Sun bears, RSCC, Kent

Indeed the name is 'Rare Species Conservation Centre', so I can't imagine a nul conservation message there.

Isn't the entire conservation centre only a few acres in size? For those of you that have visited, what would be the most spectacular exhibit at the zoo?

It's a 1.5 acre site. I've not been there but the photos don't exactly make me want to grab my coat and race down to Kent.

i know this isnt all the exhibit, go on its thread and there is a link to a really good website that has a photo to all of the exhibit

The exhibit has lots of natural substrate, but it appears to be entirely surrounded by black metal bars. On top of that it is awfully small for bears.

These are sun bears, meaning they are small and largely aboreal, so I think it's at least reasonably sized.

I have visited the RSCC. I think that this enclosure is adequate for 2 half-grown sun bears - but no better than that. It won't be large enough when they are adult and they will need another one, adjoining this one, if they are to breed the bears. The enclosure is ugly and it is hard to view the bears well; on the other hand it does provide some enrichment (although less than when it was grassed). When I was there the male bear was clearly dominant and it seemed to me that the female was trying to keep out of his way - did you notice anything similar?

Alan

Yes I did actually, he kept going for her, but she wasn't avoiding him at all, and they were playing a lot. Apoparently they chewed up the grass, it just shows how important the substrate is for bears.
And snowleopard, the centre is actually 2 acres, and I wouldn't call any of the enclosures spectacular, but 95 % of them are perfectly acceptable. However most of the indoor cages in the rainforest building (especially the Ocelots) leave a lot to be desired. However, that part of the zoo is due to be renovated.

Have you got any pictures from inside the rainforest building, ashley-h?

Some, I might upload them later when I'm on my laptop, that's where I saved the pictures. Although most of those cages are far too small.