Polar Bear Cub Mishka celebrates Halloween

Six-month old Polar Bear Cub, Mishka is getting in touch with her spooky side as she celebrates Halloween at Sea World’s Polar Pre-School exhibit.

The world-class Polar Pre-School exhibit which is home to Mishka and mum, Liya has had a Polar Bear friendly Halloween make-over.

Sea World Director of Marine Sciences, Trevor Long said the Halloween experience will form part of Mishka and Liya's enrichment program.

"We have decorated the Polar Pre-School exhibit with specially carved pumpkins and an array of Mishka and Liya's favourite treats, toys and food," he said.

"The exhibit here at Sea World offers one of the world's best enrichment programs and occasions such as Halloween provide a wonderful opportunity for our Bears to experience a range of different smells and textures."

"Mishka is continuing to grow significantly in size and is now weighing roughly 30 kilograms. Although her main source of nutrition is from suckling milk from mum, she has started eating a range of solid foods including fish, beef and pork.

"Since making her public debut in September, Sea World guests have fallen in love with Mishka which is a great situation for all Polar Bears as she is helping to raise awareness and create empathy for her wild counterparts."

The Polar Bears at Sea World are ambassadors for their species and play a vital role in raising awareness of the effects of global warming. Current research indicates that Polar Bear numbers in the wild are declining, with 20,000 – 25,000 bears remaining worldwide.