An Arctic Encounter

 

[image error]That is why humane captive environments are a necessity today, more than ever. By the time Toledo’s Arctic Encounter opened in early 2000, I believe we achieved our goals. The polar bears had nearly four thousand square feet of quality land space and a ninety-thousand-gallon chilled salt-water pool. They had an air-conditioned cave in which to retreat in hot weather and a “blow-hole” area that had small holes in the floor of their exhibit allowing them to smell the seals from next door that swam underneath. By now, other zoos may have exceeded what we accomplished in Toledo, but there can be little doubt that the team of professionals at The Toledo Zoo achieved their goal of setting a new standard in the captive management of Polar Bears.