Polar Bear Day

The polar bear is a species threatened by the loss of sea ice and increased pollution. Sponsors established International Polar Bear Day on Feb. 27 to call attention to the situation and ask people to help reduce carbon emissions.

The plan

Aurora, one of the Columbus Zoo's twin sister polar bears, reaches out to Nanuq, a male brought from the Buffalo Zoo for breeding. (Dispatch photo by Tom Dodge)

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 What can you do to help the polar bear?


For Polar Bear Day, Polar Bears International and other sponsors ask that turn your thermostat a few degrees lower as a way to lower carbon emissions and help save polar bears.


The Columbus Zoo is part of PBI's network of Arctic Ambassador Centers, providing leadership forgreenhouse gas reductions in their communities. The zoo installed a geothermal water treatment plant for the Polar Frontier Exhibit, and has increased recycling and reduced energy consumption.


"We challenge you and you friends to turn your thermostat down, recycle, and make a difference for this environment," said Tom Stalf, president of the Columbus Zoo. "We want to make sure that the polar bears have a home in their natural area and that the ice remains."


FACT . . .

You will never find polar bears and penguins in the same place. Although both are commonly considered to be cold-weather animals, polar bears live only in the northern hemisphere while penguins live only in the southern hemisphere.