CHURCHILL MANITOBA: Polar Bear Capital of the World

The scientific name for polar bear is “ursus maritimus,” which is Latin for “Bear of the sea.” It is the largest land carnivore on earth. Adult males weigh between 500 and 600 kg while females weigh in at half that amount.

Polar bears have elongated snouts and their neck and skull are long with small ears. Canine teeth are very large and cheek teeth are more jagged. This enables them to tear meat from carcasses. Their claws are not retractable and are short, straight and brownish in color. The thick coats of these magnificent animals have glossy guard hairs and a dense undercoat that, along with layers of fat, protect them from the subzero temperatures of the Arctic. The hair is translucent and reflects solar heat to the base where it is absorbed by the bear’s black skin. Their white coloring acts as camouflage on the stark Arctic landscape. The pads of their feet have small indentations that act similar to suction cups. These help the bears to make their way over slippery surfaces. The bears have a slow walk of about 5 to 6 kilometers per hour and can run but do so only when being chased. Their fat and insulating fur keeps heat in and they can easily become overheated. When swimming, they use their front paws to propel them along and their hind paws as rudders.

Polar bears prefer to inhabit areas where open water is combined with large sheets of thick ice. The open water provides them with seals, which is their favorite food. The ice provides a hunting platform.

Most of us have seen these magnificent animals in zoos but have you ever wished to view them in their natural habitat? If so, plan a trip to Churchill, Manitoba – the Polar Bear Capital of the World.

The VIA train schedule has three trains a week that depart Winnipeg for Churchill. Departures are on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. If you want to see polar bears, schedule your trip either in June or October and make reservations. Be sure to ask the stationmaster about long term parking facilities. Travel light. Take only what you need and try to fit it into one backpack. Be sure to bring along warm, lightweight clothing, as the weather in Churchill can be chilly – about 18 degrees Fahrenheit in autumn.

Churchill is located on the east bank of the Churchill River where it empties into Hudson Bay. The 1,000 residents prepare for tourists during Polar Bear season. The area around Churchill is home to the largest polar bear population in the world. Each year, these majestic white bears prowl the coast waiting for the winter freeze. Hudson Bay’s expanse of ice is the bear’s winter hunting ground.