If you go down to the shores in northern Canada, you're sure of a big surprise: one of the world's great eco-tourist attractions.
After a summer on land and when ice forms in early October, hundreds of polar bears gather on the western shores of Canada's Hudson's Bay to begin the annual seal hunt.
The polar bear migration is one of many wildlife events offered by ecotourism operators in the wilderness of northern Canada.
The
usually solitary polar bears congregate in anticipation of the new hunting season.
As many as 60 bears may gather on the beach and tundra in one day - giving visitors the chance to see and photograph these beautiful animals from the safety of a tundra buggy.
The bears gather on the rocky shores of Cape Churchill for several weeks of socialising. Gigantic old males rise up on their hind legs, towering 3m above the young adult cubs they playfully wrestle and spar with. Occasionally, you may see the tender interaction between yearling cubs and their mothers, ever wary of the threat from restless males.
In time, the icy waters of the bay freeze over, providing them with access to their main food source, the hapless ringed seal.
There are a number of companies offering polar bear watching tours and other wildlife and wilderness experiences.
The tours start in Winnipeg in Manitoba. Visitors can fly or take the train up to the town of Churchill, which has a population of just over 1000 and bills itself as "the Polar Bear Capital of the World".
Some programmes simply satisfy a desire to see the polar bears, and others offer ecological experiences complete with hikes and camping on the vast treeless Arctic plains with the help of naturalists.
The naturalists are experienced at guiding visitors without disturbing the ecosystem and aim to raise awareness of environmental issues and to preserve the rich diversity of the region.
These wilderness experiences often include programmes about artistic and native cultures with film, discussion and seminars on environmental issues.
WHAT TO TAKE
* Camera and binoculars
* Clothing to suit a variety of cold weather conditions, such as a windbreaker, wind pants, a warm coat, a sweater, fleece clothing, a hat, gloves, a scarf, snow boots, warm socks and long underwear.
Further information: See tundrabuggytours.com.
