The Detroit Zoo pt. 8 -- The Arctic Ring of Life (photo essay...and one of my favorite areas)

The Detroit Zoo has been a leader in the exhibition, management and breeding of polar bears since the opening of the first bear exhibit in 1928. This was the first time I was able to see the Arctic Ring of Life exhibit, and it's amazing!!! It opened in October 2001, and at 4.2 acres it is the largest polar bear exhibit in the world.

Here's Everett!

The granite statue of a Polar Bear proudly watches over the entrance of the Arctic Ring of Life, and perhaps more impressive than the statue itself is the effort put forth to create this new Zoo icon.

Over a span of five weeks, Inuk Charlie, using a diamond-bladed cement saw, carved the Polar Bear out of a 4-foot by 5-foot by 9-foot, 32,000 pound block of Vermont Granite.

It's so big, that with the lens I had on my camera, I couldn't get the whole thing in.

Grassy meadows and a shallow fresh water pool show visitors the environment polar bears inhabit during the summer, and give the bears a natural experience. They were sleeping of coarse.

Lots of seagulls and other birds make this area their home, which I'm not sure the zoo was counting on.

The most unique feature of the Arctic Ring of Life is the spectacular 70-foot-long Frederick and Barbar Erb Polar Passage, a clear tunnel that winds through a vast underwater marine environment. This 12-foot-wide, eight-foot-tall tunnel takes visitors underneath diving and swimming polar bears and seals!

This is just SOOOO cool. The day I was with the boys, this exhibit wasn't crowded, so I could easily take photos. The next day with the 4 kids, it was PACKED. These photos are from both days, and these aren't even close to all of them (over 100).

See his cute little tail?

The seals were really moving, and it was difficult to get a great shot.

Among the common Arctic species preyed upon by polar bears are grey seals, harbor seals, and harp seals, the three species represented at the Detroit Zoo.

The bears and seals are separated from each other by a transparent barrier but appear to share one aquatic environment. I was lucky enough the first day (it was so hot) to see one of the bears under the water, trying to keep cool.

And my favorite shot....see the bubbles come out his nose? I have this one framed.

At the end of the tunnel is an ice room, and very chilly. It felt good in the July heat. Everett will always pose for me....

Pher being a dork.....guess his nose was dry and hot too.

There is a replica of an Inuit village on the tundra in the early 1900's, and visitors will see how people used to live in this unique habitat, as well as learning how far they are from home and from other locations in the great expanse of the Arctic. I didn't get many photos, since the kids hurried through this area. There is a glass window that I was able to get some photos of one of the bears.

On the other side of the village is the area where you see the polar bears in their "winter" habitat...full of ice and salt water "lakes."

Debating if she wants to jump in or not.

Snow, ice, and rocks provide visual drama for visitors, while an iceberg making machine and other hidden devices supply stimulation for the bears in this extreme environment.

The zoo keeper was tossing pieces of apple for her to eat.

She did turn around the one day....isn't her little tail adorable?

Other birds (terns?) live in the exhibit too.

Bärle, a female polar bear rescued by the Detroit Zoo from a Pueto Rico Circus, is this particular bear. She's in with a male (sleeping elsewhere) that will hopefully become her mate.

Coming out of the Arctic Circle of Life....Rebecca is the drama queen....

And Everett is always a ham....Bailey could care less, and Angela just ducked out.

I hope you enjoyed this photo essay. I have lots and lots more photos of this exhibit.