Local

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Crowd roars for zoo's new polar bear

By: Geoff Kirbyson

Posted: 02/15/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Enlarge Image

(BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Enlarge Image

Hudson is the first polar bear to call the Assiniboine Park Zoo home since Debby died just over four years ago. He was introduced to the public on Thursday. ( BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ) Photo Store

It was fitting that the newest star of the Assiniboine Park Zoo was unveiled on Valentine's Day -- there was a whole lot of polar bear love in the air on Thursday.

When Hudson, the 16-month-old polar bear who recently arrived from the Toronto Zoo, poked his nose out into his new home Thursday morning, a roar went up from the crowd.

"Hip, hip, hooray," yelled one man above the din.

It seems the first polar bear at the zoo since beloved Debby died in 2008 was feeling the love, too, as he wasted no time in getting up close and (almost) personal with about 100 of his new fans.

Hudson playfully ran back and forth along the inner fence separating him from the crowd, occasionally batting around a plastic orange ball, and even standing up on his hind legs with his front paws on the fence.

Sara Miles was there for Hudson's first moment in the Winnipeg sun, along with her five-year-old daughter Zoe. They're regulars at the zoo in the summer, but this was their first time visiting in the winter.

"He's fun," said Zoe, who thought it would be nice if the zoo would find Hudson another bear with which to play.

"We've really been looking forward to Hudson, because when Zoe was pretty little, we bought a video called Growing Up Arctic, which is about a bear named Inukshuk who lives at the Toronto Zoo, and he happens to be Hudson's dad. We know all about his dad from the video," Miles said.

Hudson will be housed at the zoo's International Polar Bear Conservation Centre until its four-hectare Journey to Churchill exhibit opens next year.

Margaret Redmond, president and CEO of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, was presented with a Winnipeg Jets jersey (Hudson and No. 1 on the back) from Premier Greg Selinger and Mayor Sam Katz during Thursday's unveiling ceremony. Redmond said Hudson has made a quick transition to his new home.

"He seems to love the snow and colder temperature that we have to offer here," she said, adding she hopes other polar bears will join Hudson in the years to come.

Redmond said the Journey to Churchill, through interactive displays and audio-visual components, will be "an educational classroom like no other" for learning about the impact of climate change and the importance of biodiversity, as well as conservation and research on species of the North.

Zoo officials made a point of paying tribute to Debby during Thursday's ceremony. Prior to her death at 42, she was not only the oldest polar bear in the world at the time but also one of the three oldest bears ever recorded. Debby had been visited by more than 15 million people during her four decades at the zoo.

geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 15, 2013 B1

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

Have Your Say

Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?

Have Your Say

Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.