Polar Bear

Hudson Bay, Canada

In my late twenties, I decided to devote my life to photographing wildlife. My first subject was the polar bear - a creature that thrives in the extreme cold, enveloped in snow and ice. From our human perspective, it is fascinating to imagine how they survive in such harsh conditions. For me, it was a true mystery. As I pondered this, I became restless and decided to go see the bears for myself.

During the summer, when the sea ice melts, polar bears spend their time on land. However, once late autumn arrives, they gather in a special place. Cape Churchill in eastern Canada is located on the western coast of the vast, gaping mouth of the Hudson Bay. Here, the sea freezes over almost instantly, attracting bears eager to hunt seals on the ice.

I spent about a month there until the sea froze over and the bears set out. The temperature dropped well below minus 30 degrees Celsius, transforming the world into a frozen wilderness. Despite the intense cold, the bears remained vibrant and spirited. They nuzzled each other, romped around, and reveled in rolling around in the snow. Many mother bears were also there with their cubs. The cubs, still vulnerable to the cold, stayed wrapped in their mother’s warm embrace for protection while they rested and slept. Their affectionate behavior was remarkably similar to that of humans.

This world of snow and ice - a safe haven for polar bears - continues to shrink due to climate change. Their future depends on our awareness and actions.