Dances with Huskies

Hunters at play

On a cold late October day in 2007, German photographer Nobert Rosing and Husky manager Brian Ladoon were together taking some sunset photos of Ladoon’s large pack of Huskies by Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada.

Out of the dull greyness emerged a fully grown wild male polar bear, guessed to weigh around 1200 lbs that had probably not eaten in four months. Cut off from its usual seal based diet by the thin sea ice, it was heading for a tethered Husky.

Rosing and Ladoon were certain that the Husky would be killed instantly.

But, as the bear approached, the Husky was in a crouched position with his rump in the air with its tail wagging, mouth open but not bearing its teeth. The bear had its ears back and fur flat. What happened next was extraordinary…

They engaged in a long bout of gentle play.

The polar bear returned every night that week to play with the Huskies.

I know this story isn’t breaking news and happened in 2007, but I was amazed by what happened.
Apparently this sort of play behaviour has been seen elsewhere, between wolves and Brown (or Grizzly) bears in the USA.

Photographer: Norbet Rosing
Born in northern Germany in 1953, Norbert Rosing is a passionate nature and wildlife photographer with special dedication to the Arctic, North American landscapes, and the national parks of Germany.

In 1980, Rosing published his first photograph in a German photo magazine. Since then he has traveled extensively to the Canadian Arctic, to the landscapes of the U.S. Southwest, and to the romantic landscapes of Germany’s national parks and Africa’s savannas.
More from National Geographic

Further Reading
Norbert Rosing’s Website
Audio Slideshow of the event