Photo: Daniel J. Cox
Polar Bear Safety
Being bear aware in polar bear country will help keep both polar bears and people safe.
In the Arctic, interactions between polar bears and people is on the rise and expected to increase as sea ice habitat shrinks. In regions with large summer sea ice loss, polar bears are becoming more frequent visitors to land and staying for longer periods of time. At the same time, human activity is increasing in the region.
Without careful planning and management, negative outcomes are inevitable, for both polar bears and people.
Polar Bear Safety Near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Please watch the Town of Churchill's polar bear safety video ahead of visiting.
Tools Available
Bear spray
Polar Bear Alert eam
Signal flares
Air horns
Tips For Being Bear Aware
Always be alert! Look before you exit a building or vehicle and as you go around corners. Watch and listen for signs of recent bear activity.
Carry deterrents (bear spray or signal flares). Practice using them. Know how they work.
Travel in groups. Attacks on groups of two or more are less common. Stay together!
Avoid traveling alone, after dark, or in low-visibility areas.
Observe and obey all posted warnings.
Secure or eliminate attractants. Food, trash, and items with strong odors can lead a good bear down a bad path. Do not feed bears.
Save Polar Bear Alert’s phone number to your phone: 204-675-2327 (BEAR).
If You Encounter a Polar Bear
Call Polar Bear Alert 204-675-2327 (BEAR).
Report all sightings, regardless of the outcome.
The town of Churchill has a highly successful Polar Bear Alert program run by Manitoba Sustainable Development. Conservation officers do a great job of patrolling the town, managing challenges, and helping polar bears and people coexist. Residents and visitors can help by being bear aware and following safety guidelines.
The Polar Bear Alert Program and Parks Canada have bear safety information available and knowledgeable staff for direct inquiries.
Download Polar Bear Safety Posters
As part of our bear-safe messaging, we worked with partners to develop polar bear safety posters in English and in Cree for the Town of Churchill and northern Ontario communities, based on their unique needs. The information can be personalized for use in other places.
Polar Bear Safety in Svalbard, Norway
While this polar bear safety film was made for the Town of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, many of the tips are applicable in Svalbard and we recommend watching the film before visiting. Please note that bear spray is not permitted in Norway.
Tools Available
Local guides
Signal flares
Air horns
Tips For Being Bear Aware
Always be alert! Look before you exit a building or vehicle and as you go around corners. Watch and listen for signs of recent bear activity.
Carry deterrents if without a guide (noisemaker or signal flares). Practice using them. Know how they work.
If traveling outside of Longyearbyen, we recommend you travel with an experienced local guide.
Travel in groups. Attacks on groups of two or more are less common. Stay together and do not run!
Avoid traveling alone, after dark, or in low-visibility areas.
Observe and obey all posted warnings.
Secure or eliminate attractants. Food, trash, and items with strong odors can lead a good bear down a bad path. Do not feed bears.
If You Encounter a Polar Bear
Call the Governor's office police officer on duty line at +47 79 02 12 22.
If you are connected to the Svalbard cell phone network, dial 112.
Report all sightings, regardless of the outcome.
If a Bear Charges
Use your deterrent and/or prepare any potential weapons.
Stand your ground and be prepared to fight. Do not run.
Shout at the bear and yell for help.
Stay together.
Polar Bear Safety in Any Arctic Region
While this polar bear safety film was made for the Town of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, many of the tips are applicable anywhere around the Arctic and we recommend watching the film before visiting. Please note that certain deterrents shown may not be available in your region, and we encourage you to familiarize yourself with local options.
Tools Available
Research what tools are legal and available in the area. Ask the local government for recommendations on deterrents.
Examples of potential tools:
Bear spray
Signal flares
Local guides
Tips For Being Bear Aware
Always be alert! Look before you exit a building or vehicle and as you go around corners. Watch and listen for signs of recent bear activity.
Carry deterrents (ask local sources). Practice using them. Know how they work.
Travel in groups. Attacks on groups of two or more are less common. Stay together and do not run!
Avoid traveling alone, after dark, or in low-visibility areas.
Observe and obey all posted warnings.
Secure or eliminate attractants. Food, trash, and items with strong odors can lead a good bear down a bad path. Do not feed bears.
Research if there are any local agencies that respond to polar bear sightings and learn how to report sightings.
If You Encounter a Polar Bear
Group up and prepare your deterrents.
Is there a safe place nearby (cabin, hard vehicle, etc.)?
Look around for potential weapons (ski poles, rocks, etc.)
Report all sightings, regardless of the outcome.
If a Bear Charges
Use your deterrent and/or prepare any potential weapons.
Stand your ground and be prepared to fight. Do not run.
Shout at the bear and yell for help.
Stay together.
Photo: Erinn Hermsen
Polar Bear Safety Coloring Book
Since coloring books are universal and entertaining, they can make a fantastic educational tool, helping children learn new things in an unthreatening way. They also give parents and teachers an effective way to talk about tough topics, including how to live safely with polar bears. Download the coloring book pages here, and reach out to our team at research@pbears.org for Danish, Greenlandic, Russian, or Canadian-specific versions.
