Current Date: 07 Aug, 2025
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Why People in Churchill, Canada Leave Their Car Doors Unlocked

In Churchill, unlocked cars offer emergency shelter from unexpected polar bear encounters.

In the remote town of Churchill, Manitoba—known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World”—residents have a unique, unspoken rule: always leave your car doors unlocked. This isn’t about friendliness or forgetfulness, but safety. Polar bears often wander into town from the nearby Hudson Bay, especially during the fall when they await sea ice formation. These massive predators can be dangerous if encountered unexpectedly. By keeping car doors unlocked, locals offer a quick refuge for anyone who might find themselves face-to-face with a bear. It’s a remarkable example of how communities adapt to coexist with nature’s wildest inhabitants, blending caution, cooperation, and an extraordinary sense of mutual responsibility.

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