I just read this morning that Rizzo the polar bear (on loan at Cincinnati Zoo) and a trio of grizzly bears were all heading from Buffalo to Utah's Hogle Zoo for the grand opening of Hogle's Rocky Shores complex. So what will be the situation in the bear grottoes at Buffalo Zoo? How many bears will be left in the outdated enclosures? Is there still a long-term plan to renovate the entire area and replace the pits with new habitats or has financial concerns put that on the backburner for now? Is there still a historical sign that actually says "Bear Pits" in front of these grottoes?
A senior UK zoo employee (clue: he now works in Scotland) once described many Polar Bear enclosures as being built with furry seals in mind rather than white Brown Bears.
It's so sad, because it's obvious when you think about it, really..
There are more zoos with at least one terrible exhibit like this than there are ones with out.For example Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo has arguabley the worst big cat complex we have ever seen however not for a minute would we consider not visiting.
I think the Bronx Zoo's bear exhibits aren't all that different from this either. Now that elephant exhibits have gotten "fix it or quit it" orders from the AZA, it is time for the same thing for bear exhibits.
There are some great bear exhibits around as models:
San Diego and Detroit (judging by photos) for polar bears
Woodland Park and Minnesota (judging by photos) for grizzlies
Oakland for sun bears
I've never seen a great black bear exhibit, but there are probably some out there somewhere.
from what i seen from pictures oregon zoos black bear ridge, Brookfield zoos great bear wilderness and knoxville zoos black bear falls all have good black bear enclosures.
