San Diego Zoo San Diego Zoo - Grizzly Bear exhibit

[HoneyDontBadger]

Hi guys,
I’m watching The Zoo on Animal Planet and they are doing a piece on the Grizzly Bears.
I’ve heard great things about San Diego so not being disrespectful, but the enclosure looks awfully small and dated.
I didn’t think much of the Polar Bear Exhibit or the Lions either I’m afraid.
Can anyone who’s been there or has a better insight than me make me feel better about it please.

Thanks and all the best,

HDB

 

[Aardwolf]

I’ve been inside that exhibit and thought it looked pretty good compared to most of the brown bear exhibits I’ve seen. Not the best, but nowhere near the bottom of the pile. That and the keepers are fantastic. I think there’s a tendency to expect a lot from San Diego based on its reputation, and sometimes it just can’t meet the expectations. But I don’t think you need to feel bad for those bears.

 

[IndianRhino]

All of the exhibits on Center Street including the grizzly grotto are okay at best. Like @Aardwolf said they aren’t terrible but they could really use a renovation in that area. The lion habitat also isn’t one of my favorites either, but I will say the polar bear habitat is very nice and probably one of the best in the country, not as good as Columbus and Detroit’s, but still really good imo.

 

[Akula]

The whole Grotto exhibits for bears is no longer the new style from my experience, but some of the best North American “Bear” exhibits are absolutely Assiniboine Park Zoo in Canada, The Columbus Zoo, Detroit Zoo, Washington’s Panda Exhibit, and the Memphis Zoo’s exhibits are super nice and definitely worth a visit.