Beautiful animal, I love the fact they look so unkempt. Really wish there were more of them in the UK! What are the bear enclosures like at the zoo? An improvement on the Tierpark?
Well, the exhibits for Sloth, Sun, Asian Black and Polar are basically similar to the Polar/Spectacled/American Black exhibits at the Tierpark - although many of them have all- or mostly-rock substrates which is clearly not ideal. The Brown Bear exhibit has been refurbished and probably the nicest Berlin bear exhibit. The Giant Panda exhibit is not large, but is perfectly alright for a single panda (the second exhibit used when there were two was far too small, but that now has Tayras). There's nothing at the zoo that is anything like the Tierpark's Sun Bear exhibit!
(and yes, for those paying attention, that is a full set of eight bear species between the two zoos!)
I've seen photo's of the brown bear exhibit, it looks very nice now that they've redone it.
And I know that the sloth bears at Whipsnade are Sri Lankan, a much more worthy conservation attempt even though I can't see the sibling pair being allowed to breed. Surely more zoos could try and help the critically(?) endangered sub species rather than the more common Indian? I know that they focus on Sri Lankans in the USA though so maybe it balances out!
I've seen photo's of the brown bear exhibit, it looks very nice now that they've redone it.
And I know that the sloth bears at Whipsnade are Sri Lankan, a much more worthy conservation attempt even though I can't see the sibling pair being allowed to breed. Surely more zoos could try and help the critically(?) endangered sub species rather than the more common Indian? I know that they focus on Sri Lankans in the USA though so maybe it balances out!
You've hit the nail on the head - I understand there is a sort of continental gentleman's agreement that means in theory Europe should be concentrating on Indian and North America on Sri Lankan. Basically ZSL (and Moscow) have the 'wrong' animals - I think Whipsnade's Sloth Bears are basically in retirement. Indians are still pretty scarce in Europe; it will be interesting to see if Whipsnade pursue them as theirs begin to die out (which shouldn't be for some time as the two London-bred animals are not old by any means).
You've hit the nail on the head - I understand there is a sort of continental gentleman's agreement that means in theory Europe should be concentrating on Indian and North America on Sri Lankan. Basically ZSL (and Moscow) have the 'wrong' animals - I think Whipsnade's Sloth Bears are basically in retirement. Indians are still pretty scarce in Europe; it will be interesting to see if Whipsnade pursue them as theirs begin to die out (which shouldn't be for some time as the two London-bred animals are not old by any means).
It's unusual to say the least, I wonder if that's a similar reason why there's no Asiatic lions in the USA as well?
I agree that it will be interesting to see what ZSL do with theirs, I mean if the animals are of viable breeding age then why not send them to the USA or try and get a pair from over there?
I agree that it will be interesting to see what ZSL do with theirs, I mean if the animals are of viable breeding age then why not send them to the USA or try and get a pair from over there?
I suppose it depends on if there's demand for these animals' genes in the North American population - if they're not particularly in demand it may not be worth the effort/expense. Certainly I've never heard anything to suggest it is being considered.
I suppose it depends on if there's demand for these animals' genes in the North American population - if they're not particularly in demand it may not be worth the effort/expense. Certainly I've never heard anything to suggest it is being considered.
It just seems a waste not to breed from them when the wild population is under so much pressure. If the bears did come from the US which I'm guessing they did then they probably are well represented over there and your point is a lot more valid than mine!
I'm pretty sure the original pair (the older female that is still there (Lanka) and the now-deceased male Ceylon) actually came direct from Sri Lanka, in fact.
Really? Then maybe their genes aren't quite as represented in captivity then. This is pure speculation though, wish I had some facts to back this up with!
