New polar bear facility to open at Sapporo zoo in Japan

 

 

SAPPORO — Sapporo Maruyama Zoo in Sapporo will open a facility entirely dedicated to polar bears on Tuesday.

 

The new facility houses an 18-meter-long see-through underwater tunnel from which visitors will have the opportunity to view the bears swimming up close.

 

The zoo has expanded the exhibition space for the animals by creating a 430-ton swimming pool that is 20 times bigger than the previous facility.

 

The pedestrian tunnel runs through the pool.

 

The zoo is currently home to four polar bears, and the new facility offers them more space to roam around.

 

Following the opening ceremony, the facility will open to visitors at 11 a.m. Tuesday.