Churchill
The
area around Churchill, Manitoba has many sights to offer, but it is best
known for its status as the 'Polar Bear Capital of the World'. Polar
bears have been here since 1771 when the town was founded. From October
to early December, these magnificent creatures gather where the Churchill
River runs into Hudson's Bay, waiting until the bay freezes over to
resume seal-hunting. At this time, the population of Churchill swells
from 900 permanent residents to more than 10,000 visitors, and upwards of
1,200 polar bears. It is not unusual to see 20 polar bears in one day,
particularly since some of the more curious ones actually wander into
town!
Polar bears are the largest land carnivores in the world, an average
adult male weighing between 350 kg (775 lb) and over 680kg (1,500 lb),
reaching maximum size by the age of 10. An average adult female is
roughly half the size of a male, weighing anywhere from 200-300 kg
(450-650 lb) and reaching maximum size by the age of five. Female bears
give birth to their cubs about two months after they enter their dens.
Newborns are 30-35 cm (12-14 in) long and weigh little over 0.5 kg (1
lb). The Wapusk National Park was established to protect one of the
largest polar bear maternity denning sites in the world.
Found throughout the Arctic tundra, the bears are largely marine animals,
preferring to remain on the sea ice where they hunt their main prey of
seals. In most of the Arctic, polar bears are able to hunt on the ice
year-round, but in areas where the ice melts in the summer, such as the
south-western Hudson Bay, they are forced ashore until the autumn when
temperatures drop enough for the ice to freeze. If you cannot make it
during this time, or you do not want to watch polar bears outside of
their natural setting, you can always take a 'bear buggie' trip out onto
the tundra where you can safely watch and photograph the polar bears at
one of the denning sites.
The town of Churchill itself is known for its exportation of grain. While
you are there, you can watch some of the 25 million bushels of wheat and
barley produced here being loaded onto ships, the grain elevators looming
in the distance.
The Prince of Wales Fort, originally constructed in 1730 by the Hudson
Bay Company but surrendered to the French in 1782 before it could be
completed, is worth a visit. There are excellent opportunities to view
Beluga whales from June to November. If you do not have any luck here,
try Cape Merry, at the mouth of the Churchill River, which is also a
prime vantage point to witness these awesome creatures.
