By JENNIFER NOBLIT
ThisWeek Staff Writer
Polar bears getting used to new home
The recent warmer temperatures haven't prevented two polar bears from getting acclimated to their new home at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Although not open to the public until May 6, the zoo gave the media a sneak peek Friday at its newest exhibit that brings polar bears back to Columbus.
Polar bears Aurora and Anana, who arrived at the zoo Feb. 19, were moved into the exhibit Wednesday, said Patty Peters, associate zoo director for community relations.
On Friday, the 3-year-old twin sisters swam around one of the pools of the 1.32-acre, $20-million habitat they now call home.
Once open, visitors will be able to watch the polar bears swim in the pools from above, at eye level and from below. The pools will be kept at 52 degrees year-round, said Alicia Shelley, zookeeper in the North America and Polar Frontier exhibits.
A smell port and a food chute are located near one of the viewing areas, which are protected by glass. Peters said the zookeepers can give the bears treats and other food through the food chute while the smell port allows the bears to feel like they're in the wild, where they hunt for seals by sniffing for them through holes in the ice.
"It's something to shake things up," Peters said.
Two brown bears also will be featured in the Polar Frontier; they were moved from the North America exhibit to a new 1-acre yard.
According to Shelley, the new habitat for the brown bears, Brutus and Buckeye, will give them a place to swim year-round. Previously, the zoo had to drain their pool in the winter.
"The brown bears will be very happy to have a pool year-round," she said, adding that the bears would try using their water bowls as a pool in the winter.
An arctic fox also will live in the Polar Frontier.
The newest expansion to the zoo includes what was formerly Powell's New Hope Church. The zoo has adapted a former church building to house an indoor area called the Battelle Ice Bear Outpost for visitors to play and learn.
Terri Kepes, associate zoo director of planning and design, said the area is designed to look like an old mining camp turned into a facility for eco-tourists. There will be several areas for children to learn about the arctic and conservation in the form of games and photos, she said.
The Polar Frontier also will feature a playground and a replica of a tundra buggy that's used to transport tourists to see polar bears in the arctic.
Source: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/dublin/stories/2010/03/31/Columbus-Zoo-Polar-Frontier.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=104
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