Is this the worst polar bear exhibit?
- Thread starter Sheather
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The Cassowary
Well-Known Member
It’s definitely the worst I’ve ever seen 
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
Sun Asia Ocean World in Dalian
I'm surprised there is not more on this place within zoochat and the exhibit actually looks worse than that of Pizza, who was housed in a Chinese shopping mall.
I'm surprised there is not more on this place within zoochat and the exhibit actually looks worse than that of Pizza, who was housed in a Chinese shopping mall.
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chaotic_froggie
Well-Known Member
Why is it that Polar Bears seem to have horrible enclosures more than any other animal?
Seems so, the photos show most of the angles and walls or glass are always behind.
Well, they are very popular, so many Zoos and Aquariums want to have them, and espically aquariums who often have not much space just make realy smal cages. There naturral habitat is made of ice, So it is often recrated with concrete. Since they need water to swim, the land part is even smaler for that.
It is wild that any sane person could think that is fit for a bear!
They can also have superb enclosures:
(Orsa Bjoernpark, Sweden)
(Assiniboine park zoo, Canada)
(Detroit Zoo, USA)
All credits to @Jodea, @snowleopard and @Moebelle.
In general, I'd say there are many species that are worse of in zoos - as a general rule, though there are of course exceptions, polar bears are kept in places that are fit to keep polar bears - whether they make exhibits that are suitable and large enough is not so assured. For example, Prague is renovated what used to be quite a poor polar bear exhibit.
Yeah, any species that's very popular, it seems like you're going to see a disproportionate number of bad enclosures for because those animals will draw in the most visitors. If your goal is to make money, you're gonna want those popular species even if you can't take care of them properly. A crappy polar bear exhibit probably draws more visitors than a really good parrot or turtle exhibit.
Buuuut at the same time, there's probably some selection bias here because a bad polar bear, tiger, or dolphin exhibit is gonna get a lot more attention than a bad snake or fish exhibit.
As mentioned by others, I can guarantee you that there are (unfortunately) quite a bunch of commonly kept species that are worse off. Domestic rabbits, for example.
The Cassowary
Well-Known Member
If we’re going into pets then I’d say goldfish and bettas deserve mention given how often people keep them in tiny bowls with no filtration or (in the bettas’ case) heating.
Sauroposeidons
Member
Yikes, this does look pretty bad. Reminds me of Tongki the polar bear's exhibit in the Everland Zoo in South Korea before he died... really unfortunate!
We don't have to, even though you're correct in regard to inadequately kept pets. I'm actually talking about domestic rabbits on display at zoos, in those old-fashioned wooden rabbit boxes
Himeji Park Zoo, i think it's worst than the afro mention one.
Fortunately the animal is gone now, to a slightly better zoo.
Fortunately the animal is gone now, to a slightly better zoo.
Already said this when you mentioned this on Discord but I think its worth saying here too since it could be an interesting point of discussion. This exhibit is of course, atrocious, but I don't think I would say it is worse as it at least has more roaming space and is outdoors but the big shock to me is that this in Japan. We get the impression Japan is a highly developed, modernised, rich country but it seems like in general there is a surprising amount of subpar exhibits. The most I can assume is cultural differences in what is considered acceptable standards for animal welfare but I couldn't say I know why in actuality though I am quite interested to learn.
Sauroposeidons
Member
I know, right! This isn't a one-off case either, there was the whole story about Honey the dolphin and tons of other penguins, reptiles and fish stuck in the permanently closed Inubosaki Marine Park Aquarium in Chiba, Tokyo. While the animals were fed and maintained by paid employees, it was still a very unfortunate sight to see. And sadly, Honey passed away last year I believe, alone in her tank.
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
No shock to me after seeing those 4 bears that YWP rescued.