Encounter with Quebec’s wildlife

Quebec is my “home” at heart, and I’ve been there many times. I’ve been lucky enough to cross paths with many animals. Here’s a little glimpse of the adorable inhabitants (besides the Quebecers 😉) you might encounter if you ever get the chance to explore this beautiful Canadian region.

Beavers

Beavers can be found almost anywhere water flows. They can be observed year-round, but spring and summer offer the best chances to see them active, especially at dusk and during the night. I was lucky enough to watch several of them swimming, feeding, and even slapping the water with their tail, very impressive 😉. I spotted them in several national parks, including Forillon and La Mauricie, but it was at Plaisance National Park where I had the most sightings.

Moose

The moose is the largest member of the deer family in North America. It is widespread in Quebec’s forests, especially in the north and in more remote wilderness areas. Usually solitary, or sometimes seen in small groups, it is most active at dawn and dusk. I was lucky enough to observe two of them in summer in Gaspésie National Park: a magnificent male, completely unafraid, calmly feeding right beside the trail, and a female peacefully resting nearby.

What’s incredible is that despite their massive size, they blend perfectly into the surroundings. The third encounter was a real surprise: it happened on a ski trail right in the town of Mont-Tremblant, completely unexpected.

Cetaceans

Quebec is home to a rich diversity of whales in the St. Lawrence River and its surrounding waters. Among them are several species of rorquals (including humpback and fin whales), as well as porpoises and belugas. To get closer to them, you can join boat excursions, ideally in small groups. However, it is also entirely possible to observe them from the shore, there are several great spots for this between Tadoussac and Les Escoumins.

I was able to see many whales simply by sitting quietly along the St. Lawrence River, in a stunning landscape — truly magical! I also went on two whale-watching boat trips, one in July and the other in September. Both experiences were incredible, during which I saw common minke whales and porpoises. September was definitely the month with the most activity, which locals confirmed to me. It’s also worth noting that belugas are often spotted during the ferry crossing at Tadoussac.

Black bear

The black bear is found throughout much of Quebec’s forests, although its density varies depending on the region. You’re more likely to spot one in national parks and protected areas, but it remains a discreet animal that is rarely seen. That’s what makes it even more extraordinary to have had the chance to see one. It happened during an autumn road trip, as we were driving along the road that crosses Jacques-Cartier National Park, when I suddenly spotted one. You can imagine how euphoric I was 😉!

Fortunately, there was a small parking area, so we were able to watch it calmly. Then, when it got into the water and started heading toward our shore, we quickly got back into the car. It was the day after we arrived in Quebec, and let’s just say I told everyone we met afterward about this incredible encounter 😉.

Seals

Seals are mainly found along the St. Lawrence River and on its islands. Several species can be observed there, including the harbor seal and the gray seal.
My first encounter with them took place in Gaspésie, during the summer, in Bic and Forillon National Parks.

Later, I was lucky enough to have an incredible adventure in the Magdalen Islands in the middle of winter: going to meet Greenland seals and their adorable babies, the famous whitecoat pups, on the ice floe.

A dream come true, almost at the last minute, since this activity stopped shortly afterward due to the lack of sufficiently solid ice.

Red fox

The red fox is widespread throughout Quebec. Like many wild animals, it is most active at dawn and dusk. You can spot it fairly easily in national parks and nature reserves. We were lucky to see several in La Mauricie National Park. They seemed very relaxed 😉, which allowed me to take some beautiful photos and fully enjoy these encounters.

Birds

Quebec is home to a great diversity of birds. Beyond the cute songbirds, I was able to observe woodpeckers, beautiful blue jays, seabirds, and the stunning common loon.

The famous Canada geese were also present, and in autumn at the Cap-Tourmente National Wildlife Reserve, I witnessed the impressive migratory stopover of the greater snow goose: dozens of white geese gathered together, a spectacular sight.

Finally, I ended up crossing paths with the stunning grouse in Grands-Jardins National Park

Caribou

The caribou is the northernmost member of the deer family in Quebec, living mainly in the taiga and boreal regions. Today, populations are limited and often difficult to spot. Outside the remote wilderness of northern Quebec, the only place you can realistically hope to see them is Gaspésie National Park, particularly along the Mont Jacques-Cartier trail. It’s a fairly demanding hike: 8.3 km round trip with an elevation gain of 465 m, and it is regulated. To protect the caribou, the trailhead is only accessible by shuttle in the morning, and the trail is open from July 1st to September 30th.

Naturally, during my road trip in Gaspésie, I had this hike on my list. To maximize my chances, I took the first shuttle, and despite the elevation gain, I managed to be among the first at the summit. Only animals can make me pull off such feats 😉. At the top, the reward was there: a female caribou that let me watch her for a few moments before disappearing. It was also on this trail that I saw my first male moose!

Porcupine

The porcupine is found throughout Quebec, both in dense forests and more open areas. Mainly nocturnal, it spends the day resting in tree cavities or burrows.

I had no idea this animal lived in Quebec, and it was in Forillon National Park that I came across two adorable balls of fur… and quills, right in the middle of a picnic 😉. To my delight, they seemed completely indifferent to my presence, which allowed me to watch them for a long time. Another favorite animal encounter 😊!

And many more…

Of course, there were plenty of other encounters, like squirrels, deer, rabbits… Some of these species are particularly common and much less shy compared to those you can see in France. I was able to enjoy them to the fullest 😉!