Today, the polar bear is a vulnerable species
With polar bears, Marineland has confirmed our commitment to protecting endangered species.
After the damage caused to their natural environment due to the melting of sea ice, polar bears are now considered to be a vulnerable species. If global warming continues, more than two-thirds of polar bears will disappear by 2050.
And yet, those animals are necessary to the balance of Arctic life (North Pole), just as penguins are to Antarctic life (South Pole). In recent years, the polar bear has become the symbol of global warming and the melting of sea ice.
By adding this species to our resident creatures, Marineland has made a public commitment to the conservation of endangered species. With the aim of raising awareness on biodiversity and the fragility of its equilibrium, the park decided to diversify our wildlife heritage. As a result, Marineland welcomed Flocke and Raspoutine in 2010, two young polar bears brought over from Nuremberg.
Polar bear reproduction program
To preserve this species, Marineland launched a polar bear reproduction program, working in collaboration with the EEP (European Endangered Species Program)… and it was with great joy that Marineland witnessed the birth of Hope the bear cub in November 2014!
Marineland's polar bears have 2,200 m² (about 24,000 sq.ft.) of space, divided into three zones: two living areas and a maternity area, the "nursery." An environment made up of saltwater and freshwater pools, prairie plants (for a tundra atmosphere), rocks and waterfalls that create shady shelters that serve as "natural dens" for the animals.
Raspoutine, Flocke and Hope have a specially designed environment: one of the few spaces in Europe with a supply of saltwater that is filtered and maintained at 14°C (57°F) all year long.
For the animal's comfort, an air conditioning system has been installed in their sleep space but, above all, two refrigerated caves (spanning a total of 50 m² (540 sq.ft.)) with beds of ice are at their disposal.