Tuesday, October 14, 2008

10:05 PM

October 14, 2008

Helicopters!
I had a really emotionally draining day; we did so much and saw things that many people in the world will never, so I apologize for the brevity of this blog.
We saw a maternal den site that conservationist, field biologists and students are lucky to see. This just shows everyone how privileged we are; to have the chance to experience these things is truly 'a once in a lifetime opportunity'!
Flying in the helicopter literally took my breath away. Seeing the tundra, the river and the land made me feel that I could change this world; it made me feel that I was bigger than it. This sense of superiority to the world let me feel as though I had the power to change it. It's a hard feeling to describe, and as Alicia said, 'from that helicopter the Arctic looked like the end of the world'.
I've been so privileged to be included on this trip; it has been one of the best weeks, and best experiences of my life. It's given me a new perspective on the world and global warming issues. I am honored to have been here, truly honored.

Monday, October 13, 2008

9:27 PM

October 13th 2008

Bob, our bear is currently sleeping outside.

Today we had Jim, Betty and Parker, all trappers, come to talk to us on the buggy. It was amazing to hear the stories they had to share with us. They shared a story in which they actually became 'friends' with an orphaned polar bear, who became to them, in sorts, a pet. This story really allowed me to understand the relationship these people had with the land and the animals; there is such a mutual respect. Parker, one of the trappers, explained something to us that I think a lot of people, especially people who are against trapping would be interested to hear. He explained the period of time when an activist group was flourishing and the anti-fur movement was quickly growing. As I result everybody stopped buying fur, which affected not only factory farms but also the northern trapping communities. Parker also mentioned that as this anti-fur movement was going on, people stopped buying fur. This had an obvious effect and there was a dramatic decrease in demand. As the demand goes down, supply also goes down, meaning the trappers didn't have a reason to catch as many animals. As a consequence the animal populations soared, which many people may feel is a good thing. However, Parker explained that it is actually detrimental to the population of that animal. The overpopulation in that species causes mange, a spread of disease within the population. The animal's immune system is unable to keep it protected from all the mites that the vast number of population are bringing in, and as a consequent many die. As Parker explained, 'this is mother nature's way of bringing the population down'. This shows how trapping animals is just part of the ecosystem, and a way of life.

On a different topic, last night we had another alert from Erica, 'Northern Lights!! The Northern Lights are out!' At this everyone ran outside. At first there was a little confusion as they were very faint, and we weren't sure if it was cloud coverage. However within a few minutes it became evident that they were in fact the Lights that we had all been anticipating. They were very faint, but nonetheless we all bundled up and went outside; I was wearing 2 layers of Underarmour, ski trousers, wool socks, big ski boots, lots of shirts and sweaters, my Canada Goose jacket, a hat, glove liners and my ski gloves. This wasn't all necessary but I told everyone, 'I'm sleeping outside! I'm staying out, I'm not going to miss anything!' Sure enough that's what we did (well not the sleeping part!). Erica, Kasey, Bill and I camped out on Buggy One. We stood there, straining our necks and staring into the sky at these faint greenish lines in the sky. After I while, we started to worry that maybe we weren't going to see anymore than this, especially as the clouds started moving in. After 40 minutes the clouds had completely covered the lights. Excited at having seen them, but sad they had not been the show we had wished for; we went inside. About an hour later though they came back and once again we all rushed outside. This time around I was treated to one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. I watched the lights create a beautiful dance across the sky. I was greeted by the most vibrant colors of green, red and purple. It was a sight that made my heart race, my adrenaline rush, and my eyes well. What I saw last night was something I may never see again, but I will hold it in my heart and mind for the rest of my life. I feel honored to have been able to experience it.

And as a last note, our buggy broke down, so if its not fixed by Wednesday, 'we're all here for the season' (words verbatim Mr. Buchanan)!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

7:02 PM

Today was, for me, an extremely eye opening day. I woke up to the sound of Erica yelling, 'Guys, I am NOT kidding this time, there is seriously a bear outside'. And with that, as if in sync, the whole female cabin was up out of their beds and charging for the door. So, after the morning excitement, the day was pretty calm, with speeches, a group presentation and blogging as the main events. Due to the bear sleeping right outside our lodge for the whole day and as I write this, still sleeping outside, there was no need to go out on the Tundra Buggy. Our first speech came from Matt Meyer, on 'How to Effectively Structure and Deliver a Speech', this was followed up by a speech from Robert Buchanan; really just solidifying all the points. His presentation was followed by an extremely moving film of a 12 year old girl addressing the UN at a Summit in Brazil in 1992, on the topic of Global Warming. Our third presenter of the day was Michael Goodyear, the Director of the Churchill Northern Studies Center, and a polar bear and seal enthusiast. He gave us an insightful presentation on the effects global warming has on ringed seals, polar bears number one prey. But for me, the most important presentation of the day was that given by Julie, a Marine Life Keeper and adult facilitator on the trip.

Before coming on this trip I hadn't really thought too much about my views on zoo's, obviously there is much controversy regarding animals and whether putting them in captivity is cruel and inhumane. I think that until Julie's speech today, I was more part of the anti-zoo 'group'. My immediate thought when thinking about animals in captivity is that it's unnatural and that wildlife should be left in their natural habitat. I also felt that the zookeepers did what they did as a job, that they didn't necessarily care about the animals, or consider their 'feelings'. Julie's speech really touched me, it allowed me to realize that zoo's are there not as a form of entertainment, but a way to save those who may not have been able to survive in the wild, and also to help educate others. My feelings on zoo's have definitely changed, and as Robert Buchanan, President of PBI said; Zoo Keepers, out of all the people he has met in his field of work, are the most passionate and the most ardent.

I have the utmost respect and admiration for Julie, her passion for 'her' animals and the amount of thought, time, and effort she puts into caring for the polar bears is a trait that others can only admire. For all those reading this, who are skeptical about Zoo's and holding animals in captivity, Julie showed me that they care more about these animals and their well-being than almost anyone, and they do what they do so that they can personally monitor and ensure that these animals are looked after and appropriately cared for.

Friday, October 10, 2008

9:59 PM

October 10, 2008

As I briskly walked from the dining room complex buggy through the walkway (which is outside) to my sleeping cabin buggy after dinner, I kept storming my brain for what image stuck in my mind the most from my day. Robert Buchanan, President of Polar Bears International, had announced at dinner that our blogs were going to be a description of a single image that had stood out from the rest. I was trying to rack my brain and chose one memory that resounded the most from this amazing day. I didn't know how, so many memorable moments had happened over the course of the day. From the initial step of the flight in Churchill being greeted by the harsh reality of the cold weather, our first polar bear sighting, Dr. Watts' research 'horror' building, D-20 also known as Bear Jail, the amazing chocolate éclair I had at Gypsies (a great coffee and pastry shop in Churchill), the Tundra Buggy, our sighting of a protective mother bear and her two playful cubs, these are to name but a few; shocking to know that these were just a small handful of the memories we had.

But for me the 'moment' that hit me was as I rushed through from the dining hall buggy to the cabin buggy. Usually when I walk between the cabins, I keep my head down, protecting my face from the harsh winds, but this time a forceful gust of wind forced me to turn my head. As I did this, I looked out over the tundra and beyond Polar Bear Point; and I knew that it was going to be an image plastered in my mind for a long time to come. The beauty of this view is one that I couldn't possibly begin to do justice trying to describe; but here's my best try. The picture of the tundra as you look out over the railing, is a horizontal landscape. The flat tundra is composed of a seemingly endless panorama of rocks, lakes, and shrubbery. The waves of the Hudson Bay crash against the rocks making an echoing sound, only to be competed by the howling sound of the '65 km/hour' winds. And the heavy rain poured down, pushed by the strong winds forming an almost visible line of rain.

This image, this mental snapshot, meant so much more to me than a beautiful, breathtaking scenery, it symbolized what my vision for the entire trip is going to be. A surreal experience, so constantly breathtaking (and I don't mean because of the harsh cold winds), it seems almost cruel to describe as it does it no justice. This experience, is one that can only possible believed and fathomed by those lucky enough to experience it, and for those reading of our great adventures, reading, pictures, videos and blogs are as close to , as we can get you to this timeless experience.

Now sitting here with my fellow Ambassadors, the buggy shaking due to the strong winds coming off the shoreline, I know I has only more memories to share, photos to take, blogs to write, bears to see and gawk over and laughs to be had. My excitement can't be tamed, but only fulfilled by the experiences that are to come on my 'Arctic Expedition'.

(And I was just informed that I am on meal duty tomorrow, so I wish my fellow peers good luck eating tomorrow!)