Banyan Wilds - Sloth Bear Exhibit #1 (New in 2015)

May 10th, 2015.

Are the rock walls at the back new? Or remnants of an old exhibit?

They are remnants, much like the exhibit. Some new rockwork has been added.

The 1950's grotto has barely been altered, other than the rock formation that has become a bear den and the disappearance of the climbing structure. One could make the case that the new Sloth Bear exhibit is actually worse than it used to be as the viewing area is now much smaller for visitors. The second Sloth Bear exhibit is much better (but simply the old Sun Bear grotto with viewing windows) while the one in the photo above is disappointing. Instead of being able to view the bears via a long guard rail that traveled the length of the enclosure, now there is a fairly small viewing area that allows visitors to see the bears only through glass.

This photo of the exhibit is from 11 months ago:

http://www.zoochat.com/622/sloth-bear-exhibit-368191/

Thanks both. I would have seen this exhibit then when I visited last year then, I remember thinking that new exhibits would be a great addition to the zoo, but I was imagining something more like what the bears in Northern Trail have, rather than just renovated grottoes. Very disappointing.

Well I can at least commend them for the natural substrate on the ground and the cave area for shade (even if the mock rock work is quite evident).