Best UK Sun Bear enclosure Reboot

[felis silvestris]

This is just a bit of fun to judge the general consensus on the best enclosure for Sun Bears in the UK. I have added a few photos from the gallery to make it easier for members to compare the different exhibits. If anyone wants to make an argument for a particular enclosure, please feel free to do so. Also, I would encourage people to list the enclosures in order of what they think is best.

If there are any outdated photos, collections that no longer hold them or people have photos for exhibits not in the gallery, share them here.

Belfast

@MagpieGoose

Hertfordshire

@Lafone

Chester

@gulogulogulo

@gulogulogulo

Colchester

@MagpieGoose

@gulogulogulo

Edinburgh

@felis silvestris

@felis silvestris

 

[Benosaurus]

Do Chester's sun bears have two paddocks or just the one?

 

[Kalaw]

All five enclosures are excellent, but realistically it is between Colchester and Chester here. Have only seen those two and Edinburgh in person (also saw Hertfordshire’s under construction, but never since the bears moved in), and while the other two are great as well, I struggle to see them having any impact on the two-horse race.

I prefer Colchester from a visitor perspective, with viewing areas at either end of the enclosure positioned right in front of water sources and climbing apparatus, as well as good theming (relating to the bear bile trade) with a conservation message and a good view of the indoor area. That is almost certainly the consensus, but I may be being slightly more controversial to suggest that Colchester is also superior for the bears. While Chester’s is larger, Colchester’s has a much larger and more enriching indoor area (which is crucial, as the weather in the UK is much colder than what these Southeast Asian bears are used to), with a sizable offshow portion as well, and a genuine series of climbing structures, whereas Chester only has unconnected, tree-like pillars. Being the most arboreal of bear species, having access to good climbing is vital. In terms of having access to genuine trees and good cover / privacy among the bushes, the two are roughly equal. I also like Colchester’s terrain-wise, with the sloping setting and many rocks making for a more interesting and varied landscape for both visitors and inhabitants.

Overall, both are excellent, but I voted for Colchester.

 

[SSLees]

Honestly the only one I don't like is Belfast, which I don't think is awful. It just doesn't stand out compared to the others, probably due to not as many climbing points which is a must for sun bears.

For me, it's a tie between Chester and Colchester. And even then, my vote has to go to Colchester for having more climbing frames indoors. Colchester for indoor area, Chester for outdoor area.

 

[Lafone]

Have only seen Hertfordshire's, Chester and Colchester.

Hertfordshire has more than one enclosure (the one pictured is the rear enclosure and den), linked with tunnels and good sized housing - the viewing is pretty good from different sides and from the upper walkway in what is a good piece of design.

Chester and Colchester also do well, with good sized outside spaces and climbing; as Kalaw mentioned Chester has more space outside while Colchester has more space inside.

The design of Colchester makes excellent use of the hilly terrain and the educational materials in both sides of the enclosure are really well done and impactful. Viewing is good and the slope and dens give lots of places for the bears to play about. Based on the overall experience for bears and visitors Colchester edges it for me.

Along with some of the other animals with polls recently, sun bears seem to enjoy some good facilities in the UK.

 

[Fallax]

Do Chester's sun bears have two paddocks or just the one?

Two.

 

[Crowthorne]

Have seen Colchester and Edinburgh of these (and the RSCC back in the day). Of all of them, Colchester's seems to give the most variety and interest for the bears, lots of places to hide and explore, climb etc, and makes great use of the hillside setting. The others feel more plain in comparison, which with highly intelligent animals like bears isn't great. Colchester gets my vote for this one.