American Black Bear

Los Angeles has phased out almost all of its bear species. The two American Black Bears, both rescued from the wild as youngsters, are the only remaining bears to be seen here. This institution once exhibited Grizzly, Polar, Kodiak, Sloth, Sun, Spectacled, Asiatic Black, as well as the American Black. There was talk of a California themed habitat that would showcase Grizzlys, as well as California Condors and Cougars. No news on this project in recent years though.

Were all those species exhibited at once?

Blackduiker

In the first year of the zoos opening, I can remember Polar, Grizzly, Kodiak, American Black and Sun Bears. I believe there were also Asiatic or Sloth as well. Of course the Spectacled Bears had been in the South American section for as long as I can remember, so they may have been there during the first year as well. If you remember the old Orangutan enclosure, before Red Ape Rain Forest opened, now part of the new China Francois' Langur/mix species habitat, the Spectacled Bears were right next to it, just as you entered South America. Including the former Orangutan enclosure, a string of four enclosures were originally designed for bears.They also include the space occupying the Francois' Langurs night quarters; which exhibited Sloth Bears. And the current Markhor enclosure; which also opened in 1966 with bears.

Along with those 4 originally designed for bears, you had 3 bear habitats in the North American section. That space now occupied by the 2 Gorilla habitats. And don't forget the Polar Bear enclosure in the old Aquatics section. That's potentially 8 species of bears that were once exhibited simultaneously!

Wow, I wish I had been there when the zoo opened. Hopefully there are plans for new bear enclosures in the future.

Blackduiker

At least the Grizzly habitat shown in the master plans and maybe a new Polar Bear exhibit, as was discussed in a news conference several years ago.

The black bear habitat is looking very dated at this point in time but they should receive a new enclosure in the Californian section according to the masterplan.

This masterplan does not make any reference to a new Polar Bear enclosure, however!

@Cat-Man it would be amazing to have that polar bears back in the zoo . It’s really
Missing those staple animals .
Andean and sloth are a big focus for SSP we should be able to have atleast one of those

I think the return of Polar Bears to Los Angeles is just never going to happen, rightly or wrongly. There have even been some murmurs that San Diego are going to give theirs up in the near future.

Anybody know where the Black Bears have gone to?

@Cat-Man really . What’s the plan for SDZ . I wonder also if there will get any more sun bears once Marcella passes since they have sun bear forest ??

I’ll try and find the specific post but I believe it was on the San Diego zoo news thread for this year. The current polar bear enclosure is good, but there has been better ones opened in recent years. I believe their bears (are there two, or three?) are quite old now, and according to other members on this forum there is a shortage of polar bears in North American institutions at the moment. This with climatic concerns have lead some to speculate that their bears won’t be replaced once they die, although nothing is confirmed.

FWIW I hope they don’t go out of them. It would be a massive shame. I still don’t anticipate them returning to Los Angeles though, it isn’t in the master plan. But the master plan is fantastic and if it’s completed as stated I wouldn’t be disappointed about the absence of them!