Conservation Journey: Beluga Whales

Day 01

Welcome to Winnipeg

I flew into Winnipeg today and I am so excited for my Conservation Journey: Beluga Whales adventure! My home for the night is a Winnipeg hotel which is just across the street from the airport. Upon arrival we visit Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park Conservancy for an introduction of Churchill's beluga whales. I'm so excited to see them in the wild up in Churchill!

This evening I head to an evening welcome dinner held by our Frontiers North Interpretive Guide where our group has the chance to ask last minute questions and learn more about what our adventure holds.

Day 02

Churchill Adventure Begins

Our second day starts off with an early breakfast and a morning flight to Churchill. The two-hour flight takes us from the prairies of central Manitoba, over boreal forest and finally to the colourful tundra of Churchill.

Upon landing, we set out on a Churchill and area tour to explore the area surrounding the town of Churchill. Our Interpretive Guide teaches us all about the historical significance of the places we visit: Cape Merry; the site of a crashed airplane affectionately known by locals as Miss Piggy; and Manitoba Conservation’s Polar Bear Holding Facility (aka the Polar Bear Jail). We even had time to stop to enjoy a walk along the coast of the Hudson Bay – bring your bug spray!

At the end of the day, we enjoy a presentation by beluga whale researcher and marine mammal scientist, Dr. Valeria Vergara.

Photo © Jessica Burtnick

Day 03

Coastal Hike, Beluga Whales and Prince of Wales Fort

Day three starts out with a morning coastal hike to the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC), an independent field station dedicated to the research and education of the subarctic that was founded in 1976! After our coastal hike we are treated to a tour of CNSC for an inside look at the organization's research.

After lunch we get our first experience on the Churchill River! We search for beluga whales by boat and watch in awe as they crest the waters around the boat, appearing to be just as interested in us as we are in them. 

While out on the river, we stop for a walking tour at the historical Prince of Wales Fort where we learn about the famous explorers who lived at the fort in the 18th Century and how they managed to survive in Churchill’s harsh climate. 

Photo © Penny Hunter

Day 04

Beluga Whale Zodiac Tour and Tour Behind-The-Scenes

After breakfast we have some free time to explore the fascinating town of Churchill. 

In the afternoon we get another encounter with Churchill’s beautiful beluga whales, this time by Zodiac boat which gives us a chance to get even closer to the extraordinarily friendly belugas. 

The evening is a chance for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Beluga Boat, a vessel documenting the daily goings-on of belugas in the river, equipped with above and below water cameras allowing viewers around the world to see the belugas up close via live stream. We also get a tour of Polar Bears International House, a space used to educate Churchill's visitors about polar bears and climate change.

Photo © Zhang Yongpeng

Day 05

Tundra Buggy Adventure

Sadly, it's our last day in Churchill. But before we leave we get to go on a Tundra Buggy® adventure into the vast and colourful Churchill Wildlife Management Area! 

In the morning we hop on a world-famous Tundra Buggy and head out onto the tundra in search of summer polar bears, arctic foxes, hares, and more types of plants and flowers than you can imagine growing in the North!

After our day on the Tundra Buggy it's back to the airport for our return flight to Winnipeg, where the group checks back into our hotel for a good night’s rest – a perfect time to go over the thousands of pictures I took!

Photo © Handcraft Creative

Day 06

Depart Winnipeg

What an amazing experience I've had this past week.

Not only did I get to see Churchill's incredible beluga whales, but I also got to learn about these amazing creatures from scientists and researchers who have dedicated their lives to helping conserve the species. I feel great knowing that part of what I paid for my tour will be donated directly to Ocean Wise, to help achieve their vision of a world in which oceans are healthy and flourishing!