Submitted by Sources of Knowledge
Willy Waterton is a well-known local photographer and photojournalist. He has won hundreds of awards both provincially and nationally and is a favourite presenter for our local audience. Originally scheduled for last fall, the long-anticipated Sources of Knowledge (SOK) Talk on black and white bears drew strong community interest, resulting in a nearly full house on May 2nd at the Parks Canada Visitor Center.
Willy and his wife Audrey are well travelled and undertook several trips to view and photograph Polar Bears. This included a trip to Churchill which is known as the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’ because during the freeze up of Hudson Bay, the bears are forced on-shore to wait. They had also travelled to Prince William Island and other locations in the Arctic Ocean via a research ship which included tenders to the island (and other locations). Fifteen pairs of Polar Bears were viewed and photographed on the island and another group of seven were observed on Bylot Island.
Their Churchill trip was specifically to stay at Nanook Lodge, 230 km to the east of Churchill and known for extensive polar bear activity. So much so that guests are fenced off from the inquisitive bears rather than the bears being fenced! Their bush plane flight from Churchill was delayed a couple of days due to the weather so they were able to enjoy one of the main local attractions, Tundra Buggies which are designed to optimize viewing while maintaining a safe elevation.
Though polar bear global populations are believed to be in decline, the Ontario coast population is considered to be stable. Canada still permits the killing and export of 300 to 400 bears each year. Fetching upwards of $5,000 each, they provide a necessary income for local indigenous peoples.
Willy also spoke to the black bears of the Saugeen-Bruce Peninsula noting he and family members have had numerous encounters over the years. He showed some slides related to the former Bruce Peninsula National Park bear monitoring (north of Highway 21) undertaken by Martin Obbard who also spoke some years ago at another full SOK Talk (and Bruce Peninsula Environment Group) in the same theatre. Another monitoring program is commencing this year.
There are between 60 and 110 bears believed to live or otherwise use Bruce Peninsula National Park and a total of 250 – 350 on the peninsula. Protection offered by the presence of the National Park may be instrumental in stabilizing their overall population. “Why is bear hunting allowed?” were Waterton’s final words of the evening. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the night a success.
Sources of Knowledge and Save Ontario Shipwrecks Tobermory Chapter are excited for the special film screening of Diving Into The Darkness, featuring cave diver Jill Heinerth, on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Parks Canada Visitor Centre, Tobermory.
This film depicts Jill Heinerth’s explorations into the world’s deepest underwater caves. The event includes a live Q&A with Jill following the screening. The doors open at 5:30 PM for the 6:00 PM show. Tickets are available on the sources of knowledge website, www.sourcesofknowledge.ca. We are looking forward to seeing you there!
