Did you know that there were polar bears in Cochrane? There is no doubt that Polar Bears are a big part of Cochrane’s identity.
The bears are everywhere!
We were excited to visit the Canadian Polar Bear Habitat Research Centre. They just reopened their doors, and to allow proper social distancing, we needed to book a timeslot of arrival. This way, they can stagger the flow of people into the facility.
The Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat
The Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat is the largest and the only human-care facility in the world dedicated to polar bears. Henry, Ganuk, Eddy, and Inukshuk, thrive on a large property similar to their natural habitat.
It is not a zoo, although they do welcome visitors. Acting as a wildlife refuge for polar bears, and a research centre. You can read about current research projects here.
Visitors can walk around the property and view the bears in four very large enclosures.
Given the large size of the enclosures there is no guarantee to actually catch sight of the bears; they may be in the bush somewhere, sleeping, or simply out of sight.
We were lucky to show up around feeding time so we had an opportunity to take plenty of photos and videos.
We were also in time for a conversation with Dylan about bear behaviour.
We could tell that Dylan was very passionate about his polar bears! He was happy to share with us some of the research that they are involved with.
True millennials, the bears participate in research activities only when they want to, and can stop participating when they wish. One of the obvious results is the trust that was developed between the bears and the staff.
If you can’t visit in person, you can view the live feed and wait for a bear to show up on camera.
If you are an art lover, you can purchase one of Inukshuk’s creations! Was this inspired by dinner?
Instead, we raided the gift shop and got some gifts for the hostages!
Heritage village
The polar bear facility shares the grounds with a heritage village. All the buildings were pandemic-closed, but we we could walk around the property and take pictures of the exterior.
Snowmobile Museum
Probably less random than we think, but there is a snowmobile museum next to the visitor centre.
Not snowmobillers by nature or breeding, we didn’t think we will find anything interesting in there, but we did!
Rows of snowmobiles,
Unique specimen on display,
And the occasional diorama.
It was kind of cool. In a northern Canada kind of way.
Final note, did you know that Tim Horton, the hockey hall-of-famers and coffee franchise founder, was born in Cochrane?
Well, now you do!
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I had no idea there was a place like this for Polar Bears. This was a very interesting post. Glad you got there at the right time to capture all of these great photos.
It was a nice surprise for us as well! Glad we could share it with you!
😊
Aren’t they amazing animals! It’s great that they’re being cared for and studied. They deserve to have a good future. And a snowmobile museum? Cool.
Both were really cool!
I didn’t know there was so much to see in Cochrane, hard work and good job.
The whole area has much to explore! We were very pleasantly surprised.
Wow so interesting. Loved all your great pics.
Thanks! Glad to share them with you!
It’s great that you had an opportunity to talk to Dylan. You probably got a little inside information. I haven’t seen a snowmobile since my days growing up as a child in North Dakota. Snowmobiles and winter sports (hockey and skating ) rule the day there. I imagine it would be the same now. I don’t ever remember playing soccer like so many kids in California do.
Yup, winter sports are big here, but so are soccer and basketball! We never warmed up to winter sports 🙂
one of my favorite animals, so I enjoyed the video. and that art looks like some pieces I’ve seen at museums..
and loved the fun fact about Tim Horton!
Jim, I think that you can buy the art online if you fancy it 🙂
I don’t appreciate art, that’s why I wouldn’t be able to tell a polar bear’s work from a Renaissance master…
Haha, good point!
Polar bears happen to be one of my favourite animals. I’ve been thinking about doing a road trip around Timmins. Sounds like I’ll need to add Cochrane and the Polar Bear Habitat to my itinerary!
Oh, then definitely try and make it there. We were there around noon time so if they feed them every day around the same day, try and make it there around the same time.
I googled Cochrane to see where it is. How often would the area be snow covered? I’m thinking about how natural the environment would be for the bears.
Are you looking at Cochrane in Ontario? There is another one in Alberta. Cochrane, Ontario is just south of their natural habitat. My guess is that it will have snow on the ground 7-8 months of the year, sometimes even more, and the shoulder season will be cool as well. Incidentally, one of the bear was brought there from Australia.
That’s a wow…never saw a polar..
Would love to.
It was really cool!
I have been to Cochrane every year to visit family…that’s amazing you saw a Polar bear.
The centre has been operating for a while so if you are that way again you can definitely go see them!
I love polar bears although they are as rare as unicorns here in our Australian alps! What an interesting trip. I have never thought of a museum for snow mobiles. Maybe we could start one here on Mt Buller.
The snowmobile museum was certainly unique and unexpected! I am assuming that you have more snowmobiles than polar bears in australia?
I haven’t done a recent audit but I think it would be a safe bet! However, our snow seasons are very short by comparison.
😂
What a wonderful sanctuary.
It was a very interesting place! Thanks for visiting!