Releasing the Bears from the Polar Bear Jail
Releasing polar bears from the Polar Bear Holding Facility is a carefully managed process that ensures their safe return to the wild. This operation aligns with the natural behaviors of the bears and minimizes the chances of them returning to Churchill.
Pre-Ice Release
Before the Hudson Bay ice freezes, polar bears are tranquilized and translocated by helicopter approximately 70 kilometers north of Churchill. They are released along the Hudson Bay coast, allowing them to continue their migration toward the first ice forming on the bay. Since sea ice forms earliest along the western and northern coastline of Churchill, this direction aligns with the bears’ natural instincts.
At the time of release, bears are marked with a green wax spot on their shoulder hump. This temporary marker allows easy recognition of released bears from a distance. The mark naturally wears off within a month as the bears clean themselves and spend time in the water. Very few bears return to Churchill during the same season after being relocated.
Post-Ice Formation Release
Once ice forms on Hudson Bay, the remaining bears in the facility are released directly onto the shoreline by vehicle. Transported in culvert traps, these bears are eager to return to the ice to hunt seals. This method ensures a smooth transition back into their natural habitat.
Program Impact
Since the facility’s inception in 1981, over 2,300 polar bears have been handled by the Polar Bear Alert Program. While not all bears were held in the facility—some, like family groups, were flown directly out—the program’s efforts have significantly contributed to minimizing human-polar bear conflicts.
Handling Tagged Bears
Approximately two-thirds of the polar bears handled are previously tagged. These tags are from either the Polar Bear Alert Program or the Canadian Wildlife Service’s research initiatives. Only a small number of relocated bears return to Churchill within the same year, highlighting the success of the program’s relocation strategies.
The careful release and monitoring of polar bears ensure their well-being while maintaining safety for the residents of Churchill, fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
