You can stand on Churchill’s shoreline and spot dozens of polar bears moving along the coast. Hudson Bay’s ice, the currents, and the town’s location all play a part in this wild scene. Every fall, polar bears come ashore around Churchill. The sea ice melts and then refreezes near town, creating a natural funnel that…
You probably see polar bears as powerful Arctic hunters. But did you know they also carry parasites, bacteria, and viruses? Polar bears host a range of diseases—parasites like Toxoplasma, along with lung and gut worms. They’re also exposed to viruses and bacteria that have become more common as the Arctic warms. These infections reach polar…
Alright, you probably want a straight answer before we get into the weeds: on land or mixed terrain, the tiger usually comes out on top because of its speed and hunting skills. But if you throw them onto ice or into water? The polar bear suddenly takes charge. Tigers win more often on land, but…
It sounds wild, but yes—a white bear, probably a polar bear, once swam and fished in the Thames under royal orders. The Tower of London housed this unlikely guest, and Londoners flocked to the river to catch a glimpse. Ever wondered how a royal gift from the 1200s could turn the Thames into such a…
You might picture polar bears just hunting seals out on the ice, but honestly, people have gotten attacked by them too. Yes — polar bears have killed and injured humans in rare, but real, cases. That’s something to keep in mind if you ever travel to Arctic towns, work up north, or spend time near…
If a polar bear starts watching or following you, it’s normal to feel scared. Try to stay calm and do what you can to look bigger, stick close to others, and grab any deterrents you’ve got handy. Your best shot is to stand your ground with your group, back away slowly—don’t run—and use things like…
You’ll only spot polar bears in a handful of UK zoos, so knowing where they live makes planning a visit a lot easier. Right now, the UK has 12 polar bears, split between Yorkshire Wildlife Park and Highland Wildlife Park. That’s your starting point if you’re hoping to see them or just want to know…
You can actually find polar bears in some parts of Europe, but only way up in the Arctic regions that touch the continent. Greenland and Norway’s Svalbard islands are the only places in Europe where polar bears live or wander around in the wild. If you want to see one, you’ll have to travel far…
You don’t have to travel to the Arctic to see polar bears in the UK. Both England and Scotland have a handful of places where you can get close to these amazing animals—like Yorkshire Wildlife Park and the Highland Wildlife Park, which actually care for polar bears and focus on conservation. If you’d rather spot…
Imagine two massive animals sizing each other up—one’s built for icy hunts, the other’s basically a living tank that rules the river. Let’s cut to the chase: a hippo would almost certainly beat a polar bear in a straight-up fight. The hippo’s size, bite power, and ridiculously thick hide just give it too much of…