Photo: Steven Kazlowski

 Today is International Polar Bear Day.

Known as ‘Nanuq,’the polar bear is revered by the indigenous people of the Arctic as wise, powerful, and even almost human.

They are referred to as the “Master of Bears.”

In fact, on a quick side note, bears as a species are considered by many wildlife biologists to be one of the most intelligent land animals of North America. Their smarts compare with that of higher primates.


Nanuq has been integral to indigenous Arctic culture for centuries. Legend speaks to the glorious white bear willingly giving up his life to the worthy hunter, and then sharing the good news with other bears so they too will be eager to be killed.

Respect was afforded a successfully hunted bear by the hunter hanging the bear’s hide in a special section of his igloo, where it would stay for several days. The bear’s soul was also offered weapons and other hunting tools if it was a male, and needle cases, scrapers, and knives if it was female. The bears allowed themselves to be killed in order to obtain the souls of these tools, which they would take with them into the hereafter.

Of all the animals traditionally hunted in the Arctic, the polar bear was of all the most prized.

Nanuq is a spectacular prize to the wildlife photographer, as well, drawing to their remote arctic homelands many amateur and professional photographers alike.