moreabout Polar Bear Polar Bears Conservation SafetySafety Polar bears are the largest land carnivore in Nanuq, the great white bear, is found North America. An adult male typically weighs in many of Canada’s northern national 300-450 kg, stretching 3 metres from nose to parks and in some national historic tail. They are strong, fast, agile, on land or ice, sites. Whenever bears and people and are expert swimmers and divers. Their occupy the same area, conflict can arise. Polar bears and people have sense of smell is exceptional, their eyesight coexisted for thousands of years but comparable to a human’s. Polar bears are contact between the two must be naturally curious, not fearless as they have minimised to continue this legacy. been labelled. They are shy and prefer to avoid Successful polar bear conservation confrontations with humans and other polar requires your co-operation. bears. Their primary prey is the ringed seal For your safety, and the safety of but they will also prey on birds, eggs, small the bears, learn about safe travel mammals, and even humans. They also in polar bear country and take precautions. By choosing to travel in scavenge anything from beached whales to polar bear country you not only human garbage. In the heat of summer, polar accept the associated risks, but also bears may appear slow and docile, but they the responsibility to alter your plans, are capable of moving swiftly and with actions and attitudes to purpose. accommodate these magnificent animals. Report all polar bear sightings and signs to park staff, as soon as This pamphlet was developed for National possible. Parks in the Arctic. Polar bears in the Hudson’s Bay area have different adaptations and behaviour. If you plan on visiting Wapusk

For more information: WA National Park, ask for further information at: YNE LYNCH (204) 675-8863 or wapusk_np @pch.gc.ca Auyuittuq and Quttinirpaaq Parks Canada National Parks Western Arctic Field Unit Box 353 Box 1840 Pangnirtung, Nunavut X0A 0R0 Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0 CREDIT: Bromley, Marianne. 1996. Safety in Polar Bear Country. in Northwest Territories Renewable Resources, Yellowknife, NWT. 24 pp. PHONE: 867.473.8828 PHONE: 867.777.8800 E-MAIL: [email protected] E-MAIL: [email protected] Bromley, Marianne. 1996. Safety in Polar Bear Country. Northwest Territories Renewable Resources, Yellowknife. 24 pp. Sirmilik National Park Margo Supplies Polar Bear Canadian Wildlife Service. Hinterland Who’s Who. Box 300 A supplier of bear deterrents COUNTRY http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/hww- Pond Inlet, Nunavut X0A 0S0 and warning devices. fap/plbear/pbear.html PHONE: 867.899.8092 http://www.wildlife-mgmt.com/ beardeterrents.htm

Stirling, I. 1988. Polar Bears. University of Michigan Press. E-MAIL: [email protected]

Available in soft cover from Fitzhenry and Whiteside,

rkam, ON. 220 pp. Ma SUGGESTED READINGS SUGGESTED Safety in Polar Bear Country safety anencounter Each encounter with a avoiding polar bear is unique. Ask Parks Canada staff about current bear Never approach a bear for any reason. Good judgement, common sense and familiarity activity. Every bear defends a “critical space”, which varies with polar bear behaviour are required in all Some areas may be closed due to bear activity; with each bear and each situation: it may be a few situations. This pamphlet provides guidelines for obey written and oral warnings. metres or a hundred metres. Intrusion within this avoiding and dealing with polar bear encounters. space is considered a threat and may provoke an For your safety and the safety of the bears, please Be alert and aware of your surroundings. attack. read this pamphlet carefully and seriously consider the risks involved with travel Scan all around with binoculars at regular in polar bear country. intervals. Be vigilant! Watch for signs such as Never approach a fresh kill or carcass as polar tracks, droppings, diggings, wildlife carcasses bears will defend their food. and polar bear dens. Adult polar bears will often only eat the fat of seals and other kills, but other bears may scavenge from Travel in daylight and avoid areas of these carcasses. restricted visibility. FEMALE Be especially careful in areas along the coast, Never feed bears or any wildlife. P R I N T S where a polar bear may be hidden behind A bear that finds food from a human source begins MALE boulders, pressure ridges (pushed up sea ice), to associate humans with food. This can result in P R I N T S driftwood or vegetation. the bear losing its natural tendency to avoid people and becoming persistent in its search for Travel in groups and stay together to human food. The consequences for you and the increase your safety. bear can be serious. A bear that associates food The larger the group the greater the chances with humans is more likely to injure people and of deterring a bear. these bears may have to be relocated or killed.

Pack out all garbage and use sealed bags and containers or bear-proof canisters to store food and garbage. Eliminate or reduce odours from yourself and Polar bear behaviour your camp. is very different from Avoid using scented soaps and cosmetics and that of grizzly and avoid bringing strong smelling foods. black bears. Consider hiring a guide if you are uncertain about your ability to deal with polar bears. Polar bears are predators, primarily Ask about their experience, how they will avoid hunting seals, while grizzlies and encountering a polar bear and about plans of black bears mostly eat plants. As action should you encounter a bear. A larger group predators, polar bears will investigate can also increase safety, ask about the size of humans, their camps and may even group. consider humans as a food source.

PAUL NICKLEN camChoosing a Safepsite Campsite an Avoid bear feeding areas. handling encounter A polar bear’s primary food source is seal so these species are often found in the same places. Before your trip, discuss possible plans of If a bear charges: • In fall, winter and early spring most polar bears action for dealing with bears in a variety • stand your ground and be prepared to fight! are on the sea ice hunting seals by the floe edge, of circumstances and be sure everyone Bluff charges are rare. open water leads and along pressure ridges. Bears understands. and seals can also be found in places where the ice The actions of each individual either Never get between a bear and her cubs. is thin or cracked, such as tide cracks in land-fast ice contribute to or detract from the safety of If a female with cubs is surprised at close range or at toes of glaciers. Seals can more easily maintain everyone else. or separated from her cubs she will likely attack breathing holes in these areas. Stay calm and assess the situation. to defend her cubs. • In early spring, females with cubs tend to hunt along What is the bear doing? What is the bear’s • leave the area immediately. pressure ridges and cracks in land-fast ice (particularly behaviour? in bays) where seal birthing dens are found. • stay in a group. • During the ice-free summer season, when polar If a bear does not know you are there: • fight back if she bears are forced ashore, they generally hunt and • quietly back away and leave the area either attacks. scavenge along coastlines, beaches and rocky islands in the direction you came or make a wide near the coast. detour around the bear. Do not run, move Stay away from polar bear den sites. quickly or make motions that might attract the bear’s attention. Unlike other bears, there is no time when all polar bears are inactive in dens. • stay downwind, if possible, so the bear cannot smell you and detect your presence. • Maternity dens are excavated by pregnant females in snow drifts on leeward (wind protected) slopes of • keep an eye on the bear. coastal hills and valleys. In the Baffin Region, dens WAYNE LYNCH can be found at high elevations on snowfields and If a bear knows you are there and shows glaciers. Maternity dens are occupied from fall to signs of being curious, such as: Always leave an escape route for the bear. early spring. The dens are inconspicuous, however, • moving slowly with frequent stops, bear tracks leading to and from the site in early • standing on hind legs and sniffing the air, Carry deterrents and know how to use them. autumn or late spring or ventilation holes can indicate • holding its head high with ears forward or to Report all polar bear sightings and signs to their presence. the side, park staff. • Temporary dens are excavated in snow drifts or • moving its head from side to side, or pressure ridges by polar bears (males, females and • trying to catch your scent by circling downwind females with cubs) that are active over the winter. and approaching from behind. The dens can be used as resting places or as THEN: temporary shelter from bad weather. They can be deterrents - help it to identify you as a human, used from a few days to several months. Reducing the threat posed by a polar bear during • Summer retreat dens are excavated during the - wave your arms over your head and talk an interaction may be difficult. Non-lethal open water season in the remaining snow banks or in low tones, deterrents have been developed for black and into the permafrost. These can also be at higher - move slowly upwind of the bear so it can grizzly bears but they have not been thoroughly elevations on snowfields and glaciers or the valleys get your scent. tested on polar bears and, therefore, they cannot leading up to them. Male and female bears of all age be depended on to ensure safety. The best way groups use them to keep cool and avoid insect If the bear has been surprised at close to live safely with bears is to avoid contact with groups use them to keep cool and avoid insect If the bear has been surprised at close to live safely with bears is to avoid contact with harassment. range or shows signs of being agitated or them. threatened, such as: Any potential weapon should be considered, Avoid camping on beaches, islands, along • huffing, panting, hissing, growling or jaw- coastlines and on “bear highways”. such as skis, poles, rocks, blocks of ice or even snapping, • Before making camp, look around for tracks. knives. • stamping its feet, • Polar bears often travel along coastlines using points Stay together as a group. This can be a deterrent • staring directly at a person, or of land and rocky islets near the coast to navigate. and actions, such as making noise, jumping, • lowering its head with ears laid back. waving arms, throwing things, may help to drive • In the summer, blowing sea ice may transport polar a polar bear away. bears into coastal areas. Avoid areas where the pack THEN: ice is blowing in to shore. • act non-threatening. Do not shout or Commercial deterrents: • Valleys and passes are often used to cross peninsulas make sudden movements, which might • Noisemakers including air horns, pistol and pen and to move from one valley to another. provoke the bear. Never huff or hiss as this can cause a polar bear to charge. launched bear bangers may scare a bear away. • Polar bears travel and hunt along the edges of ice • Pepper spray may work on polar bears, but has floes. • avoid direct eye contact. not been thoroughly tested. Be aware that pepper • back away slowly. DO NOT RUN. Camp inland on a butte or bluff with a good spray does not work when cold. Also be aware of view of surrounding terrain. • be prepared to use deterrents. wind direction to avoid having the spray blow into Avoid areas where bears might hide, such as blind your face. corners, snow banks, pressure ridges and other If the bear shows signs of stalking or hunting you, such as: • Know how and when to use these deterrents visual impediments. and practice beforehand. • following you or circling you, Set up tents in a line rather than a circle and • approaching directly, intently and unafraid, • Availability of commercial deterrents is limited maintain at least 5 metres between them. in the north, most will have to be purchased • returning after being scared away, or If a bear comes into camp, it will not feel surrounded elsewhere and transported as dangerous goods. • appears wounded, old or thin. and will have an avenue of escape without feeling • Contact Parks Canada for more information. threatened. THEN: • fight back! Use any potential weapon, Do not sleep in the open without a tent. group together and make loud noises. In National Parks of Canada it is unlawful to possess You may look like a seal and polar bears are very a firearm without a permit. The exception to curious. People sleeping in the open have been • DO NOT RUN. this regulation is for beneficiaries of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement and Nunavut Land Claim attacked. •be prepared to use deterrents. Agreement; they may carry firearms when engaged in traditional activities within National Parks in their Cook at least 50 metres from your sleeping land claim area. area in a place visible from your tent. Strain food particles from dishwater and store with garbage. Dump dishwater at least 50 metres are better than one. Know how to handle them. from your sleeping area, rivers, streams and lakes. warningsystems Keep them staked so they cannot run to you for protection and stake them downwind from your Store food and garbage in bear-proof Set up a portable trip-wire or motion detector sleeping area. Be sure to clean up any dog food containers or sealed bags and containers leftovers. Dogs must be under control at all times secured under rocks within view of your tent. alarm system around your tent to alert you if a polar bear approaches your camp. Before leaving within national parks to avoid wildlife harassment. Placing pots on top may serve as an alarm. If you home, contact Parks Canada for more information. have a warning system, store your food within its Designate a bear monitor to keep watch if a polar perimeter. DO NOT store food inside your tent. You may wish to take a dog, but only one that has bear might be nearby. Consider moving your camp proven experience with polar bears. Several dogs if there is a bear in the area. Bury human waste under rocks at least 50 metres from your sleeping area or pack it out. Report ALL polar bear sightings and signs to park staff, as soon as possible.