Polar bear exhibit at Assiniboine Park Zoo getting upgrade with provincial funding

A polar bear is seen at Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, Man. in this undated handout photo. (Assiniboine Park Zoo)

Polar bears at the Assiniboine Park Zoo will soon be noticing improvements to their enclosure.

The Manitoba government announced the Assiniboine Park Conservancy will be getting a $1.2 million grant that will help with upgrades to the Journey to Churchill Exhibit.

The money will be used to install a pool chiller, as well as upgrade and repair the geothermal heating and water filtration systems, the holding facility for the bears, and the Gateway to the Arctic building.

“The polar bears and other northern species in Journey to Churchill help us share the wonders of Manitoba’s north and connect people with nature in a fun and educational setting,” said Dr. Chris Enright, the senior director of zoological operations at the conservancy, in a news release.

The province said 10.4 million people visited Manitoba in 2023 and credited the polar bear exhibit as “playing a key role” in showcasing what Manitoba has to offer.

“The Journey to Churchill exhibit helped transform the Assiniboine Park Zoo into a world-class attraction and experience that is uniquely Manitoban and reflects incredibly well on our city and province,” said Ray Karasevich, the president and CEO of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, in a news release.