North America's Polar Bear Exhibits

Polar bears are one species of animal that in my mind have traditionally received a raw deal from zoos. Many bear exhibits worldwide are outdated, ugly pits or concrete monstrosities that look nothing like a bear's natural environment. According to ISIS there are 36 collections in North America that have polar bears, and I have visited 18 of them. I believe that the one and only establishment with a truly outstanding exhibit for these amazing bears is the Detroit Zoo. The award-winning, 4.5 acre polar bear, seal, fox set of habitats (Arctic Ring of Life) is easily one of the finest exhibits for any animal in North America, but after that there is a steep drop-off in quality.

Top 5 polar bear exhibits in North America...and 4 of them could use much more space and natural substrate. Are there some good enclosures that I have not visited?

1- Detroit Zoo (no one else is even close)
2- San Diego Zoo
3- Toledo Zoo
4- Memphis Zoo
5- Pittsburgh Zoo

The Worst:

1- Bronx Zoo (hard to believe at this fantastic zoo)
2- San Francisco Zoo
3- Brookfield Zoo (although that is changing this year)
4- Lincoln Park Zoo

 

Cleveland's is also terrible and Pittsburgh's shouldn't be in the top 5. I have heard Maryland Zoo in Baltimore has an excellent Polar Bear exhibit.

 

I've only seen pictures of it but is Central Parks exhibit good.

 

Central Park's exhibit is alright and the keepers are really nice but it is basically the same as a lot of others, concrete land area and deep pool.

 

Henry Doorly Zoo's is also terrible.

 

Updated list:

Best:

1- Detroit Zoo (head and shoulders above the rest)
2- San Diego Zoo
3- Toledo Zoo
4- Memphis Zoo
5- Maryland Zoo
6- Pittsburgh Zoo

Worst:

1- Bronx Zoo
2- San Francisco Zoo
3- Brookfield Zoo
4- Lincoln Park Zoo
5- Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
6- Cleveland Zoo

 

Snowleopard, I would love to see your updated list and to see if anything has changed. I do not think you saw the one at the Columbus Zoo, but I feel it would creep up into your top 5.