This polar bear photo from Churchill and Natural Habitat guide Drew Hamilton has aroused interest and excitement in local bear experts. This is possibly a polar bear that was a fixture in the area for years and then vanished one season, presumed dead. Still waiting on confirmation as the facial scar is reminiscent of the famed bruin that roamed the Churchill Wildlife Management Area for years! Regardless, this beautiful bear signals the official start of an exciting polar bear season in Churchill!
Polar bear that resembles an old friend from Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.
Polar bear numbers for the past week were fairly consistent for this time of year. Looks like Manitoba Conservation is clearing the jail in preparation for the upcoming polar bear season in Churchill starting in a couple of weeks. Should be another exciting wildlife bonanza with incredible polar bear action in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area!
Mother polar bear and her two coy roam the frozen tundra. Thon Huijser photo.
Polar bear encounter stats from Manitoba Conservation for the week of September 19, 2016. Town of Churchill image.
A short mixed video of various spectacular wildlife sightings in Churchill during polar bear season in October and November. Some awesome footage of from a traveler to the region who was lucky to see just about every polar bear behavior and other wildlife as well. With polar bear season creeping up on us and bears already in the area, this footage should get travelers excited to venture to thew polar bear capital of the world. Enjoy!
This beautiful polar bear image was taken by Churchill photographer Katie DeMeulles. Polar bears numbers have been high this summer in the Churchill region allowing for incredible photo opportunities. Stay tuned for more exciting Churchill wildlife images coming your way soon!
Majestic polar bear resting in Churchill. Katie DeMeulles photo.
Churchill photographer and guide Alex De Vries – Magnifico captured this rare shot of a polar bear and beluga whales in the same frame. As a Churchill Arctic Summer guide for Natural Habitat Adventures for over a decade, I only encountered a polar bear in the water a few times. Of those amazing encounters I never was able to frame a photo with both animals in the shot.
This sequence is rare since polar bears have little chance of catching a beluga whale in the open water. There have been some reports of polar bears nabbing a whale in the shallows when unsuspecting belugas venture too close to the shoreline. Most of the whale carcasses with polar bears scavenging seen in photos are whales that have beached from sickness resulting in death.
Alex, working as a guide for Sea North Tours, has access to incredible interactions while driving a zodiac on whale watching groups on the Churchill River and out in the Hudson Bay. When something as rare as this occurs very few have the ability to get the shot. Alex reacted and definitely nailed an fantastic image. Enjoy!
A polar bear swims towards beluga whales in the Churchill River. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
