A kayaker fatally shot a polar bear in northern Manitoba last Friday, marking a rare instance of a recreational traveler killing a protected species in Canada. The incident occurred near the Seal River’s mouth, approximately 50 kilometers west of Churchill along the Hudson Bay coast. Authorities are currently investigating the shooting.
Polar bears are classified as a threatened species in Manitoba and are protected under provincial law. There are no authorized polar bear hunting activities in the region. Doug Clark, a University of Saskatchewan professor specializing in human-polar bear encounters, noted the unusual nature of a paddler or hiker shooting a polar bear in self-defense in Manitoba.
Clark highlighted the risks kayakers face when camping along the coast, citing instances of conflicts with polar bears in other regions such as Labrador and Svalbard. He emphasized that polar bears are typically shot at close range due to encounters where bears seek food, including humans in campsites.
The Seal River, known for its whitewater rapids, flows through northern Manitoba into the bear-populated Hudson Bay coast. It is common for canoeists and kayakers navigating rivers that lead to the Hudson Bay to carry shotguns as a precaution against polar bear encounters. These firearms are used as a last resort, often loaded with noise deterrents initially.
While polar bear shootings occur annually along the Hudson Bay coast in Nunavut, both defensively and by hunters, Clark suggested that human-bear interactions may be increasing due to changing ice conditions. He urged authorities to provide more details about the recent incident to raise awareness and educate the public on safety measures.
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