Polar Bears International Drone Guidance

Responsible Drone Use Around Polar Bears 

We understand that most drone operators seek to capture stunning photos and  videos of polar bears in their natural habitat. While drones can provide incredible  perspectives, it’s essential to use them responsibly to minimize disturbance and  avoid the desensitization of bears to drones. 

Flying drones around polar bears is still a relatively new practice, and we do not yet  fully understand its impact on the animals or their environment. While drones can  be valuable for scientific research, ice reconnaissance, navigation, education, and  documentary filmmaking, their use requires careful consideration. Until more is  known, we are taking a precautionary approach, prioritizing wildlife welfare and  environmental responsibility. Our aim is to develop clear guidelines that allow for  the safe and controlled use of drones while minimizing potential risks to polar  bears and their habitat. 

By adhering to best practices such as maintaining safe distances, using quiet and  non-intrusive equipment, and carefully observing bear behavior, we can ensure  that drones support wildlife conservation without negatively impacting the animals.  This guide provides key regulations, operational guidelines, and ethical  considerations to help drone operators fly responsibly around polar bears.

Before you arrive on site 

Know the Local Laws and Regulations 

Different regions have specific regulations regarding drone operations near wildlife.  For example, in many protected areas and national parks, flying drones is either 

restricted or prohibited. Always check with local authorities, wildlife management  agencies, or park officials for specific rules. 

• Transport Canada Drone regulations 

• NAV Canada regulations 

• Any provincial or federal endangered species and ecosystems legislation

• If operating on Indigenous land, ensure you consult with the local governing  authority. 

Make a thorough plan  

(see Drone Flight Plan & Wildlife Operations Checklist, below) 

• Objectives – Define the purpose of the flight (e.g., photography, research,  monitoring, deterrence). 

• Legal Compliance – Verify and obtain necessary permits, follow Transport  Canada and NAV Canada regulations, and consult local authorities if  operating on Indigenous land. 

• Equipment Check – Ensure the drone is suitable for wildlife operations  (quiet propellers, telephoto lens, proper registration, and pilot certification).

• Flight Path & Location Assessment – Identify takeoff and landing zones,  avoid crowded areas, and account for aerial obstructions and weather  conditions. 

• Wildlife Impact Assessment – Evaluate potential effects on bears and other  wildlife, avoid sensitive times (e.g., nursing, feeding), and plan for minimal  disruption. 

• Safety Measures – Assign roles (pilot, spotter, bear guard), maintain a safe  distance (minimum 300m launch, 100m max proximity), and establish  emergency protocols. 

• Risk & Response Plan – Create a list of potential risks and outline clear  action steps to mitigate them if they arise. 

• Battery & Retrieval Plan – Ensure enough battery life for the flight and plan  for safe drone retrieval in case of failure. 

• Monitoring & Adaptation – Observe bear behavior and be prepared to  adjust or abort the flight if signs of stress or disturbance occur. 

• Post-Flight Reporting – Record flight details, report any wildlife  disturbances, and document any reckless drone operations observed.

Obtain Permits 

In many cases, particularly in wildlife areas or when studying wildlife, permits are  required for drone operations.  

Churchill, MB 

Permits are required for town and Parks locations. 

• Filming in Churchill Permit 

• Parks Canada Filming Permit 

• Parks Canada Drone Permit 

• Recognize private and Indigenous lands and acquire permission if you plan to  fly over it. 

Assemble your team 

• Bear Guard: Always have a bear guard with appropriate deterrent tools  monitoring for other bears and wildlife in the area. This is a separate role  from the Spotter. 

• Spotter: Observes the target wildlife behavior for signs of disturbance

• Pilot: Responsible for the flight, including drone maintenance and flight logs 

Obtain Quiet and Non-Intrusive Drones 

Consider quieter propellers and drones with telephoto lenses. This helps reduce  the impact on animals' natural behavior and improves your ability to capture  footage. 

Our recommendation: 

• Mavic 3 Pro (or similar models) 

  • A minimum of a 166mm zoom lens — 7X zoom for wildlife filming

  • This requires Transport Canada registration as a licensed pilot  ensuring a high degree of training and piloting proficiency that ensures  safety for wildlife

When you arrive 

Assess the location 

Ensure your planned flight will avoid… 

• Other people (including wildlife spectators) 

• Wildlife other than your target species 

• Inclement weather conditions (icing, rain, snow, fog, etc) 

• Any aerial obstructions 

During flight 

Maintain a Safe Distance 

To avoid disturbance, maintain VLOS (visual line of sight) with your drone at all  times and maintain your distance: 

• Minimum launch distance from wildlife: 300 meters (about 900 feet)

• Maximum distance from wildlife: 100 meters (300 feet) radius in all directions

• Maximum flight distance: 500 meters (about 1500 feet) from your takeoff  point.

Avoid Direct Interaction 

The noise and presence of the drone can stress the animals, disrupt their natural  behavior, and potentially provoke aggressive reactions. 

• Do not fly directly at wildlife 

• Use a ‘lawnmower’ pattern to approach the bear from the sides

• Do not change directions of flight over animals 

• Try to maintain a flight path that is downwind of the animal so propeller  noise is carried away 

Observe Behavior and Adjust 

• If you notice any signs of stress or agitation in the animals, such as altered  movement patterns or defensive behavior, immediately increase the  distance between the drone and the wildlife or stop the drone operation.

  • Jaw popping 

  • Ears back 

  • Chuffing, huffing, any vocalization 

  • Yawning

• Always consider the context and be careful of disturbing animals that are  feeding, resting, or otherwise more sensitive to possible disturbance.  

Do not approach bears if they are: 

• Nursing families 

• Feeding 

• Skinny 

• Accompanied by cubs of the year 

• Accompanied by older cubs if disturbance could put them at risk, e.g.  cubs could be scared towards a male bear.

Limit Flight Time 

Minimize the amount of time the drone is in proximity to wildlife. Extended  exposure to drone noise and presence can lead to chronic stress and behavioral  changes.

• Flights must be less than 20 minutes  

• Limit your activity to a single flight if possible 

After the flight 

Report disturbances 

Disturbances caused by your drone 

If wildlife is negatively impacted by your operation you must contact regional  authorities to report it. 

• Churchill, MB region 

  • On land: Manitoba Conservation Office 

    • General Contact - wildlife@gov.mb.ca,  

    • Timothy Poole - Timothy.Poole@gov.mb.ca 

  • Over the bay or river: Department of Fisheries and Oceans  Conservation & Protection 

    • General Contact – info@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

      • Telephone: 1-833-212-1438 

    • Erin McCance – erin.mccance@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

    • Kristin Daoust – kristin.daoust@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

    • Trevor Ketler – trevor.ketler@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

Disturbances caused by others 

If you observe another operator acting recklessly, collect the following information  and share it with the appropriate contacts above: 

• Operator Information: 

  • Drone operator’s name (if known) 

  • Drone company (if applicable) 

  • Contact details (if available)

• Drone Details: 

  • Make/model of the drone (if identifiable) 

  • Color and other distinctive features of the drone 

  • Flight pattern or behavior (e.g., altitude, proximity to wildlife)

• Incident Details: 

  • Date and time of the incident 

  • Exact location of the incident (GPS coordinates, landmarks, etc.) ○ Description of the reckless behavior (e.g., flying too close to  wildlife, violating altitude restrictions, etc.) 

  • Any visible impact on wildlife or disturbance 

  • Any visible impact on other tourism operators 

• Supporting Evidence: 

  • Photographs or videos (if safely possible) that show the operator, drone and polar bear 

    • Ideally in a single photo to provide full context if possible 

  • Witnesses or bystanders who observed the incident 

  • Links to content collected on social media or via other outlets 

Once collected, promptly report the information to the appropriate authorities or  contacts, including local tourism operators, relevant regulatory bodies, to help  address the issue and ensure enforcement.