Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada

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A landscape of 11,475 sq. km is protected in Canada's 37th National Park, representing the Hudson's Bay Lowlands Natural region. No roads or visitor facilities disturb this true wilderness park, created to preserve the fragility of the tundra environment.

Wapusk National Park protects the largest polar bear denning area in North America. Scientific research into the particular metabolism and play behaviour of the bears is ongoing. Beluga whales are another of Hudson Bay's indigenous species, and as visible here as in any aquarium.

It is possible to see almost two hundred species of birds in summer and fall. The warm season may be short, but it brings forth a staggering array of wildflowers.

Getting there

Access to Wapusk is via authorized commercial tour operators in Churchill. Wapusk National Park has limited visitor capacity at present. Unescorted visits to the park are not recommended.

Geography

Hudson Bay carves deeply into the Canadian north, bringing the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean to the northeast coast of Manitoba. It is such a massive body of water that it creates its own microclimate, making this landscape, south of the 60th parallel, feel like the Arctic. It is a semi-arid desert, receiving only 12 inches of precipitation annually.

Water still covers about half the land surface, and the area boasts the most extensive mantle of peat in North America.

Flora

The region is comprised of four ’biomes’ or life zones, ranging from the coastal area with its tidal flats, to the boreal forest of spruce, tamarack and willow. In between are vast expanses of tundra carpeted with ground-hugging plants, and the taiga - a mixture of wet and dry habitats, marshes and grass plains dotted with sporadic trees.

Fauna

Wapusk is the Cree name for the White Bear, which has come to symbolize this area. Polar bears are the largest terrestrial carnivore, weighing an average 1000 lbs. Despite their size, they can travel at speeds up to 30 m/hr. They can pick up a scent 32 km away and detect a seal buried under 3 feet of snow and ice. They have no natural enemies and no fear.

There are roughly 10,000 Beluga Whales living in Hudson Bay. About 3,500 are considered part of the Churchill population. They move into the river estuaries shortly after the ice breaks up, probably looking for warmer environments for their newborn calves.

The Siberian native ’Ross's Gull’ is just one of the rare birds that has been sighted here. Tundra swans nest in the shallow ponds that dot the plain. Ptarmigan and Great Grey owls can be seen out on the tundra. Small ponds and marshes are ideal spots to view Red-necked phalaropes, terns and widgeons. In June, over 100 species arrive in spring breeding plumage. Locals claim that birding here is particularly rewarding because it is possible to view many species at close range, without any obstacles like trees getting in the way.

Arctic terns are common, but have the distinction of migrating from pole to pole twice yearly, consequently receiving more hours of sunlight than any other bird. They are colony nesters, defending their territory from interlopers.

The only Snow goose colony in Manitoba has its nesting grounds at La Perouse Bay. Scientists are currently monitoring this population because it appears to be eating itself out of house and home. From the air it is possible to see large tracts of red barren ground where the geese have cleared all vegetation.