Wapusk National Park
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Wapusk National Park |
Contact Information:
Wapusk National Park
P.O. Box 127
Churchill, Manitoba
Canada R0B 0E0
204-675-8863
Size: 11,475 sq. km.
Location: One of the wildest and most remote of Canadian landscapes, Wapusk National Park is located in the northeast corner of Manitoba on the shores of Hudson Bay. Park stretches south and inland along Hudson Bay towards the Nelson River. Boundary lies 45 km southeast of the town of Churchill.
Description: Park includes one of the largest known polar bear maternity denning sites in the world and vital habitat for hundreds of thousands of waterfowl and shorebirds that nest along the coast of Hudson Bay or gather and feed there during annual migrations. Traditional land use by aboriginal and other local users includes gathering of berries, deadwood, flowers and other natural products for domestic purposes, as well as trapping and hunting caribou for domestic consumption.
Activities: The best way to safely see the park is through the commercial tour operators who are authorized to provide escort and guiding services in Wapusk. Only experienced wilderness travelers should consider visiting the park independently. For the most current list of operators, please contact the park office (1-888-773-8888 or 204-675-8863). Activities are limited at present to polar bear viewing and flightseeing. Additional activities will be determined when a management plan is finalized for the park. When you arrive in Churchill, visit the Wapusk National Park office in the Churchill Heritage Railway Station for information on the programs and services provided by Parks Canada. Activities in the Churchill area include birdwatching, polar bear viewing, beluga whale viewing (in the Churchill River), and canoeing.Places to Stay: Contact the Churchill Chamber of Commerce (1-888-389-2327) for information on where to stay.
History: Established in 1996. According to archaeological evidence, the Inuit, Dene and Cree have lived in this region for more than 3,000 years. Métis and European traders arrived in the 17th Century, around the time that Aboriginal people established permanent settlements near Prince of Wales Fort and York Factory. Both are now National Historic sites, located north and south of the Park.
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