This written script is here to help guests who are hard of hearing follow the story and enjoy the full magic of our Zoo Lights adventure.
1. Intro
Welcome aboard the Arctic Express!
My name is Dr. Dennis. I’m a wildlife biologist studying the migration patterns of caribou in the northern Rocky Mountains. Although domestic reindeer have taught us important information about their wild counterpart, this is vital research to help save an endangered population, the South Peace Northern Caribou.
Today we have a very important conservation mission. I have recruited you to help me locate the satellite tracking collar of a female caribou, “G-197.” We’ve been tracking “G-197” for many years, learning where she sleeps, where she eats, and what paths she uses to migrate thousands of kilometres each year. “G-197’s” satellite collar is approaching the end of its 8-year battery life; if the battery runs out before we can locate it, we may lose her data forever.
Our mission is to find G-197, recover the collar, and let her continue her journey in the wild.
(Tracker starts beeping)
Looks like I’m picking up a signal now! Let’s hurry, before we lose it!
2. Light Tunnel
Our adventure begins in northern British Columbia, specifically Fort St John; the last region of human civilization before we venture into the rocky mountains. Keep your guard up! As the lights of this tunnel fade into the distance, we leave domestic warmth and safety and enter the untamed northern wilderness.
3. Base Camp at Pink Mountain
First, let’s stop at our base camp on Pink Mountain. Here, we can make sure we have all the supplies we need to reach G-197's location safely. Pink mountain is a protected nature reserve, revered for its pristine alpine meadows with rare arctic plants. This is the perfect place for researchers like me to study vulnerable animals such as caribou.
South Peace Northern Caribou are a threatened population. Every data point we gather helps us understand how to keep these animals safe from habitat loss and overhunting. Of course, even base camp can be dangerous. Keep your eyes peeled for any bears in the area!
As we venture further, the only light you’ll see is the glow of the moonlight off the mountains, creating a beautiful ambient light.
4. Eagles by the River
If you feel eyes on you, look around. Do you see those silhouettes at the top of the trees? Those are bald eagles, nesting amongst the towering Douglas Firs. These majestic birds choose their nesting sites carefully, returning to the same spot year after year.
Along the rivers edge is prime real estate, with ample opportunity to hunt a variety of prey. Bald eagles are expert fishers, able to see four times better than humans. They rely on salmon and trout that swim beneath the icy surface of northern rivers. Are these eagles watching us? Or, are their eyes on their next meal.
(Tracker beeping continues)
Our tracker is telling us to cross this waterway. But this gentle stream has become a rushing river! Hang on tight! The current is strong; we'll have to keep our wits about us. Hopefully G-197 isn’t too far on the other side of this bank.
5. Fox Meadow
Phew! Things are a bit more calm in this meadow. Let's catch our breath.
What's that in the snow? Do you see those tracks? They belong to red foxes (red fox sound effect). Oh look, there’s some now! Foxes are clever creatures, able to use their impressive hearing and the earth’s magnetic field to locate prey animals hidden beneath the snow. Once they have a target, they jump high in the air, plunging nose-first into the powdery snow to catch a mouse.
Despite the name “red” fox, these canines can have red, brown, black, white, silver, blond, or a combination of fur colours.
Let’s check our tracker. Looks like we still have a ways to go.
Hold on… (rumbling stampede noise)
Do you feel that?
6. Bison Stampede
Look out! We’re right in the pathway of a bison stampede! These giant mammals are the largest living residents of North America, capable of reaching up to 2,000 pounds. There were once millions of bison roaming the Great Plains, but their population decreased dramatically when settlers arrived in the 1800’s.
Today, thanks to conservation efforts, these colossal animals have made a remarkable recovery. Despite their large size, they can reach a sprint of 50 km/h. Quickly, let’s move out of the way before they reach us!
(We pass by the bison projector)
That was a close one!
7. Mountain Climb
Our journey continues, taking us further into the Northern Rockies. We must climb these steep mountain faces just like the Rocky Mountain Goats. Masters of balance, these alpine antelopes are the ultimate rock climbers. Full of power, they have split hooves with a rubbery pad to help them grip slippery surfaces, and a low centre of gravity to keep them from teetering over the edge.
Traversing these narrow cliffs helps them escape from predators who dare not follow. Temperatures at this height can drop as low as –50°C in the winter; luckily, mountain goats have two coats of fur to keep them warm and dry.
As tough as this mountain was to climb, our tracker is telling us to descend the other side into the valley. What awaits us on the other side?
8. Silent Watchers
It's quiet on this side of the mountain; we’ve left the thundering bison stampede long behind. But don’t let the silence fool you. We're not alone out here. In the distance, cougars glide silently through the rocky terrain. Do you feel their eyes watching us?
These solitary cats are skilled hunters, quietly stalking their prey through the night. From a still position, they can jump up to 30 ft away, allowing them the complete element of surprise. They may be curious about us, but luckily we’re not on the menu tonight! These apex predators prefer deer or elk to wandering scientists, playing the important role of maintaining balance in the food chain.
9. Avalanche
(Avalanche sound effect plays)
Oh no, that’s not good. That’s the sound of an avalanche! Look around, do you see falling snow? It's around us now. Thankfully, we have the Arctic Express to keep us safe! (sounds settle)
Oh no! Our GPS navigation system was damaged in the snow (beep beep). Luckily our tracker is still working. It looks like we’ll have to use nature’s navigation system to guide us on our journey.
Up above us, Ursa Major – aka the Big Dipper – points to the North Star. For centuries, travelers have used this very star to guide their journeys through the northern wilderness. Tonight, we join them!
10. Wolves in the Distance
As our adventure drags on, it feels like we may never find G-197. But don’t despair! We have a mission to complete, and we won’t stop until we do.
(Wolves howl in the distance)
That sound can only mean one thing: there are wolves on these mountains. Don’t be alarmed. A wolf’s howl can echo up to 16 kilometres away on a clear winter night, allowing pack members a form of long distance communication to find each other.
I don’t think this pack is close to us now. But, their howling gives us important information. Gray wolves are a keystone species, and their presence is vital to a healthy ecosystem. Let's move along; we don’t want to disturb their territory.
11. Elk Encounter
(The tracker beeping intensifies)
I think we’re getting close! Is that her there? No, these majestic deer are American elk. Male elk grow antlers that can weigh up to 40 pounds. Imagine what it must take to grow a new pair every single year!
(elk bugle sound effect)
Do you hear the male calling to the female? Elk bugling is one of those hauntingly beautiful sounds that epitomizes the essence of the wilderness.
Although they are beautiful, sadly this is not the antlered animal we’re looking for.
12. Snowshoe Hare
It has been a wild ride! I love getting to be out here in the remote wilderness, it’s my favourite part of being a scientist. The snow sparkles like millions of tiny diamonds.
Clustered near that shrub, you’ll see small shapes crouching motionless: snowshoe hares. Their enormous back feet act like natural snowshoes, allowing them to hop across the powdery drifts without sinking. At this time of year, their fur turns pure white, blending in seamlessly with the snow around them. This gives them the best chance of defense against predators such as owls, lynx, and foxes.
(Tracking beep increases)
We must be getting close!
13. The Caribou’s Journey
(One final beep)
There! Up on that ridge! The South Peace Northern Caribou herd we’ve been looking for! We've finally reached her, G-197. Can you see the satellite collar around her neck? It's 8-year battery life is now complete.
Caribou are incredible travelers, migrating thousands of kilometres each year between summer and winter ranges to find food. In the winter, they feed primarily on lichens, a hardy fungus that uses algae cells to perform photosynthesis like a plant!
Being the only deer species where females also grow antlers, they use them to scrape away snow and ice to find lichen growing on rocks and trees. Caribou have impressive adaptations to withstand such cold and snowy environments. Their large, concave hooves spread wide like natural snowshoes, allowing them to walk on top of deep snow and even swim across icy rivers. Their fur is lightweight but well insulated, with hollow hairs that trap heat close to the body.
These animals were made for this environment.
South Peace Northern Caribou are among the most endangered in British Columbia. They face threats of habitat loss due to human activity. Every collar we remove, every data set we study, helps to ensure their survival in an ever-changing world.
We'll remove this collar now and let G-197 continue her story.
14. Journey’s End
Our mission is complete! Thanks to your help, we’ll bring the collar back to the lab for analysis while G-197 remains free – wild, untamed, and perfectly at home beneath the northern stars. Her story will help caribou for generations to come.
As the Arctic Express brings us back to the warmth and familiarity of civilization, I hope you’ll remember the journey we’ve been. Every animal we’ve encountered during this experience – eagle, fox, bison, mountain goat, cougar, wolf, elk, hare, and caribou — plays a vital role in the balance of this delicate ecosystem.
Working to help one of these species can help many others in the ecosystem. Protecting these animals means protecting the northern wilderness itself.
15. Safety message
As we return to the train station, please remain seated until the Arctic Express comes to a complete stop and the engine has been turned off. Please exit on the station platform side and follow the yellow arrows to the exit gate.
On behalf of the Greater Vancouver Zoo, thank you for joining me on this incredible adventure. I wish you warmth and wellbeing on these long winter nights!
