Our Polar Bear Tour Naturalist - Les Stegenga

Les began his career in wildlife biology after graduating from Trent University with a BSc. in 1979.

His first job took him to Churchill, Manitoba where he studied polar bears.

From the Arctic he moved to western Canada and for 8 years, during the summer, researched grizzly and black bears along the eastern slopes of the Rockies.

In the winter months he studied moose, bighorn sheep and cougars.

In 1988 Les joined the Calgary Zoo and is now one of the senior keepers responsible for its gorilla troop.

His passion for wildlife and unique cultures has taken Les around the world. Through the Zoo's eco-safari education program he has lead ten trips to Africa and two to China and in the New Year is going to the Galapagos and the Amazon.

In 2005 and 2006, Les was thrilled to return to Churchill and the polar bears as a naturalist guide with Classic Canadian Tours.

Les will be joining us once again this year for all five polar bear departures.