by Katie Grant Living alongside moose is not uncommon with cities and towns taking over more and more of their natural habitat. As the largest member of the deer family, the average female weighs 771 pounds while the average male weighs 400 kilograms.1 Bull moose have large antlers that span an average of 1.5 meters […] The post Close encounters of the moose kind appeared first on Alberta Institute For Wildlife Conservation ..read more

by Jennea Frischke A variety of birds migrate to Alberta from the Arctic each winter – including 3 very special raptors: the snowy owl, the gyrfalcon, and the rough-legged hawk. They call the Arctic home for the summer months where they raise their offspring and migrate south once when prey becomes scarce on the tundra […] The post Arctic Visitors: 3 birds of prey to watch for this winter! appeared first on Alberta Institute For Wildlife Conservation ..read more

By Katie Grant Red foxes organize their small family groups (called “leashes” or “skulks”) through a social hierarchy. At the top of the pack are the breeding pair, called the alpha male and female, followed by a beta who helps care for newborn kits and maintain the group. When additional adults are present in the […] The post The Social Hierarchy of the Red Fox appeared first on Alberta Institute For Wildlife Conservation ..read more

By Courtney Collins Western tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium) are found from inland British Columbia to western Manitoba and are divided into two populations: the Southern Mountain population occurring in British Columbia and the Prairie/Boreal population occurring in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.1 In Alberta, there are two subspecies: the blotched tiger salamander and grey tiger salamander.2 […] The post Western Tiger Salamander Migration appeared first on Alberta Institute For Wildlife Conservation ..read more

By Chelsea Blyth Here in Alberta, we are lucky to share our landscape with a variety of incredible wildlife, including two elusive wild cats of the genus Lynx: the bobcat (Lynx rufus) and the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis). While both species are found in our province, their differences in appearance, behaviour, and habitat preference are […] The post Differences Between Bobcats and Canada Lynx: How to Tell them Apart appeared first on Alberta Institute For Wildlife Conservation ..read more

By Julia Guame What is Rutting Season? Rutting season is the annual mating time for various animals including deer, moose and elk.1 During this time, the testosterone in these male animals increases, and they do all they can to impress the females in an attempt to mate.2 When is Elk Rutting Season? In Alberta, the […] The post Elk Rutting Rituals appeared first on Alberta Institute For Wildlife Conservation ..read more

by Holly Hastings Alberta is fortunate to be the “Canadian sweet spot for hummingbird species.”1 We are home to three year-round species: the ruby-throated, calliope, and rufous hummingbirds, with occasional visits from rarer species throughout the year.2 Hummingbirds, native to the Western Hemisphere, are predominantly found in South America.3 These tiny marvels possess a plethora […] The post The Marvelous Mechanics of Hummingbirds appeared first on Alberta Institute For Wildlife Conservation ..read more

by Marissa Hansen Alberta is home to a myriad of wildlife, but one bird holds a special place as the province’s only vulture—the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura). With a face only a mother could love and a job no one else wants, this scavenger is an unsung hero of Alberta’s ecosystems. Let’s dive into the […] The post Meet Alberta’s Feathered Cleanup Crew: The Turkey Vulture appeared first on Alberta Institute For Wildlife Conservation ..read more

By Carley Goodreau The Lakota people first called them Mako Sica – directly translating to “bad lands,” the French: “les mauvaises terres a traveser,” – bad lands to travel across.1 The rough and winding terrain make finding your way difficult, and the climate (exposed, temperatures on either extreme, lack of water) do not provide a […] The post At Home in the Badlands appeared first on Alberta Institute For Wildlife Conservation ..read more

By Holly Hastings Alberta is home to nine species of bats; for a list of species, click here. They can be split into two groups:1 long-distance migrants and2 year-round hibernators.2 A whopping 1450 species of bats can be found worldwide.3 They are also the only mammals that can fly!4 You might think that bats are […] The post A Bat’s Year in Alberta appeared first on Alberta Institute For Wildlife Conservation ..read more