Henry Vilas Zoo Reopening the Tundra Buggy

March 03, 2026
execmedia@danecounty.gov, 608-228-7224
County Executive, Henry Vilas Zoo

MADISON, WI – Today, Dane County Executive Melissa Agard and the Henry Vilas Zoo hosted the grand re-opening of the Tundra Buggy, located outside of the Zoo’s polar bear exhibit.

 

The vehicle was originally used by Polar Bears International to research polar bears in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area and has been a staple for visitors since the Zoo’s award-winning Arctic Passage opened in 2016.

 

The Tundra Buggy has been closed over the winter to update the interpretive signage and redesign the interior. The Zoo worked closely with the Madison Children’s Museum and Polar Bears International to create a design that will allow children to explore ways that people work to protect wild polar bears.

 

Guests attending the ribbon cutting ceremony will have the opportunity to explore the Tundra Buggy, learn more about the polar bear conservation work Henry Vilas Zoo participates in, enjoy specials in the Glacier Grille, and see the Zoo’s resident polar bears, Nora, Siku, and Berit, enjoy special enrichment.

 

“The arrival of Nora and Siku has deepened our community’s connection to polar bear conservation and awareness of the urgent threat to their Arctic habitat,” said Dane County Executive Melissa Agard. “The updated Tundra Buggy helps bring Arctic research to life, inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, and deepen our understanding of global climate change. We are excited to invite kids to step into the shoes of scientists working to protect polar bears in the wild.”

 

The Tundra Buggy was designed in 1979 to enable scientists to observe polar bears in their native Arctic habitat. By providing a mobile platform that can withstand the extreme conditions, scientists have been able to observe denning behavior, body conditions, and the challenges polar bears face in the wild. New Tundra Buggy models are electric, reducing their environmental impact and enabling quieter operation.

 

“Over the past few years, we have been working on updating the zoo’s interpretive media to meet the best practices in interpretation and empathy messaging,” said the Zoo’s Interpretation Coordinator Courtney Cordova. “The Tundra Buggy is a great example of how we can foster a sense of curiosity and wonder while helping children explore the idea of becoming an arctic researcher, a communicator, or a Tundra Buggy mechanic.”

 

Henry Vilas Zoo, established more than 100 years ago, is one of just a few free-admission zoos in the United States. The Zoo is dedicated to exceptional animal care, conserving wildlife through local engagement and global partnerships, and providing the community with education and valuable experiences with the natural world.

 

For more information visit http://www.henryvilaszoo.gov or contact Kristin Moala at 608-283-1651.