There may have been lions in this grotto at one time after Sun Bear Forest was built, but I think for most of its existence it has held bears. The old grotto that had lions for most of its years was demolished to make way for Sun Bear Forest (1989?).
These small chain of grottos need to be demolished after the new African Rocks is built, but is it just me or do these grottos seem aesthetically pleasing than most? I think this specific exhibit held Transvaal Lions previously. What other species have been kept in Bear Canyon before?
At one time there were 10 grottoes in this area (5 pairs of adjoining grottoes) in what was then known as Bear Canyon. At the lowest part of the canyon were 4 that were demolished to make room for Sun Bear Forest. There are still 6, including this one. I believe much of the simulated rockwork in the 6 that remain has been refurbished over the years to appear more convincing, and natural substrate has been added, as well as plants and deadfalls and a few waterfalls.
In the late 1970's/early 1980's I remember that the pair of grottoes at the bottom of the canyon contained a tiger species in one and African lion in the other. The next pair was for polar bear, and they were exceptionally ugly exhibits with smooth white concrete work. The next 6 grottoes (the ones still there) were for other bears; I remember seeing Alaskan brown bear, black bear, spectacled (Andean) bear, sun bear, moon (Asiatic black) bear, sloth bear...in other words, every species of bear except panda.
Between at least two of the pairs of grottoes were simple pinniped pools (one still exists and currently contains Pacific otter). I remember a large male sealion in one, I believe it was Stellar's sealion. At the bottom of the canyon, at the junction with the other two canyons, was a very large California sealion pool with a pedestrian bridge across it and surrounded by cafe seating. It was one of the liveliest spots in the zoo, but was demolished in the mid-1980's and replaced with the Canyon Cafe (now the Hua Mei Cafe).
