Hunt Lake Manitoba Narrows

Why not visit the “Polar Bear Capital” of the world in Churchill, Manitoba to see these magnificent carnivores in their winter habitat. From late November to December, the bears gather on Cape Churchill, on the western shores of Hudson Bay to wait while the Bay freezes over, to enable them to move onto the ice floes. These semi-aquatic mammals have adapted to life on land, sea and ice

This migration of Polar Bears on to the ice is one of the great wildlife spectacles and enables them to feed on the many seals which also populate the region. In fact, the bears will eat anything they can kill and are certainly liable to attack humans. With males weighing up to 600Kg, they are an awesome killing machine but despite their size and aggression, they have a curious nature which has caused the inhabitants of Churchill some problems in the past. The town rubbish dump has had to be closed to prevent scavaging by bears.

As soon as the waters of Hudson Bay freeze, the males and the non-pregnant females having returned from their summer ranges, move onto the ice and stay there for the winter, hunting seals. Pregnant females have already hibernated in October and give birth to two or three cubs in March. Cubs stay with their parents until they are 3 years old and may be seen at this time.

The waters around Gordon Point and Cape Churchill are normally the first areas to freeze and provide ideal viewing points for visitors – and of course the keen photographers. The accepted method is to travel to the areas in what are known as “Tundra Buggies. These are specially converted vehicles with heating, large tundra tyres and a viewing platform at the rear which allows incredible photo opportunities. Bears are often seen inspecting these vehicles and occupants at close quarters! Never fear! You are unlikely to be eaten if you are inside the buggie.

While other wildlife is absent in the winter, Caribou, Wolves and Arctic Foxes may be seen, together with Snowy Owls and Ptarmigan.

Those staying longer will witness the incredible phenomenon of the “Northern Lights”. This region has the highest density of auroral activity in the Arctic which provides spectacular colour in the night skies

This must be a dream trip for photographers and wildlife lovers alike, to get so close to Polar Bears, in safety and to appreciate their awesome size and presence.

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Hunt Lake Manitoba Narrows

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