| Polar
Bear Blog - May 17, 2006
FIRST
POLAR BEAR OF THE YEAR
So
here it is...My first cabin update and I am not even in Churchill.
Right now, I am down in Winnipeg for a few days visiting family
and that sort of thing.
Anyway,
I was going to start the cabin update when I got back home but
there has been a bit of news in the meantime...and its polar bear
news!
On
the morning of May 16th, we had our first furry white visitor
of the year at the Camp Nanuq cabin. Camp Nanuq is a 'suburb'
of Churchill, a ramshackle collection of cottages about fifteen
miles east of Churchill. There are only three year cabins used
year-round and several weekend retreats. It has a bit of a reputation
for polar bear activity which for the most part is why I live
there.
But
this one is a big, old, scarred-up bear, cranky and down on his
luck. His skin hangs loose, highlighting his weary shoulders and
hips. When he walks his back leg occasionally slips, likely the
result of a broken hip or severe arthiritis. Probably over fifteen
maybe even twenty years old, he is in the final stage of life.
His
first stop was my house followed that night by a return visit
to my neighbours place across the lake. Between noise-cracker
shells and Milo (my bear guard wolf-dog), he has not had a good
day. Regardless, he will probably come back.
Now,
this is not the first visitor ever and definitely not the last
but a big difference with this old bear is the timing. Most bear
encounters occur in October and November when the bears gather
near Churchill. The result of one of these October visits through
my little kitchen was and likely still is featured prominently
on German TV (so I hear).
So
we kind of expect and prepare for bears in October. But right
now, the polar bears need to be out on the ice. April through
July is their prime feeding time when young seals (their main
meal) are readily accessible. The simple fact that this old guy
is hanging out on land is not a good sign for him or us.
Open
water lies just north of Churchill. A big 'lead' is visible where
the bears are hunting. Our visitor has likely wandered into town
looking for easier prey (such as a kitchen or an author) after
being pushed away by the intense competition for food and mates
right now. Testosterone runs high at this time of year and there
are some big, bad bears out there.
Of
course, just because he can no longer compete with 1,200lb bears
does not mean that he is a pushover. This is a huge bear that
is in constant pain. In fact, his description reminds me of a
bear we encountered from the Tundra Buggies in October. He was
old and walked with the same wretched limp. However, that means
this is a huge bear that has been in constant pain for seven or
eight months.
I
want to say that I hope he heads back out on the ice but, in reality,
it is probably better for him if someone up here finds him first.
As long as we find him before he 'finds' us. |
