LIVING WITH POLAR BEARS

For six weeks in October and November, Churchill’s 900 human inhabitants co-exist with one of the largest predators on Earth – and are showing the world how it’s done.

For the residents of Churchill, having polar bears as close neighbours is just a fact of life. Yet the town takes no chances and, as a result, there have been no fatal attacks here for nearly 40 years. Warning signs glare from every corner; a nightly siren wails on the stroke of 10pm to chivvy you home. Doors are left unlocked should someone need a quick getaway, and children make the short journey to school in cars and buses. On Halloween, trick-ortreating is only possible because the authorities form a virtual human chain around Churchill’s streets.

If a bear wanders into the town or its surrounds, the Polar Bear Alert Program (PBA) responds immediately. Bears are warded off by ‘hazing’ – yelling, revving engines and use of ‘bear bangers’, and if these fail, by firing rubber bullets. Next step will be to bait a trap, and the last resort is a tranquilliser gun.

Tranquilised and trapped individuals are relocated to the world-famous Polar Bear

Right: a polar bear patrols Churchill’s rocky shore. Far right: in winter, the bears are more likely to approach Tundra Buggies. Below: inquisitive belugas.