Grizzly bears are local to the Kootenays, where I previously photographed them, and indeed to most of B.C. However, they appear to be truly at home in the Khutzeymateen.<\/p>\n
Protected as a park since 1994 (https:\/\/bcparks.ca\/khutzeymateen-park-aka-khutzeymateen-ktzim-a-deen-grizzly-sanctuary\/), the grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen inlet and river valley are subject to only a few commercial tours licensed to operate in the area, none of which are permitted to step on land. With rain falling 300 out of 365 days a year, the area never runs dry of food; from June until late July, bears thrive on the abundance of protein-rich (~18%) sedge grass adorning every shore. Here I share few moments spent with a mother and young cub (COY – \u2018Cub of the Year\u2019) learning to navigate its sanctuary.<\/p>\n
B(e)arely a year old – pun intended – the cub understandably quickly grew bored of chewing on the sedge, instead opting for practicing yoga and an ambivalent flop over a nearby rock.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.kootenay-lake.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/grizzlycub250719bFFGs.jpg\")
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.kootenay-lake.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/grizzly250719hFFGs.jpg\")
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Meanwhile, the mother, with considerably more endurance for the task, continued munching in the vicinity.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.kootenay-lake.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/grizzly250719aFFGs.jpg\")
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At some point, once the cub had tired of its relaxation, it clambered down off the rock for a heartfelt reuniting with its mother.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.kootenay-lake.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/grizzly250719cFFGs.jpg\")
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However, the cub soon grew just as tired of its mother as consuming \u2018good-for-you\u2019 sedge, and curiously wandered down to the waterline towards us for a drink of (salty?) water. Despite the isolation, the helicopter parenting strategy is also practiced in the Khutzeymateen – the mother signalled her displeasure by rising to her hind legs, the seriousness of her gesture perhaps undermined by the half-chewed bits of sedge hanging out of her mouth.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.kootenay-lake.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/grizzly250719fFFGs.jpg\")
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.kootenay-lake.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/grizzly250719eFFGs2.jpg\")
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Nevertheless we and the cub heeded her warning, and as the cub scrambled back to join its mother, we moved on and left them to roam their sanctuary.<\/p>\n
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Recently my parents and I visited Khutzeymateen Provincial park, located an hour and a half north of Prince Rupert by boat. Finn’s posting: This posting was both photographed and written by Finn, who is Alistair’s grandson. Grizzly bears are … Continue reading