Buffalo Zoo President and CEO Donna Fernandes introduced a three-month-old polar bear cub to the public today.
The Zoo's new fundraising campaign 'Our Bears Belong in Bufalo' is underway to complete a new polar bear home dubbed the 'Arctic Edge.' The North Buffalo institution has raised $14 million of $18 million needed to build the exhibit and a new entrance.
"We're hoping to keep her here, but that can only happen if we complete the campaign on time. We have just under $4 million to raise in the next four months and we hope that you will participate," Ferenandes said.
Fernandes says the project will go out to bid once all of the money is committed. If construction starts this summer, the exhibit is expected to open in 2015.
The female cub was one of only two cubs born in North America zoos last year. She was born on November 27 to mother Anana, sired by Nanuq.
Like her parent, the cub may have to move from Buffalo to other zoos that meet new standards recently adopted for Polar Bear exhibits.
In the meantime, Fernandes says the Zoo will hold a contest so the community can help name the polar bear cub.
The Zoo says the cub is too small to go on exhibit for the public, but she will be visible on a closed-circuit television in the Zoo’s M&T Bank Rainforest Falls Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. until 3.p.m.
