Bears and belugas in Hudson Bay

This talk describes a summer journey to the shores of Canada's Hudson Bay, where large number of beluga whales gather in the shallow waters and polar bears roam the tundra shoreline, waiting for the winter ice.

Mike Unwin's trip proceeded from Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba Province, to the remote town of Churchill, ‘polar bear capital of the world’, and continued by floatplane even further north to an isolated lodge on the bay. From here he explored by boat, tundra buggy and on foot, encountering the wildlife at close quarters – including tracking the bears and snorkelling with the whales, and learning about the rich history and natural history of the tundra.

The trip also provided a fascinating insight into the culture of the Inuit and other native American peoples who once inhabited the area and lived off its resources, and shed a light on the pivotal historical role played by Hudson Bay in the settlement of Canada.