Churchill Canda
Frequently called “Lords of the Arctic”, these spectacular animals
are huge. Male polar bears can grow to more than 600 kg (1,320 lbs) and
stand 3.05 metres (10 feet) tall. But don’t let their massive size fool
you – these white bears can move with surprising speed and agility.
With a highly acute sense of smell, they are also skilled hunters
that can pick up a scent from over 30 kilometres away, and can detect
the presence of seals under three feet of snow and ice. Polar bears have
no natural enemies and consequently no fear.
It may only be a small town of 1,000 residents in the Manitoba province
on the Hudson Bay shore, but Churchill draws huge crowds every year to
see its most famous inhabitants, the polar bears. Nicknamed the “Polar
Bear Capital of the World,” it is one of the top tourist attractions in
Canada. In addition to polar bears, Churchill is also a popular place
for viewing beluga whales, birds and the aurora boreali
A new mark-recapture study undertaken by Canadian Wildlife Service
indicates that there are between 900 and 1,000 polar bears in the
western Hudson Bay population.
Companies offering polar bear experiences adhere to strict guidelines
through Manitoba Conservation, for example, limiting the number of
tundra vehicles operating in and around Churchill.
The number of commercial tour operators and the number of vehicles
permitted on the high-use areas east of the town site continues to be
restricted. Measures are also taken to restrict travel to existing
trails and designate some areas as off-limits.
No paved roads lead directly into the tiny town of Churchill, Manitoba,
on the remote, southwestern shores of Hudson Bay, so you'll have to
arrive by train or plane to see the area's most famous seasonal
residents—polar bears. From July to November, about a thousand migrate
to Churchill, earning it the nickname the "polar bear capital of the
world." Here, the planet's largest land carnivores spend the summer and
await winter, when the bay freezes and they can perch on the ice and
hunt for ringed seals. Summertime also brings thousands of migrating
beluga whales to the town's coast—another reason to visit.
"Nowhere else in the world can you have interactions with beluga
whales that you can have here in Churchill," says Michael Goodyear,
former executive director of the Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
"During the summer there's literally thousands of beluga whales in the
estuary." In fact, the whales, which start migrating here after
wintering in the high Arctic, outnumber Churchill's human population of
around a thousand three to one. The sheer wealth of wildlife overwhelms.
Says tour guide Neil Mumby, "The term 'bucket list' is used a lot
here.
When to Go: Climate change has altered the seasons in Churchill and with it, the animal migrations, Goodyear says. For visitors, that means adjusting your travel plans accordingly. The most popular time to see the polar bears is from the middle of October to the end of November. On these trips, custom-built tundra vehicles shepherd visitors (safely) into the path of migrating polar bears. For this time of year, reservations are a must, as many services quickly become fully booked. Churchill's summer season begins in early July and can run into early September, during which beluga whales show up by the thousands in Churchill River estuary during long days of sunshine. Sighting of polar bears walking along the coastline or swimming in the Hudson Bay are also common in the summer.
How to Get Around: In winter, the best way to see polar bears is by tundra vehicle tours offered by operators like Frontiers North Adventures and Great White Bear Tours. In summer, travelers can snorkel with the beluga whales by arranging the activity through Sea North Tours or Lazy Bear Expeditions. The latter also offers a polar bear viewing experience by boat during the summer months. Whenever you visit, bring waterproof hiking boots. Most anywhere in town is within walking distance and, depending on the season, you're going to encounter dirt, mud, slush, ice, or snow.
When to Go: Climate change has altered the seasons in Churchill and with it, the animal migrations, Goodyear says. For visitors, that means adjusting your travel plans accordingly. The most popular time to see the polar bears is from the middle of October to the end of November. On these trips, custom-built tundra vehicles shepherd visitors (safely) into the path of migrating polar bears. For this time of year, reservations are a must, as many services quickly become fully booked. Churchill's summer season begins in early July and can run into early September, during which beluga whales show up by the thousands in Churchill River estuary during long days of sunshine. Sighting of polar bears walking along the coastline or swimming in the Hudson Bay are also common in the summer.
How to Get Around: In winter, the best way to see polar bears is by tundra vehicle tours offered by operators like Frontiers North Adventures and Great White Bear Tours. In summer, travelers can snorkel with the beluga whales by arranging the activity through Sea North Tours or Lazy Bear Expeditions. The latter also offers a polar bear viewing experience by boat during the summer months. Whenever you visit, bring waterproof hiking boots. Most anywhere in town is within walking distance and, depending on the season, you're going to encounter dirt, mud, slush, ice, or snow.
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