Best Andean Bear enclosure in Germany

[felis silvestris]

This is just a bit of fun to judge the general consensus on the best enclosure for Andean Bears in Germany. I have added a few photos from the gallery to make it easier for members to compare the different exhibits. If anyone wants to make an argument for a particular enclosure, please feel free to do so. Also, I would encourage people to list the enclosures in order of what they think is best.

If there are any outdated photos, collections that no longer hold them or people have photos for exhibits not in the gallery or with poor photos please let me know.

Duisburg

Tierpark Berlin



Frankfurt

Cologne

There are no photos of the exhibit when it currently holds them in the gallery, but here are photos of the bear grottos which I believe may hold them now.

Leipzig

They are supposedly still listed on ZTL, but their exhibit has been redeveloped that they lived in until 2013. I think they probably have them offshow, but can someone please tell me who has visited, that would be great.

Wilhelma

Photo credits to @lintworm @snowleopard

 

[ZooTripper365]

I'm torn between Wilhelma and Duisberg! Both are fantastic but I'm learning more towards Wilhelma for it's water feature. I'll keep you all updated on who I've voted for.

 

[snowleopard]

Both Duisburg and Frankfurt have outstanding Andean Bear exhibits, both truly special in their own way. There was also a sign for Bush Dogs at the Frankfurt enclosure when I was there in 2019, although I'm not sure if that's still the case. Either zoo could easily win here, but I'll go with Frankfurt.

 

[ZooTripper365]

Ok after careful consideration, I've gone for Duisberg. This decision was purely based on aesthetics as I think Frankfurt and Wilhelma both have excellent animal welfare.

 

[lintworm]

It is between Duisburg and Frankfurt for me, despite both not using the nicest mock rock. Both are somewhat similar-sized, though Frankfurt is slightly larger at ±1300 square metres compared to ±1200 square metres in Duisburg. I can't remember however whether Duisburg has any meaningful separation enclosure, if it can't be large? Frankfurt's exhibit is divided into 2 similar-sized exhibits, so from a separation standpoint is superior. The male enclosure also has a small pack of bush dogs (still present last week), which is an entertaining mix. So for now I go with Frankfurt.

 

[ralph]

Wilhelma, Frankfurt and Duisburg are all excellent.

I only saw a sleeping bear in Wilhelma, but was able to enjoy some very active bears in Frankfurt and Duisburg so I have more fond memories of those. Which might cloud my judgement a little.

I voted for Frankfurt in the end solely because of the superior seperation possibilities.

 

[Cat-Man]

Enjoyed these photos - Germany has some fantastic Spectacled bear enclosures.

Berlin is really letting itself down here. It wouldn't be tricky to add some more climbing apparatus and a mature tree or two.

 

[markmeier]

Berlin is really letting itself down here. It wouldn't be tricky to add some more climbing apparatus and a mature tree or two.

I think they did put in some more climbing structures after this picture was taken (or some of them just get blocked by the metal beam, not quite sure tbh). While it still doesn't come anywhere close to any of the top exhibits, is is not quite as sad as it may appear. But they lack decent separation possibilities and looking in this rather narrow but deep exhibit through the large glass windows also really doesn't do it for me (unless a bear happens to poach up to you on a damp winter day and then suddenly appears at the foggy glass - I've experienced it a couple of times and once a lady standing right in front of the window almost fell down).