Vintage Bristol Zoo Bear Pit

Bristol Zoo bear pit, 1965

A few day's ago I posted information about the upcoming get together at the Bristol zoo(type Bristol Zoo in the search bar), along with a picture of the bear pit in the early 60's, and asked if it was still in existence. Neil Williams, who worked for Mary Chipperfield and also at the Twycross Zoo for a number of years, was kind enough to forward the pictures below. It seems the "pit" is closed and no longer used, but Bristol has "retained the memories" in a wonderful way, by moving the " center pole/habitat enrichment tree" near the aquarium. That's really great when zoo's retain an important part of their history. Does anyone have any idea what became of the "pointed fence" that surrounded the pit?



Photos(bottom two) courtesy of Neil Williams