Dancer

Dancer was a staple of 'bear season' during my career as a tundra buggy driver.

He was a huge adult male that dominated almost all the other polar bears in the area. Each year, he would stroll in, visible from miles away, and 'take over' the camp.

The tundra buggy camp is a collection of over-sized trailers on monster truck wheels that serve as a remote hotel for polar bear viewing. Attracted by smells from the camp, polar bears hang out in the area and the camp itself becomes kind of a status symbol for them. Early in the season, a young bear usually 'claims' it, only to be usurped by a sparring duo such as the Scrappy Brothers and then finally a big old bear takes over.

Dancer was that bear for probably five years. Last year, however, he showed up looking a little more scarred, a little more grizzled. He still was at the top but was clearly past his prime.

My last memory of buggy driving was driving alongside Dancer as he decided it was time to head out onto the sea ice and the competition for seals and for mates, possibly for the last time.