Churchill Photo of the Week – Hello Bear

This polar bear wandered right up to this front door of a housing building in Churchill. Benjamin Oman took this shot while the bear was contemplating its next move. Churchill is a wild town and residents and visitors need to always be aware, even more in summer months when bears tend to move around town and people often let their guard down. Polar Bear Alert will relocate the bear as they do in polar bear season. Give them a call if you see a bear near or in town at   204-675-2327!

Churchill Weekly Polar Bear Stats

Polar bear stats reflect a slight rise in numbers though most polar bears have not moved much since the last report. There have been individual animals recently hazed and darted in the town of Churchill and Polar Bear Alert will be ramping up surveillance as the polar bear season progresses. We are excited to share all the highlights and images from Churchill, the polar bear capital of the world.

Barren – Ground Grizzly Trapped in Churchill

barren ground grizzly in Churchill

Barren – ground grizzly under sedation at the Churchill Polar Bear Holding Facility. Manitoba Conservation photo.

 

Barren - ground grizzly in Churchill, Manitoba.

Barren – ground grizzly in the Churchill Polar Bear Holding Facility. Manitoba Conservation photo.

 

airlift of Barren - ground grizzly in Churchill.

Helicopter lifts the Barren – ground grizzly to its northern release location. Manitoba Conservation photo.

In Churchill, when a bear breaks into a cabin or outbuilding, Polar Bear Alert is called. On July 18, 2018 the call was made and Conservation officers investigated. No bear was located that day however roughly a week later a bear was captured in a culvert trap set by the officers in the area.

July 26th Manitoba Conservation officers approached a trap and realized quickly they had a bear inside. Once they examined the trap more closely they were quite surprised. Instead of the usual polar bear captive, they had trapped a Barren – ground grizzly bear! After spending part of the day in the polar bear holding facility, the animal was airlifted and released near the Manitoba – Nunavut border to the north.

The male grizzly weighed 388 lbs and was equipped with a GPS ear tag and lip tattooed to track its movements.  The GPS will transmit over the next four months and researchers will be able to study its migration pattern. Barren – ground grizzlies are Protected under the Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act.

Churchill Video of the Week – Polar Bear Alert

Polar bear season is nearly year round in the town of Churchill on the shores of the massive Hudson Bay. Polar Bear Alert officers are on the job working tirelessly to secure the town from wandering polar bears. What an amazing job they do protecting churchillians and travelers to Churchill. This video gives some incredible insight into their job and what it takes to be a Polar Bear Alert officer! Enjoy!

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