Polar Bears

Churchill is known as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World" as bears gather there to await the freezing of Hudson Bay.

Polar bears are among the largest carnivores in the world.

Descriptions of polar bear behaviour range from animals that attack without provocation or that largely ignore humans, as they seem to do in Churchill.

Since 1717 attacks by polar bears have been infrequent. Only two Churchill townspeople have been killed, despite numerous encounters.

The first death occurred in 1968 when teenagers followed tracks to a bear and provoked him. This bear attacked and killed one of them.

The second took place in 1983 when a man found some unspoiled meat in an abandoned freezer and stuffed his pockets with it.

A polar bear attacked and killed this man.

Tourists in Churchill must stay alert. Seeing bears before they are a problem decreases chances of a dangerous encounter.

People should always travel in groups of at least four people and should stay together to increase their safety. As in brown bear territory, travelers

should make noise as they move along to communicate their presence. They should only travel in daylight and must be aware of their surroundings.

Polar bears may be hard to see and scanning with binoculars at regular intervals is advisable.

Areas of restricted visibility, pushed up sea ice, boulders, driftwood or vegetation should be avoided.

Tracks, droppings, and diggings should be carefully sought.

A bear should never be approached. They defend their space and may consider humans as a threat.

Bears and other wildlife should never be fed.

A bear that associates humans with food is dangerous. Each encounter with a polar bear is unique.

A bear may show signs of curiosity such as moving slowly with frequent stops, standing on hind legs and sniffing the air,

holding its head high with ears forward or to the side, moving its head from side to side, or trying to catch a scent

by circling downwind and approaching from behind. Individuals should back away slowly.

Help the bear identify you as human by talking in low tones.

Moving slowly upwind of the bear can allow it to get your scent, although an escape route for the bear must always be provided.

Agitated or threatened bears may huff, pant, hiss, growl, jaw-snap, stomp its feet, stare directly at a person, or lowering its head with ears laid back.

Shouting or sudden movements and direct eye contact should be avoided. Act non-threatening, but be prepared to use deterrents.

If a bear shows signs of stalking or hunting such as following or circling a person, approaching directly,

intent and unafraid, or returning after being scared away, or appears wounded, old, or thin, individuals do not run.

Form a group and make loud noises. Be prepared to fight back.

Bears often attack the face or head first. Injuries are produce by biting, and by clawing and batting with the forelegs.

Claws and teeth produce lacerations that sometimes are extensive. Fractures, including skull fractures, are common.

Humans should never get between any bear and her cubs. If encountered leave the area immediately.

If a polar bear attack does occur, any available object such as rocks, blocks of ice, skis, or poles should be used.

The best way to view the bears is from a tundra buggy, which gives plenty of space between you and the bears!

Churchill's “polar bear jail” was built in 1982 to house problem animals, and has reduced polar bear-human encounters.

Problem bears are housed here until they can be tranquillised and helicoptered to another location.

http://www.polarbearsalive.org/