When the grotto renovation project was first announced I too wished a tropical bear species was chosen instead and the area would've been treated as an extension of Jungle Trails. However, the limitations of using the old rockwork made black bears the obvious choice. There's really only room for one enclosure and holding areas are quite small, meaning that breeding would not have been possible. Overall, the zoo picks up two new charismatic species, takes a step towards creating a comprehensive North American exhibit, and replaces an outdated space while maintaining significant history. Seems like a win to me.
I haven't been to Cincinnati yet, but I agree it receives way too much unnecessary criticism on this forum just like several other major midwestern zoos. Yes the hippo exhibit is too small and the non-ABC collection has been greatly diminished to a saddening degree, but there's so much that is great: Elephant Trek looks fantastic, Jungle Trails is beautiful, the insect house is arguably the best of its kind in America, the little penguin aviary, the extensive nocturnal mammal collection, etc. The botanical gardens and sustainability initiatives should be envied by almost every zoo in the country, not to mention tons of amazing historical elements from the reptile house to the old elephant (future giraffe) house to the passenger pigeon memorial. Although I'm not sure why bringing back polar bears and pinnipeds is taking priority over building an improved space for their superstar pachyderms, Cincinnati is a terrific zoo that's heading a very positive direction.
