Wapusk National Park, National park in Manitoba, Canada
Wapusk National Park is a protected area in Manitoba that spans vast tracts of tundra and boreal forest meeting Hudson Bay's shoreline. The terrain supports populations of polar bears, arctic foxes, musk oxen, and migratory birds in its remote expanse.
The Canadian government established this protected area in 1996 following consultations with provincial authorities and local communities. The designation recognized the need to safeguard this critical Arctic habitat and its wildlife.
The name Wapusk comes from the Cree language and means polar bear, reflecting the deep connection Indigenous peoples maintained with this land. The landscape still carries traces of traditional hunting routes and gathering places that shaped life here for thousands of years.
Getting there requires planning since the park has no direct road access and sits in a remote location far from major communities. Churchill to the north serves as the main gateway where visitors arrange their entry into the park.
The park shelters one of North America's largest polar bear maternity denning grounds, where pregnant females retreat to give birth during winter. This role makes it a crucial survival site for the species and a focus point for global wildlife research.
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