Polar Bear Migration in Canada
Where are the Polar Bears?
Gold Star Canadian Tours Lead Scientist, Cate Collins, discusses the seasonal movements of the worlds largest land carnivore.
As spring draws to a close, the Western Hudson Bay polar bears continue to stay on the sea ice hunting seals, for now. While some polar bears spend their entire lives on ice, those near Churchill, Manitoba – whom we visit during our one-day Expeditions – face a different reality. These bears are forced to return to land during the summer when the sea ice in Hudson Bay melts.
Polar Bears fast in the Summer
In July, when approximately half of the sea ice in Western Hudson Bay has melted, the polar bears begin to move back onto the lands along the shores of Hudson Bay. This migration marks the beginning of a long fast until the bears can once again head out onto the sea ice in the fall. While on land, polar bears may scavenge for food such as eggs, seaweed, and berries, but these provide little nutrition compared to the fatty seals they rely on during the winter months. With limited food sources available, polar bears conserve energy by resting extensively during the summer.
Polar Bears return to the Ice
During the fall, polar bears congregate along the shores of Hudson Bay, eagerly awaiting the return of the sea ice. Cape Churchill in particular is a popular place for the bears due to its strategic location near where the Churchill, Nelson, and Hayes rivers drain into Hudson Bay. Freshwater freezes at a warmer temperature than saltwater, so the ice forms here earlier. Additionally, the unique geography of Churchill – which juts out into Hudson Bay – causes ice floes that form further north where temperatures are cooler to pile up along its shores. For us, fall offers a prime opportunity to witness polar bears in the wild before they head back out onto the ice in search of seals.
Do Polar Bears hibernate in the Winter?
Unlike many bear species, polar bears do not hibernate during the winter. Instead, they continue to hunt seals and traverse vast distances across the sea ice. The exception to this is the new moms who give birth to cubs in late fall or early winter and spend the next few months nursing them in dens. For the rest of the polar bears, they rely on their fur coats and thick layer of blubber to keep them warm throughout the cold, harsh winter.
What do Polar Bears do in the Spring?
It’s single parenthood for the new moms who emerge from their dens and resuming hunting with cubs in tow. All bears intensify their seal hunting efforts during the spring to build up their fat reserves for the impending summer fast. Additionally, spring is mating season, a fascinating aspect of polar bear behavior. Check out our Blog post “Polar Bear Mating Season” to learn more!
Tracking Polar Bears
No matter what season it is, researchers continuously track polar bear movements to better understand how they are being impacted by the loss of sea ice due to climate change. Satellite collars provide invaluable data, allowing researchers to monitor their movements over extensive ranges without direct observation. If you are curious about current polar bear locations, Polar Bears International has a Polar Bear Tracker for recent updates.
About Gold Star Canadian Tours
At Gold Star Canadian Tours, we focus on providing the worlds best travel experiences to authentically Canadian destinations. Our flagship tour is a convenient 1-day Polar Bear Expedition with dedicated non-stop charter flights from major airports directly to Churchill, Manitoba. With Gold Star Canadian Tours, the wonders of the Arctic are closer than ever. Your Adventure Awaits!
