Gros Morne National Park of Canada

A Place Mammals Can Call Home

Newfoundland is an island, an important point to keep in mind if you are interested in the animal life of Gros Morne National Park. Starting just over two million years ago, ice ages periodically scoured this Island of its plant and animal life, and covered vast portions of the mainland too. The animals that are now considered native to the Island made their way over in the last 15 000 years, coming from the mainland by swimming, by flying, or by walking across the pack ice.

Long isolation has produced a large number of Newfoundland subspecies: 9 of the Island's 14 native land mammals are distinct from their mainland relatives. Since the arrival of Europeans, there have been both deliberate and accidental introductions of animal species. Even today new species are being brought to the island, or finding their own way across the water and ice.

The Most Asked-About Mammals

Moose

Bull (male) moose on roadside, GMNP
© Parks Canada / Michael Burzynski / 1608-052, M2-290, 1996

Two moose were introduced to the island of Newfoundland in 1878 and four moose in 1904. They are now seen in most areas of the Island. There is no legal hunting in Gros Morne National Park, so the moose population is large and serves as a reservoir for stocking the surrounding area. As a matter of fact, the population density of moose in the park is one of the highest recorded in North America!

Moose are the largest member of the deer family; they are dark brown in colour, weigh 385-535 kg and have a shoulder height of 180 cm. Be cautious year-round when driving, especially at dusk or dawn. If you meet a moose on the road, keep your distance, pull off the road, turn off your lights (the moose may be blinded by your headlights), and give it a chance to leave the road. Never approach a moose. Bull moose can be aggressive, particularly during the autumn rut.

Woodland Caribou

Caribou can smell lichens through the snow, and dig shallow craters to reach their food. (GMNP)
© Parks Canada

Woodland caribou are much smaller than moose; a male adult can weigh up to 270kg, and females are about a quarter smaller. They are usually seen on the Long Range traverse and sometimes on Gros Morne Mountain. In recent winters, they have been seen in large numbers on the coastal lowlands north of Berry Hill and St. Paul's. Be alert while driving, as caribou are unpredictable and can cross the road at any time. Learn more about the monitoring of the caribou population in Gros Morne National Park.

Black Bears

Black Bear crossing Lomond road, GMNP
© Parks Canada / Anne Marceau / 1608-056, M1-699, 1996

Occasionally seen along certain park trails: Stuckless Pond , Lomond , Gros Morne Mountain , and Snug Harbour . The Newfoundland black bear is generally larger than its mainland relatives, ranging in size from 90 to 270 kg and averaging 135 kg. It also has one of the longest hibernation periods of any bear in North America!

Black bears are wary of humans, however they sometimes wander into campsites in search of food. No one has yet been seriously injured by a black bear in Gros Morne National Park. Please do your part to maintain this record by reading the brochure " You are in Black Bear Country " and by following these important procedures:

• Never eat or keep food in your tent.

• Stash Your Trash! All waste food and food packaging should be disposed of in garbage containers or taken with you when you leave. A bear attracted to a dirty campsite will be a problem for the next camper.

• Report any bear that you see to park staff. Prompt reporting allows wardens to remove offending bears to isolated parts of the park before they become habitual offenders and have to be destroyed. The information that you provide is also recorded and used for research about the park's black bear population.

Red Foxes

Red fox on roadside, Southeast Hills, GMNP
© Parks Canada / Michael Burzynski / 1608-058, M1-643, 1996

Common in Gros Morne National Park and are often seen in areas frequented by humans. Red foxes resemble a small slender dog and range in size from 3.6 to 6.8 kg. Newfoundland's Red Fox comes in a range of colours- red, black, silver, yellowish, and a mixture of colours called a patch phase. Outbreaks of rabies are uncommon in Newfoundland but an Arctic fox variant of rabies can infect red foxes. Rabies should be considered in any wild animal exhibiting abnormal behaviour, including loss of fear, frothing at the mouth, or lack of coordination. Report any suspected cases of rabies to park staff.

Arctic Hare

Arctic Hare on Gros Morne mountain, GMNP
© Parks Canada / Daniel Boisclair / 1608-068, M1-532, 1993

These large hare (up to 6kilograms) can be seen on the Long Range traverse and on Gros Morne Mountain. Arctic hares in Newfoundland are the southernmost in the world, and have the lowest reproductive potential of any hare or rabbit in the world- one litter per year with an average of three young! Because of their low numbers, restricted habitat, and low reproduction rate, the park monitors these animals closely. Check out the monitoring program on the Arctic Hare population in Gros Morne National Park.

Aerial view of humpback whale
© Parks Canada / Michael Burzynski / 1608-065, M3-199, 1996

Whales

They are uncommon in this area, but small numbers are seen throughout the summer months during the capelin run in June or early July. Bonne Bay and Lobster Cove Head are best places for pilot, minke, humpback and sometimes fin whales. Ask local people or park staff for recent sightings.

Harbour seals

Harbour seals on rocks at St. Paul's Inlet
© Parks Canada / Sheldon Stone / 1608-077, M3-178, 1991

Usually seen in St. Pauls Inlet during the summer as they often haul out onto rocks to bask at low tide. The boat tour is an excellent way to see harbour seals.