Wildlife & Parks
Quebec has more than 650 animal species, including 200 fish and 325 bird species that inhabit its carefully preserved territory. Many of these species can be seen in the wilderness or by chance during a stroll through the forest. The same goes for marine mammals, migratory birds and numerous land mammals, such as white-tailed deer, moose, caribou, and beavers. These animals along with a beautiful scenery and fascinating information can be seen at some of the national parks listed below - all in Quebec!
Forillon National Park of Canada
The “Jewlel of the Gaspe” where land meets sea
Forillon, a national park created in 1970, is located at the farthest reach of the Gaspé Peninsula. Its landscapes covers a 244 sq. km area that is carved out of the sea, cliffs and mountains.
Forillon, a national park created in 1970, is located at the farthest reach of the Gaspé Peninsula. Its landscapes covers a 244 sq. km area that is carved out of the sea, cliffs and mountains.
La Mauricie National Park of Canada
Lakes winding through forested hills for canoe and portage activities
Located in the Laurentian mountain range, La Mauricie National Park is a 536 sq. km natural conservation area intended as a representative sample of the southern part of the Canadian Shield. For more than 40 years, La Mauricie National Park has been offering unforgettable recreational and educational experiences to visitors from around the world, enabling them to discover Canada’s natural and cultural heritage treasures.
Located in the Laurentian mountain range, La Mauricie National Park is a 536 sq. km natural conservation area intended as a representative sample of the southern part of the Canadian Shield. For more than 40 years, La Mauricie National Park has been offering unforgettable recreational and educational experiences to visitors from around the world, enabling them to discover Canada’s natural and cultural heritage treasures.
Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada
A string of islands carved out by the sea
Beyond the 50th parallel, along the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, lie some thirty limestone islands and more than 1000 granitic islets and reefs. The territory, the Mingan Archipelago, became a national park reserve in 1984.
Beyond the 50th parallel, along the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, lie some thirty limestone islands and more than 1000 granitic islets and reefs. The territory, the Mingan Archipelago, became a national park reserve in 1984.
Some of the wildlife abundant to the province of Quebec as where you are most likely to see them.
White-Tailed Deer
Found in most Québec regions, the white-tailed deer is frequently encountered at a bend in the trail, the edge of the woods or even around certain villages. The deer are at their most abundant on the Île d’Anticosti in the Duplessis region: over 120,000 inhabit the island.
Moose
Moose are another fairly common sight in Québec. The Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier, 45 minutes north of Québec City, organizes moose-watching safaris. Further east, the Réserve Faunique de Matane in the Gaspésie, which has the greatest concentration of moose in Québec, offers a range of activities to facilitate observation offers guided activities and holiday packages, all in the interest of getting visitors acquainted with this majestic animal.
Caribou
The Baie-James and Nunavik regions are home to massive herds of caribou: nearly one million head in total. These creatures roam far and wide throughout the year over vast tracts of land. Exceptionally, a few dozen individuals may be observed further south in the higher reaches of the Parc National des Grands-Jardins (Charlevoix), and in the Parc National de la Gaspésie, where they coexist with deer and moose.
Beaver
The beaver’s lodges and dams are easy enough to spot, but the animal itself remains somewhat hidden. This small creature however, with its iconic tail, which also has a sweet treat named after it, is not uncommon in the course of a canoeing or kayaking trip.
Marine Animals
Québec is one of the few places in the world where you can see such a wide variety of large sea mammals (13 species in all) all on the St. Lawrence River. The blue whale, the most imposing animal on Earth, lives in the waters of the St. Lawrence. This colossal mammal can attain 25 m (82 ft.) in length. The second-largest cetacean, the Fin Whale, can be found here as well. Numerous other species can also be seen in the river, including the Humpback Whale, Porpoises and Dolphins (especially in the gulf). Another marine mammal you are likely to spot on this magnificent river would be the Beluga Whale, the small arctic whales that live in the St. Lawrence year-round. About 1,000 belugas inhabit the river, however, they are an endangered species.