Polar bears sparring in the willows. Colby Brokvist photo.
Whether sparring satisfies staying focused and fit for potential confrontations out on the Hudson Bay ice or displaying dominance for sows, the energy exhausted during the process is substantial. Some bears have not eaten for weeks or even months yet they answer the call to spar as part of their ability to survive within the population.
Check out these classic shots from Churchill, Manitoba. Polar bear action is quiet around the Churchill Wildlife Management Area these days but will return next October and November. In the meantime take a look at these spectacular polar bear shots!
Polar bears sparring after a snowstorm in Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar bear testing the ice in Churchill. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.
Sparring polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba. Colby Brokvist photo.
A lone polar bear skirts a pond in Churchill. Eric Rock photo.
Two polar bears sparring near the tundra Lodge. Eric Rock photo.
“Boxing Day” follows Christmas..usually celebrated on December 26th traditionally to recognize those people who provide services throughout the year such as tradesmen or postal delivery workers. It has nothing to do with boxing…as in fighting …or polar bears sparring.
Anyway, I know this is a stretch, but this weeks photos are “boxing” photos..rather amazing sparring photos of polar bears in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area where incredible bear action occurs in October and November prior to the Hudson Bay freeze up. Enjoy.
Sparring polar bears in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Brad Josephs photo.
Two polar bears sparring near the tundra Lodge. Eric Rock photo.
Polar bears grapple in the willows. Colby Brokvist photo.
Polar bears sparring in the willows along the Hudson Bay coast. Kurt Johnson photo.
Sparring polar bears in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Rick Pepin photo.
Polar bears congregate every year around Churchill, Manitoba to await ice formation in the western and southern Hudson Bay. By early to mid November, polar bears are omnipresent in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area with travelers on polar rovers seeing more than 50 polar bears in a single excursion to the tundra.
Polar bear looking at the polar rover. Photo: Colby Brokvist
There are a few major factors for the bears anticipating the freeze-up in the Churchill region.First and foremost is simple topography relating to the location of the town of Churchill and the jutting land that extends into the bay known as Cape Churchill. As you can see by the map the shelf is quite evident.
While this shelf extension is not all that crucial in itself as a major congregating hot-spot, the contributing factors qualify it as such. Counter-clockwise sea currents cause ice formation to get hung up there. The stalling affect on the flow of water coupled with fresh water flow from the Churchill and Nelson Rivers, to name two of the biggest in the area, create the perfect formula for ice formation here. Since fresh water freezes faster than salt water, the ice will build early off the coast and then combine with the northern ice formed in the colder regions. That pack ice is pushed in by the currents and south winds. All this make for a “perfect storm” of ice formation at the most accessible place in the sub-Arctic.
Three polar bears explore the coastline anticipating the freeze-up. Karen Walker photo.
Of course, there is another reason polar bears like Churchill. Human population. A community of humans brings all the side benefits for animals…and in this case hungry polar bears trying to survive to the next seal-hunting season on fat reserves. The aromas and food by-products associated with human life attract every opportunistic species around. Around Churchill, top of the list are the polar bears. Before the old dump was closed down some years ago, polar bears would forage there all day and became a zoo-like attraction to travelers and locals alike. With the majority of that facility closed down, polar bear activity in town escalated over the years. The Polar Bear Alert program has become quite active in attempts to keep up with the burgeoning polar bear appearances in the town.
Polar bear holding compound in Churchill.
Global warming indications have also caused polar bears to appear on land earlier in the summer months. With sea ice coverage decreasing recently in the Hudson Bay, polar bears are being forced to come on land and seek alternative food sources. I can say from first-hand experience that polar bear sightings in Churchill have increased over the past 15 years. Guiding summer beluga whale trips for over a decade has allowed me to witness the firsthand increase in bear numbers. Bears have also become more successful at seal hunting in the shallow tidal coastal areas around the Churchill region.
Polar bear enjoying the success of a seal kill. Photo Paul Brown
Overall, the changes in polar bear numbers year-round have spurred Manitoba Conservation officers to adjust their strategy regarding bear management in Churchill. The feeling is this will continue to be readjusted even more over the coming years.
Polar bear season 2014 has come to a close in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area as well as the Churchill town vicinity. Polar bears in the area have headed out on the Hudson Bay ice pack in search of seals to forage. Although the last travelers to Churchill have had sparse bear sightings at best, the situation for the bears is ideal.
Polar bears grapple in the willows. Colby Brokvist photo.
Overall this season has been extraordinary when it comes to the health of the polar bears and the number of sows and cubs in the area. The weather has been very fitting for the bears and the early freeze-up has enabled the polar bears to get out on the ice and start building their fat reserves back up.
Polar bear taking roll call at a polar rover.
Here’s the link to the Conservation numbers of polar bear occurrences, fly-outs, in the compound, and releases throughout the season.
Hudson Bay ice floes collide and pack in tight. Karen Walker photo.
Here’s what a note on the Conservation Manitoba door read: “Bears were observed passing by Churchill on the ice on November 12th. Started ice release on November 14th. Completed ice release on November 16th. Most bears are now on the ice on Hudson Bay.”
Jeremy Pearson photo.
A truly memorable season is over ….looking forward to this winters’ aurora trips!
