Polar Extremes: Arctic Shores (New in 2012)

Aug. 14th, 2012. This is a brand-new complex that opened in March of 2012 and it has heralded a new era at the zoo. There are 229,000 gallons of water for two harbor seals and two northern fur seals in a brilliantly themed habitat. A yard for Arctic ground squirrels and Arctic foxes (which share the seal exhibit) complete the animal lineup but what makes this area rise above its peers is the thematic design. There is a lush backdrop of conifers and green fields beyond the zoo’s boundaries, and entering Arctic Shores there is a central plaza area with a massive whale skeleton that can be climbed upon by children. The skeleton is spectacular; but there are also mock-pingos (ice-covered mounds); a gravel trail with a canoe and other Inuit artifacts; at least 20 antlers lying around on the ground; a seal statue; and one section has 12 whale bones arranged into benches. There are ice-floe shaped signs, underwater viewing of the seals, and a large glass/wood dominated modern building that has the indoor pool with huge viewing windows peering into it. The only downside to this terrific new addition to the zoo is the fake-looking ice floes in the outdoor habitat and a few haphazardly planted black mats so that visitors do not slip while watching the pinnipeds.

I wonder how many other zoos mix Arctic foxes in with either seals or sea lions? I'm not sure if the foxes at Edmonton Valley Zoo are currently in with the seals because there was a recent birth and perhaps the zoo will wait until the seal pup becomes larger before mixing the species.

On a side note, Woodland Park Zoo has Arctic foxes mixed with Rocky Mountain goats, which apparently was a world-first when it began a few years ago.

The central park zoo used to mix arctic fox and seals but not for at least 5 years.