Photographing Polar Cubs in the Arctic Wilderness

Hello Hello by Richard Bailey

Photographing Polar Bear Cubs in Wapusk National Park

Tucked away in the remote reaches of Manitoba, Canada, Wapusk National Park is one of the most extraordinary places on Earth to witness polar bears in the wild. It’s a place where mothers emerge from their dens with their newborn cubs, and for those lucky enough to be there, it’s an unforgettable experience. On our recent journey into this vast, frozen wilderness, we had the rare opportunity to photograph polar bear cubs as they played, nursed, and trailed close behind their mother across the snowy tundra. Moments like these aren’t just thrilling—they’re a powerful reminder of how fragile life can be in the Arctic.

Getting Ready for the Cold

Photographing polar bears isn’t as simple as showing up with a camera. Wapusk is remote and brutally cold, with temperatures that can dip to -40°C. Regular winter gear won’t cut it. We geared up with Arctic-rated boots and extra-insulated outerwear built to handle the extreme conditions. Every piece of equipment had to function reliably in freezing temperatures—no room for error when you’re miles from anywhere.

For the shoot, we packed two Canon EOS R5s—one paired with a 600mm f/4 lens and built-in 1.4x extender, and the other with a lightweight 800mm f/11 lens. These long lenses allowed us to keep a respectful distance from the bears while still capturing tight, intimate frames. With limited light during the Arctic winter, image stabilization and high ISO performance were key.

Photographing Cubs in the Wild

Early mornings and late afternoons tend to offer the best lighting—the sun hangs low, casting a soft, golden glow that lights up the polar bears’ white fur beautifully. Still, we took what we could get—light in the Arctic isn’t always cooperative, and cubs don’t wait for perfect conditions. To freeze their bursts of energy as they tumbled through the snow, we used continuous shooting mode and fast shutter speeds (around 1/5000s). This allowed us to catch split-second expressions and crisp detail in their fur.

Cubs are naturally curious, often sticking close to their mothers but occasionally bounding off in little bursts of independence. A long telephoto lens let us keep our distance without disturbing their behavior. Spot metering was critical in the bright, snowy conditions—otherwise, the camera might underexpose the bears against the all-white background.

A Few Things to Know About Polar Bears

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are classified as marine mammals, relying on sea ice to hunt seals—their primary food source. Wapusk National Park is one of the most important polar bear denning sites in the world. Cubs are usually born in winter dens, and by February or March, they start venturing out with their mothers for the first time.

Here are a few fascinating facts:

  • Cubs at Birth: Polar bear cubs are incredibly small and fragile at birth—less than a kilogram. When there’s more than one cub, they may not even be born at the same time. During our trip, we were lucky enough to photograph a mother with triplets, a rare and touching sight. The third cub is usually the most vulnerable, but in this case, all three seemed strong and active. Thanks to their mother’s warmth and milk, they grow rapidly in the safety of the den before stepping out into the snow-covered world.

  • Incredible Senses: Polar bears have a highly developed sense of smell, able to detect seals from nearly a mile away—even through feet of dense snow.

  • Vulnerable Status: Due to climate change, polar bears are considered vulnerable. As the sea ice shrinks, they’re forced to travel farther and expend more energy to find food—especially challenging for mothers with young cubs.

Why These Photos Matter

Wapusk is more than just a beautiful place—it’s a sanctuary. It gives polar bear mothers a quiet, safe space to give birth and raise their young. But even here, the changing climate looms large. Every photo we take is more than just a visual record—it’s a chance to share their story and raise awareness about the very real challenges they face. Being able to witness and photograph these iconic animals in such a raw, intimate way is a privilege we don’t take lightly. We hope these images inspire others to care about their future just as much as we do.