By World Wildlife Fund staff members: Michael Crispino, David Kuhn, Laura Brush, and Lisa Steel
Most vacations are remembered by the “firsts” experienced along the way. The first time seeing a majestic seascape or smelling a local delicacy or hearing a guitar picked in a town square. The first impression always leaves a lasting impact.
But there are no “firsts” quite like sipping from a hot cup on the outdoor deck of a Polar Rover amid an encounter with bears on the tundra along Hudson’s Bay.
Natural Habitat Adventures promises an intimate encounter with the Kings of the Arctic, and on this snowy November trip, they delivered spectacularly. Pictures do a better job of telling the story than words.
On this adventure, an intimate experience meant being mere feet away from a mother polar bear as she navigated the frozen landscape of the tundra, her older cubs close behind her. It meant observing, in absolute awe, as these magnificent creatures interacted with their environment – and occasionally, curiously peering up at us, their human admirers. In fact, the humans have a hell of a story to tell, too.
Churchill’s adaptation: Living alongside polar bears
The town of Churchill, known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World”, is quiet and unassuming in approach. But pull up a chair and start a conversation and travelers quickly find Churchill isn’t just a polar bear capital—it’s home to a diverse community working together to make it through each season.
Over the centuries of recorded history, polar bears have been a constant in this part of Canada. But as the climate changes, and ice forms later in the year, bears are waiting longer on land before they can return to hunt on the ice. That creates the potential for human-wildlife conflict.
“Human-wildlife conflict is when encounters between humans and wildlife lead to negative results, such as loss of property, livelihoods, and even life.”
Churchill is an example of how communities can adapt alongside wildlife, and more importantly, implement measures to protect nature even as they protect themselves. Guided tours in the safety of Polar Rovers, bear-proof containers for trash, and the respectful distance kept from the bears are just a few examples of the community’s commitment to coexistence and conservation.
©Kelly Brasseau/WWF-US
The spirit of exploration with the heart of conservation
From the moment we touched down in Churchill, it became evident that this is not just a tour; it’s an immersive cultural and environmental experience. And that is only made possible because of trust. Trust between locals and the tour operators.
Trust is a byproduct of listening and during our travels, we learned from community leaders and elders of the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis. We gained invaluable insights into Indigenous perspectives on wildlife, conservation, and the impacts of climate change. These stories and firsthand knowledge passed down through generations and ultimately shared with us, gave us a more complete picture of what polar bears mean to northern communities.
As a conservationist, I went into this travel experience wondering whether an “intimate” wildlife encounter could help us overcome some of the many challenges facing nature and all of us sharing this living planet.
I walked away thinking educational experiences like this are exactly the type of learning exchange that will get us closer to a peaceful and prosperous future. Being part of this expedition with Natural Habitat Adventures, you’re not just a spectator – you’re an active participant in a larger, global effort to protect these magnificent bears and their habitat.
Travel can teach us so much about our living planet—all we must do is stop and listen.
© Laura Brush / WWF-US
