The Buffalo Zoo in New York requested approximately $6 million to upgrade its polar bear habitat to meet new standards, which was summarily rejected. However, the county legislature did vote to approve $3 million toward the zoo's $18 million project on Thursday.

With these new funds, the zoo will now have $10.2 million, enough to begin the design work and start construction next spring. However, if it does not find a way to raise the rest of the money, the habitat could be in jeopardy. Part of the new plan also includes having the room to foster orphaned cubs from Canada.

Donna M. Fernandes, zoo president and CEO, said "A big part of our goal is to try to provide homes to bears that otherwise are going to be disposed of," according to Buffalo News. Polar bears were recently listed as a species of concern in Canada.

If the new habitat is not finished by 2013, Fernandes believes the zoo will have to make arrangements to move its two bears, especially its female who is of breeding-age.