The Milwaukee County Zoo
&
Polar Bears International

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) need our immediate help. Their ability to live, thrive and survive is being threatened by current and projected changes in their environment. While estimated timelines vary, most scientists agree that, unless there are positive changes, polar bears will be unable to adapt and will disappear from the Arctic in a relatively short period of time.

In conjunction with Polar Bears International (PBI), the Milwaukee County Zoo is doing its part to help save the polar bears through various outreach programs, conservation initiatives, and dedicated efforts of our own Zookeeper / Arctic Ambassador, Kara DeLanty, and the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK).

In 2009, Milwaukee County Zoo animal keeper, Kara DeLanty, attended PBI’s Leadership Camp located on the tundra near Churchill, Manitoba. Here, Kara observed polar bears in the wild and learned about climate change firsthand from experts in the field while aboard a mobile classroom. 

Kara with male polar bear
Kara with a male polar bear in the background		 Female polar bear running from a male
A female polar bear running to avoid a male
Male polar bear in front of Tundra buggy
Male polar bear in front of the Tundra Buggy		 Male polar bear peering up
A male polar bear peers up
Polar bear next to Tundra Buggy
A polar bear peaks around the Tundra Buggy		 Group photo
PBI Leadership Camp group photo

 

PBI Leadership Camps:

  • Focus on polar bears, their Arctic habitat, and what needs and can be done to safeguard the wellbeing of polar bears and their habitat.
  • Offer structured and unstructured sessions presented by renowned scientists, educators and community members.
  • Emphasize knowledge, judgment and action.

Outreach Efforts

Through various outreach efforts, Milwaukee County Zoo staff is committed to helping the plight of polar bears and saving their precious habitat. 

ACRES FOR THE ATMOSPHERE

Acres for the AtmosphereAcres for the Atmosphere is a roll-up-your-sleeves, tree-planting and educational effort involving Chapters of the American Association of Zookeepers, zoos throughout North America, and PBI Arctic Ambassador Centers, located in more than 30 zoos. Graduates of the 2009 PBI Zookeeper Leadership Camp launched the program.  Participants from the Milwaukee County Zoo (and other zoos throughout the country), organize tree-planting, and sometimes shrub-planting, activities during Zoo special events held throughout the year. In 2010, our Zoo offered a special outreach booth during its “Party for the Planet” special event held May 15 and 16. The Milwaukee AAZK Chapter’s outreach area was located at the Polar Bear Exhibit and offered insight as to why global warming may be leading to the demise of the polar bear.  Visitors received a white spruce seedling, and were able to learn how planting trees helps to reduce carbon dioxide which leads to climate change. Polar bear artifacts were on display, and activities were offered to show how small changes can have a big effect on our environment.

TREES FOR YOU & ME

Trees for You & Me is a friendly competition among AAZK Chapters to see who can raise the most funds for the Polar Bear Forest program. Two PBI field ambassadors started the program, and last year AAZK raised enough money to plant 10,000 trees! 

Did you know?  One tree can absorb more than ONE TON of carbon over its lifetime.  Planting trees helps reduce your global footprint.  As trees grow, they help stop global warming through the natural process of photosynthesis by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing pure oxygen into the atmosphere.  While fighting global warming, trees provide many benefits to all of us, such as cooling shade, wind blocks and bird and wildlife habitats.  Trees also purify the air, prevent erosion, clean our water and add beauty to our homes and environment.

Trees for You & Me is a collaborative effort of the American Association of Zookeepers, the Wisconsin DNR and Polar Bears International. For each $1.00 donated to the program, three trees will be planted in one of our nation’s forests. That means by raising just $100, we can absorb more than 300 tons of carbon! We can make a difference! By planting trees in our forests, we’ll help fight global warming and improve the habitat of polar bears and many other species.

To donate, visit: www.polarbearsinternational.org/donate-and-help/trees

Check the box for Trees for You & Me, and select Milwaukee Zoological Gardens AAZK from the dropdown menu.