by Steve Selden | Dec 7, 2016 | Churchill News
Following an unusual two week extended polar bear “season” in the Churchill region, it finally seems that polar bears will be hunting seals out on the Hudson Bay ice – pack sooner than later. North winds and a dramatic drop in temperature has brought the ice in for good it appears. With tension around town growing increasingly high due to polar bears roaming the streets, ice on the Hudson Bay has never been more welcomed! Thanks to Polar Bear Alley and Great White Bear Tours for the awesome photos.
Ice on the Hudson Bay in Churchill. Polar Bear Alley photo.
Mother and cub polar bear linger in the middle of the road. Great White Bear Tours photo.
by Steve Selden | Nov 29, 2016 | Churchill News
The Hudson Bay is not cooperating for the hungry polar bears in the Churchill region. As you can see in the notes by Conservation officers, Churchill is not so safe these days. Hopes are high that the ice will return and remain the rest of the winter once we are through this period. Anxious polar bears on the land and in the Polar Bear Holding Facility will eagerly migrate their once formed! This extended ice – free period will affect the southern Hudson Bay polar bear population in some way. It will be quite interesting to see what transpires in years to come.
Polar bear mother and cub resting on the Precambrian shield in Churchill. Katie de Meulles photo.
Ice map of the Hudson Bay region showing very little ice in the bay. Environment Canada image.
by Steve Selden | Nov 28, 2016 | Churchill News
With the south winds blowing the ice – pack away from the southern Hudson Bay coast, there are still some polar bears around Churchill at this late juncture. These three polar bear family pics were taken by local photographer Karine Genest and featured by Polar Bear Alley, a long – time Churchill blog site. While we are still enjoying all the bonus polar bear coverage from the north, we are hoping that the ice returns and covers the bay soon. Just like your local pee-wee hockey team, these hungry animals need ice – time albeit for different end “goals”!
A sow polar bear and her two cubs relaxing near the Hudson Bay. Karine Genest photo.
Nursing polar bear cubs while mom keeps a watchful eye. Karine Genest photo.
Polar bears resting comfortably awaiting the return of the Hudson Bay ice. Karine Genest photo.
by Steve Selden | Nov 23, 2016 | Churchill News
Here are the polar bear stats for the past week in Churchill. There’s still good numbers of bears in the Polar Bear Holding Facility. South winds might add a twist to the polar bear numbers on the coast and out at Cape Churchill. We will keep everyone posted on the affect the weather has on the polar bears in Churchill over the next couple of weeks!
by Steve Selden | Nov 20, 2016 | Churchill News
Not many marathons are run in -30 degree temperatures…though Churchill is not you average “run of the mill” town, no pun intended. Quite the group of hearty northerners in the frontier town of Churchill! Polar bears are still lingering around the tundra waiting for the freeze but that hasn’t deterred the avid runners from competing in a “cool” marathon!
The annual polar bear marathon in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
by Steve Selden | Nov 14, 2016 | Churchill News
Polar bear occurrences in Churchill are becoming more frequent as bear numbers are growing in anticipation of the Hudson Bay freeze – up. The Polar Bear Holding facility is at half – capacity with two bear lifts scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at 1:30 for each. Temperatures are supposed to drop later this week and the cold should be consistent from then on into the heart of the northern winter. This polar bear season has been an odd one for sure with the moderate warmth for the first half of the season. All in all we still have amazing wildlife action with polar bears across the Churchill Wildlife Management Area!
Polar bear statistics for the week. Manitoba Conservation image.
