Abandoned Polar Bear Exhibit (in Stanley Park and not used since 1997)

July 6th, 2016.

Am I remembering correctly that someone was talking about turning this exhibit into a salmon hatchery at one point?

DavidBrown said:

Am I remembering correctly that someone was talking about turning this exhibit into a salmon hatchery at one point?

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Possibly, although the two old grottoes have essentially remained empty and unused for almost 20 years now. These 1962 bear pits certainly clash with the sleek, modern look of the brand-new aquarium entrance (built in 2014) literally a one or two minute walk away.

snowleopard said:

Possibly, although the two old grottoes have essentially remained empty and unused for almost 20 years now. These 1962 bear pits certainly clash with the sleek, modern look of the brand-new aquarium entrance (built in 2014) literally a one or two minute walk away.

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Have they torn down the old monkey cages and penguin pool where the zoo was or are those still standing?

DavidBrown said:

Have they torn down the old monkey cages and penguin pool where the zoo was or are those still standing?

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Other than the polar bear complex the entire zoo is long gone and in fact there was a referendum in the 1990's whether to upgrade the facility or close it down for good and the public voted to shut things down. A barnyard zone remained open until 2011 but that is gone as well.

According to this zoo history the polar bear exhibit was already converted into a salmon hatchery: Vancouver History: Stanley Park Zoo Vancouver Blog Miss604

It clearly isn't a salmon hatchery now, so it must not have lasted long.