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The polar bears at the Assiniboine Park Zoo are about to get a needed upgrade.
The Manitoba government said on Wednesday that the Assiniboine Park Conservancy will be provided with a $1.2 million grant to support the zoo’s Journey to Churchill exhibit.
The one-of-a-kind exhibit offers Manitobans and visitors the opportunity to learn about polar bear conservation.
“Our government greatly appreciates the contributions of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, which offers incredible experiences for Manitobans and visitors to enjoy and explore. We look forward to our continued partnership and advancing shared priorities together,” Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes said in a news release.
The added funding will allow for the purchase and installation of a permanent polar bear pool chiller. Once installed, it will ensure that the pool temperatures stay at the perfect temperature for the bears. The geothermal heating system and the water filtration system will also receive some critical upgrades and improvements to the bear holding facility and Gateway to the Arctic building.
Year after year, Journey to Churchill plays a key role in bringing visitors to Manitoba. In 2023, over 10.4 million visitors came to the province and spent $1.82 billion.
“The polar bears and other northern species in Journey to Churchill help us share the wonders of Manitoba’s north and connect people with nature in a fun and educational setting,” said Dr. Chris Enright, senior director of zoological operations, Assiniboine Park Conservancy in a news release. “These connections foster a greater understanding of the impact of climate change on the Arctic and inspire people to make changes in their lives to support the conservation of wildlife and wild places.”
“The Journey to Churchill exhibit helped transform the Assiniboine Park Zoo into a world-class attraction and experience that is uniquely Manitoban and reflects incredibly well on our city and province,” said Ray Karasevich, president and CEO, Assiniboine Park Conservancy in a news release. “We are grateful for the government of Manitoba’s support and investment in the future of the zoo as a place of pride for Manitobans and a destination that is embraced by hometown tourists and visitors to our beautiful province.”