Curiously enough all 3 of the zoo's black bears used the structure on my visit, and there are 2 bears sleeping on it in this photo. However, I am not defending it at all as it is an eyesore.
Now i see them, since black bears have problems with human contact, the ugly shack here gives the wrong idea. However,in general this is a very nice zoo.
First Point: Does it really matter how "attractive" an exhibit is? This structure is great for the bears, and they have a great exhibit, so the only complaint is its appearence.
Second Point: This is themed around the southern swamps of Louisiana. So doesn't this look like something the rednecks down there would build. I think it adds to the realism.
The point is not really only the structure is ugly, it is the idea that bears like to be in human spaces, the yogi and boo boo stuff, it has cost many bears to be killed. I hope that the zoo somewhere in this exhibit explains that contact between bears and humans is not good for either one.
True, but if you want to show a southern black bear in its natural habitat, then to be truthfull and honest, you must show that they live in the same area. And I don't think it matters if people think bears and humans live in the same area, because its not like knowing that is going to change anything.
