As the winter weather descends upon St. Louis, Missouri, there’s definitely one creature that appreciates the cold more than others.
That resident just so happens to be coming to the St. Louis Zoo soon—polar bears!
The St. Louis Zoo recently unveiled more details about the 40,000-square-foot McDonnell Polar Bear Point. The new exhibit reportedly costs $15 million.
Artist renderings of the exhibit can now be seen on the St. Louis Business Journal’s website.
The zoo plans to participate in the Polar Bear Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program. The new exhibit will allow for potential breeding of polar bears, and will house an adult male and female bear—who will hopefully one day head a family of three cubs.
McDonnell Polar Bear Point will feature a 22-foot viewing window, as well as a 1,000 square-foot Arctic cave room where zoo guests can watch the bear swim under water. The 13-feet-deep pool will hold 50,000 gallons of saltwater, giving inhabitants plenty of room to swim.
PGAV Destinations is the architect for McDonnell Polar Point, while St. Louis-based Alberici Constructors, Inc. will play the role of construction manager.
3.5 million people visited the St. Louis Zoo last year. Once McDonnell Polar Bear Point is finished and open, that number will likely continue to rise. The exhibit is scheduled to open in Spring 2013.
From all of us at Finney Law Office, LLC, we hope you will continue to support the zoo as the polar bear exhibit is being built, and check out the new Arctic ecosystem in 2015. Admission to the zoo is free, but donations are always welcome to keep the park and animals in top shape for all.
As the days shorten and the temperature drops in St. Louis, view it as preparation for your future visit with the zoo’s soon to be residents! Also, tweet us your pictures at the zoo at @StLouisPILaw.