I went to Campbell River BC in September 2022, and took a three-hour boat ride into the remote Toba Valley fiords. The Klahoose First Nations are the proud stewards of the Toba Valley Grizzly Bears. For generations, they have coexisted with these magnificent creatures, sharing the same land and waters. They ensure the visitors and the bears are safe.

In the fall, when the chum salmon are running, the grizzly bears come down from the mountain to feed. They follow the Klite river into the heart of the valley, where the salmon spawn in its shallow waters. The bears catch the fish with their powerful claws, then tear them apart with their teeth to eat the nutritious flesh. After feasting on salmon for weeks, the bears put on enough fat to last them through the long winter months when food is scarce. The cycle of bear and salmon has continued for centuries, and it is one of the most spectacular natural events in North America. It was a thrilling trip to get close to these beautiful animals in their natural environments.