Talk about a wonderful Christmas prezzie! We knew it was in the works, but today the public announcement was made....complete happy dance by the team!
.
Making Assiniboine Park Polar Bear Headquarters
CJOB News Team reporting
12/3/2009
The goal is to make Winnipeg home to the world headquarters of Polar Bears International. Thursday, Premier Greg Selinger and Hartley Richardson of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy announced 31-million dollars in funding. The centrepieces of the investment will be a new polar bear rescue shelter, and a new polar bear exhibit. The CEO of Polar Bears International says the funding will ensure Manitoba remains on the cutting edge of polar bear research and stewardship.
Polar bear research
The first of its kind in North America, the polar bear centre will conduct and co-ordinate polar bear rescue research, conservation and public education initiatives, said Selinger.
It will also co-ordinate a relocation network that will facilitate the process for permanently placing orphaned or injured animals in qualifying zoos.
“As the home of Churchill, the world’s polar bear capital, there is no better place than Manitoba to host this centre of research and education on the impact climate change is having on our polar bears,” Selinger said.
‘As the home of Churchill, the world’s polar bear capital, there is no better place than Manitoba to host this centre of research and education on the impact climate change is having on our polar bears.’—Premier Greg Selinger
Added Richardson: “Manitoba has been a world leader in the management of polar bears, which have become an international symbol for climate change’s effects on the world. We are very pleased to see this exciting initiative is moving forward.”
Polar Bears International, a non-profit organization dedicated to the worldwide conservation of polar bears and their Arctic habitat, applauded the province on the plans and leadership involving the animals.
“The Polar Bear Alert program and the Manitoba standards for polar bears in zoos are just two examples of this leadership,” said Robert Buchanan, CEO of Polar Bears International.
“By providing funding for the international polar bear conservation centre, Manitoba will remain on the cutting edge in terms of polar bear research and stewardship.”
Assiniboine Park Conservancy is a non-profit corporation mandated to establish a vision for the park, create a plan to ensure it realizes its visions and govern the implementation of strategies toward the revitalization and transformation of the park.
|
