Polar bear approaching guests at Seal River Heritage Lodge. (Nigel and Judith Broderick photo)
Judith and Nigel Broderick joined us all the way from Nottingham, UK for the Fall Dual Lodge Safari from October 9-19, and very much enjoyed their adventures at Seal River Heritage Lodge and Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. They also sent us a description of two of their polar bear encounters. In their own words and photos below.
Peeking Polar Bear at Seal River
We had an encounter with a young male bear at Seal River and watched him for a while. He became interested and walked towards us purposefully. The three guides stepped in front of us and Boomer then told the bear very firmly, “That’s enough Bear.” At that point the bear turned and hid behind a rock and started peeping out to see if we were still there. Nigel captured that moment perfectly!
Polar bear peek! (Nigel and Judith Broderick photo)
Standing Observer Approaches at Nanuk
The bear was spotted from one of the Tundra Rhinos and stood up to look us over.
Polar bear stands to get better view of guests at Nanuk. (Nigel and Judith Broderick photo)
We got off the vehicles and walked through a meadow area to reach a nearby ridge, hopefully to get closer and get a better view. At this point, the bear wasn’t visible and our guides thought he had gone. However, as we retreated into the meadow and started to walk up towards the road, he appeared at the junction of the ridge and road clearing checking us out.
At the junction. (Nigel and Judith Broderick photo)
The bear then slowly moved off, apparently finished checking us out. Our group then moved slowly to the road, finding the bear in the low willow bushes between us and our vehicles.
Just between us. (Nigel and Judith Broderick photo)
He then stood up and moved onto the road coming directly at us.
Polar bear walks towards guests at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. (Nigel and Judith Broderick photo)
The bear did not respond to verbal cues to stop, or banging rocks together, and his approach was stopped only when Emri threw a small rock towards him. He then retreated into the willow bushes and, after a number of minutes looking at us, he eventually went on his way and we made it back to the vehicles.
“After a number of minutes looking at us, he eventually went on his way.” (Nigel and Judith Broderick photo)
And it was back to the lodge… with more photos and stories to share!
Thank you Judith and Nigel!
