DavidBrown, yes, RWPZ is one of my local zoos. It is only an hour away from where I am based. The Zoo, is really the best in New England, at least, in my opinion. Wish they'd bring back cheetahs, though, they placed Wild Dog's in their former exhibit (seems to be a Zoo trend). What it lacks in most Zoo-Goers eyes, it makes up in other places. There's no Orang, Gorilla, Chimp, but there are Gibbon. No big cats besides, snow leopard, which is why I think a tiger exhibit would be good, if that is one of the ways they will go, without doing polar bears now.
The Polar Bear Exhibit being cancelled, is fine if it is solely based on lack of financial support. In the few years since the exhibit was drawn out on paper, many other zoos have opened up exhibits and complexes. The bear exhibit was only 20,000 sq. ft., which to some, may be too small. It would be a vast improvement over their former exhibit (which is now renovated for Bald Eagle) though. Then you think about the lack of polar bears available, and most zoos only exhibiting one bear until others are available, if that will ever happen. I think it is a good decision, add more exhibits and animals, rather than sinking 15 million plus dollars. Which is what it would have cost a few years ago, now, probably more. I would rather more exhibits, even if they are small species, if it helps educate the public, rather than having one polar bear on exhibit, where due to lack of funding, something would get cut. They are a charismatic species and there are no polar bear exhibits in new england now or on the horizon, so myself and others will have to get their fix by going to Central Park or even the Bronx, which is fine. I'd rather see the Zoo grow, than stay fixated on that exhibit, so I am all for it being cancelled, others, not so much. Mostly non-regular visitors and some members have been griping about it being cancelled, but do they open their wallets, nope, they just whine and complain on the zoos facebook page. Good for them. I am excited for what is to come, new takin exhibit, addition of red river hogs, king vulture, new Children's Zoo (which opens on Monday, I have kids so they are thrilled). It will be a top-notch addition to the Zoo. There will be local animals added in the next phase of the Children's Zoo exhibit. Should be great to get a local message to the visitors.
Not sure if this has ever been posted or if anyone has seen it, but here is the layout of the cancelled polar bear exhibit, as well as showing other exhibits in that area of the Zoo.
http://www.ursainternational.org/w-RWPZ-siteplan.jpg