I find it a bit ironic that the Chinese insist that their pandas are given the greatest care and respect in Western zoos because of their importance in Chinese culture and in Endangerment programs yet treat them like this in their own country.
@amur leopard 'the Chinese'? Who are you referring to?
Let's just assume you mean the relevant authorities who sign off on the transfer of pandas from breeding centres in Chengdu to zoos inside and outside of China. Then yes, I totally agree
Although, this actually seems be a reasonable exhibit for a large, sedentary bear.
@FunkyGibbon Honestly I cannot justify this as a reasonable exhibit compared to the exhibit western zoos have to build for these animals. I find this rather poor! Though that seems to be the general theme of the zoo as far as I could tell by your photos of this park.
@Ursus Yes I agree it compares unfavourably to the standard that is prescribed in Western zoos, but by how much? Aesthetically it looks awful, but the pandas don't care. Sizewise it seems of a magnitude with say Berlin. There is natural substrate and live trees. I'd like to see more opportunity to escape the gaze or attention of visitors.
This zoo is a bizarre and fundamentally pretty awful place.