Polar Bear Exhibit

The famous polar bear named Gus has now died and this vast mountain of mock-rock sits empty and awaiting future occupants. What should the zoo do? For 25 years there has been at least one polar bear in the exhibit, and at one time this was arguably a world-class enclosure for the great white bear from the north. However, time stands still for no one and now the exhibit is not quite up to modern standards that involve grassy meadows (Columbus and Toronto) or underwater tunnels (Detroit and Pittsburgh). Other than pinnipeds it is difficult to determine what the zoo can do with the available space, but if the pool was filled in then options could be explored.

This has been discussed a bit in the Central Park Zoo thread.

If the land area was modified it could be quite a large and rich environemnt for an active species of otter.

Personally I would like it to be filled in. I think mountain goats would be interesting and they fit roughly in with the theming between polar coasts and the temperate area.

In the article about Gus's death in the New York Times the last line says that the zoo may convert this exhibit for seals or some other species. Don't they already have sea lion and harbor seal exhibits?

They have a sea lion exhibit in the centre. I understand that the harbour seal enclosure is now empty of seals and just has sea birds - maybe ducks in it.

Here is the direct quote about the future of the exhibit from the August 28 NY Times article if anyone is interested:

"The zoo has not decided whether it will try to find a polar bear at another zoo to occupy Gus’s habitat. It might instead select a different species to go there, like a seal."

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/29/n...t-famous-polar-bear-dies-at-27.html?hpw&_r=1&

Flood it and display an orca

What do you think that they might do with it?

Well, lacking the orca, there are many possibilities.
They could erect an aviary cover and make a very interesting exhibit for diving sea birds.
Seals and puffins
Any animal from the New York Aquarium's Sea Cliffs exhibits
Transfer a polar bear from the Bronx and re-imagine that exhibit
Or flood it and add orcas

Sea otters would be cool.

Really pushing for the orcas, aren't you?