Every fall, the small town of Churchill, Manitoba, transforms into the “Polar Bear Capital of the World” as wild bears gather along the shores of Hudson Bay. This October, Rocky Shores keeper Stephanie Rager joined conservation non-profit Polar Bears International (PBI) on a unique field experience to learn about polar bear conservation firsthand.

Point Defiance Zoo is a certified Arctic Ambassador Center and a leader in polar bear research and conservation, working with PBI and other partners to help study and protect polar bears in the Arctic.

In this Q&A, Stephanie shares what it was like to stand just feet away from wild polar bears, what she learned from the experts at PBI, and how those lessons will help inspire guests back here at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

Please tell us a bit about your role as a keeper and how you got involved with Polar Bears International.

I am a Staff Biologist in the Rocky Shore & Tundra area and have worked with polar bears for almost 10 years now. I first got involved with Polar Bears International through our research partnership with them. As keepers, we have the opportunity to train our bear’s behaviors that can benefit researchers studying wild polar bears. We have assisted with a variety of studies, ranging from hair growth to body condition. We value our collaborative relationship with PBI, which helps support polar bear conservation.

What was your first reaction when you found out you were going to Churchill?

Shock, excitement, really every positive emotion. It has always been a dream of mine to see the Arctic and wild polar bears, so it was a bit surreal that the opportunity to do so was actually about to happen!

What was a typical day like during your time in Churchill?

Most of our days in Churchill consisted of exploring the Tundra in our Frontiers North Adventures Tundra Buggy. These buggies are specifically designed to navigate the Tundra, keeping bears and people safe from one another. While on the buggy, we would learn about the various aspects of the Tundra, from weather and foliage to bears and birds. Our buggy driver and our Parks Canada guide were a wealth of knowledge about all things Churchill and the Tundra. We also spent time learning about the critical role zoos play in supporting wild research and conservation efforts, as well as about climate change and the impact we can all have in our communities to contribute to global climate efforts that protect the future of all life, including polar bears.

Can you describe the moment you first saw a wild polar bear?

I am still looking for the right words to express how incredible that moment was. Our first bear sighting was just as we pulled up to the Tundra Buggy Lodge out in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. I was recording a video of the lodge’s unique design (multiple modified tundra buggies all connected in a line to form a one-of-a-kind lodge out on the Tundra) when the keeper sitting in front of me pointed and said, “Bear!” We all lined the windows on the right side of the buggy and took in our first polar bear sighting. She was curled up sleeping just on the other side of the lodge, blending in perfectly with the limestone rocks around her. She rested there peacefully as we docked at the lodge, and she remained around the lodge for the remainder of our stay, coming and going each day. Seeing a polar bear in their natural habitat was so special, and I will remember that moment for the rest of my life. I found myself speechless at that moment. It was everything I dreamed of for polar bears. As a keeper, our goal is to inspire the conservation of the species we work with. Seeing firsthand the species and environment I advocate for each day was a truly inspiring moment, bringing a sense of full circle.

What surprised you most about seeing polar bears in their natural environment?

How little there is for them to try to sustain themselves without sea ice. So often I am asked if bears could survive off berries or vegetation in the Tundra, but seeing the Tundra firsthand, it really is not a viable option for these bears. Seeing the landscape solidified the importance of sea ice to polar bears; nothing on the Tundra can replace the significance of a seal’s blubber for these bears to thrive.

What did you learn about polar bear behavior or conservation that you didn’t know before?

One of the most significant things I learned in Churchill was about the local communities’ coexistence with polar bears and how they have coexisted together for centuries. The native people know more about polar bears than I could ever have imagined, because bears are their neighbors, and they have a deep understanding of their behavioral patterns. Their insight into how polar bear behavior has had to change due to climate change was eye-opening. The Churchill community is dedicated not only to helping polar bears but also to protecting both the bears and the people living there, as they understand that due to climate change, their interactions with one another are far more complex than they were before. Therefore, coexistence is a significant part of their lives.

How can people at home help protect polar bears and Arctic ecosystems?

People at home can help protect polar bears by choosing renewable energy whenever possible. Helping at the community level can significantly increase the positive impact on the climate. Even if it is just discussing climate change with your friends and neighbors, talking about it helps inspire more people to take action.

Did this trip change how you think about your work with animals at the zoo?

It has made me even more passionate about the Arctic species I work with every day, and I want to advocate even more to protect their natural habitats.

How did it feel to see firsthand the impacts of climate change on the Arctic?

It was tough. At first, I felt a lot of sadness as we listened to stories about what Churchill used to look like during that time of year and how much longer bears have to wait for the sea ice to form. However, as the trip continued and we spoke with the Churchill natives, I found myself feeling increasingly hopeful about the future of the Arctic. The people of Churchill have a great sense of pride and respect for the Arctic, and they work hard to protect their home. Listening to their stories and their hope for change instilled a strong sense of action in me. Learning about the research and active efforts being made to reduce the effects of climate change was inspiring. While I have hope for the future of polar bears, it was difficult to see just how much polar bears have lost due to global climate change.

What message do you hope to share with guests or readers about polar bears after this experience?

The future of polar bears has a chance of survival if we can come together to advocate for clean energy and participate in community-level solutions. Polar bears are at risk, but we can help them; it is not too late.

Learn more about the zoo’s involvement to protect wild bears here.