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.
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.
A Natural Habitat Adventures group of travelers lead by seasoned guide Brad Josephs had this phenomenal experience of a large male polar bear checking out the groups polar rover out in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Being inches from the Arctic’s king of the food chain is quite the thrilling and life changing moment. Polar bears are naturally inquisitive and are attracted to many different smells. This time of year as they wait for the Hudson Bay to freeze – up so they can replenish their body fat by hunting seals, nearly everything smells appetizing. Good thing those rovers are built high off the tundra! Polar bear season in Churchill is constantly surprising us all.
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.
