Churchill’s Fierce, Strong, and Playful Polar Bears
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When I think about being exposed to different personalities, I always think about online dating. As I slowly rode the tundra buggy around in search of polar bears, I wondered what a bear’s dating profile would look like.
“I get hangry when I don’t eat.” “I like to date outdoorsy bears.” “Must be a good swimmer.” “It’s ok if you’ve had other relationships.”
Would you swipe left or right for that cuddly polar bear?
I had heard people say bears have personalities, but quite honestly I hadn’t experienced it yet. In Russia we were never able to stick around long enough to really see the personalities and unique behaviors come out. We saw plenty of polar bears on Wrangel Island, however we couldn’t spend a lot of time observing the bears as we were in a little zodiac raft floating precariously near them at times! So the only personality I had really experienced when it came to bears were the fictional ones – Yogi the Bear and Smokey the Bear. And I was pretty sure that these polar bears in Churchill weren’t going to steal picnic baskets or warn me against forest fires.
When I showed up in Churchill, there was a part of me that wondered if my Canada bear curse would bleed over into the world of polar bears. What if I came all this way, and still don’t see a bear? Considering my track record with grizzly bear viewing in BC, it was a real possibility.
After enjoying a spectacular sunrise from the Tundra Buggy, I sat in my seat scanning the white bumpy landscape, trying to detect movement as we slowly chugged along. Suddenly there was pointing, yelling, and people were putting down their windows as the buggy slowed down to a stop. There they were 3 cream colored bears sauntering across the tundra. No polar bear curse – Yippee! I quickly grabbed my cameras and ran out on the buggy balcony focused on the 3 bears coming closer to us with each step.
Meet the polar bears, learn about their personalities, and read the entire story here!
Disclosure:
I was a guest of Travel Manitoba and Frontiers North on this Polar Bear Adventure, however all opinions expressed here are my own.
I know this by white bear,i see always that in the Television,great place you explore to see that,i love it.photos are so stunning of your blog..thanks top share it..
Great post! Thank you. I’d love to see and visit polar bears like you have done! It so sad they are impressively powerful predators, but they’re at risk from man-made global warming. Polar bears are the planet’s biggest land-based carnivores – although they actually spend most of their lives around water and ice (their Latin name means ‘sea bear’). So they’re at particular risk from global warming, which is melting the Arctic sea ice they depend on.
That is so COOL! The bears playing/training looks a lot like our dogs playing – it looks rough, but nobody really gets hurt!
Oh wow, what an absolutely incredible post! Seeing polar bears in Churchill is high on my bucket list and part of me regrets reading this … I mean, you saw everything!! You had little cubs, you had two males standing on hind legs and sparring – absolutely incredible story. Let’s not forget the new word you have taught us anthropomorphization (although whether I will be able to remember this in the future is a different story!), my hubby definitely has this, especially when watching Life of Pi lol. Thank you for such a wonderful rendition of your amazing time, I am very, very jealous 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it! And I really hope you make it there one day. You do have to book early as they fill up every year – but it’s so worth it. And it’s way closer to get to than an African Safari – plus it’s not *that* expensive. Go before the ice recedes further!
Very good read and spot on. Great work.
I love it, Great post with amazing pictures.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hello loved the pictures and reading about your experience. I am hoping to see aurora’s and bears. Could you tell me which time of year you went? Which operator did you use? I have 2 children 9 and 13 grandchildren I would like to bring with me. Thank you!
I went in late October last year – over Halloween. There was aurora out but I sadly missed it! You’ll see plenty of bears and the kids will LOVE it. Riding the tundra buggies is a great way to get close. I toured with Frontiers North – they are probably the biggest and best known operator – I was very happy with them. I think that answers all of your questions – please let me know if you have more!
Sherry Thank you so much for your article and answering my questions. I really appreciate it. Have a great rest of the year.