Walking Among Polar Bears
Churchill Wild is the only company with which, for several days, you experience polar bears as they wander in their natural habitat while you walk close by. Other tour companies just take you in vehicles to where a bear has been sighted, you jump out with your camera and take a few photos: it’s not about understanding their way of life. The vision of Churchill Wild is to have individuals develop a deep connection with the northern eco-system.
When I flew into and stayed at their Seal River Heritage Lodge it was definitely an awesome experience. I never felt the least bit threatened as we followed strict rules regarding distance from the polar bears and certain behaviors to follow. There were always three guides with our group of 10 photographers to ensure the bears didn’t become uncomfortable and we were safe as well. The snow was late that fall and spotting them on the coloured tundra made for great photos.
Each day we left the lodge compound and following our guides trekked to where bears had been sighted earlier. Usually this entailed walking 4 to 5 km over the rough tundra, both in the morning and again in the afternoon with the bears just 35 metres away. Evenings were filled with talks regarding everything you could possibly want to know about polar bears. We collapsed into our beds each night exhausted but hoping that we’d be woken a few hours later to see the Aurora Borealis.
There were two family groups we followed for the four days. It was amazing to watch them and our understanding and appreciation deepened. In addition, we saw Arctic hare, cross foxes, and ptarmigans. On our final day, other polar bears (males as well as two families) appeared as the weather was definitely changing. We even observed one large male swimming in the frigid waters of Hudson Bay.
If you truly want to understand and connect with such wildlife in a meaningful way, I highly recommend Churchill Wild. You will need to save up your money and be in good physical condition to do the twice daily treks in all kinds of weather but “wow” it is definitely worth it.
Kindly submitted by Joy Ruffeski a retired Coquitlam principal, past BCRPVPA president and ardent photographer and adventurer.
