Racing for the Arctic and Winning

Racing for the Arctic and Winning

On Saturday, February 21, the 12th annual Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause brought our community together once again in support of wildlife. Thanks to the generosity of our runners, fundraisers, donors, and sponsors, we raised more than $31,000 in support of animal enrichment for a number of our Arctic species, a milestone that will make a meaningful impact on the animals in our care.

From the starting line to the finish line, the energy on race day was electric. Participants of all ages came together with one shared purpose: to support the polar bears and Arctic wolves at your Toronto Zoo and strengthen our ongoing conservation efforts. Every registration and donation helped move us closer to that goal, and everyone who braved the ice and snow on race day symbolized support for wildlife.

This year’s support will go directly toward new enrichment items for our polar bears and Arctic wolves. Enrichment is a vital part of animal care. By providing opportunities that encourage natural behaviours, such as foraging, problem-solving, and play, we help ensure animals thrive physically and mentally. These enhancements are just as essential as nutrition and veterinary care in supporting overall health and well-being.

Beyond enrichment, proceeds will also support broader conservation initiatives, helping protect wildlife and wild spaces for future generations. Most importantly, this event showcased the power of community. Whether you ran, walked, volunteered, sponsored, donated, or cheered from the sidelines, you played a part in this year’s success. Together, we are creating brighter futures for the animals who inspire us every day.

We would also like to extend a special thank you to this year’s event sponsors. Your generous support helped make this run possible and amplified the impact of every dollar raised. We are truly grateful for your partnership and commitment to wildlife conservation.