The Zoo’s Outreach manager, Carrie Hawthorne, has already been working with PBI to host a live video conference between Providence MET students here in the zoo’s education center and PBI scientists out on the Arctic Tundra. Education Specialists Lauren Hytinen and Jen LaChapelle the latest information from PBI for outreach programs and special events. The Family Programs Manager, Jen Karow, has incorporated resources and information from PBI to the zoo’s overnight programs. The Interpretation Manager, Lynn McClain, and the Interpretive Specialist, Leiana Hawkins, use resources and information from PBI to help with on grounds interpretation and incorporate polar bear science and sustainable choice information into our on grounds educational carts/stations. The Volunteer Manager, Audra Dolan, is continuing to work with our zoo crew teens to provide opportunities like Leadership Camp. Molly Alves has been working with our videographer, Jenny Blackmer, to create a video for the zoo’s website about what we can do to reduce carbon emissions and help polar bears.
In addition curators and keepers will get to network with PBI and other Arctic Ambassador centers for the latest husbandry science and enrichment methods for captive polar bears. On the flip side, Amy Cutting of the Oregon Zoo and PBI Advisory Council states “As the pack ice retreats, we anticipate problems ranging from nutritionally stressed bears arriving in villages to an increased number of orphaned cubs.” Keepers and curators are helping to provide information, methods, and resources for those communities to live safely with polar bears as the sea ice disappears. They’re helping to develop protocols to respond to orphaned cubs and malnourished bears with veterinary care and supplemental feedings. This is a great example of how captive polar bear programs can benefit the sustainability of wild populations.
The more we stay involved with what is happening to polar bears in the wild the better we can interpret their story to the public, and the more life style changes we all make to help wild polar bears the bigger celebration we will have when their ambassadors return to our zoo.
Thanks for reading and I will be continuing to send updates from Manitoba as the 2009 Keeper Leadership Camp continues.
Sincerely,
Chris Hitchener
