Below is a message from The Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat:
Thank you for your interest in participating in the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat’s Animal Care Placement Program. A core focus of our mission is to provide educational opportunities to all ages, and we value this opportunity for us to share our knowledge with a new generation of animal care professionals. By conducting your placement with us, you will gain insight and practical experience in the field of captive animal welfare. Your success in this program is based heavily on the work you put in. We encourage all participants to attend each day with an open and eager mind and in return, our team will share with you their expertise and experience in working with this unique species.
Please read through the following information carefully and consider if this program is right for you. It is imperative for you to understand that the bears in our care are in no way ‘tame’ or treated like pets. Although they have become accustomed to living in the human care environment, they remain powerful and potentially dangerous animals that must be treated with respect. If you have any questions or concerns that arise from reading this information, please do not hesitate to ask.
About us
The Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat is the world’s only wildlife centre dedicated solely to polar bears. Our mission is to provide exceptional animal care, engage through education, and support polar bear conservation. With over 24 acres of sub-arctic terrain, a natural lake and boreal forest, the polar bears have ample space to roam, interact with each other, and freely explore their surroundings however and whenever they choose. Since 2004, the non-profit Habitat has cared for nine polar bears and is currently home to Ganuk and Henry. The individual needs of each bear are respected and provided for in this unique environment, which prioritizes animal welfare above all else. The Habitat's team welcomes visitors from around the world to experience and learn about polar bears with the goal of nurturing a greater understanding and appreciation for this iconic species.
Placement student duties
There are many tasks that students will play an active and hands on role in, but some will be purely observational. Despite their size and often misrepresented demeanour, polar bears are sensitive to changes in their environment, including the people who care for them each day. The comfort and welfare of the bears is our top priority and while students may begin to feel comfortable working around the bears, that may not be true for the bears themselves. Hands on tasks include preparing each bear’s daily diet, cleaning of night rooms, creation and cleaning of enrichment items, shoveling of snow, cutting grass and cleaning pools (seasonally dependent) and general upkeep of animal care team’s work areas. Tasks where you will be invited to observe only include feeding and behavioural training of bears, physical contact of bears during veterinary exams (conducted every two weeks with a contract veterinary technician), and crate training sessions. Although you will only play an observational role, we guarantee that you will still gain valuable insight while supporting our welfare standards.
Working environment
During your placement you will be working closely with the animal care team in a hardworking and fast-paced environment. While the team will strive to provide you with as many learning opportunities as they can, they will not have the time to negotiate on tasks. Some tasks can feel repetitive and less glamorous than others, but this is just an inherent part of working with wildlife. With this being said, having the opportunity to work alongside polar bears brings with it ample opportunities for deeply rewarding experiences.
The weather in Cochrane varies dramatically throughout the year, with summer temperatures reaching as high as +30 degrees Celsius and dropping to -40 degrees Celsius in the winter. Our bears require daily care, no matter the weather, and students will be expected to come prepared for working indoors and outdoors in all conditions. The summer also brings with it a large number of biting insects.
Safety
The safety of our staff, volunteers, students, guests, and bears is of the highest priority and we have strict policies and procedures in place to uphold our standards. On your first day of placement, you will be provided with and expected to read and confirm that you agree to and understand these policies. You will also receive a walk-through of all safety policies and procedures. Students are expected to speak up if they are usure of any aspect of the safety briefing or at any time during placement. If at any point the staff feel that you are not abiding by these policies and acting in a manner that puts the safety of people or bears at risk, your placement may be terminated.
All students are expected to complete online WHMIS training and be covered by liability insurance provided by your school before placement can begin. Please tick the applicable boxes below to confirm these requirements.
☐ I am covered by liability insurance provided by my school.
☐ I confirm that I will have completed WHMIS training through my school.
☐ I will need to complete WHMIS training on my first day of placement through the Polar Bear Habitat.
If you believe that our program will meet your course requirements and you wish to apply for the program, please follow this link and fill out the form so we can learn more about you. Once completed, a member of staff will contact you soon to speak with you further about your application.
Please note: depending on the number of applications we receive, we may not be able to accept every student. Applications will be considered on a first come first serve basis and places are limited.
If you have any questions or concerns about any information you have read here, or any other aspect of the placement program, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Polar Bear Habitat Manager – Amy Baxendell- Young.
[email protected]
Thank you for your interest in participating in the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat’s Animal Care Placement Program. A core focus of our mission is to provide educational opportunities to all ages, and we value this opportunity for us to share our knowledge with a new generation of animal care professionals. By conducting your placement with us, you will gain insight and practical experience in the field of captive animal welfare. Your success in this program is based heavily on the work you put in. We encourage all participants to attend each day with an open and eager mind and in return, our team will share with you their expertise and experience in working with this unique species.
Please read through the following information carefully and consider if this program is right for you. It is imperative for you to understand that the bears in our care are in no way ‘tame’ or treated like pets. Although they have become accustomed to living in the human care environment, they remain powerful and potentially dangerous animals that must be treated with respect. If you have any questions or concerns that arise from reading this information, please do not hesitate to ask.
About us
The Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat is the world’s only wildlife centre dedicated solely to polar bears. Our mission is to provide exceptional animal care, engage through education, and support polar bear conservation. With over 24 acres of sub-arctic terrain, a natural lake and boreal forest, the polar bears have ample space to roam, interact with each other, and freely explore their surroundings however and whenever they choose. Since 2004, the non-profit Habitat has cared for nine polar bears and is currently home to Ganuk and Henry. The individual needs of each bear are respected and provided for in this unique environment, which prioritizes animal welfare above all else. The Habitat's team welcomes visitors from around the world to experience and learn about polar bears with the goal of nurturing a greater understanding and appreciation for this iconic species.
Placement student duties
There are many tasks that students will play an active and hands on role in, but some will be purely observational. Despite their size and often misrepresented demeanour, polar bears are sensitive to changes in their environment, including the people who care for them each day. The comfort and welfare of the bears is our top priority and while students may begin to feel comfortable working around the bears, that may not be true for the bears themselves. Hands on tasks include preparing each bear’s daily diet, cleaning of night rooms, creation and cleaning of enrichment items, shoveling of snow, cutting grass and cleaning pools (seasonally dependent) and general upkeep of animal care team’s work areas. Tasks where you will be invited to observe only include feeding and behavioural training of bears, physical contact of bears during veterinary exams (conducted every two weeks with a contract veterinary technician), and crate training sessions. Although you will only play an observational role, we guarantee that you will still gain valuable insight while supporting our welfare standards.
Working environment
During your placement you will be working closely with the animal care team in a hardworking and fast-paced environment. While the team will strive to provide you with as many learning opportunities as they can, they will not have the time to negotiate on tasks. Some tasks can feel repetitive and less glamorous than others, but this is just an inherent part of working with wildlife. With this being said, having the opportunity to work alongside polar bears brings with it ample opportunities for deeply rewarding experiences.
The weather in Cochrane varies dramatically throughout the year, with summer temperatures reaching as high as +30 degrees Celsius and dropping to -40 degrees Celsius in the winter. Our bears require daily care, no matter the weather, and students will be expected to come prepared for working indoors and outdoors in all conditions. The summer also brings with it a large number of biting insects.
Safety
The safety of our staff, volunteers, students, guests, and bears is of the highest priority and we have strict policies and procedures in place to uphold our standards. On your first day of placement, you will be provided with and expected to read and confirm that you agree to and understand these policies. You will also receive a walk-through of all safety policies and procedures. Students are expected to speak up if they are usure of any aspect of the safety briefing or at any time during placement. If at any point the staff feel that you are not abiding by these policies and acting in a manner that puts the safety of people or bears at risk, your placement may be terminated.
All students are expected to complete online WHMIS training and be covered by liability insurance provided by your school before placement can begin. Please tick the applicable boxes below to confirm these requirements.
☐ I am covered by liability insurance provided by my school.
☐ I confirm that I will have completed WHMIS training through my school.
☐ I will need to complete WHMIS training on my first day of placement through the Polar Bear Habitat.
If you believe that our program will meet your course requirements and you wish to apply for the program, please follow this link and fill out the form so we can learn more about you. Once completed, a member of staff will contact you soon to speak with you further about your application.
Please note: depending on the number of applications we receive, we may not be able to accept every student. Applications will be considered on a first come first serve basis and places are limited.
If you have any questions or concerns about any information you have read here, or any other aspect of the placement program, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Polar Bear Habitat Manager – Amy Baxendell- Young.
[email protected]