Zoo starts program to save polar bears

Concentrates on reducing carbon emissions in homes

Updated: Tuesday, 01 Mar 2011, 6:05 PM EST
Published : Tuesday, 01 Mar 2011, 6:05 PM EST

* Jacquie Walker
* Posted by: Eli George

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Buffalo Zoo is using one of its star attractions to drive home the message about the threat of global warming.

The Buffalo Zoo is launching its polar bear initiative to and taking it right to schools, asking them to turn down the thermostat by two degrees.

The students at Dodge Elementary in Williamsville were first on Tuesday with the bundle up for polar bears program. They got to wear their favorite warm clothing and they heard a message from the zoo's curator of education about things they can do in their own lives to help preserve sea ice, which polar bears need for hunting.

Buffalo Zoo curator of education Tiffany Vanderwerf said, "I'm hoping that they realize there is something going on, but this is also a message of hope that they can do simple things in their own households and lives to actually help save polar bears."

Lynn Fritzinger said, "To be honest with you, the district has turned down the thermostat by two degrees all year long. So one of the things I'm hoping to find out from this project is just how many carbon emissions we save or conserve on a daily basis, and then we'll extrapolate that to figure out how many we save all year long."

The zoo is planning to expand this program beyond schools into homes, asking for conservation measures, and families can sign up for that. The zoo is also in the design phase for a new polar bear exhibit, which will incorporate more information about how to save the polar bears.


http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/buffalo...ve-polar-bears