Polar Bear Capital of the World |
 Sure, you can name a lot of capitals, but do you know the location of the polar bear capital of the world? I must admit that I was ignorant to the polar bear hub that is Churchill, Manitoba, Canada until I read this feature in Eco Travel online magazine. Polar bears are usually loners, but during October and November each year, many gather in Churchill and attract onlookers eager to observe their movements in the wild. Because polar bears live in such chilly, remote locations, it's quite difficult for most people to see them in them in their natural habitat. Why Churchill? Located on Canada's Hudson Bay, the town is located in the southernmost part of the polar bears' stomping grounds and the Bay waters there tend to freeze over early in the year. The bears congregate and wait for the water to freeze so they can sneak over into neighboring seal hangouts and feast on their favorite (and principal) food.
Visitors to the area head out to view the bears in "tundra buggies" on safari-esque tundra tours. The ever-curious bears have been known to approach vehicles to look at the tourists inside.
One more thing: To reach Churchill, one has to fly from Winnipeg. There are no roads leading in or out of this remote town.
[Photo: Churchill Nature Tours]
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POSTED BY SYSADMIN - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2005
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