Zoos & Aquariums

Chapter 2

Designing

Animal-Specific Habitats

Polar Bears:
Polar Bear Exhibit, Sapporo Maruyama Zoo

With the difficulties of breeding in captivity and worsening environments in the wild, polar bear numbers continue to dwindle. Meanwhile, Sapporo Maruyama Zoo is Japan’s foremost zoo in polar bear breeding. Opened in March 2018, the polar bear exhibit at Sapporo Maruyama Zoo is a tending exhibition facility up to international standards, created for ongoing breeding and tending. With the design, we aimed for a facility full of learning opportunities that visitors would visit again and again. It is meant to communicate the beauty of the creatures, presenting visitors with views of lifelike interactions between polar bears and seals from all angles, while also prompting visitors to consider their Arctic habitat. Environmental enrichment was also stressed to improve the welfare and health of the animals. The space closely reproduces the polar bear’s native tundra habitat, with variations such as caves and shaded areas of grass to provide varied spaces for them to spend time in.

Point 01

A tended environment that polar bears find comfortable

A fertile tending environment took first priority. Japan's largest open habitat at 1,406 m2, the facility is five times the size of the existing facilities and exceeds the Manitoba standards established for international polar bear care, which state that 1-2 bears should be given access to 500 m2 of dry land, with an additional 150 m2 for each additional polar bear. In contrast to the concrete which generally surrounds the grounds, we planted grass and trees on grounds spanning an 8-meter elevation difference to create an environment the polar bears find comfortable.

Point 02

Easily tended grounds for breeding

To accommodate the polar bears before and after birthing, when they are sensitive to both sound and the presence of others, a cubbing den was established separately from the open habitat and viewing zones. The sleeping dens also meet the Manitoba standards of "having skylights to provide natural lighting." Furthermore, Maruyama Zoo's expert input was reflected in the design to reduce stress for the polar bears and create an easy environment for the breeders to safely breed the bears, such as reducing handler blind spots along the shoots (bear passages) and building simple fencing that does not break easily.

Point 03

Designed to recreate the Arctic ecosystem

At Maruyama Zoo, visitors get to see polar bears chasing seals, closely mimicking their natural predatory relationships. This is accomplished with a 3.7 m deep pool separated by acrylic glass into polar bear and seal exhibits to recreate how they live together in the Arctic. Visitors can view the animals from all different angles above and below water thanks to an 18-meter underwater tunnel, offering new perspectives with each visit.