April 3, 2009 - Successful Polar Bear Pilot Project Completed

TEMISKAMING SHORES – Students of Northern College’s Wildlife Rehabilitation program recently completed a pilot project that brought them face to face with polar bears in Cochrane.

As part of the pilot project developed between Northern College’s School of Veterinary Sciences and the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat and Heritage Village, students in the College’s Veterinary Technology – Wildlife Rehabilitation program were provided with the opportunity to work with the Habitat’s resident polar bears.

Students had been spending some Saturdays in Cochrane working closely in all aspects of caring for the bears, including nutrition, record keeping, and behaviour management.

“It ‘s this sort of experience that makes our program come alive. Working up close with polar bears is a very big and exciting experience for our students, ” said program professor Joe Gregorcic.

The last field exercise of the project was held on March 28th; however, the College and the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat and Heritage Village are exploring the possibility of extending and expanding the project.

Northern College is the only college in Ontario to offer a three-year Veterinary Technology – Wildlife Rehabilitation diploma program.

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Media Contacts:

Professor Joe Gregorcic, Veterinary Technology – Wildlife Rehabilitation
Northern College, Haileybury Campus
705.672.3376 ext. 8805

Patricia Morin, Director of Conservation
Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat and Heritage Village
705.272.2008

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