Safety in polar bear country
Wapusk National Park
PDF document: Safety in polar bear country (PDF, 1.1 MB)
Parks Canada sites
Parks Canada is responsible for four sites in northern Manitoba: York Factory National Historic Site, Wapusk National Park, Parks Canada Visitor Centre in the Churchill Heritage Railway Station and Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site, including Cape Merry Battery and Sloop Cove. Except for the Visitor Centre, these sites pose a high risk of polar bear encounters and should never be visited without a licensed guide or Parks Canada staff member.
Each encounter with a polar bear is unique. Good judgement, common sense, and familiarity with polar bear behaviour are required in all situations. This information provides guidelines for avoiding and dealing with polar bear encounters. For your safety and the safety of the bears, please read this section carefully and seriously consider the risks involved with travel in polar bear country.
Firearms
In Canada’s national parks, it is unlawful for visitors to carry a firearm. Consider hiring a guide or a bear monitor for increased safety. Outfitters who wish to have guides considered for a permit to carry firearms at Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site and in Wapusk National Park, should contact Parks Canada by phone Phone number: 204-675-8863 or by emailEmail address: manitoba@pc.gc.ca.
Safety in polar bear country
Polar Bear Alert line
During the active polar bear season, which is usually mid-summer to late fall, the Polar Bear Alert phone line is monitored 24 hours a day. It is an emergency line. Call the Polar Bear Alert Line Phone number: 204-675-2327) if you:
- Have an encounter with a polar bear
- See a bear within or near the town limits
- See a bear between the town and the airport
- Observe a bear near the outlying residential areas or businesses (i.e. Goose Creek, Camp Nanuk, Churchill Northern Studies Centre)
- See a bear that appears to injured
If there were any injuries, call Phone number: 911.
For further information, contact Manitoba Conservation and Climate (Phone number: 204-675-8897) or Parks Canada (Phone number: 204-675-8863).
For more information:
Location:Auyuittuq National Park and
Quttinirpaaq National Park
Box 353
Pangnirtung, NU X0A 0R0
Phone number: 867-473-2500
Email address: nunavut.info@pc.gc.ca
Location:Sirmilik National Park
Box 300
Pond Inlet, NU X0A 0S0
Phone number: 867-899-8092
Email address: sirmilik.info@pc.gc.ca
Location:Ukkusiksalik National Park
Box 220
Repulse Bay, NU X0C 0H0
Phone number: 867-462-4500
Email address: ukkusiksalik.info@pc.gc.ca
Location:Torngat Mountains National Park
Box 471
Nain, NL A0P 1L0
Phone number: 1-800-922-1290 or 709-458-2417
Email address:torngats.info@pc.gc.ca
Location:Wapusk National Park
Box 127 Churchill, MB R0B 0E0
Phone number: 204-675-8863
Email address: manitoba@pc.gc.ca
Location:Western Arctic
Ivvavik National Park
Aulavik National Park
Tuktut Nogait National Park
Pingo Canadian Landmark
Box 1840, Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0
Phone number: 867-777-8800
Email address: inuvik.info@pc.gc.ca
- Date modified :