ASHEBORO -- Three years in making, the North Carolina Zoo's new $8.5 million Polar Bear habitat opened for business Thursday, in Asheboro. Zoo spokesman Rod Hackney says the exhibit features an indoor gallery with more educational graphics and television screens, as well as glass viewing panels overlooking the exhibit, and an artificial ice cave.

Hackney said, "By including a mountain stream flowing through the middle of it, it's just going to be spectacular. It's also going to have some additional off-exhibit facilities for the polar bears."

Approximately 60% of funding for the expansion was provided by the state legislature. The remainder was provided through private contributions to the N.C. Zoological Society, the zoo’s non-profit support organization.