The Khutzeymateen

The Khutzeymateen is Canada’s only grizzly bear sanctuary. Khutzeymateen or K'tzim-a-deen (pronounced Khootz-ee-mah-teen) is a Tsmishian word that means “a confined place of bears and salmon.” The Pacific Ocean inlet is located on Canada’s northwest coast near the Alaska border. Each spring after coming out of hibernation, grizzly bears congregate along its shores to gorge on the abundant sedge grasses that are rich in protein. They attempt to regain the weight they lost while wintering in their dens. Springtime is also mating season for the bears and the congregation of grizzlies allows for ample opportunity for eligible suitors. When summer arrives it marks the beginning of the salmon run as different species return from the Pacific to lay their eggs in the streams where they were born. All this activity happening in a concentrated area makes for excellent grizzly bear viewing for visitors. The inlet is only accessible by boat or float plane and numbers of visitors are controlled to minimize the impact on the bears’ behaviour. I have visited the inlet multiple times over the years to photograph for magazines and to lead photography tours in conjunction with the Khutzeymateen Wilderness Lodge.

Previous
Previous

Bingo's Big Show

Next
Next

The Fraser: Living River