Polar bear in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

What's drawing scientists, travelers, and cameramen to Manitoba, Canada? The answer lies in the majestic polar bears, the true kings of the Arctic. Every fall, the town of Churchill becomes the scene of a unique natural spectacle: hundreds of polar bears gather in Hudson Bay, waiting for the ice to form so they can go seal-hunting, their primary food source.

These large carnivores inhabit only the Northern Hemisphere, in the icy regions around the North Pole. Their body is perfectly adapted to extreme cold: a thick layer of fat and dense fur retain heat, while the natural oils in their skin prevent the hair from freezing even after swimming.

However, rising temperatures are delaying ice formation, forcing bears to fast longer and travel farther. Travelling to Churchill is a unique opportunity to contemplate these impressive animals in the wild and understand the importance of protecting their frozen home, a symbol of the planet's natural balance.