New polar bear exhibit, view from above

Concrete, sweet concrete.

I'm almost afraid to ask, but what did the old polar bear exhibit look like? This one looks like it was built in the 1950s

Update: Oh my God. The new exhibit actually is an improvement: http://www.zoochat.com/2051/old-polar-bear-exhibit-pool-340707/

Dear God. I wouldn't put Coypu in the old one, and the new one would be best off being lined with wood chippings for porcupines. Those poor bears.

New Polar....

Needs at least a load of dig gable substrate & a climbing structure/platform so the bears can see over the wall. Just compare this with Hogland Wildlife Park setup, which probably cost less.

New Polar...

That should read 'Highland'

Unfortunately, nope. The zoo likes saving money on exhibit construction too much.
For example, the elephant exhibit project originally included a normal viewing area, indoor pool and two outdoor pools with topping. The result presents terrible indoor view of elephants through cables and wires, no indoor pools and one outdoor pool made out of bare concrete.

How much more expansive would it be to put in some substrate or some logs?!

This can be realized in an offshow area.
Main exhibit remains sterile for the easiness of maintenance. Only artificial enrichment objects like tires or buoys seem to be possible.

Where do the animals spend more time, behind the scenes or in this?

Now there's only 1 male, retired from circus. Obviously he spends most of time at exhibit, being moved only at cleaning times.