Two Down for International Polar Bear Day!

by giraffe keeper, Vicki Hodge

Hi all! February 27 is International Polar Bear Day. A few years ago, the Buffalo Zoo launched an initiative for local schools to help celebrate the day, and do some conservation for polar bears at the same time. We called it Bundle up for Polar Bears! The challenge was to raise awareness about climate change which affects polar bears, by reducing carbon emissions through the simple act of lowering the thermostat a few degrees. If every school in Western New York participated, the combined amount would be significant. Polar Bears International liked our idea so much that they adopted it and changed the name to the Thermostat Challenge which they now do on the every International Polar Bear Day!

We want to do our part to help the cause, so here is what were asking everyone to do. Along with our schools and the Zoo, you can turn the heat down 1 or 2 degrees at home or in your work place this Saturday, February 27. For example, we will turn the heat down from 65°F to 63°F in the giraffe house and other places throughout the Zoo.

All you need to do to take part is set your thermostat down and put on an extra sweater or sweat shirt for the day. You probably won't even notice the difference in temperature. It's easy! Then you can say you helped save the polar bears and their sea ice! If that is not incentive enough, on average if you turn back your heat 2 degrees for 8 hours, you can save 1% on your fuel usage and that means more $$$$ in your pocket!

Buffalo Zoo Will Offer Admission Discount During February

The Buffalo Zoo has partnered with First Niagara Bank to offer a reduced admission rate during the month of February.

From February 1 through 29, admission to the Zoo will cost only $5 per person (admission for members is always free). The Zoo is calling the promotion “Polar Bear Days” in recognition of International Polar Bear Day, which is celebrated on February 27.

The Buffalo Zoo will celebrate International Polar Bear Day on February 27 by issuing a “thermostat challenge.” In order to raise awareness about climate change, the Zoo will encourage the community to reduce carbon emissions by turning their thermostats down a few degrees. This is the kind of small change that can have a big impact on climate change, and help to save polar bears in the wild.

“First Niagara is proud to partner with the Buffalo Zoo and support their efforts to enhance conservation, education and environmental initiatives in our community,” said Scott Fisher, First Niagara Managing Director of Retail Channels. “We encourage the public to visit the Zoo in the month of February and see all that the Zoo has to offer.”

The Polar Bear Days admission discount will encourage the community to enjoy the Zoo’s new exhibit, Arctic Edge, presented by Tops Friendly Markets, in colder weather; and to observe the animals, including the popular polar bears, in the snow.

For more information about Zoo’s Polar Bear Days promotion, visit the Zoo’s Facebook page.

The promotion is made possible through generous support from First Niagara Bank.

Celebrate International Polar Bear Day!

International Polar Bear Day is celebrated on February 27 every year. It serves as a day for everyone to take a little time to think about how our actions affect polar bears in the wild. As an arctic ambassador center the Buffalo Zoo wants to encourage people within our community to take action to reduce their carbon emissions today. The easiest thing you can do is turn your thermostat down just a degree or two!

Image courtesy of PolarBearsInternational.com. © Daniel J. Cox/Natural Exposures

Zoo employees have committed to doing five things at work today. These are simple actions that you can take at home too! Today, every Zoo employee will:

1. Turn off lights when they aren't needed
2. Recycle at least one item
3. Use reusable mugs and water bottles instead of purchasing to-go cups or bottled beverages
4. Not idle vehicles
5. Power down computers at the end of the day

These may sound like small meaningless actions, but we know that they add up to big change. We encourage all employees do them not just today, but every day! The Buffalo Zoo hopes that you'll make small changes too, and encourage your friends and family to do the same. When we all make small changes, we can have a big impact on climate change, and help to protect the arctic ice that polar bears need to survive!

For more information about International Polar Bear Day, and how you can get involved, check out Polar Bears International.