Grizzlies

Barren ground grizzly bears (Ursos arctos) are the second largest carnivore in Wapusk. Since the mid-1990s, more grizzly bears have been seen in the park! They’re likely from populations in northwest Nunavut, and seem to be moving southeast. Not much is known about their ecology or population status in northern Manitoba. We know that they are solitary animals, and males usually roam farther than females.

Barren ground grizzlies are omnivores. They eat caribou, small mammals, birds, ringed seals, beached whales, spawning fish, horsetail, arctic cotton grass and various berries. They have large heads with a dished face, long snouts, and small, round ears. The claws on their front feet are long and sharp, and they have a noticeable hump on their shoulders. They are smaller than those found further to the south or west.

In late October and November, grizzlies fall into a deep sleep and den. Noises or disturbances in the area may wake them up. They will emerge or enter their dens at different times, based on geographic location.

Grizzly bear breeding season is usually from late spring to early summer. On average, female grizzlies give birth to two cubs, but one to four are possible. Although the grizzly bear is designated as Special Concern under Canada’s Species at Risk Act, there is no evidence to date of an established breeding population in Manitoba. The grizzly bear’s status under Manitoba’s Species and Ecosystems at Risk Act remains Extirpated, meaning that a species is no longer found in the province, but still survives elsewhere in the country.