An 11-year-old Ottawa girl who raised thousands for polar bear conservation is in Winnipeg today.
The Assiniboine Park Zoo is hosting Olivia Clement for her efforts in raising more than $12,000 for the World Wildlife Fund.
Concerned about the effects of global warming on polar bears, Olivia began crafting hand-made polar bear figurines, which she sold to friends and family. She donated the proceeds to the WWF and has since launched the LivPolarBear website.
“Some time ago, we received a letter from Olivia. She wanted to know about our Journey to Churchill exhibit and how we care for polar bears at Assiniboine Park Zoo,” said Don Peterkin, chief operations officer with the Assiniboine Park Conservancy. “We were so inspired by her passion and dedication we promised that if she ever made it to Winnipeg, we would give her the opportunity to meet our bears.”
Olivia’s visit to the zoo will mark her first time seeing a polar bear in person. She will be given a tour of Journey to Churchill and the opportunity to meet the zoo’s four polar bears — Hudson, Aurora, Kaska, and Storm.
Olivia will be back at the zoo on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to sell her hand-made polar bear figurines outside the Tundra Grill restaurant at the exhibit. All proceeds will be donated to the Assiniboine Park Zoo.