Detroit Zoo Podcast Talking Points Arctic Ring of Life

On camera: Welcome to the coolest place at the Detroit Zoo, the Arctic Ring of Life. Im _____, _____ and Im happy to show you North Americas largest polar bear exhibit, which also houses arctic foxes and seals. This state-of-the-art, $14.9 million dollar interactive facility encompasses over four acres of indoor and outdoor habitats. Voiceover: Themed around the relationship between humans, plants, animals and the environment they share, the Arctic Ring of Life has a wide array of interactive opportunities. The Inuit culture of the Nunavut region was chosen to represent Arctic lifestyles as well as the complex interactions among Arctic inhabitants and wildlife throughout this expansive facility. At the entrance of the Arctic Ring of Life, visitors pass through an early 1900s Nunavut summer village which includes representations of Nunavut sod homes and a recreation of a whalebone-framed summer lodge. After walking through the grassy tundra, visitors enter the Nunavut Gallery, decorated with art pieces ranging from sculptures to paintings.

 The Nunavut Gallery provides an inside look into the artistic world of this region. The most unique feature of the Arctic Ring of Life is the spectacular 70-foot-long Frederick and Barbara Erb Polar Passage, a clear tunnel that winds through a vast underwater marine environment. This 12-foot-wide, 8-foot-tall tunnel allows you to walk beneath diving and swimming polar bears and seals. The bears and seals are separated from each other by a transparent barrier but appear to share one aquatic environment. Their saltwater pools combine to create an ice-cold 300,000gallon swimming enclosure. You then arrive in an "ice world", passing through a frigid cave where you can run your hand across the ice wall. With enough patience, you can even leave your handprint behind in an icy five-finger impression. Finally, visitors enter the Exploration Station with additional indoor viewing. The Exploration Station provides hands-on activities such as walking through a replicated arctic explorer outpost, feeling the fur of a polar bear and using a thermal imaging camera to see how cool the human body is. Through its interactive experiences, conservation education, and research and rescue activities, The Arctic Ring of Life is

helping to shape public attitudes and bring awareness toward the people and wildlife of the Arctic.

The Detroit Zoological Society participates in the Polar Bear

Species Survival Plan in the management of its polar bears and actively conducts and supports arctic animal research both in the field and in captivity. On camera: You can visit the polar bears, arctic foxes and the seals during your next visit to the Detroit Zoo. The Arctic Ring of Life is located west of the Arctic Caf.