How Are the Polar Bears Faring in 2025?
Lead Scientist Cate Collins draws on field notes and observations shared by polar bear researcher Dr. Andrew Derocher (@aederocher) throughout the spring and summer this year for an update on the Western Hudson Bay bears.
Western Hudson Bay polar bears head to land each summer when the sea ice melts, staying there until fall. This is their fasting season, and their survival depends on how much fat they put on before the ice disappears. The longer they can stay on the ice and hunt seals, the better their chances of making it through the summer.
This year the ice began melting early, especially in the northwest part of Hudson Bay. By mid-May there was already a lot of open water near shore in Churchill, Manitoba. That was not what the bears needed, especially since research earlier in the spring found the bears in only fair body condition. They were not as healthy as in 2024, when strong winds had pushed the ice to the west coast of Hudson Bay and allowed them to hunt longer into the summer. Curious about how researchers measure a bear’s body condition? Check out our past blog: A Fat Bear is a Happy Bear.
During our Ottawa Expedition last year, we spotted this bear venturing onto the first bits of sea ice near the shore in Churchill, Manitoba.
An early ice breakup
Through May, the breakup advanced quickly. Bears stuck close to their usual summering area near Wapusk National Park and took advantage of bearded seal pups and young ringed seals while they could.
By early June the sea ice was vanishing fast. Some bears continued to hunt on the thinning ice, but seals are smart and tend to surface in open water instead of near the ice edge. So, it is likely their hunting was less successful during this time. A few bears stayed further offshore, but that comes with the risk of long swims. While young, healthy bears can swim 50 km or more, moms with cubs cannot.
Coming ashore
The first polar bears stepped onto land in mid-June, earlier than usual. Moms with cubs were among the first to move ashore. The last bits of sea ice looked more like slush than hunting habitat, but some bears clung to them even after satellites could no longer detect the ice. Researchers think they were hoping for a final seal or two before the long fast.
Surprisingly, quite a few bears held on until July, even when ice coverage was far below 30 percent. In the past, most bears would have been onshore by then. This shift in behaviour may be a sign of necessity: the bears were leaner this spring, and even one more seal could make the difference for survival. By July 23, almost all western Hudson Bay bears were on land, spread out from Ontario north into Nunavut. There was a lot of variation in the timing of their arrival on shore, which is becoming more common with climate change.
This polar bear naps on the sub-arctic tundra, saving energy while waiting for sea ice to return.
Waiting it out
Once ashore, the polar bears entered their usual energy-saving mode: resting, napping, and waiting for fall freeze-up. For mothers with cubs, this time also means keeping a low profile to protect their young from male bears.
The concern now is how long it will take for Hudson Bay to freeze again. With high summer temperatures heating the water, the freeze-up could be delayed.
If you’d like to follow the bears’ condition and the movements more closely, check out Dr. Andrew Derocher on Instagram: @aederocher.
References
Derocher, A. [@aederocher]. Instagram. Retrieved September 11, 2025, from https://www.instagram.com/aederocher/
About Gold Star Canadian Tours
At Gold Star Canadian Tours, we focus on providing the worlds best travel experiences to authentically Canadian destinations. Our flagship tour is a convenient 1-day Polar Bear Expedition with dedicated non-stop charter flights from major airports directly to Churchill, Manitoba. With Gold Star Canadian Tours, the wonders of the Arctic are closer than ever. Your Adventure Awaits!
