Conservation Stories: Keeper Kimmy's Experience with Polar Bears International
Rocky Shores keeper visits the polar bear capital of the world
Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, known as the “polar bear capital of the world,” sits on the western coast of Hudson Bay at the mouth of the Churchill River. Though its human population is fewer than 1,000 year-round residents, it draws hundreds of polar bears that come to hunt seals on the sea ice as winter sets in.
This unique town is home to Polar Bears International (PBI), the world’s leading polar bear conservation organization. Utah’s Hogle Zoo is a proud partner of PBI and, as an Arctic Ambassador Centre, is committed to taking action at the institutional and community levels to help protect the Arctic tundra’s future.
As part of this commitment, Hogle Zoo participates in Climate Alliance, a collaborative workshop for zoo and aquarium professionals hosted by PBI and the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation.
In 2022, Rocky Shores Senior Keeper Kimmy McIntyre traveled to Churchill to gain insights on polar bear conservation and share knowledge on Arctic protection. Returning in October 2024 as a field ambassador, Kimmy led tours to educate visitors on Arctic sea ice, polar bear adaptations, and the ongoing impact of climate change on the region.
Keeper Kimmy's Time in Churchill
October 14-19, 2024: Guiding Tours on the Tundra Buggy
“After a few days of getting acquainted as a field ambassador, I joined several Tundra Buggy tours. My role was to share updates on PBI’s conservation efforts, focusing on current research initiatives. As a representative of Hogle Zoo, I highlighted projects the zoo supports:
Research Initiatives:
Learn more at Polar Bears International!
“I had the chance to chat with tour guests on the Tundra Buggies, and many were interested in hearing what it’s like to be a zookeeper! We had several opportunities to see polar bears and other wildlife up close – after all, you are out on the tundra for eight hours on a Buggy day!”
October 20-26: Busy, busy, busy!
“These days came and went like a whirlwind! I alternated spending every other day in the Polar Bears International House in town and being out on the Tundra Buggy in the wildlife area. I was extremely fortunate to see at least five polar bears each day and witness various polar bear behaviors!”
Polar bear sighting in town
“On my eighth day, I experienced firsthand one of the ways Churchill works to reduce the risk of human-bear conflict. After waking up to police sirens at 2:00 am, I heard four loud bangs in succession – deterrents. These loud deterrents encourage polar bears to leave town and continue moving toward the wildlife area. Thanks to these measures, no one—polar bear or human—was harmed.
Polar Bear Alert is a Manitoba conservation program that patrols a designated area around Churchill and responds to reports of polar bears in town via a 24-hour hotline. Conservation officers ensure the safety of people, property, and polar bears, minimizing harm to the bears and discouraging them from returning to town. While most polar bears are just passing through, it’s crucial they don’t start seeing Churchill as a food source, which can lead to dangerous outcomes. Polar Bear Alert has been highly effective in Churchill and is a model for other human-animal coexistence programs.”
October 27: Last day in Churchill
“I had mixed emotions—excited to return home to my zoo team and our beautiful polar bears, Nikita and Neva, yet sad to leave this wonderful place. It had been an amazing two weeks of sharing ways to help conserve polar bears and protect the Arctic ecosystem. I am so thankful to Hogle Zoo and Polar Bears International for providing me the opportunity to participate in the field ambassador program. I cannot express that enough! I look forward to being part of the continuing partnership between Hogle Zoo and Polar Bears International and sharing everything I learned with the zoo guests!”
If you'd like to get involved...
- Start by talking about climate change. Resources like Conserving polar bears and Polar Bears & the Changing Arctic are great ways to start.
- Visit the zoo! When you visit the zoo, you contribute to building personal connections with polar bears, fostering awareness, and inspiring action to protect their species and the Arctic tundra.
Follow us @HogleZoo for more Zoo Stories
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