Polar Frontier--When is enough, enough?

Berlin Zoo had this "educational" theme decades ago with their Wisent house. Now it is called "antiquated/old zoological thinking." We have seen Gorilla's, Killer Whales, Polar Bears, etc. and the recent insanity Elephants, do their time as the "animal du jour." When will a camel, or a wisent, or a coati mundi get their chance at being the "feel good 0 the year?" "Public perception" is the inmate running the asylum.

Polar Frontier--When is enough, enough?

Polar Frontier--When is enough, enough?

I recall when zoo's were disbanding the amusement parks that had been connected to their zoo's for decades, because of the public "perception". Then they found a compromise with "endangered species carousels". Now Klondike mining camps, cart and wagons(used by an animal when it was a beast of burden), Turkish bazaars, Hindu Temples etc. have all become the rage and "educational" justification from the east coast to the west coast, north to south. Columbus Zoo among others have built a replica of the place where Mercedes was almost shot, and had to be captured to tie in with the rest of their Polar Bear endeavor. I wonder what the folks "perceive?" When does having too much money, and wasting it needlessly become as awful as not having the funds, as did Edinburgh and had to wait for the army? Every zoo that has built some new elaborate "exhibit" in a effort to "keep up with the Jones" about 60% of it a total waste, has at least one exhibit at their zoo, sorely in need realistic repair/update.

Twenty years ago I was standing with a zoo director, view his facilities brand new multi million dollar "Wolf Wonderland" shaking my head. The gentleman asked, "what do you think?" I replied, "your old facility was very good for the wolves? What you should have done with all this money, was built something more suitable for your orangutans ." He sighed and said, "I agree with you, but the donor who was offering us four and a half million dollars is crazy in love with wolves, and she said she would only give us the money, if we used it to build a new wolf habitat better then the one such and such zoo built." It was 15 years before his orangutans had a suitable habitat, and the wolfs could not have cared less. Public "perception" is a hard thing to have to work with or work around.

Polar Frontier--When is enough, enough?

Statue at Columbus Zoo's new "Polar Frontier" above, and statue at the Highland Wildlife Park front entrance below.

Edinburgh Zoo

I wonder if Edinburgh had relocated their Cape Hunting Dog's, and moved Mercedes if the public "perception" would have been more favorable to having Polar Bears at the zoo? Or did Edinburgh get out from under something, much as Prince Albert did in his donation of the leopards to Born Free. Or did they just find temporary relief from the "public perception," permitting them in a short time to "perceive", why don't you get rid of that animal also?

Highland Wildlife Park Polar Bear Habitat

During construction above and below, before 4 acres of permanent "hot wire" was added to secure the enclosure and make happy the inhabitant. But don't use a "hot shot" to get her into or out of her holding pen/night den pictured in the threads below. Folks don't mind looking at hot wire as long as it is in a big enclosure and they can "perceive" that it is harmless, because now "Bambi" is happy and has a lot of room. If she can't stay away from the "hot wire" in 4 acres surely it is her fault. But if she can't stay away from it in a zoo bear enclosure it is because it is too small, or so they perceive.

Edinburgh Zoo/Highland Wildlife Park Polar Bear

New Polar Bear Enclosure above, circled at the Highland Wildlife Park, and below circled at the Edinburgh Zoo.

Aerial view of the Edinburgh Zoo Polar Bear Exhibit

Edinburgh Zoo Polar Bear

Note again, in the picture below, "boo boo's all gone." Again note the "hot wire" to keep the bear off of the wall. In the photo's above you will note the same use of "hot wire" to keep the same bear off of the fence in a 4 acre exhibit.

Edinburgh Zoo Polar Bear

Note the "rubbing" is gone in the photo above. It depends upon what time of year the animal is looked at, how dry it has been, and yes the size of it's enclosure, even with electricity as a deterrent the bear will find a wall to rub/pace against. But it is purely cosmetic or "public perception."

Animal rights campaigners believe the Polar Bear’s stone-built pen, around 40m in diameter with rocks, logs and a small moat, is too small, causing her anxiety and depression, which she exhibits by pacing her cage and wearing her fur and skin down by constant rubbing.

Edinburgh Zoo Polar Bear

Edinburgh Zoo Polar Bear

Edinburgh Zoo Polar Bear

Edinburgh Zoo Polar Bear

For the last 25 years she has lived at Edinburgh Zoo but is to be moved to a four-acre enclosure in the Highlands, the largest of its kind in Europe. The £300,000 enclosure — that’s the size of four football pitches — will recreate the natural environment of the Bear’s Canadian home and will include a large natural swimming pool. There will also be a public viewing platform on a hill overlooking the bear’s new home.

Last week, officials from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which owns Edinburgh Zoo, said around £75,000 was needed to complete the enclosure at Highland Wildlife Park, near Kingussie in Inverness. They hope to raise the money through public appeals and fundraising campaigns so that Mercedes can be moved later this year.

Mercedes, named after the car company which assisted with the costs of her transport, has been in Edinburgh since 1984. She was rescued from her native Canada after she was scheduled to be shot for roaming into a nearby town in search of food. However, there has been sustained criticism of Edinburgh Zoo during Mercedes’ time in captivity. Animal rights campaigners believe the Polar Bear’s stone-built pen, around 40m in diameter with rocks, logs and a small moat, is too small, causing her anxiety and depression, which she exhibits by pacing her cage and wearing her fur and skin down by constant rubbing.

When Mercedes arrived at Edinburgh Zoo she was paired with a male polar bear called Barney. They produced two cubs, To-Nuik and Ohoto. Barney died 13 years ago. Mercedes has been on her own since then.

“It has been our intention to move Mercedes for a couple of years now,” said Iain Valentine, director of animals, conservation and education for RZSS. “She has been happy at Edinburgh Zoo and her existing enclosure is perfectly adequate, but public perception has always been that they would like to see her in a larger enclosure. Originally we had to raise £300,000 to build her a suitable enclosure at Highland Wildlife Park. Thankfully, the Army has agreed to help us build the structures required and we now only need to raise an additional £75,000. If everything goes to plan, she will be in her new Highland home by the end of the year.”

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There's that "public perception" that Gary mentioned, and as a rule it has nothing to do with facts. But it has to be dealt with, if you are going to get the fund's necessary to keep operating or to rebuild and improve. We are worrying about creating a natural life for an animal named after a car company that paid to rescue her, after she was to be shot for doing what a wild bear does naturally when encroached upon by man????? Does anyone know of an animal, that spends a large part of it's life "wet" that does not rub it's self? Purely cosmetic, causing absolutely no pain or discomfort, unless it is a girth/cinch rub on a sweaty horse. Then you use a different girth/cinch/medication and it goes away. They actually have girth's/cinch's that prevent rubbing today, so you don't lose a day or two waiting for it to heal.

Glasgow Zoo Bear Exhibit

This photo of a world class leader in bears is dated. What date I do not know. It is a shot from the front of the exhibit, when in use. The photo's below are shots from the back of the now closed exhibit/zoo. Can anybody help with a date?