This iconic stoic photo of a polar bear waiting for sea ice to form on the Hudson Bay is classic. Polar bears are so patient and live a good part of their life in anticipation of a simple surface on which to hunt seals and find nourishment to live. That surface seems a little more complicated and compromised these days as the weather is certainly changing. This polar bear season in Churchill has been warmer than any in recent history and the affect on polar bears has been noticeable. Hoping for a massive cool down so our white, furry friends can head out to the ice!
Polar bear waiting patiently for sea ice to form on the Hudson Bay. Drew Hamilton photo.
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.
These amazing photographs by Natural Habitat Adventures guide Brad Josephs in Churchill are diverse in content and exhibit the awesome range of wildlife viewing travelers have been seeing on the tundra of the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. With more than a week to go in this phenomenal polar bear season there’s still much more action to see from Churchill!
Polar bear observing the polar rover. Brad Josephs photo.
Relaxing polar bear in a kelp bed. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar bear awakens to an Arctic fox prowling nearby. Brad Josephs photo.
Two ravens harass a snowy owl on the tundra. Brad Josephs photo.
Snowy owl strikes back at the ravens. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar bears explore a polar rover out in the CWMA. Brad Josephs photo.
Churchill’s 2016 polar bear season is winding down fro some Natural Habitat Adventures guides. Moira Le Patourel is finishing up her amazing season in Churchill tomorrow and we wish her well. Polar bear season for others is continuing for another week however and we will be bringing you all the news. Sunday will feature all the latest news and photos from the tundra. Check in and see the updates tomorrow!
Guide Moira and Churchill staff. Moira Le Patourel photo.
This awesome video filmed by National Geographic in Svalbard, Norway of a polar bear family emerging from their den, roaming around hunting seals is just the calming visual we need at this time of turmoil in our world. We have been seeing polar bear sow’s with cubs of the year this polar bear season in Churchill and they have provided quite the experience for travelers to the north. Enjoy!
