Bears and Salmon Near Your Back Door, An Amazing Cycle of Life

Black bears and salmon are very important in many parts of Canada. Both of these beautiful creatures are very important in the natural habitats found throughout Canada and many of its cities, towns and wilderness areas. Located in the city of Port Coquitlam, a short drive from the big city of Vancouver is a park called Minnekhada Regional Park. Minnekhada Park has numerous creeks and marshlands providing nesting areas for many types of birds. Along with the many species of birds there, also roam black bears and coyotes. With miles of trails throughout the marshlands, local hikers and bikers can enjoy wildlife right in their backyards. Within the park , in the south west corner, runs McLean Creek. Easily accessible by car or bicycle, even by foot, it is the perfect location to witness an amazing cycle of life within steps of your own feet. Nestled along the edge of a small forest within a residential area, McLean Creek meanders along Oliver Road, ending northward into a larger marshland. Soon after arriving along McLean Creek, Brent and his wife parked their vehicle approximately one hundred yards from the exact point of interest. Port Coquitlam City now bans parking right at the location where bears come down to this amazing small creek looking for their delicacy meal of salmon. Safety for both humans and animals is the most important item. Many people do not realize the danger that is inherent with coming in close contact with wild animals. On the day Brent recorded this footage, the City also had arranged for a wildlife Officer to visit the location making sure those near were aware of the safety concerns at hand. After only a few minutes, one beautiful black bear appeared from within the forest, heading straight into the small creek in search of a high fat meal. With winter approaching these bears gorge on many high fat foods to build their body weight and fat so they can survive through hibernation. With recent low rain fall in the Vancouver area, creeks are still at low levels, which reduces the number of salmon making their way into these gravel bottom creeks in which they lay their eggs. It is very important that all the key elements of nature align to keep the numbers of salmon alive. Low rain fall makes it difficult for the salmon to lay their eggs in optimum locations in order to receive fertilizing and significant water flow to keep the eggs alive and healthy. Excess rainfall can also cause issues with the eggs to be washed away from their beddings causing them to not hatch into fry. Of course this affects the numbers of salmon returning year after year. As you will notice, with the low water level in McLean Creek, the salmon have located themselves in deeper waters along the creek. The changing colours of the salmon means they are coming near to the end of their life. Some of the species grow a hooked jaw once they enter fresh waters. As with all the salmon, the ocean is their natural home, but they make their way amazingly back to the creeks and streams in which they were born, so themselves can lay eggs and fertilize eggs in the continuation of life. With all the salmon arriving very soon, mid November is the perfect time to visit such locations to witness this amazing cycle of life. Possibly by chance you may also see some wildlife such as these black bears feasting to continue their own lives in the wildlife. Nature is truly amazing!