The Mission of the Polar Bear Alert Program
The Polar Bear Alert Program (PBA) is essential for managing human-polar bear interactions in Churchill, Manitoba. To achieve its mission, the program focuses on five main objectives and implements a strategic approach to managing polar bear activity through defined control zones.
The Five Objectives of the Polar Bear Alert Program
- Protecting Human Life: Ensuring the safety of Churchill’s residents and visitors is the program’s highest priority. Quick response protocols are in place to mitigate risks posed by polar bears in the area.
- Protecting Polar Bears: The program works to prevent unnecessary deaths or harassment of polar bears, emphasizing humane management techniques.
- Ensuring Staff Safety: Safeguarding the health and well-being of staff working with the Polar Bear Alert Program is a crucial component. Staff undergo rigorous training to handle encounters effectively.
- Minimizing Property Damage: Reducing the impact of polar bears on residential and commercial properties in the Churchill area helps maintain harmony between humans and wildlife.
- Preventing Food Conditioning and Human Habituation: The program aims to minimize the chances of polar bears associating humans with food, reducing the likelihood of repeated interactions.
The ‘Team’
The Polar Bear Alert Program is staffed with two Conservation Officers, a wildlife biologist, one district clerk, four seasonal resource management technicians, and additional staff when required during the peak season.
Coverage Area for the Polar Bear Alert Program
To effectively manage polar bear activity, the Churchill area is divided into three control zones:
- Zone One: Town Site and Immediate Vicinity
o This zone includes the main town and its immediate surroundings.
o It has the strictest protocols, with PBA staff responding immediately to any reports of polar bear sightings. - Zone Two: Inhabited Areas Outside of Town
o These areas are road-accessible but less densely populated than Zone One.
o PBA staff monitor and address polar bear activity as needed to ensure safety. - Zone Three: Peripheral Areas
o Adjacent to Zones One and Two, this area encompasses the broader region where polar bears may roam.
o Monitoring and management efforts are more relaxed here compared to the higher-priority zones.
A Balanced Approach
The Polar Bear Alert Program balances the safety of human life, the welfare of polar bears, and the preservation of property. By prioritizing these objectives and implementing a zoned control system, the program ensures a proactive and effective response to the challenges of human-polar bear coexistence in Churchill.
