(seriously, please tell me there's more out of shot? I've been around the equivalent at San Diego some years ago but was too interested in my first-ever Belugas and Walrus to notice signs!)
Personally I find it somewhat ironic that we brits are being told how much we should look up to the USA's zoos crammed full of their realistic mock-rock when this is what its corrupting influence leads to. So, what do you think of this exhibit Mr Snowleopard, enough rock in it for you?
@redpanda: ouch! I thought that you agreed with most of my zoo-related observations? Nice zinger at me, but in all honesty this is an extremely poor exhibit for polar bears. It is atrocious that the bears have such a small area, and the fact that just about everything seems to be fake is appalling. I've only ever seen one truly excellent polar bear exhibit ("Arctic Ring of Life" at the Detroit Zoo) as there are far too many enclosures for bears that are all concrete and mock-rock. This Seaworld exhibit looks as if it belongs in a Las Vegas hotel!
@redpanda: ouch! I thought that you agreed with most of my zoo-related observations? Nice zinger at me, but in all honesty this is an extremely poor exhibit for polar bears. It is atrocious that the bears have such a small area, and the fact that just about everything seems to be fake is appalling. I've only ever seen one truly excellent polar bear exhibit ("Arctic Ring of Life" at the Detroit Zoo) as there are far too many enclosures for bears that are all concrete and mock-rock. This Seaworld exhibit looks as if it belongs in a Las Vegas hotel!
Often I do, yes. But I'm afraid I will never share your wish for perfection in zoos and I will point out that my definition of "rubbish" contrasts greatly with your definition of "trash". As it is, I was merely trying to point out that even with american budgets and oodles of realistic rock-work you can end up with an exhibit which is, in my opinion, actually worse than colchester's. At least their hyenas are provided for - something which most certainly cannot be said for SeaWorld's polar bears. So perhaps if you would lower your standards just a little, then I think not only would you enjoy zoos much more, but you would also avoid receiving "zinger's" from us across the pond!
Maguari, yes Wild Arctic has plenty of educational graphics and displays, the plain polar bear sign visible in this shot is a stylistic theming touch and not the only info on the bears.
