Watch Polar Bear Town

Polar Bear Town is a nature documentary series that takes viewers on a thrilling adventure to Canada’s remote northern regions where polar bears converge in the fall. The show features Mike Goral, a renowned polar bear tracker, his protégé Dennis Compayre, and Kelsey Eliasson, a young Inuit guide, as they lead tourists on an unforgettable journey through the icy terrain.

Throughout the series, the audience witnesses the incredible magnificence of the polar bears as they make their annual pilgrimage to the town of Churchill, Manitoba to wait for the Hudson Bay to freeze so they can start their hunting season. The town is home to the largest concentration of polar bears in the world, and the guides take their guests deep into the heart of polar bear country to witness this incredible spectacle.

The guides face a constantly changing and dangerous environment, where weather conditions and the movement of the polar bears can be unpredictable. Each episode takes viewers through the excitement and challenges of living and working with wild animals in the wilderness.

The show provides a unique opportunity to witness the beauty and power of polar bears in their natural habitat, interacting with one another, and hunting for food. It’s a rare insight into the world of the polar bear and its importance to the Arctic ecosystem. The stunning footage of these majestic creatures gives us a glimpse of their daily routine, including how they hunt, mate and raise their cubs.

Mike Goral is a legendary polar bear tracker with more than 30 years of experience guiding visitors to see the bears. His protégé, Dennis Compayre, is following in Mike's footsteps and has become a skilled tracker in his own right. Kelsey Eliasson is an Inuit guide and tour operator who grew up in the Churchill area and has extensive knowledge of the local ecosystem, flora and fauna.

Together, they make an extraordinary team, each bringing their own unique perspective and expertise to the job. Mike provides a wealth of knowledge and experience, while Dennis is able to contribute the younger generation's perspective to the conservation work. Kelsey brings her cultural insight, deep understanding of the area, and a passion for environmental education.

Viewers get an intimate look at the day-to-day life of these three guides as they share their stories and the secrets of the polar bear’s survival. The show goes behind the scenes to show how they prepare for each excursion and the techniques they use to track and observe the bears without disturbing their natural behavior.

Throughout the series, the guides work tirelessly to educate visitors about the polar bears and their importance to the ecosystem. They speak about the threats faced by the polar bear due to climate change and human activities. The show highlights the need for better conservation efforts and efforts to save their natural habitat.

The production of Polar Bear Town is of excellent quality. The stunning cinematography captures the breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Arctic and the impressive images of the polar bears in their natural habitat. The show is narrated brilliantly, with a tone that is informative and engaging. The crew does an excellent job of taking viewers close to the action while respecting the territory and not disturbing the natural behavior of the animals.

In conclusion, Polar Bear Town is an exceptional nature documentary series that showcases the beauty of polar bears and their importance to the ecosystem. The show offers a captivating look at the world of polar bears and the challenges of living and working with wild animals in the wilderness. The guides' knowledge, dedication, and passion for their work are remarkable, and their stories make for compelling viewing. Watching this series is an immersive experience that transports the viewer to the frozen tundra of Canada's far north, where viewers can witness the majestic polar bears' daily life up close.

Polar Bear Town is a series that ran for 2 seasons (9 episodes) between November 15, 2016 and on Smithsonian Channel