The Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat prepares for onsite updates, while increasing advertising

The Cochrane Tourism Association is helping the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat make a name for itself in Toronto.

A billboard promoting the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat along a Toronto highway. (Supplied)Giant billboards overlook busy highways – like the Don Valley Parkway – depicting the adorable animals. It is the town's way of trying to attract more people to visit.

“It’s not only one of the busiest highways with the most people on it, it’s part of the slowest moving traffic in the country as well,” said Peter Politis, Cochrane, Ont.’s mayor.

“That expressway is congested regularly so you constantly have nothing to do but look at that billboard, see those beautiful polar bears and recognize Cochrane, Ontario (and say) hmm, I’d love to visit Cochrane, Ontario and that’s exactly what we’re trying to do."

Situated on 24 acres of wilderness, the town’s polar bear habitat is home to three male polar bears.

The polar bear species is vulnerable and it's important to habitat officials that people learn more about what's putting them at risk.

A recent $75,000 donation from the Canadian Polar Bear Habitat Board will allow for the updating of onsite information exhibits.

“Climate change is definitely the top bit of information that we need to get across to our guests," said Amy Baxendell-Young, the habitat’s manager.

"It’s the number one factor threatening polar bears in the wild... It’s important we educate people here and they know how they can help."

The Habitat relies heavily on the generosity of supporters. Financial donations are always accepted – as are pumpkins at this time of year.

Innukshuk, one of the three polar bears at the habitat, enjoying a 90-pound pumpkin. (Photo courtesy of Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat/Credit: Austin McIntosh Photography)"Obviously we can’t feed anything rotten to the bears so if anyone has any pumpkins that are still in good condition the bears would absolutely love them," said Baxendell.

"Innukshuk (one of the bears) did enjoy a 90-pound pumpkin the other day; it took him a couple days to get through it."

Baxendell said it could take about a year before all the information boards can be updated to reflect new scientific findings. In the meantime, people can continue to enjoy visiting the bears in their natural environment.

For more information about the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat, visit their website.

Henry the polar bear, seen at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat, shows a family from Toronto how much he enjoys eating watermelon. (File Photo/Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)