Will you be one of them?

What happens when a stray dog encounters a polar bear on the tundra? We had the rare opportunity to see that scene unfold today. We had a large male polar bear lying outside of our tundra lodge today when an unsuspecting large, white, fluffy domestic dog ran by. Although all of our hands were shaking at the conflict sure to ensue, the polar bear merely raised his head, chuffed a couple of times, stretched, and laid back down. The dog, of course, quickly skittered away when he realized the peril. So, why, you ask, would a polar bear refuse an easy meal if he were starving? After talking to Dr. Gregory Theimann from York University yesterday, we thought we maybe had the answer to that. Ringed seals are the primary food source for polar bears in the wild, and provide the right kind of nutrition and fat that the bears need to survive the long, harsh winters. We figured that the bear may have simply not wanted to exert the energy it takes to fight and eat the dog as it would not provide the nutrition he needed. After all, polar bears are pretty strict specialists when it comes to foraging. We later found out that this particular dog was owned by someone in Churchill, and was supposed to serve as a polar bear lookout dog. The residents of Churchill have adapted ways of cohabitating peacefully with wildlife. No person in Churchill has been killed by a polar bear in about 20 years. We learned earlier in the week, how First Nation natives of this area hunt and trap only what they need for survival and have the greatest respect for the land.

Another new experience for many of us today was speaking to a group of fourth graders at a school in Winnipeg via the internet. Through this, we were not only able to share some of the information that we learned over the last few days, but we also learned how to speak to a young audience using age appropriate language. It was a great experience for both the kids and us.

Today, we ambassadors had what could be described as an epiphany. We came up with a plan to help reverse global warming by reducing greenhouse gases and reducing carbon dioxide at the source. We came here to learn how to inspire change, and really believe that we can by implementing a program we came up with called “Acres for the Atmosphere.” Though it is a big undertaking that is both daunting and empowering, we cannot wait to return home and get started on it. Make sure to periodically check the Polar Bears International and the American Association of Zoo Keepers websites to see what it is all about.

Packing up to go home, we know we are forever changed by our week with the polar bears of Churchill. As we finish writing this blog and chatting about life experiences, we realize the greatest truth we learned from Robert and Carolyn and the PBI family, is that, friends help friends. It’s all about the people we encounter in our lives and the relationships we build. We have a five-year window to change our ways and reverse the effects of global warming in time to preserve the polar bears’ sea ice habitat. As we move forward we will encounter many special people who will help us on our mission to save polar bear habitat. Will you be one of them?