Not everyone gets to live like a millionaire. But for Baffin and Siku, residents of Calgary Zoo’s new $11.5-million Polar Bear Sanctuary, a beautiful home is well-deserved.
Orphaned as cubs, the pair was found wandering near Manitoba, Canada. After rescuers picked them up, Baffin and Siku were transferred to the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, marking the first time the zoo had hosted polar bears since 1999. Since then, the pair has quickly warmed up to their habitat, which includes two acres of grassy meadows and rocky terrain plus an unobstructed view of the horizon. Their caretakers say they get along well, by polar bear standards.
RW Hardware got to play a unique role in Baffin and Siku’s story. In partnership with Dura Stainless Sheet Metal Fabrication, we provided essential hardware for the Calgary Zoo’s new Polar Bear habitat. Dura installed 24 of our stainless steel remote crank arm gate operators around the enclosure. With these remote cranks, zoo staff can safely raise and lower gates without getting in the bears’ way. Their new stainless-steel hardware is also easy to clean and resistant to weather and corrosion. It looks great, too, which is important to us humans.
BEYOND THE BEAR NECESSITIES
Beyond providing a new home for its residents, the Polar Bear Sanctuary is a key part of the Calgary Zoo’s recent renovations. Since 2021, Calgary has been redeveloping 15 of their Wild Canada habitats, the largest undertaking in the zoo’s 95-year history. Bighorn sheep, woodland caribou, whooping cranes, and other animals are all getting upgrades. That means more immersive experiences for visitors, safer conditions for staff, and even better environments for animals like Baffin and Siku. We’re proud to be part of that.
“These rescued bears will act as ambassadors for their wild counterparts,” said the zoo’s interim COO Jamie Dorgan. “They’ll help people connect to nature in ways that encourage them to take stronger action than ever before.”
ABOUT RW HARDWARE
The Trusted Partner of World-Class Zoos & Aquariums.
For more than 70 years, RW Hardware has partnered with zoos and aquariums across the U.S. and around the world.
As a longtime member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), we have designed, tested, manufactured, and installed high-quality habitat enclosure solutions and gate systems for numerous institutions: The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Busch Gardens, and the San Francisco Zoo, among others. Hit the link below to learn more about our experience, approach, and hardware solutions.
