POLAR FRONTIER: MEDIA KIT
So, tell me about Polar Frontier… Polar Frontier represents a long-abandoned mining town and draws you into the Arctic Circle; connecting you to the animals that live in some of the coldest climates in the world. Completed and open to the general public in May 2009, this state-of- the-art interactive exhibit is home to two polar bears, two Alaskan brown bears and four Arctic foxes.
Why is Polar Frontier the ‘coolest’ place to hang out? Not only are the inhabitants of Polar Frontier extremely ‘cool’, but Nationwide Insurance helped us create a 1.3 acre yard designed to be the ultimate habitat. Even cooler, the habitat includes a 167,000 gallon still pool that allows you to view the bears from above, at eye-level and while they are catching trout and other treats underwater.
That’s not all! Polar Playground gives the kids a chance to play while parents relax and catch a bite to eat at Polar Grill. The kids’ Arctic adventure includes hopping from one piece of sea ice to another where they can build an igloo, slide down a snow bank with a polar bear family or play on an ice teeter-totter. Make sure they soar beneath a flock of snow geese on the child-friendly zip line before they leave!
Polar Frontier, here? How did the Zoo make it happen? We have a lot of people to thank for making our polar dreams come true. This $20-million experience was made possible by the generosity of Franklin County residents and funds raised through a county property tax levy as well as corporate and private contributions.
We will give a few shout outs to those who made the project possible: Arctic fox: sponsored by Ed and Ellen Klopfer Family Polar Bears (underwater viewing gallery): sponsored by David C. Goss Family Polar Playground: presented by Nationwide Insurance
Who lives at Polar Frontier? They must get cold! Aurora and Anana, our polar bears; Brutus and Buckeye, our Alaskan brown bears and four Arctic foxes. These guys (and girls) love the cool temperatures.
Why does Polar Frontier have an extra special place in the heart of the Zoo? The Columbus Zoo provides financial support to Polar Bears International (PBI) including the work of Dr. Tom Smith, a polar bear maternal den expert and Dr. Steven Amstrup whose research includes a bear census. Polar bears are white and brown bears are brown. Will I learn anything new? Of course! Stroll through the Battelle Ice Bear Outpost, an interactive center with activities centered around polar bears, climate change and ways that you can practice conservation at home!
In addition, our animal care experts give keeper talks daily. They will fill you in on what the animals eat, what they’re like in the wild, how they interact and more. If you have a question, they have an answer! Schedules change throughout the year, so check our website or stop by guest relations to find out when you can catch a keeper talk.
POLAR FRONTIER SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES: We wanted to be as “green” as possible when we embarked on Polar Frontier in order to develop a world-class sustainability program leading to the meaningful reduction on our carbon footprint. We put our green foot forward with the following sustainability initiatives:
Geothermal System: Provides geothermal heating and cooling to three buildings including the Battelle Icebear Outpost. It also heats and cools the bear pools in Polar Frontier.
Repurposed existing building into Battelle Ice Bear Outpost and re-used doors and fixtures. We also reclaimed and repurposed many items donated by volunteers and staff for the display.
Planted more than 700 trees and shrubs.
Recycled rubber mulch and substrate were used as the play surface in the playground.
Life Support Systems buildings allow water from bear pools to be filtered and reused, thus saving water.
FAST FACTS: Polar Bears, Brown Bears and Arctic Foxes
Polar Bears Twin polar bears, Aurora and Anana, were born at the Toledo Zoo in 2006 and came to the Columbus Zoo in 2010 from the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium as part of the Polar Bear Species Survival Plan (SSP). The name “Aurora” is in reference to the northern polar lights and “Anana is an Inuit word meaning “pretty”
Habitat The polar bear habitat features a 1.32-acre yard with two pools including a 167,000-gallon still pool. The water temperature stays between 55 and 65 degrees year-round due to underground geothermal tanks. The habitat allows guests to view the bears from above, at eye-level, and underground. The girls also enjoy a freshwater pool and their habitat includes dig pits, smell ports and deadfall trees that provide enrichment thanks to our friends from Nationwide Insurance.
Polar bear facts • The polar bear is one of the largest predators in the world. It ranges in color from pure white after a molt to a yellowish shade resulting from solar oxidation or staining by oil from seal blubber.
• Size: Height: Male 8 to 10 feet, female 6 to 8 feet. Weight: 550 to 1700 lbs., female 200 to 800 lbs.
• Diet at the Zoo: Natural Balance Polar Chow and various fish.
• Diet in the wild: Seals, walruses, Arctic foxes and carcasses.
• Predators: Man and other polar bears.
• Reproduction: Mating season extends from late March through May; gestation lasts about 8 months with delayed implantation, 2 cubs in a litter.
• Habitat: Arctic sea ice, water, islands and continental coastlines.
• Population status: Scientists estimate that there are between 22,000 to 27,000 polar bears.
FUN FACT: A polar bear can stay under water as long as a human; the record in the wild is 72 seconds! Brown Bears “Brutus” and “Buckeye” came to the Columbus Zoo in 2004 after they were found in Alaska. Their mother charged an An- chorage resident and was shot, leaving the orphaned cubs. Alaska Fish and Game, along with the resident, noticed she was nursing cubs and searched for them the next morning. Both were located, but only one of the cubs was taken in that day; the other was found 15 days later and reunited with his brother at the Anchorage Zoo.
Habitat Our friends from Nationwide Insurance helped us develop a one-acre habitat full of dig pits, deadfall trees, two shelters, a waterfall and a 42,000-gallon freshwater pool filled with trout for Brutus and Buckeye.
Brown bear facts
• The grizzly bear is also known as the brown bear. Most people refer to them as brown bears when found in Alaska and on the West Coast.
• Size: Height: 3 to 4 ft. at shoulders. Weight: The average male is 700 lbs and the average female is 450 lbs.
• Diet at the Zoo: Omnivore diet, Dallas Crown carnivore diet, fish (usually trout) and a mix of apples, carrots, pears, tomatoes, and corn-on-the-cob.
• Diet in the wild: Brown bears are omnivores, meaning they consume vegetative and meat items.
• Reproduction: Mating season extends from May to July. A male may stay with the female for up to three weeks during this time. The brown bear is a solitary animal except during the breeding season. They mate every two to three years.
• Habitat: Brown bears prefer open areas such as alpine tundra and high mountains, sub-alpine forests, alpine meadows, or along coastlines.
FUN FACT: Did you know a brown bear’s diet of 23,000 calories a day would equal 67 cheeseburgers! Arctic Foxes The Arctic fox habitat is home to brother and sister “Ice” and “Anana” and brothers “Cassius” and “Brutus”.
Habitat The Arctic fox habitat represents a garden shed that sits against the abandoned mine. Visitor viewing is available in the outdoor yard and indoor den.
Arctic fox facts
• The arctic fox is smaller, with more rounded ears, and slightly shorter and broader muzzle than the red fox. Its short, rounded body is covered with thick fur on all parts except the nose.
• Size: Length: Head and body 21 to 25 inches, tail 12 inches, shoulder height 10 to 12 inches. Weight: 6.5 to 8.5 pounds.
• Diet at the Zoo: Natural Balance, Mazuri Exotic Canine
• Diet in the wild: Opportunistic, feeding on lemmings, rodents, birds, eggs, crab, fish, insects, fruit, seeds, human refuse, scavenge from wolf kills.
• Reproduction: Mating typically occurs from early March to April with a gestation period of 52 days.
• Habitat: The Arctic fox is found the tundra, a cold barren wasteland that includes snow, rocks and very little variety in vegetation.
• Population status: The Arctic fox is common in most of its range. However, it is on Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian national Red lists