Brown bear; Whipsnade; 9th October 2010

Whipsnade’s brown bear enclosure is nearly 80 years old, yet it is probably the finest bear exhibit that I’ve ever seen........

I look forward to see it in April; I'll most likely be coming down then to do the big name zoos in the south of England.

It has seemed to me that it is only the old surrounding bars that bother people, which is no big deal whatsoever to me. I look at the big picture instead of letting minor things like that ruin my day.

It’s several years since we last met; let me know if you’d like to meet up at one of the zoos you visit in April.

I agree entirely with that; the fact that it provides a great environment for the bears is much more important than the old-fashioned bars that surround part of the enclosure. And, anyway, you can get a clear uninterrupted view of the bears along the walkway between the bears and the wolverines.

If it's the same enclosure I saw back in 1984, I'd have to agree it is one of the best bear enclosures I've ever seen too. I was very impressed with the size and the amount of vegetation in the exhibit, very natural. Yes, the bars are a bit harsh looking, but necessary for a species such as this.

Tim, I've sent you an e-mail regarding the April trip.

I actually find them an interesting remnant of the old carnivore pits at Whipsnade- this is the only remaining enclosure for large carnivores from that era. They all (except the Kodiak Bears) used the same 'bars with overhang' as are still here at the back of the Brown Bears' enclosure.