Behavioural records indicate that the bears at the Habitat are most active during the fall months through January.

They generally sleep throughout the night, and they tend to be most active in the morning.

A typical visit can vary a great deal depending on the people and the bears involved.

Many guests take an hour or two to walk the grounds, find and photograph each bear, attend a Bear Expert Talk, explore the educational material in the Viewers’ Building, and shop in the Bear Store.

However, if the sole mission is to see a polar bear, it can be done in less than 30 minutes.

While most guests who visit get a chance to see polar bears, it cannot be guaranteed. 

The enclosures at the Habitat have a wide public viewing area, they also have a number of areas that are not visible to the public.  Additionally, the bears typically have access to at least one indoor room, where they are not visible to guests. 

For Ganuk, Henry, Inukshuk, and Eddy, the Habitat is home. As much as possible, they make their own choices about their environment and activities, and they are not on a set schedule. That means staff can’t always predict their behaviours.  

Animal Care Staff might feed each bear five or six times a day depending on the bear’s activity and interest level.  Feedings can be indoors, scattered inside enclosures, or at the mesh barrier along the enclosures. When possible, staff will notify guests if a feeding will be visible. 

The bears always have at least one water source available for swimming during the summer months, and the pool in the Arctic Enclosure is prevented from freezing in the winter. Depending on the time of year and the bear’s individual preferences, a bear might swim multiple times a day, and sometimes the bear will go days without swimming.  

Outside food and drinks are permitted, and a number of picnic tables are provided on campus for guest use. Please be sure to clean up after yourself.

NOTE: Under no circumstances are guests permitted to feed the polar bears.

Yes! The paths around the Habitat are dirt and gravel but are even and well-maintained.  That said, the winter months can present a challenge for wheels, as Cochrane tends to get quite a bit of snow.

The Habitat has an all-terrain vehicle to help guests reach various destinations around the campus, subject to staff availability.

Dogs are not permitted on the grounds.  

If you are traveling with your dog, please ask at the front desk about our secure outdoor crates.

If you rely on the services of a support dog, please contact us before your visit and staff will make every attempt to make alternate arrangements.