Hudson the polar bear greets Winnipeggers

The Assiniboine Park Zoo unveiledits newest addition on Thursdaya 15-month-old polar bear named Hudson.

Just before noonthe young bear was introduced to hundreds of Winnipeggers for the first time.

Mayor Sam Katz and Premier Greg Selinger were on hand forhis unveiling, and Katz presented a "gift" for Hudson, of a large Winnipeg Jets jersey with his name on it.

Hudson arrived in Winnipeg about two weeks ago from the Toronto Zoo.

He has spent the last two weeks in the zoos International Polar Bear Conservation Centre.

Eventually,Hudson will be part of the zoos Journey to Churchill exhibit, a $26-million project that is expected to open in 2014.

The exhibit will also feature caribou, arctic fox, snowy owls and musk oxen.

It will also have a variety of interactive elements, including an aurora borealis 360-degree theatre, motorized polar bear tundra tours and a rooftop Tundra Garden.

Visitors will be able to view Hudson in anenclosure that is 20 times larger than the one that held Winnipegs last polar bear, Debby.Debby died in 2008 at age 42.