While most if not all voracious polar bears have ventured out to the sea ice for seal hunting season, foxes both Arctic and Red are still scavenging the tundra around communities in the north. This precocious little critter waits at the bus stop unfazed by any sign of human activity. Foxes never stop searching out their next meal during the harsh, cold winter months in the Arctic.
A polar bear on the rocks warming in the sun. Alex De Vries-Magnifico photo.
A sleepy polar bear waking up from an afternoon nap Alex De Vries-Magnifico photo.
Arctic Hare scavenging for a morsel of food on the Churchill tundra. Alex De Vries-Magnifico photo.
A polar bear lounging in the refreshing Churchill snow. Alex De Vries-Magnifico photo.
Two polar bears venturing out on the Hudson Bay ice. Alex De Vries-Magnifico photo.
A big male polar bear looking for some fun or a meal. Alex De Vries-Magnifico photo.
Wow..what fantastic shots from Churchill photographer Alex De Vries – Magnifico from the tundra. These polar bears and Arctic hare appear healthy and happy as they meander the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Another polar bear season in Churchill has come and gone with the Hudson Bay ice forming just as the season finished up. The infusion of travelers to Churchill this past October and November hopefully provided some relief from the saga of the train not running. Wishing all Churchillians an uplifting holiday season and new year ahead!
Polar bear finishing up a seal meal on the Hudson Bay ice. Brad Josephs photo.
With an earlier than usual freeze-up of the Hudson Bay, Churchill polar bears were able to get a jump on their winter fat storage process. Seals were being devoured about 10 miles offshore and this opportunistic polar bear has just finished up a delectable dinner to keep him going for awhile. Let’s hope this winter supplies these voracious polar bears with the food they need to survive the summer months.
Churchill is famous for its polar bears and has been dubbed the Polar Bear Capital of the World for a destination to see numerous polar bears in and around the town.
Now Churchill Mayor Mike Spence wants to have serious conversations with the provincial government about finding alternatives to shipping the animals to Winnipeg and other destinations where they ultimately end up spending the rest of their lives in zoos.
Churchill Mayor Mike Spence wants polar bears to have alternatives other than being sent south to Winnipeg.CBC photo.
Churchill Mayor Mike Spence and other Churchillians are concerned the old habit of just relocating orphaned cubs is outdated and archaic. The most recent capture of a pair of orphaned polar bear cubs from different mothers by provincial conservation officers has them talking and advocating for a different fate for the animals.
“It has always been an issue here,” says Spence.
“Polar bears are a critical part of the community. But once you have taken them out of the population, that’s it. They’re gone. I’ve told the minister we want to sit down and talk.
Polar bear cubs approach the polar rover within a few feet. Jeff Klofft photo.
“We want to get more research on polar bears. We need to do things differently. We can’t just continue to do nothing other than shipping them off to zoos.”
According to Spence, ideas for changing the current protocol include tracking devices to monitor the bears’ travel and a facility designed to allow the bears to be reintroduced into the harsh northern environment.
“We need to do something more than just saying, ‘Another bear gone to the zoo,’” he said. “We don’t accept sending cubs to captivity is the answer.”
The latest capture, like nearly all the polar bears relocated in recent years, will end up at Assiniboine Park Zoo’s Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre.
Statistics, as vague as they might be, tend to point to unfavorable survival rates when young abandoned cubs are left in the wild. Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires states that scientists know there is little hope for those animals.
Polar bears living out their lifespan in the Netherlands Wildlands Zoo. Sheng – Wen Lo photo.
“The unfortunate reality is that young cubs have very little chance of survival without their mother,” Squires said.
“Without a female to protect them, cubs are highly vulnerable to natural predators and also to the significant risk of starvation. Polar bear cubs depend on their mothers until they are about 2 1/2 years of age, by which time they’ve grown and learned to hunt for their own food.”
“Polar bears truly are irreplaceable and we consider them a jewel for the community of Churchill. For that reason, we will continue to devote resources to managing polar bears in the area and producing new research that supports their sustainability. While the Department of Sustainable Development is keenly focused on ensuring their survival, our government is committed to working collaboratively with the community to determine the future of these orphaned polar bears cubs.”
Let’s hope these new ideas come to fruition in the near future. Polar bears should be in the wild not automatically sent to zoos without exploring other options.
A Polar bear wandering the coast of Churchill. Colby Brokvist photo.
A cross fox loping along the tundra in search of prey. Colby Brokvist photo.
A curious polar bear up on a polar rover in Churchill. Colby Brokvist photo.
High above the tundra with the aurora blazing above. Colby Brokvist photo.
An Arctic hare making good use of its camouflage. Colby Brokvist photo.
Polar bears awaiting the ice forming on the Hudson Bay. Colby Brokvist photo.
Polar bear season is winding down however the wildlife sightings are even better than ever. These fantastic shots from Natural Habitat Adventures guide Colby Brokvist are an indication that we still have some treasures left in this 2017 season!
We had a scare last week when the Hudson Bay was on the brink of freeze – up but then the south winds prevailed, allowing for the ice to be pushed north for the time being and thus keeping some energetic polar bears around for a bit longer. What a season it has been with so many fox sightings and even a wolverine.
Polar bears have been up to their usual sparring displays lately as well as numerous sow and cubs interacting on the tundra. With only a week or so left for travelers venturing to Churchill to see the King of the Arctic, we have fingers crossed that the weather will allow for polar bears to linger in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area!
