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Polar Bear AND Grizzly Bear Viewing in Churchill?

frontiersnorth — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:00:58 +0000

According to recent studies, more grizzly bears are moving into the northern regions of Canada, with some even spotted in Wapusk National Park. In fact, a total of 9 grizzlies have been spotted in the past 14 years, with 4 spotted this summer alone. It still remains somewhat of a mystery as to why these grizzly bears are so far from their typical habitats, but experts figure it is more likely due to reduced hunting pressures than global warming.

The scientific community isn’t worrying too much about the fact that there will be an increase in grizzly-polar bear conflicts because if the trend in loss of ice and habitat for the northeastern corner of Manitoba continues, polar bears will not frequent Wapusk National Park in the future. This is because the polar bear population will follow Arctic sea ice as it retreats farther north and away from the region. This was further communicated by PBI Species Expert Andy Derochers in an article published by National Geographic.

Polar Bears International’s website has a great video illustration of the sea ice loss and temperature trends of the Arctic on their website. Click on the image below to see the video on their website.

George B. Rabb Conservation Medal

frontiersnorth — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:45:35 +0000

As we mention in our previous blog, Robert Buchanan of PBI has been awarded the George B. Rabb Conservation Medal from the Chicago Zoological Society (CZS). He will receive his award and be honored at the CZS’s Annual Conservation Dinner on March 2, 2010 in Chicago. You can support the CZS and its conservation efforts around the globe by attending the 2010 Conservation Dinner. Tickets are $150 and can be ordered by calling 708-688-8390.

Below is a great video that the CZS created to tell the story of Robert and his wonderful work with PBI. Congrats again Robert!

Buggy Bear at Festival

frontiersnorth — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:00:34 +0000

This past weekend our very own Buggy Bear took to Festival du Voyageur alongside PBI Leadership Camp student, Ruth Sangalang. For those who have never been to Festival du Voyageur, it is a 10-day Manitoba-wide celebration of the fur traders, who established the Red River Colony and the French-Canadian community in Western Canada.

Buggy Bear is also scheduled to make an appearance on Saturday, February 20 at 3:00pm for the All-Mascot Challenge foot race being held at Voyageur Park. If you’re in the area please come cheer him on!

Here are some photos taken this past weekend:

The Godfather of Polar Bears

frontiersnorth — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:04:56 +0000

In 2008, along with PBI we had the opportunity to host Nat and Alex Wolff of the Nat & Alex Wolff Band (formerly the Naked Brothers Band) at Cape Churchill. While at the Cape, the brothers filmed a few informative videos where they interviewed such heavyweights in the polar bear research community as Dr. Ian Stirling and Steven Amstrup.

Here is Alex Wolff and his interview with the “Godfather of Polar Bears”, Dr. Stirling from a Tundra Buggy at Cape Churchill where they discuss polar bear tagging, the issues of climate change in the North, and his experience in a polar bear den.