1. Culture / Entertainment B1
Hudson’s 2nd
Birthday Party:
Hosted by Polar Bears International
Jaclyn McPherson, The Toronto Star, Friday, November 22nd 2013
In celebration of Toronto Zoo’s favourite polar bear Hudson and his second
birthday, Polar Bears International will be throwing a party open to the public on Saturday
December 7th 2013.
i
The party will be thrown at the Toronto Zoo located on 2000 Meadowvale Rd,
Toronto, where admission to the zoo will be free all day. The event starts at 9:30 am and
runs the entire day until 5:30 pm, staying open an hour later than usual. Games for
children and adults will be available for playing throughout the zoo, as well as various
activities like a polar bear run and other competitions where everyone is encouraged
participate.
The event hopes to awareness as well as money for Polar Bears International,
which they will then put towards their educational program “Project Polar Bear”.ii “Project
2. Culture / Entertainment B2
Polar Bear” is a contest that invites children, ages 11 to 18, to take the challenge to
reduce carbon emissions (CO2) in their home communities.iii Various information booths
will be set up across the zoo explaining Polar Bears International’s initiative. Donations
will be accepted at these booths as well as sign up sheets for “Project Polar Bear”.
Leah Knickerbocker, Assistant Director of Education at Polar Bears International iv
was quoted earlier this week explaining, “One of our educational goals is to inform and
educate individuals, communities, business leaders, and policy makers on how to make a
difference for the future survival of polar bears”. v
The newly formed partnership between Polar Bears International and Build-a-Bear
also hopes to bring in additional funds to support their growing educational programs. It
was announced on Wednesday November 20th that 10% of all Build-a-Bear profits would
be donated to Polar Bears International with the intention of reaching a wider youth
audience. The charitable company wants to attract the attention and recognition of
children and teenagers because they are of the belief that this is the generation that can
put a stop to Global Warming and help prevent the problems threatening the polar bears.
3. Culture / Entertainment B3
A specialty polar bear toy was introduced by Build-a-Bear as well and has been named
after Hudson. When purchased, the toy includes an informative fact sheet about Polar
Bears and “Project Polar Bear”, and the purchase of this specific bear will bring an extra
30% of the profits to “Project Polar Bear”.
In anticipation of this event, Hudson the polar bear has become somewhat of a
mascot for Polar Bears International. The twitter account @HudsonthePolarB has been
created, where followers can be
constantly informed of the
upcoming event, and be updated
on various facts regarding polar
bears, Global Warming, as well as
tweets for the Twitter followers with
tips on what they can do to help. A
Facebook page has also been
created to promote the event,
including all the details of the
upcoming party as well as pictures
and posts to excite the guests.
The Toronto Zoo as well as Polar Bears International are both very excited for the
event and look forward to celebrating Hudson’s big day. When Hudson was first born, it
was doubtful whether or not he would make it, having been neglected by his mother.vi
After three months of intensive care from the Toronto Zoo veterinary staff, Hudson the
4. Culture / Entertainment B4
polar bear was able to move into his home at the Tundra Trek, a 10-Acre arctic exhibit,
with a state of the art polar bear habitat.vii
Hudson has been an important member of the Toronto Zoo ever since his arrival,
and his birthday party is a highly anticipated event. An employee of the Toronto Zoo for
the past three years stated, “This will be the biggest event of the year. I was here when
Hudson was born and brought into the Tundra Trek, he’s growing up so fast!” After
seeing a poster at the Toronto Zoo promoting the event, Katie, aged 8, was delighted and
was quoted saying, “I can’t wait for Hudson’s birthday party! I learned about global
warming in school and I want to make sure Hudson can grow up in a clean world!”
The event hopes to increase Polar Bears International funds by at least 15%.
Polar Bears International has also agreed to feature Hudson the polar bear’s story on
their website and there are rumors it could grow into an educational children’s book.
For more information on the event visit Polar Bears International’s website
www.polarbearsinternational.com, and the Toronto Zoo’s website www.torontozoo.com.
And be sure to follow Hudson’s Twitter account @HudsonthePolarB and check out the
event, “Hudson the Polar Bear’s 2nd Birthday Party!!” on Facebook.
i Picture Gallery. (n.d.). Toronto Zoo. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from
http://www.torontozoo.com/polarbearcub/?pg=Photo
ii Project Polar Bear - Bright Young Minds Outsmart CO2. (n.d.). Polar Bears
International. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from
5. Culture / Entertainment B5
http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/our-work/community-
outreach/project-polar-bear
iii Ibid.
iv Staff. (n.d.). Polar Bears International. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from
http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/about-us/staff
v Value Statements. (n.d.). Polar Bears International. Retrieved November 21,
2013, from http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/about-us/value-
statements#education
vi Hudson's Story. (n.d.). Toronto Zoo. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from
http://www.torontozoo.com/polarbearcub/?pg=HudsonsStory
vii The New Tundra Trek. (n.d.). Toronto Zoo. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from
http://www.torontozoo.com/ExploretheZoo
