Mum and cubs - follow up

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SIMON GEE (from Frontiers North)



I arrived back into Churchill Tuesday Oct 19th was notified that the mum and two cubs were being released from the polar bear holding facility via helicopter. I was able to borrow a work van and zip out for the scheduled bear lift.

I arrived just as mum was being pulled out on a trailer and placed gently on the cargo net which would soon be lifted up and sent off into the chilly Sub-Arctic air.

Following her were two conservation officers, each with a COY (cub of the year, born last christmas) sprawled in their arms and then placed on the back seat of the helicopter. 

Together the family was escorted 30 km in land, clear of humans and adult male bears.  Soon they will be waking from their drug-induced sleep as the helicopter stands by for safety.

Since their instinctual drive is to make their to the edge of the Hudson Bay, eager for the water to freeze, the mum and cubs, once up on their feet would begin their journey, hopefully keeping clear of town this time.

The polar bear holding facility has about 6 bears in it at present.  Since it is a fairly expensive operation ($5000 per bear lift) if there is no demand for the cells, male bears are likely to stay there until the Hudson Bay freezes over.  That way they can be released via truck and taken directly to the frozen shores of the bay.

Mum and cubs tend to be released ASAP, due to the stress caused by close contact within the holding facility when family groups are forced to share the small area inside.

This is the first time i have been in Churchill without a tour group.  This afternoon I have borrowed a vehicle and intend on taking Dean on a personal tour around the Churchill area.  We will take the coastal road to  the famous 'Miss Piggy', head to the bear jail although the public can not go inside and visit the brand new puppies owned by Dave Daley (our dog sled guy)  and hopefully we'll come across some classic Sub-Arctic critters.  Stand by for photos and stories from this wee adventure!