C onse r va ti on
A K eeper ' s
P erspec tive
Polar bears are beautiful creatures who live in
the icy climate of the Arctic. Sadly, they are
listed as endangered, mostly as a result of
climate change. Changing temperatures affect
the polar bear's sea ice habitat and ability to
hunt for their food (primarily seals). The result
is drastic effects on polar bear survival and their
ability to have cubs.
Hunter Veeneman is a Glacier Run keeper at
the Louisville Zoo who helps care for Qannik,
our polar bear rescued in Alaska in 2011. Learn
more about polar bears from him below!
What is most rewarding about
being a bear keeper?
I think the coolest thing about being a bear
keeper is visiting the Zoo in my regular clothes
and seeing our bears recognize me in a crowd.
Even bears that have moved to other zoos still
recognize me when I go to visit them. It never
ceases to amaze me that my job is to form a
relationship with and help care for the world’s
largest land-based carnivore.
What's something people
may not know about wild
polar bears?
Polar bears in the wild are under immense
environmental stress. The Arctic ecosystem is
changing at such a rate that even the human
populations are struggling to keep up. Polar
bear cubs are finding it more difficult to survive.
Some are even starving. Cases of twins and
triplets are decreasing and very large male bears
are becoming rarer to find. These are not new
trends. Scientists have been documenting this
change for decades.
What is the polar bear’s biggest
threat for survival? What can
kids do to help?
Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide
(CO2), methane and nitrous oxide all play
a role in the warming effects observed in
the Arctic, including the faster melting and
slower freezing of sea ice. We all have what is
called a carbon footprint. A carbon footprint
is made up of anything we do that requires
the use of fossil fuels for energy. When fossil
Did you know your Zoo was designated an Arctic
Ambassador Center by Polar Bears International
(PBI)? PBI is one of the Zoo’s wildlife partners,
working to help polar bears in the Arctic. Next time
you stop at the Zoo, be sure to stop and visit Qannik
on exhibit periodically along with the other bears at
Glacier Run. You can also learn more about polar
bears and even hear a keeper talk! Learn more at
LouisvilleZoo.org/Glacier-run.