A grizzly bear at the @chahinkapazoo pauses after a swim to see if anyone interesting is at the viewing window. While the exhibit fencing in the background is not the most aesthetically pleasing, it’s actually an incredibly practical and acceptable choice: it’s sturdy enough to safely contain strong animals, has a lean-in at the top to prevent agile bears from being able to climb out, and constructed in a way that allows snow to drift through it. When a facility deals with North Dakota winters, that last is an important design feature - snow piling up too high inside a solid fence might make it possible for animals to escape, and snow plus gusting wind might compromise the integrity of the fence. So while a glass window all the way around (like you see in zoos at lower latitudes) might look prettier to guests and feel less “like a cage”, this exhibit construction is actually a better choice for both animal and human safety. #bears #grizzlybear #zoos #zooexhibit #understandingzoos #exhibitdesign #chahinkapazoo (at Chahinkapa Zoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzJJNKuBKTN/?igshid=1esxvwpwk4zs5