Polar Bear Encounters on Rise in Churchill

An assessment of Manitoba government statistical documents point to increased polar bear encounters with people in Churchill, the self proclaimed polar bear capital on the shores of Hudson Bay. As a result of increased interaction between polar bears and humans the numbers of incarcerated bears has nearly doubled since 2013. That year 36 animals were captured and taken to the polar bear holding facility, or jail, compared with 65 this past year.

polar bear lift in Churchill

Polar bear lift in Churchill. Justin Gibson photo.

Over the past three years  the numbers of documented cases of polar bear encounters in Churchill has risen from 229 in 2013 to 351 last year. All aspects of the current numbers point to increased activity between bears and humans in Churchill.

Daryll Hedman is the regional wildlife manager for Manitoba Conservation. His view on last year’s record for the number of polar bears caught in the populated “control zone” of Churchill indicates that even the authorities that deal with these animals on a regular basis are somewhat alarmed by the data. “Three hundred and fifty-one — for occurrences, that’s a high number,” he said.

Hedman and other experts are pointing to climate change as the culprit and resulting decreased sea ice as largely to blame. Over two-thirds of the planet’s polar bears live in Canada though experts are claiming that within only a few decades we could have a massive decline in numbers. With later freeze up in Arctic waters and thawing coming earlier in the spring, polar bears are competing for fatty seal meat within a tighter window. This impacts cubs trying to survive their first year the most. According to Andrew Derocher, a leading polar bear authority from University of Alberta, fewer cubs are making it through their first year out of the den. They simply are not getting the extended seal – hunting training on sea ice that they once were.

brad josephs polar bear seal kill

Polar bears spending more time on land are more likely to migrate to inhabited areas like Churchill in search of food. These encounters are happening more often and earlier in summer. Not that long ago polar bears rarely appeared in Churchill before August. Now early July seems to be the norm.

“What’s the tipping point?” Headman said. “What’s the threshold that they can go without food? When they’re on land, they’re not eating.”How long can they sustain themselves without getting onto that sea ice platform to hunt seals again?”

 

Churchill Sunday Photos – Aurora

The northern lights keep blazing in the Churchill – Hudson Bay region. These two shots by Natural Habitat Adventures guide Drew Hamilton at the Aurora Domes outside of Churchill are an indication that this season’s array of amazing northern lights is not letting up anytime soon. Let’s keep it going right up to the Hudson Bay Quest on March 17th. Enjoy!

northern lights in Churchill

Northern lights above the Aurora Domes. Drew Hamilton photo.

northern lights in Churchill, Manitoba

Northern lights in Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.

Eight Cool and Unusual Things You Might See in Churchill’s Arctic Summer

Churchill in summertime is a magical sub – Arctic paradise! Three short or long months, depending on how you look at it, pack in a vast and diverse pallet of nature. The tundra and Hudson Bay come alive as tributary rivers ignite with life and small boats of eager travelers seeking the vibe of the beluga whale pods. The “Arctic Riviera” is shelter for belugas to nurture young, molt their old skin or just enjoy the “warm” waters of the southern Hudson Bay.

Beluga whale Churchill, Manitoba

Beluga whale underwater in th Churchill River. Alex De Vries -Magnifico photo.

As a guide returning to Churchill each year, I was drawn naturally like a migrating animal and the annual sojourn just became instinctual. Each spring I would start to feel the pull of belugas out on the Churchill River and Hudson Bay. After trolling among the pods, kayaking and snorkeling on a daily basis for over 10 years, the feeling takes root in one’s psyche. The draw to migrate for whatever reason is real. The belugas are the main attraction here for sure!

Although belugas, birds and sometimes polar bears are the main draw for the summer season, there are some lesser known features or entities in and around Churchill that have been hidden jewels over the years. Here are some that I really was drawn to.

  1. -Boreal Chorus Frog – One of the jewels of the north and so much fun to search for around the edges of an Arctic pond.boreal chorus frog2.- Jellyfish– There are a number of jellyfish that thrive in the cold water of the north. On clear water days the sight of them suspended around beluga whales is ethereal.
    Aurelia, a jellyfish found in the Churchill River. G. Young, Photo copyright.

    Aurelia, a jellyfish found in the Churchill River. G. Young, Photo copyright.

    3. Sandhill Cranes – Over the years these birds are usually spotted along the railroad tracks where grain drops from rail cars.

    Sandhill cranes in Churchill, Manitoba

    Two Sandhill cranes mixed in with Canada geese in Churchill. Rhonda Reid photo.

    4.- Orca whales – A rare sight indeed in the Churchill area. Though, over the last few years they have been seen more often.

    killer whales in the Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba.

    Orca’s in the Hudson Bay. Dwight Allen photo.

    5. – Pack Ice on the Hudson Bay– If you visit Churchill early enough in the Spring there’s a good chance there will still be some pack-ice in the bay and even in the Churchill River. The ice draws wildlife to it such as bears, whales and birds.

  2. Pack ice on the Hudson Bay.6.- Polar Bear Seal kill – The shorter ice season has produced more seal kills in both summer and fall. These kills will often draw up to 10 polar bears to the scene. This is a kill from later in the polar bear season.
    Polar bear seal kill in Churchill

    Polar bear and ravens scavenge a seal kill carcass in Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Brad Josephs photo.

     

7. – Ross’s Gull – A true incredible check on the life-list if this beautiful bird unveils itself along the Churchill River. Another fun treasure hunt!

Ross' gull

Ross’ gull along the gravelly shore. Brian Small photo.

8. Orchids – One wouldn’t think these delicate plants could survive the harsh Arctic weather though these flowers are opportunistic and make the most of their northern environment.

Round - leaved orchid Churchill

Round – leaved orchid in Churchill. Steve Selden photo.

Churchill Photos of the Week – Northern lights

Some amazing northern lights photographs from 2015 in Churchill. This year we are hoping for an even more phenomenal portfolio of shots from travelers and accomplished Natural Habitat Adventures guides. Polar bear season surprised us all with beluga whales still in the Hudson Bay come October. Let’s see what northern lights season greets us with. It’s always an adventure in Churchill!

Northern lights in Churchill, Manitoba

A Natural Habitat Adventures group after an amazing trip to Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.

Northern lights in Churchill

Northern lights above Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.

Northern lights in Churchill, Manitoba

Northern lights above the confines of the boreal forest in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.

Aurora pod in Churchill, Manitoba

Aurora Pod in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.

northern lights viewing from Natural Habitat's Aurora Pod.

Natural Habitat’s Aurora Pod

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