Beautiful Northern Lights, and More Polar Bears Visit the Lodge
Posted at 8:15 pm October 13, 2008 by AliciaAlicia Valencia is the San Diego Zoo’s 2008 Arctic Ambassador to the Polar Bears International Leadership Camp. She is spending a week on the tundra in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, watching polar bears and teaming up with other dynamic teens to become leaders for polar bear conservation. Read her previous blog, Polar Bear from my Bunk Bed Window!
Last night we finally got to experience the beauty of the Northern Lights! At around 10 p.m, a shimmering ribbon of green and red lights danced across the sky. The colors changed from red to green in seconds, curling their way over our heads toward the moon. I cannot believe I was able to experience such a magical phenomenon in the sky. Maybe we will get lucky and see them again. (This photo is not of the Northern Lights, but of the incredible sunset we viewed from the back deck of the Tundra Buggy Lodge.)
Tonight, the male bear decided to venture over to the lodge because of the enticing hamburger smell coming from the kitchen. He came so close to the lodge that we were able to look face-to-face with the polar bear. We were so enthralled with the polar bear by the kitchen that we didn’t recognize another polar bear coming over on the other side! The second polar bear was also interested in the smell, but the first bear became threatened by the other’s presence and decided to push the new polar bear out with his face. They pushed each other out far enough into the distance that we could no longer see them in the dark. It was interesting to see how different polar bears interact with each other when feeling defensive.
During the day, we listened to a powerful presentation from local trappers. Before listening to the presentation, my perception of trapping was a negative view. I thought that trapping was just killing animals to kill, and I did not understand how dedicated trappers were to nature. I was quickly proven wrong. The people who spoke to us have a long heritage of trapping and whole heartedly believe in living in balance with nature. Trapping in this environment helps keep a balance in the animal population and keeps the animal population healthy. When the population is allowed to skyrocket, diseases like mange break out, hurting the well-being of the species. The trapper’s words were so poetic about their relationship that it motivated me to see nature in a different manner: to view nature as a precious giver, providing us with valuable resources that we must nurture for our future.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Scroll to the end to leave a comment. Pinging is not allowed.
October 14th, 2008 at 4:09 am
I thought Polar bears was on the endangered list? I truly don’t get why WE humans have to make the decision to kill or unpopulate their lives…they don’t have enough food to go around already so we still have trappers umm ok…I like reading your blogs but I still think killing beautiful polar bears is a no no…look at our world its already not doing well…just an excuse to trap
October 14th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Alecia, I am enjoying your blogs so very much, as. I’m sure are many other devoted zoophiles and ” bloggees.” What a wonderful and educational experience you are having. I would have loved to have heard the trapper’s comments, seen the Northern Lights, and, above all, experienced seeing the bears in the wild. Will you be sharing your experiences with school kids when you return? I wish you great success in your future.
“
October 14th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Do the trappers still kill the polar bears? Surely there is no longer any excuse for this as they are (as pointed out by #1 Lid) an endangered species. I wouldn’t have thought there were enough of them left in the wild for hunting to be allowed to continue. It is a very emotive issue.
So glad you saw the Northern Lights – did you go all tingly?!
October 14th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
interesting post! I would love to see the northern lights. I’ve heard that they are truley amazing and breath-taking. you have to actually see it to really appreciate the wonder and the beauty of it! the sunsets are also beautiful. Your kitchen experience sounds a little hairy though! those polar bears can smell food for miles they say. were all the windows and doors re-enforced so that the bears can’t break in?
when you referred to the trapping practices of the local people, were you inferring to the trapping of bears’ or other animals? people that truley live off the land, do not kill for sport, but for survival inc luding, food and animal skins for warmth. the Indians of long ago used every bit of the animal for something. nothing went to waste!! we do not hunt for survival and should not admonish people’s way of life and the way they choose to survive. we are way too critical of other cultures and ways of life. we need to understand the whys and where fores of certain actions! keep us informed of all you are learning and will certainly put to use in the future.