Polar Bear Habitat

Keeping the Big White Bears Safe

Pitch

Everyday more and more species of animals are becoming extinct. Stop and think, a hundred years from now what animals will still be around on the earth. The future generations will not be able to truly witness the beauty of the astonishing animals that have walked planet earth. Today we take advantage that these animals are still here with us, because we haven't truly experienced what it would be like without them. We rely on so many of these animals for different things. Bugs help us with our plants and pollination. Sharks feast on weak, old and sick fish, which eliminates and prevents disease spreading through marine life before humans catch and eat them. This is simply to only name a few. We depend on animals to help our environment and reproduce for future generations  The Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat was an idea that was pitched by a local animal enthusiast. She thought that by building this mock habitat, it would foster polar bears that can no longer survive in the wild and slowly re-introduce them. Furthermore the goal of this project is to be the number one resource globally for all polar bear data and information. This project benefits researches and the bears. It gives us something to extract data from and use it to our advantage environmentally, but also allows the bears to recuperate from any damage physically and mentally so the future is bright and healthy. This project is important to me as I believe that the polar bears deserve to be treated for with care and responsibility by trainers and wildlife biologists. When observing the polar bear it is a genuinely prestigious and beautiful animal and the future generations should be able to see them as well. I urge you to pursue in supporting me and the construction of this building to provide a realistic habitat for the bears in order to help them get back on track and back into their home.

Location

Cochrane is located in Canada, in the Northern areas of Ontario. It is 445 miles/716 km from Toronto and has a population of 5,340.




Critical Need

Polar bears are classified as sea mammals due to the fact that they spend most of there lives on ice in the Arctic Ocean. Most people wonder how they survive in such cold conditions. Polar bears have water repellant coats that insulate them from any cold air and water and an extra layer of body fat to stay even warmer. Although polar bears are able to find food without hesitation and with great success (this activity makes up about 50% of their day), it is getting more and more difficult to survive. This is due to the environmental changes that have been occurring. The Arctic Ocean is full of ice sheets and icebergs all around, everywhere one would look. Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute they are breaking apart and disappearing. 

1. In January 2013, the Fish and Wildlife Services reported 2,054 species worldwide that are endangered or threatened. 1,436 exist in the U.S. alone.  In May 2008 The Polar Bear was listed as an endangered species under the act of the United States and were listed as a threatened species. All of the problems are due to climate change and global warming. The coldest habitats in the world are slowly breaking down because they can no longer handle the heat that is occurring. The reason to start this project is due to the lack of safety the polar bears have. By providing a habitat that offers temperatures as cold as their home the bears would be able to stay safe and happy. 

Thinking Bigger

Aside from the polar bears living pleasantly and peacefully it helps us humans as well. Biologists and Scientists can now extract and take information on the polar bears actions and behaviour. It helps the planet globally by spreading data to biologists seeking more material on the everyday life of a polar bear. For example; The Cochrane location could send a daily report on the bears to a biology location in California. By examining the activities and routines of the polar bears daily and spreading the word to more and more places all around the world we can help the polar bears from becoming extinct, with more knowledge and experience from many different biologists.

Feasibility

The idea of this project came forth in 2000, it would start to take action in 2012 and finish in early 2013. The grand opening will be June 29th 2013. To help initiate the project, support would come from The Animal Care Standards Act, education programs and research partners. The reason why they would provide the funding is that it is an internationally respected centre for polar bears. 

Cost 

Startup Fee = $ 1,000

Polar Bear Transportation to Cochrane = $ 75,000

State of the Art Habitat Building = $ 650,000

Mac Lab for Biologists = $ 110,000

Medication/ First Aid = $ 70,000

Food & Drink for Bears = $ 2,000

Grand Total = $908,000

Final Points

We did it! The Cochrane Polar Bear Exhibit is now up and running. I send a big thank you to everyone that believed in this project. Without all the support and votes that the public took time into sending to the habitat for bears this would not have been possible. The polar bears have a safe and jubilant journey ahead of them and hopefully everything helps towards keeping these beautiful creatures around for many years to come. Your continued support would be much appreciated.

Authors note

After reading about a remarkable project you might be wondering about the author and who the creativity came from. My name is Daniel Colangelo, the author who was very interested to learn about how the polar bears live today in a safe environment. I am 15 years old, I attend Bill Crothers Secondary School in Unionville, Ontario...quite a distance from Cochrane. I am passionate about keeping nature safe and healthy, for the future years to come. I am captain of my AAA baseball team and I believe teamwork and collaboration are two very important components in having a successful career. My goal is to achieve my dream and play at the highest level for baseball in the Major League. When you put your mind to something nobody and nothing can stop you.

Works Cited

1) Linda, Flemming. "Polar Bear Habitat." 17 Apr 2013. Linda Flemming, Online Posting to The G Project. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.thisisyourplanet.com/ideas/freedom/203>.

2) K, Cummings. "Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat." 2013. K. Cummings, Online Posting to 1 Drury Pk. Road. E-mail. <http://www.polarbearhabitat.ca>.

3) CMS, Online Posting to Home>CPBH. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.town.cochrane.on.ca/content/cochrane-polar-bear-habitat

4) "11 Facts About Endangered Species." 2013. Do Something Beta, Online Posting to Tips and Tools. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-endangered-species>.