Churchill, Manitoba, the "Polar Bear Capital of the World."

In far northern Manitoba, Canada, where the Churchill River flows into the Hudson Bay, polar bears gather in October and November to await the ice. Only then can they start their solo seal-hunting that lasts as long as the ice will hold them. Because the fresh water in the Churchill River freezes two degrees centigrade sooner that the saltwater in the Hudson Bay, the bears can get onto the ice two weeks or more earlier and begin to hunt seals. At this point they have not eaten for over four months, have lost up to half of their body weight, and are anxious to get started. They gather by the dozens around Churchill and wait--impatiently!