Looking at the photo, I would never have guessed that this was an exhibit for Polar Bears. More and more European zoos are building fantastic, all-natural enclosures for this species, but the electrified fencing here scares me a little. I remember reading about Spectacled Bears escaping from Jersey Zoo in one of Gerald Durrell's books, as the electricity went out and the generators failed. I have images of rampaging and curious Polar Bears running across the French countryside.
Indeed, the two enclosures are a total of 14.000 square metres (3.5 acres) combined and while not looking like a tundra. They provide a very complex environment for the bears for probably well less then 1 million euros of construction costs.
There were some sturdy metal cages where the bears likely spend the night, but with the zoo keeping two males (which when standing tall are almost as high as the fence), this fencing doesn't look too sturdy either . But getting to see these bears up-close was a special treat.
