Best bear exhibits?

My list of top 2 per zoo is only from the ones I have visited so far:

American Black Bear
  • North Carolina Zoo
  • Lowry Park Zoo
Andean Bear
  • Smithsonian National Zoo
  • Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Asiatic Black Bear
  • Virginia Zoo
  • Philadelphia Zoo
Brown Bear
  • Columbus Zoo
  • Akron Zoo
Giant Panda
  • Smithsonian National Zoo
Polar Bear
  • North Carolina Zoo
  • Columbus Zoo
Sloth Bear
  • Smithsonian National Zoo
  • Lowry Park Zoo
Sun Bear
  • Columbus Zoo
  • Virginia Zoo
 
jayjds2 said:
San Diego has an ok exhibit, but it lacks space.

National's are a bit bigger but neither has sufficient climbing structures. They aren't naturalistic in the slightest, either.
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Both enclosures have a couple trees in them and one has a small climbing structure. I have seen two sets of cubs high in the trees on many occasions.
 
blospz said:
Both enclosures have a couple trees in them and one has a small climbing structure. I have seen two sets of cubs high in the trees on many occasions.
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Yes, since posting I've reconsidered my opinion. I consider them to be much better than I did before, though I won't have a true opinion until I can see the bears actually using the habitat (I only saw them twice, both times sleeping). However, I still feel that the size could be improved, and the ugly concrete both in and around the exhibit is an eyesore.
 
jayjds2 said:
Yes, since posting I've reconsidered my opinion. I consider them to be much better than I did before, though I won't have a true opinion until I can see the bears actually using the habitat (I only saw them twice, both times sleeping). However, I still feel that the size could be improved, and the ugly concrete both in and around the exhibit is an eyesore.
Click to expand...

Yes, there are some concrete visual elements that hinder it from looking like a natural environment. But it makes more sense now of your view as you didn't see the bears use the space. You appreciate it more when there are active cubs around. The adult bears usually sleep, eat, or go down the stairs to get back inside.
 
Top Ones I've Seen (In Order)

Polar Bear: Detroit, Columbus, North Carolina, San Diego, Toledo

Grizzly Bear: Columbus (by far), Brookfield, Bronx, North Carolina

Black Bear: North Carolina, Columbus, Lowry Park, Miami, Philadelphia

Sun Bear: Columbus (by far), San Diego

Sloth Bear: National (by far), Columbus, Philadelphia

Andean Bear: Philadelphia, Queens

Worst I Have Seen

Polar Bear: Milwaukee County, Bronx, Cincinnati (The old ones at Cleveland, Lincoln Park and Toronto were atrocious)

Grizzly Bear: Cleveland, Milwaukee, Riverbanks (before the renovation)

Black Bear: Pittsburgh (Closed Down Thank God), Cleveland, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Houston

Best I Haven't Seen (Based on Reviews, Photos and Videos)

Polar Bear: Assiniboine Park, Hogle, Toronto, Como Park, Buffalo

Grizzly Bear: Woodland Park, Minnesota, Akron, Northwest Trek, Oklahoma City

Black Bear: Minnesota, Oregon, Northwest Trek, Oklahoma City

Andean Bear: Saint Louis (Visiting in May), Phoenix

Sun Bear: Saint Louis (Visiting in May), Oakland

Sloth Bear: Woodland Park
 
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