Saturday, March 7, 2015

Churchill Manitoba Polar Bear Tours Are An Excellent Option For Nature Lovers

By Leslie Ball


There are many species that are in danger of becoming extinct. Often one of the contributing factors is the loss of their habitat. Because of global warming, the species known as Ursus maritimus is fast losing its hunting grounds and has become a symbol for climate activists. With Churchill Manitoba polar bear tours, you can learn more about this magnificent creature and how your lifestyle choices can affect it.

Churchill is a small town in Canada. It is located along Hudson Bay, near the border between the provinces of Manitoba and Nunavut. Winters here are cold and harsh and the community used to make a living from the fur trade. These days, however, it's a prime ecotourism destination.

The main attraction in the town is the polar bears that roam the area. As winter sets in, the bears wait on the peninsula for the water of Hudson Bay to freeze, so that they can go hunting. Tour operators use specially adapted vehicles to drive across the ice so that you can see these magnificent bears up close.

The best time to go if you want to see polar bears is in October or November. This is when several thousand of the animals congregate on the peninsula. Later in winter they roam further away and are more difficult to spot. However, you can see them throughout the year by taking a boat or helicopter tour. Just remember that helicopters may cause the animals some stress.

A very important thing to remember is that polar bears are not cuddly animals. They're carnivores and are extremely dangerous. Don't venture out on your own and always follow the locals' advice on the areas that are unsafe. During your tour, stay in the vehicle at all times and don't feed the animals.

Of course the bears are not the only reason to visit. Because of the northern latitude where the peninsula is located, there's a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights on clear winter nights. If you'd rather come when the weather's warmer, you can go hiking, bird-watching or kayaking. Summer is a great time to see beluga whales, which come into the bay and the river estuary to calf.

The town is remote and even though the absence of a road makes traveling in by car impossible, it's quite easy to get here. You can fly in from Winnipeg or from Thompson. Another option is to take the train from either of these cities. Coming in by boat is not viable since the water is frozen for months at a time.

There are several tour operators in Churchill. Some offer Northern Lights, beluga whale or kayak tours too but most will be able to take you to see the polar bears. It's important to do some background research on the agency to see that it is environmentally responsible and ethical before you book a trip with them. You can find information and reviews online and many tour operators offer online bookings too. During high season it's a good idea to book in advance.




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