| Khutzeymateen/K'tzim-a-Deen
Grizzly Bear Sanctuary is the largest parcel of
land established in British Columbia, Canada as a wilderness park
protecting the 50+ grizzly bears in the area and their habitat.
The goal of the park is to protect the grizzly from extinction
and to protect the cultural values of the Gitsi'is First Nation
people.
To the Gitsi'is people, the land holds traditional
values and cultural significance. For centuries the people of
Gitsi'is relied on the land for providing food, medicine and shelter.
The people believe the grizzly is sacred and a spiritual animal
of the people.
The wildlife sanctuary is the first virgin eco
system set aside for the declining population of the north coast
grizzly bear. Khutzeymateen/K'tzim-a-Deen
Grizzly Bear Sanctuary is the main part (45,000
hectares) of the 380,000 hectare no hunting zone located in the
Western Kitimat Ranges of the Coast Mountains. A preserved area,
the park is best experienced observing and touring with a qualified
boat tour or a certified floatplane tour. All visitors must register
with the floating ranger station located in the Khutzeymateen
Inlet when arriving.
The park is lush, untouched and remote. It is a
rugged terrain, with towering mountain peaks, vast miles of wetlands,
hidden estuaries, hectares of rainforest covered in rushing rugged
rivers connecting to lakes and leading to oceans.
The sanctuary was created to protect the grizzly
bear but the area is also home to other wildlife. Often when exploring
with one-of-the-many sightseeing tours in the area operating out
of Terrace and Prince
Rupert you can see other species of wildlife like
black bears, cougar, wolves and mountain goats.
The living eco system park is home to some birds
and marine wildlife also like the raptor, murrelet, eagles, seals
and whales. The Khutzeymateen and Kateen Rivers in the sanctuary
is home to Chinook, Chum and Coho Salmon (a popular dish
of the grizzly), as well as, steelhead.
Contact information for
the local Terrace, BC accommodations, tours, guides, golf
courses, attractions, eco activities, artists, transportation
companies, realtors, etc. are posted under the links listed
to your right. |
How to
get to the Grizzly Bear Sanctuary: The sanctaury
is accessed mostly by boat and floatplane while enjoying an eco
tour with one of the tour companies listed on this website. The
entrance to the wilderness park is located northeast of Prince
Rupert, B.C. and west of Terrace, BC in the Khutzeymateen Inlet.
All parties must register at the floating ranger station in the
inlet.
|
BC Tourism Website Network 
Grizzly
Bear