Sea World unveils its new $6 million dollar attraction, Polar Bear Shores today housing Kanook and Ping Ping, two polar bears from Arizona and China.

Warner Village Theme Parks Chief Executive John Menzies said three years of planning and research has finally paid off with guests being able to observe Kanook and Ping Ping in the near natural habitat of Polar Bear Shores and learn more about these incredible marine animals.

This is no doubt the best polar bear exhibit in the world. We have created a naturalistic and stimulating polar bear environment utilising the latest in polar bear keeping technology and drawing on international research and knowledge, said Mr Menzies.

The development features an arctic summer environment, and will extend educational frontiers and public awareness about these massive marine mammals, the worlds largest land carnivore, and the conservation issues surrounding them, he said.

The two inhabitants of Polar Bear Shores are Kanook, a 16 year old female from Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona and Ping Ping, a five year old male from Beijing Zoo in China.

The bears arrived at Sea World on 20 and 21 November and have spent the last 30 days in quarantine getting to know each other slowly.

Kanook and Ping Ping were slowly introduced during the quarantine period through a specially designed screen which allows the animals to sense, smell, and eventually see one another, said Mr Menzies.

Both bears have entirely different natures Ping Ping is young and curious, he has been exploring his new home, and enjoying the waterfalls, creeks and features of the exhibit. Kanook is more laid back, happy to just sun herself on a rock and have a leisurely swim.

Polar Bear Shores features natural substrates, typical natural vegetation, rocks and logs, and will incorporate chilled water pools, a running stream, shade cover, water misters, wind generators, diving and climbing opportunities, air-conditioned sleeping quarters and an extensive behavioural enrichment program. The large main pool will be up to four metres deep to encourage diving, and will be intermittently stocked with fish.

We have drawn upon our vast experience in animal care and enrichment to create an innovative polar bear development which will stimulate the mental and physical well being of our animals, Mr Menzies said.

Visitors to Sea World are able to observe the polar bears skilled and graceful underwater swimming and hunting abilities through large underwater viewing windows, and are treated to fascinating interpretive information about the animal, delivered by Sea World educators.

This development allows Australian and overseas visitors to gain an understanding and learn more about another magnificent and perfectly adapted marine mammal, the polar bear, said Mr Menzies.

Polar bears are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) commonly known as World Conservation Union. This means that this special sea bear may move onto the endangered list if the factors which are harmful to its populations in the wild (mainly habitat degradation) continue at their present rate.

Mr Menzies explained that a number of zoological parks around the world are playing a part in the conservation of this fascinating animal. For example, the Bear Taxon Advisory Group (BEARTAG) of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) is made up of zoo professionals working with bears, and other individuals who have special expertise to share, including representatives from other conservation organisations and government wildlife agencies. (AZA) BEARTAG is responsible for developing long and short term recommendations for utilising the captive populations of bears in North America as a means to support the conservation of free-ranging bears. A North American regional studbook is maintained on the polar bear (a studbook is a breeding management tool which ensures that captive breeding is scientifically based).

Pictures and vision of Kanook and Ping Ping at Polar Bear Shores available on request

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Media information: Ilka McCouat, Communication Executive Sea World Ph: 07 5588 2275 or 0408 759 659