Hagenbeck's legacy continues to live on across the globe. If one were to look at this photo it could be from just about any zoo on the planet, even though quite a few of these generic bear exhibits have been phased out of existence.
it really is surprising how similar bear enclosures are everywhere in the world. I tend not to think too badly of this type of bear enclosure because it does give them more room than a cage, and is probably better for them than a pit because at least they have a view out. I just always wonder why bears are almost always kept on concrete with little else to entertain them. Even just covering the ground in a thick layer of dirt (with rubble at the bottom for drainage) would make their enclosure infinitely better because then they could at least dig. Just as an aside, you can probably tell from this dreary photo how heavy the rain was on the day of this visit!
I agree, there is always a tendency to use a "hard base" such as concrete or, in this case rock, it is an unforgiving, harsh and very boring surface, providing nothing for the animals apart from perhaps a little wear to keep claws in check!
