Monday, November 7, 2005

7:16 AM

All of the students were asked to do a final essay for the web-site, so here's mine. It's surely not Shakespeare, but enjoy!

I've been back from Canada for over 3 weeks now and the whole experience is still so surreal. I can't even begin to describe all the wonderful things I have experienced and learned through this trip. Being a part of the PBI Scienc Camp has by far been the greatest thing! Having worked with captive polar bears for several years it has always been a goal of mine to see them in the wild. Never in a million years would I have guessed that that dream would come true!

This trip has really opened my eyes to many issues, the biggest being global warming. It's scary to see that this problem is already having such a detrimental effect. Even scarier is to think that it's only going to get worse unless something is done now. The main purpose of the Science Camp was to bring the issue of global warming to the attention of young adults. The students now have been given the task of spreading the word about global warming and its impacts. As a zookeeper, I have the ability to reach many people on a daily basis through keeper encounters. I've already begun to tell our numerous guests about the issues that face the wild cousins of "Magnet" and "Alaska".

Going into this experience I was a little apprehensive about spending 10 days on the Tundra with a group of "kids". Little did I know that I would learn the most from this group of very bright young adults! I was truly inspired on a daily basis by their intelligence, ideas and motivation. I honestly don't remember being that motivated at such a young age. Even at 26 it's so easy to get bogged down by the daily grind. Hanging around these kids has definitely given me some of my spunk back! I'm so proud of the students and proud to say that I know each and every one of them. It's not everyday that you meet a young person (let alone a group of young people) so eager to tackle the world's problems.

Finally, I just want to thank everyone involved in making this trip so incredible. Everyone that I encountered throughout the entire trip played such an integral part. Special thanks goes to Robert and Carolyn, without whom this program woud not even exist. Along with everyone else at Polar Bears International, the Bucanans have been a valuable resource and support team to The Maryland Zoo and our bears. We can't begin to thank you guys enough and look forward to working with you in the future!

Oh, and don't forget that if you're ever in Baltimore, stop by the Zoo and see Tundra Buggy #7!!

Thursday, October 13, 2005

8:20 AM

WOW...It's been so long since my last journal entry. Been very busy! We flew from Churchill to Winnipeg on Sunday and home to Baltimore on Monday. From there I went right back to work. Seems like I haven't had a second to recover from all the flying. Not quite in work mode, yet. Hopefully after today (I have off today) I'll be modivated enough to get back into the swing of things.
Well that's all for now. Hope everyone enjoyed reading the journal entries as much as we all enjoyed the trip.

Friday, October 7, 2005

9:03 PM

Yet another day of learning. Never thought I'd be back in a school-like environment as a student. I haven't done this much learning in such a long time. Happy to know that I am still capable!!
John let us drive the Tundra Buggy today. Quite the experience. All those days of practicing in our stationary Buggy finally paid off...HA HA!

Thursday, October 6, 2005

5:48 PM

Bear count is up to 7!! Can't believe I've encountered 7 wild polar bears. Unreal!! Even saw one today that had a radio collar. Apparently in this area only about 30 bears are collared so for us to see one was quite a treat.
Spent last night watching the Northern Lights. That had to be one of the neatest things I've ever seen. Unfortunately it's pretty much impossible to photograph the lights, so I can't share what I saw. So cool that I got to go to bed next to this phenomenon (hope I spelled that right!)
Continued learning today. Given even more tools that we can utilize once we get out of camp to spread the global warming word. Again...I think this is going to be invaluable.
That's it for today.

Wednesday, October 5, 2005

5:59 PM

Ate breakfast today with 4 bears right outside our window! VERY COOL! Can't wait to get home and show everyone my photos (hopefully they all come out well).
Spent all day in the Tundra Buggy driving through the area. We began discussing "Impacts of a Warming Arctic", the book that was assigned to the students. Very interesting stuff and I'm really enjoying working with the kids. They're great! I only hope they're learning as much from me as I am from them. Anxious to get home and share everything that I've learned. I'm absolutely sure that this experience will make me a better keeper and better public educator (at least I hope so!!)

Tuesday, October 4, 2005

5:38 PM

Today has been probably the most exciting day ever (at least so far). So difficult to pick just one pivotal moment. First, we took a helicopter ride across the Tundra...very cool! Once we landed we were each able to enter an abandoned polar bear den. Amazing to think that a big, chubby pregnant female could fit in there. All the kids were very excited and anxious to climb into the den! What was also interesting is that the den was very similar to a den that Alaska (the female polar bear that I care for at The Maryland Zoo) dug in her exhibit a few years back. Who knew that she knew how to be a bear!!
Second, we climbed aboard a Tundra Buggy (one that actually moves...HA!!) and headed out to the Tundra Buggy Lodge. I even learned what all the switches at the driver's seat do! We saw several animals along the way including several Arctic hares and some little birds. Upon arrival at the Lodge there was a medium-sized male polar bear sitting right outside where we are going to be living for the next few days. WOW!! I'm so excited. I only hope all the kids are also excited (and appreciative).
As I sit here now typing this journal there is a polar bear sleeping just outside the window and a little Arctic fox is taunting him. This is wild!!

Tuesday, October 4, 2005

5:26 PM

Today we took a more elaborate tour of Churchill. Saw my first wild polar bear at the city dump. Very exciting.
We went to the old IAEP (I think that's what is was called) research site where they used to do research in the 60's and 70's. Very strange place! Upon entering the rundown building it appeared as if the researchers were in quite a hurry to vacate. There were old supplies and specimens scattered everywhere.
Probably the most disturbing part about the tour was the old cages where the polar bears were held for experiments. Heartbreaking that people kept these large (and once wild) animals in these conditions. We even heard about a research project where they actually dipped polar bears in oil to simulate an oil spill! Although some of the research in the past was atrocious, scientists learned more about the natural history and behavior of the bears from the results. Fortunately for the bears, scientists use past research as examples of what not to do.
After seeing the old research facility, we visited the new (and much better) research center. Interesting to hear how much research is being done in and around this area and not just with the polar bears. The possibilities are endless. Maybe I'll become a researcher and move up here....maybe not!

Sunday, October 2, 2005

8:52 PM

Flew from Winnipeg to Churchill today. Once we got there we got a small tour of the Community center from Adelia. Adelia (I hope I'm spelling that right) is one of the students here who lives in Churchill. It's amazing to hear about growing up in this community and the types of adaptations they've had to make.
From the Community center we had the opportunity to see the Hudson Bay (at least a small part of it) and we even got to walk on the beach. Somewhat different to the beaches on the east coast!!
No bear sightings, yet. We did hear that there was a bear in town less than a week ago. Mind boggling to think that there are polar bears walking along the same streets that we were on today.
We're taking a tour of the town tomorrow. Can't wait to see what else the town has to offer!

Saturday, October 1, 2005

4:01 PM

Wow! I still can't believe I'm in Canada! Been in Winnipeg the past 2 days and are leaving for Churchill tomorrow.
Very interesting stuff today. Heard from Robert Taylor and Clarence Tillenius, two artists from the area. Robert shared several photographs that he's taken over the years. So inspired by the fact that each photo sparked such a vivid memory for him. You can definitely hear the passion when he speaks.
Also heard from Clarence Tillenius. At the age of 92 he's still producing beautiful art that I could only dream of doing. So glad that he could share his experiences with us. My only hope is that at 92 I'm still able to share the experiences that I'm gaining while here!