trail edges during quieter hiking times.
12. Douglas Squirrel
Small but incredibly vocal, the Douglas squirrel is a year-round resident of Vancouver’s mountain forests. They’re known for their chattering calls that warn other animals of approaching danger.
Douglas squirrels feed primarily on conifer seeds, leaving piles of shredded cones beneath their favourite feeding perches. Their energetic antics and bold personalities make them entertaining to watch. They cache food in hidden spots throughout their territories to survive winter months.
Look for them scampering along branches in old-growth stands.
