Polar Bear Viewing in Churchill: Polar Bear Capital of the World |
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| Mother and Cubs1 |
Few animals are as endearing as the large, white polar bear. However, their cuddly appearance is only a human idealism; they are in fact vicious carnivores, sneaky, sly and adept at stalking and killing large prey, including seals, walruses and beluga whales.
Polar bear cubs are born in the darkest of winter, from December through January. They rely on their mothers for food and warmth, emerging from their dens in March or April. After hanging around the den for a couple of weeks and acclimatizing to their new environment, sows and their cubs begin journeying onto the ice to look for their first kill of the season.
In July and August, mothers and their young families are easily spotted against a colourful background of arctic wild flowers and grasses. As autumn begins, bears start sparring and wrestling playfully, exploring their abilities and honing their hunting skills. During these warmer months the bears subsist on sedge grass and an occasional kill. Then, as winter approaches, polar bears start gathering in the Churchill area, waiting impatiently for ice to form so they can begin looking for seals, a more substantial food source that will allow them to endure the long winter.
WILDLIFE VIEWING
There are many tour companies operating in Churchill. Bears can be seen on foot, on custom vehicles called tundra buggies and by boat. Tour companies do not guarantee bear sightings, however, given Churchill's unique position and the large bear population, few visitors are disappointed. Wildlife viewing by helicopter is also a possibility but of course seeing these animals clearly from the air isn't easy in winter due to the colour of their coats.
Knowledgeable guides educate visitors and ensure that safe distances are kept from the creatures at all times during guided walks. A zoom lens is certainly recommended for avid photographers. Churchill Wild and Lazy Bear Lodge offer tours around Churchill and the surrounding area.
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| A Curious Bear Follows Tundra Buggy Tracks2 |
Many visitors choose to take several days to a week for a packaged vacation at a backcountry lodge. Lodges are typically well equipped, reputed for their good cuisine, cozy atmosphere and serene setting. Large fireplaces and massive picture windows make wildlife viewing a warm, relaxing experience. And for adventurers who want a closer look, three-metre-tall (10 ft) wire fences around the lodge separate polar bears from guests, providing an excellent opportunity for wildlife viewing and photography. Churchill Wild, Dymond Lake Lodge and Seal River Heritage Lodge are all highly recommended for their beautiful locations, excellent guides, comfortable accommodations and great food.
Though there are many areas well suited to polar bear watching, one of the most popular destinations is Wapusk National Park (Wapusk is the Cree word for white bear), a polar bear maternity denning area. Here, female polar bears give birth to cubs and help them through their most vulnerable stage of life.
WEATHER
Churchill is a place of extremes. Summers are pleasant with highs up to 20°C (70°F) in July and August. During the cold winter months there are only a few hours of daylight and temperatures can drop as low as -40°C (-40°F).
Polar bears can be seen all year but are most abundant from October to November, a snowy time when temperatures range from 0°C (32°F) in early October to as low as -20°C (-5°F) toward the end of November. Visitors should prepare themselves by wearing insulating layers close to the body and a good windbreaker on top to withstand the harsh tundra winds.
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| Looking for Seals Can Be Exhausting3 |
First Nations people and bears have coexisted in this region for a thousand years. Some of this history can be explored at the Eskimo Museum, which has an extensive collection of Inuit artifacts. Polar bears have long provided important raw materials for the Inuit people and almost all parts of the animal are used, in particular fur for warmth, meat for food and fat for fuel. These items, especially fur pelts, were also used to trade with Europeans when they arrived.
Inuit cultures have many tales and legends featuring polar bears, revealing their deep respect for these animals. A healthy respect for nature is crucial to coexisting with wildlife so the Town of Churchill and Parks Canada educate the population about polar bear safety to decrease confrontations and ensure resources are managed and tourism conducted in a sustainable manner; in this way, both the human community and polar bears benefit.
Another initiative, the Polar Bear Alert program, allows local residents to phone in when a bear is spotted too close to town. These bears are tranquilized and transported to the Polar Bear Jail for a temporary stay before being released back to the wild, farther from the townsite. Tours of the jail are a popular activity.
ECOTOURISM
Heightened awareness of wildlife and habitat conservation means that there are a lot of options available to eco-conscious tourists. Employing a tour company is one way to support conservation in Churchill. Many tour companies donate transportation time on tundra buggies, boats and helicopters to students and teachers as well as provide logistical support for scientists and conservationists. Several of them also make cash donations to Polar Bears International.
Numerous shops in town sell wildlife-themed stationary, books, videos and artistic items such as paintings, photographs and jewellery and a portion of these proceeds go to various non-profit environmental organizations that help conserve wildlife and the unique arctic habitat.
BEYOND BEARS
A polar bear adventure in Churchill is complemented by the amazing natural beauty and diverse wildlife of the area. During the day, visitors can enjoy a helicopter or dogsled tour to explore the expansive landscape. Boat tours take tourists to remote islands to see unique seascapes, including mountains and icebergs, and at night visitors may be treated to the Northern Lights. Go swimming and kayaking with beluga whales, or take a wildlife tour and discover a variety of birds and mammals, including herons, owls, caribou, moose and wolves.
Visitors can also see the historic Prince of Wales Fort, built in the 1700s, or take a side trip to beautiful Cape Merry.
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