Khutzeymateen Park (K’tzim-a-deen Grizzly Sanctuary)
Khutzeymateen Park (K'tzim-a-deen Grizzly Sanctuary) is located on the North Coast in the traditional territories of the Lax Kw'alaams Tribes and the Metlakatla Nation. The park was created in 1994 and covers 44,300 hectares.
Khutzeymateen Park (K’tzim-a-deen Grizzly Sanctuary) is a protected area on BC’s North Coast.
Khutzeymateen Park (K’tzim-a-deen Grizzly Sanctuary)
The Khutzeymateen Provincial Park [a.k.a. Khutzeymateen/K’tzim-a-deen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary] was established as a Class A Park in 1994 as the first area in Canada to be protected specifically for grizzly bears and their habitat. Class A parks are dedicated to the preservation of their natural environments for the inspiration, use and enjoyment of the public.
The park represents the first undisturbed estuary of its size to be protected along the north coast of BC. The topography of this land and marine sanctuary is diverse, with rugged peaks towering to 2100 metres above a valley of wetlands, old growth temperate rainforests and a large river estuary.
An abundance of wildlife shares the area. The Khutzeymateen group of protected areas continues to play a key role in the conservation of grizzly bears in North America by protecting a large part of the ecosystem in which they live. Grizzly bears depend on a healthy and fully functioning ecosystem which supports a variety of animals and fish.
Coast Tsimshian First Nations depend upon this area, as they have for thousands of years, as the source of their social, economic and cultural prosperity. Coast Tsimshian continue to conduct traditional activities in the K’tzim-a-deen and provide public education to explain their relationship to the area.
The area continues to offer incredible opportunities to view grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Human use of the area focuses on bear viewing, natural and cultural education, and traditional activities. The K’tzim-a-deen protected areas play an important role in British Columbia’s protected areas system. The protected areas are known internationally as Canada’s first Grizzly Bear sanctuary and are home to one of the highest concentrations of grizzly bears in Canada.
Overview provided by BC Parks