Page 11 - Breath of the Bear
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Shayne McGuire
Graham Dickson Dave Briggs
Churchill every year to view and photograph home to many Inuit artists, filmmakers and of their boats as the bears swim in the Arctic
these magnificent creatures in the wild. Prime musicians. People of this area love to venture waters. During the winter months there are
viewing time is in October and November out on the sea and ice at all times during the many opportunities to see them on the snowy
when the bears are on the move from the year for many types of outdoor activities, tundra as they make their annual migration.
summer habitat back to the seal hunting including dog sledding, skiing, snowmobiling,
grounds. There are local tundra vehicles that boating, rafting and fishing. Beluga, bowhead When deciding to view polar bears in
make it possible to view the bears in a safe and narwhal whales call this area home, as their natural settings, it is best to choose
manner. These unique vehicles sit up very well as caribou, muskox, seals and polar an experienced guide. As fluffy and cute
high and are designed to carry passengers bears. There are numerous hotels, lodges as polar bears seem to be, they are fierce
smoothly over snow and ice, protecting the and bed & breakfast accommodations. The and dangerous and should be treated with
occupants from hungry bears. There is also a Arctic Kingdom is a tour company that has respect from a safe distance. A hungry bear is
wilderness lodge built on the bears’ migration specialized in polar bear viewing for over 20 a dangerous bear and the protocols that work
route and guided bear walks. years. With their operators you will be able to with other bears don’t necessarily work with
view polar bears in their natural setting every polar bears as they have no fear of humans.
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada season of the year. In March and April you will That is what makes them the lord of the Arctic.
Iqaluit is the capital city of the Canadian have the chance to spot bears on the ground See the travel directory for recommended
territory of Nunavut, which means “the place as they roam the sea ice. In May and June polar bear-viewing operators
of many fish.” It is known for its vast tundra bears can be viewed at the floe edge, and in
and soaring ice-capped mountains. It is the summer guests can view them from one
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