Cinnamon Black Bear shows up in Churchill. Rhonda Reid photo.
This cinnamon black bear was “captured” via camera by Rhonda Reid in Churchill. Black bears have been more regularly spotted further north over the last 20 years. Churchill has become quite the melting pot of animal species as the climate changes more and more. We are still quite surprised every time we get a look at another bear beside the King of the North! Polar bears still dominate the landscape though we are surely seeing an increase in these other species of bears.
Hearing beluga whales communicating in the water of the Churchill River and Hudson Bay around Churchill is one of my most lasting memories of my tenure as a guide for Natural Habitat Adventures. Nothing in nature, in my opinion, compares to witnessing animals communicating with one another and if you spend enough time with beluga whales you will hear them and see how they act as a group and coordinate their actions as apparently one organism. This short video gives an impression of what you can expect to witness as a traveler on a spectacular Churchill Summer Adventure! Enjoy!
Train engine being hoisted onto the cargo ship at the Churchill Port. Katie de Meulles photo.
The Port of Churchill is minus one prospective suitor for possible acquisition. The group, iChurchill and a First Nations consortium led by Glenn Hudson, Peguis First Nations Chief has withdrawn from bidding on the Port and the Hudson Bay Line.
“We are disappointed to have put so much time, effort and money into what would have been a timely solution for the people of Churchill and the economy of Western Canada, but we have apparently run up against politics,” said Louis Dufresne , CEO of iChurchill,
“We finally met last week with the government of Canada’s negotiator on the file, Mr. Wayne Wouters, and he made it clear that the government is willing to deal only with one specific company, a Toronto-based financial firm. We can’t understand why this is, given that our partnership meets all of the government’s stated criteria to support the restoration of rail service to Churchill.”
Churchill’s mayor Mike Spence and town council said iChurchill had previously announced that they were still negotiating with Omnitrax and the Canadian government to try and reach an agreement on the sale.
Now, iChurchill states that the federal government is catering to one exclusive buyer and will only offer financial assistance for track repairs to the Hudson Bay Railway for that group exclusively. Trains have not run to Churchill since last May and it appears that the hopes of starting the repairs this summer are fading again.
“Our team believes that these assets can be operated profitably,” said Dufresne. “My head cares about the commercial interests. But my heart is with the people of Churchill and the First Nations of Northern Manitoba. It’s been a year since a flood washed out their only land link to the rest of the country. I hope they can get their railway back online this year, but without a change in position on the part of the federal government, I’m not optimistic.”
We will have to wait and see what other potential buyers and investors arise in the near future.
Tundra swans along the coast with the spring melt in full force. Katie de meulles photo.
A gyrfalcon perched in Churchill. Katie de meulles photo.
Two awesome images from Churchill photographer Katie DeMeulles.This time of year in Churchill is when birds are arriving all over the tundra and the landscape is alive. These swans and gyrfalcon are early to the spring party.We can’t wait for the progression of seasons brings more and more species to the region. Enjoy.
