science · 23 January 2012 · 12 years ago
In 2012, the International Polar Bear Conservation Centre (IPBCC) was opened at Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg, Canada. On 17 Nov 2008, the zoo's longtime resident had died: Debby, the world's oldest polar bear in captivity. Before the zoo could acquire another polar bear, it was necessary to modernize the facility to meet modern standards of animal conservation. With the completion of extensive renovations to the Zoo’s original bear enclosures, the IPBCC is capable of housing and transitioning orphaned polar bear cubs from certain zones in northern Manitoba. The cubs chosen for rescue are those which would normally die without their mother. The IPBCC also supports research efforts that contribute to the survival of polar bears in the wild. For example, the facility monitors the growth, development and health of a polar bear cub in the Zoo, giving insight into the needs of a healthy cub in the wild.
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