Cochrane, Ontario

Three natural and secure outdoor holding acres link the Viewing Building and the Holding Building. Their safety features (double doors, locks, special fencing) and natural environment make the facility one of the most advanced captive polar bear facilities in the world. These areas provide the bears some shelter and privacy, pools for cooling, natural terrain with isolated areas in which to roam and rest. The fact that they are made of natural terrain affords the bears the chance to dig, creating the dens that they would naturally do in the wild.

All areas are linked, so that the bears may choose to be indoors or out, or in a pool. However, links may be interrupted so that isolation for weather reasons or for scientific research purposes may be created. For the safety of the bears, and the comfort of visitors, all cleaned each day.