ISBN: 978-1-100-16418-2 R62-342/2010E 978-1-100-16418-2 ISBN:

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Margo Supplies Margo

Markam, ON. 220 pp. 220 ON. Markam, U

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Available in soft cover from Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Whiteside, and Fitzhenry from cover soft in Available G

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. Country Bear Polar in Safety . 6 9 9 1 . e n n a i r a M , Bromley

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further information. further

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r o f s k r a P l a n o i t a N k s u p a W or Ukkusiksalik Contact

Wapusk National Park National Wapusk Sirmilik National Park National Sirmilik

parks is not recommended, but guided trips are available. available. are trips guided but recommended, not is parks

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Arctic national parks. Independent travelling in these these in travelling Independent parks. national Arctic

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or or 1-800-922-1290 , NU X0A 0R0 X0A NU , g n u t r i n g n a P PHONE:

s u o r e m u n e r o m e r a s r e t n u o c n e r a e b d n a s r a e b r a l o P Arctic. Box 353 353 Box Nain, NL A0P 1L0 A0P NL Nain,

This pamphlet was developed for national parks in the the in parks national for developed was pamphlet This Quttinirpaaq National Park National Quttinirpaaq Box 471 471 Box

Auyuittuq National Park and and Park National Auyuittuq Torngat Mountains National Park Park National Mountains Torngat

: N O I T A M R O F N I E R O M R O F

to park staff, as soon as possible. as soon as staff, park to

moving swiftly and with purpose. with and swiftly moving Report all polar bear sightings and signs signs and sightings bear polar all Report

slow and docile, but they are capable of of capable are they but docile, and slow

heat of summer, polar bears may appear appear may bears polar summer, of heat . s l a m i n a t n e c i f i n g a m e s e h t

e t a d o m m o c c a o t s e d u t i t t a d n a s n o i t c a beached whales to human garbage. In the the In garbage. human to whales beached

, s n a l p r u o y r e t l a o t y t i l i b i s n o p s e r e h t o s l a t u b humans. They also scavenge anything from from anything scavenge also They humans.

, s k s i r d e t a i c o s s a e h t t p e c c a y l n o t o n u o y

on birds, eggs, small mammals, and even even and mammals, small eggs, birds, on

y r t n u o c r a e b r a l o p n i l e v a r t o t g n i s o o h c y B

y e r p o s l a l l i w y e h t t u b l a e s d e g n i r e h t s i y e r p

bear country and take precautions. take and country bear

humans and other polar bears. Their primary primary Their bears. polar other and humans

bears, learn about safe travel in polar polar in travel safe about learn bears,

shy and prefer to avoid confrontations with with confrontations avoid to prefer and shy For your safety, and the safety of the the of safety the and safety, your For

e ar They labelled. been have they as fearless

. n o i t a r e p o - o c r u o y s e r i u q e r

Polar bears are naturally curious, not not curious, naturally are bears Polar Successful polar bear conservation conservation bear polar Successful

. y c a g e l s i h t e u n i t n o c o t d e s i m i n i m e b t s u m their eyesight comparable to a human’s. human’s. a to comparable eyesight their

of years but contact between the two two the between contact but years of divers. Their sense of smell is exceptional, exceptional, is smell of sense Their divers.

and people have coexisted for thousands thousands for coexisted have people and

land or ice, and are expert swimmers and and swimmers expert are and ice, or land

same area, conflict can arise. Polar bears bears Polar arise. can conflict area, same

nose to tail. They are strong, fast, agile on on agile fast, strong, are They tail. to nose

Whenever bears and people occupy the the occupy people and bears Whenever

weighs 300-450 kg, stretching 3 metres from from metres 3 stretching kg, 300-450 weighs

parks and in some national historic sites. sites. historic national some in and parks

North America. An adult male typically typically male adult An America. North in many of Canada’s northern national national northern Canada’s of many in

Nanuq, the great white bear, is found found is bear, white great the Nanuq, Polar bears are the largest land carnivore in in carnivore land largest the are bears Polar

N O I T VA R E S N O C

about Polar Bears Polar about E R O M Polar Bear Polar

SAFEsTY a in Polarfe Bearty Country Each encounter with a polar bear is unique. Good judgement, common sense and familiarity AVOIDING an ENCOUNTER with polar bear behaviour are required in all situations. This pamphlet provides guidelines for avoiding and dealing with polar bear encounters. For your safety and the safety of the bears, Ask Parks Canada staff about current Never approach a bear for any reason. please read this pamphlet carefully and seriously bear activity. Some areas may be closed due to Every bear defends a “critical space”, which varies consider the risks involved with travel in polar bear activity; obey written and oral warnings. with each bear and each situation: it may be a few bear country. Further information is available in metres or a hundred metres. Intrusion within this the DVD “Polar Bears: A Guide to Safety” Be alert and aware of your surroundings . space is considered a threat and may provoke an developed by Parks Canada and the Safety in Scan all around with binoculars at regular intervals. attack. Approaching a bear could be considered Bear Country Society. Be vigilant! Watch for signs such as tracks, disturbing wildlife which is an offence under the droppings, diggings, wildlife carcasses and polar National Parks Wildlife Regulations. After a polar bear attack or encounter bear dens. foll ow this eme rgen cy che ck list: Never approach a fresh kill or carcass as Travel in daylight and avoid areas of polar bears will defend their food. Adult polar 1. STAY CALM and ensure you are safe. restricted visibility. Be especially careful in bears will often only eat the fat of beached whales, 2. Check that all people in your group are accounted for. areas along the coast, where a polar bear may be seals and other kills, but other bears may scavenge from these carcasses. 3. Call for help by radio or satellite phone. (Get contact hidden behind boulders, pressure ridges (pushed up sea ice), driftwood or vegetation. numbers at your orientation to the park.) Never feed bears. A bear that finds food from a 4. Report location and time of incident. Travel in groups and stay together to human source begins to associate humans with food. 5. Report number of people involved. increase your safety. The larger the group the This can result in the bear losing its natural tendency to 6. Report extent of injuries and property damage. greater the chances of deterring a bear. avoid people and becoming persistent in its search for human food. The consequences for you and the bear can 7. Report numbers and last locations of all polar bears be serious. A bear that associates food with humans is involved in the incident. more likely to injure people and these bears may have to 8. Report reason for the attack if known (female be relocated or killed. It is also illegal to feed any wildlife protecting cubs, surprise, defending food source, etc.) in a national nark. 9. Report description of bears (male or female, size, markings, etc.) Use sealed bags and containers or bear-proof canisters to store food and 10. Stand by to provide additional information to rescuers. garbage. Pack out all garbage.

Polar bear beh aviour is Eliminate or reduce odours from yourself and your camp. Avoid using scented soaps and very diffe rent from cosmetics and avoid bringing strong smelling foods. that of grizzly and black bears . Consider hiring a guide if you are uncertain about your ability to deal with polar bears. Ask about their experience, how they will avoid Polar bears are predators, primarily encountering a polar bear and about plans of action hunting seals, while grizzlies and black should you encounter a bear. A larger group can also bears mostly eat plants. As predators, increase safety, ask about the size of group. polar bears will investigate humans, their camps and may even consider humans as a food source. PAUL NICKLEN cCHOaOSImNG a SpAFEs Campsiteite Avoid bear feeding areas. A polar bear’s primary food source is seal so these species are often found in the same places. HANDLING an ENCOUNTER • In fall, winter and early spring most polar bears are on the sea ice hunting seals by the floe edge, open water leads and along pressure Before your trip, discuss possible plans of Never get between a bear and her cubs. action for dealing with bears in a variety ridges. Bears and seals can also be found in If a female with cubs is surprised at close range of circumstances and be sure everyone places where the ice is thin or cracked, such as or separated from her cubs she will likely attack understands. The actions of each individual tide cracks in land-fast ice or at toes of glaciers. to defend her cubs. either contribute to or detract from the safety of Seals can more easily maintain breathing holes • leave the area immediately. in these areas. everyone else. • stay in a group. • In early spring, females with cubs tend to hunt Every attack or encounter is different. To along pressure ridges and cracks in land-fast ice find out more about bear behaviour, hire a • fight back if (particularly in bays) where seal birthing dens are guide or talk to knowledgeable people in she attacks. found. the community. • During the ice-free summer season, when Stay calm, notify everyone in the group, polar bears are forced ashore, they can be found be aware of your surroundings and assess anywhere but they generally hunt and scavenge the situation. What is the bear doing? What is along coastlines, beaches and rocky islands. the bear’s behaviour? Keep an eye on the ocean, polar bears are often well hidden when swimming. If a bear does not know you are there: • quietly back away and leave the area either Stay away from polar bear den sites. in the direction you came or make a wide detour Unlike other bears, there is no time when all polar around the bear. Do not run, move quickly or make bears are inactive in dens. motions that might attract the bear’s attention. • Maternity dens are excavated by pregnant • stay downwind, so the bear cannot smell you and females in snow drifts on leeward (wind detect your presence. protected) slopes of coastal hills and valleys. In WAYNE LYNCH the Baffin Region, dens can be found at high • keep an eye on the bear. elevations on snowfields and glaciers. Maternity Always leave an escape route If a bear knows you are there and shows dens are occupied from fall to early spring. The signs of being curious, such as: for the bear. dens are inconspicuous, however, bear tracks leading to and from the site in early autumn or • moving slowly with frequent stops, Carry deterrents and know late spring or ventilation holes can indicate their • standing on hind legs and sniffing the air, how to use them. presence. • holding its head high with ears forward or to the side, • Temporary dens are excavated in snow drifts or pressure ridges by polar bears (males, • moving its head from side to side, or Report all females and females with cubs) that are active • trying to catch your scent by circling downwind over the winter. The dens can be used as resting and approaching from behind. bear sightings places or as temporary shelter from bad THEN: weather. They can be used from a few days to and signs to park staff. several months. - help it to identify you as a human, • Summer retreat dens are excavated during - wave your arms over your head and talk in low tones, CON TACT PARKS CANA DA FOR MORE INFORM ATION. the open water season in the remaining snow - move slowly upwind of the bear so it can banks or into the permafrost. These can also be get your scent. at higher elevations on snowfields and glaciers or the valleys leading up to them. Male and If the bear has been surprised at close range or shows signs of being agitated or DETERRENTS female bears of all age groups use them to keep threatened, such as: Reducing the threat posed by a polar bear cool and avoid insect harassment. during an interaction may be difficult. Non-lethal • huffing, panting, hissing, growling or jaw-snapping, deterrents cannot be depended on to ensure Avoid camping on beaches, islands, along • stamping its feet, safety. The best way to live safely with bears coastlines and on obvious movement corridors. is to avoid contact with them. • staring directly at a person, or • Before making camp, look around for tracks or Any potential weapon must be considered, such other signs of bear activity. • lowering its head with ears laid back. as skis, poles, rocks, blocks of ice or even knives. • Polar bears often travel along coastlines using THEN: Stay together as a group. This can be a deterrent points of land and rocky islets near the coast to • act non-threatening. Do not shout or make and actions, such as making noise, jumping, navigate. sudden movements, which might provoke the waving arms, throwing things, may help to drive a polar bear away. • In the summer, blowing sea ice may transport bear. Never huff or hiss as this can cause a polar bears into coastal areas. Avoid areas polar bear to charge. COMMERCIAL deterrents where the pack ice is blowing in to shore. • avoid direct eye contact. • Noisemakers including air horns, pistol and pen • Valleys and passes are often used to cross • back away slowly. DO NOT RUN. launched bear bangers may scare a bear away. peninsulas or islands and to move from one area • Pepper spray is effective against polar bears, to another. • be prepared to use deterrents. but has some limitations. It must be warm • Polar bears travel and hunt along the edges of If the bear shows signs of stalking or enough to atomize and it must be used at close ice floes. hunting you, such as: range. Also be aware of wind direction to avoid having the spray blow into your face. Camp inland on a butte or bluff with a good view • following you or circling you, • Know how and when to use these deterrents and of surrounding terrain. Avoid areas where bears • approaching directly, intently and unafraid, practice beforehand. might hide, such as blind corners, snow banks, • returning after being scared away, or • Availability of commercial deterrents is limited pressure ridges and other places with visual in the north, most will have to be purchased impediments. • appears wounded, old or thin. elsewhere and transported as dangerous THEN: Set up tents in a line rather than a circle and goods. • Portable solar electric fences may deter a bear maintain at least 5 metres between them. If a • fight back! Use any potential weapon, group at your campsite if properly installed and bear comes into camp, it will not feel surrounded together and make loud noises. maintained. and will have an avenue of escape without feeling • DO NOT RUN. • Contact Parks Canada for more information. threatened. Keep watch 24 hours per day. Take • be prepared to use deterrents. turns keeping watch during sleeping periods. In Canada’s national parks it is unlawful to possess a firearm If a bear charges: unless you are a licensed guide or bear monitor with a permit. Do not sleep in the open without a tent. You may Consider hiring a guide or a bear monitor for increased safety. If you look like a seal and polar bears are very curious. • stand your ground and be prepared to fight! operate a guiding or outfitting business and wish your guides to be People sleeping in the open have been attacked. Focus on hitting the bear in sensitive areas, considered for a firearms permit, please contact the National Park especially the face and nose if possible. Bluff or Site or Field Unit Office. Cook at least 50 metres from your sleeping area charges are rare. The exception to this regulation is for beneficiaries of the Inuvialuit in a place visible from your tent. Strain food Final Agreement, the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement, the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, the Nunavik Inuit Land Claim Agreement and any particles from dishwater and store with garbage. future land claim agreements, who can carry firearms when engaged in Dump dishwater at least 50 metres from your WARNING systems traditional activities within national parks within their land claim area. sleeping area, rivers, streams and lakes. Set up a portable trip-wire or motion detector alarm you for protection and stake them downwind from your Store food and garbage in bear-proof system around your tent to alert you if a polar bear approaches sleeping area. Be sure to clean up any dog food leftovers. Dogs containers or sealed bags and containers secured under rocks within view of your tent. your camp. Before leaving home, contact Parks Canada for more must be under control at all times within national parks to avoid A permit is required to set up a food cache. information. wildlife harassment. Placing pots on top may serve as an alarm. If you You may wish to take a dog, but only one that has proven Designate a bear monitor to keep watch if a polar bear have a warning system, store your food within its experience with polar bears. Several dogs are better than one. might be nearby. Consider moving your camp if there is a bear perimeter. DO NOT store food inside your tent. Know how to handle them. Keep them staked so they cannot run to in the area.