This enclosure may well be small but it is not the worst enclosure for Sun Bears in Europe by along way the worst i`ve seen was well over twice the size of this enclosure so size as far as i`m concerned size does not always make a good enclosure its what you do with the space you`ve got and in this case they have done a good job,in fact i must say they are 2 of the most active and well looked after Sun Bears i`ve seen in any of the collections i`ve visited in Europe.
This is one of those 'is the glass half full or half empty?' arguments. I accept everything that has been said - but I made up my own mind while I was visiting the RSCC.
The place has some fantastic animals and I'm sure the owners and staff have good intentions. But I will monitor the situation there from Zoochat and I won't visit again until I hear that progress has been made on further developments.
i just think its funny that someone nominated the gibbon enclosure as the best exhibit at this facility; though it lacked a high roof and climbing structures?
i havent been to this zoo....after flying all the way from australia i tend not to waste my time with small zoos like this. 1.5, 2 acres....even apart from animal welfare considerations i would really love to know how this place aims to remain commercially viable into the future when clearly they have no space for new projects/attractions. surely, this will impact on not only visitor numbers but also zoo operations and really hamper the potential for growth.
i sit on the fence when it comes to the space debate.....an enriched small space may be better than a barren large one. but you only have to read the stats and studies.....if you want your visitors to genuinely connect to the environment and care enough to make some sort of positive change in their own behaviour which will better the planet than home-baked enclosures like this, no matter how enriched are clearly not going to convey strong or enduring messages.
Apparently it has 4 or 5 acres to expand onto... Why didn't they save the bears until then?! A lot of the exhibits are fine, but this space could have been used more for the other species there and the bears need more room. I just don't know why the owner didn't get this land which they may even already own
I have uploaded a photo of Jack the Polar Bear at Chessington Zoo less than 50 years ago. Does anything regarding the Sun Bear enclosure spring to mind?
