27. Ocelot
(Old Polar Bear Pit)
North of the Porcupine exhibits we have what the map states is the Ocelot exhibit, however, for most of the zoo's life this was infect the Polar Bear pit. Glasgow's first Polar Bear, Snow White, was gifted in 1947 from Copenhagen Zoo and remained in Glasgow until her death in 1960. By 1962, the zoo had six young Polar Bears with four arriving from Copenhagen Zoo while the other 2 were ‘rescued’ from Greenland after their mother was shot and killed by hunters. The 6 bears were kept in a small concrete pit which at the time was the very much a standard bear enclosure. The polar bear pit was a depressing looking concrete pit/pool with a rock/concrete embankment leading into 2 separate indoor areas. In the 1990’s after the last polar bear left the zoo the exhibit was transformed into an Ocelot enclosure with the pool drained and several trees planted in the open space. Personally I feel this was quite a creative way of using the exhibit space after the bears left with the added bonus that this was a bigger space for the Ocelots too!
From the reference images above, we can see that the old polar bear pit is in a significant state of disrepair. The pit is very overgrown and full of rubbish and debris, while there are signs of dampness with overgrown moss all around. The indoor area is heavily vandalised on the inside and out with fire damage too, while the outside area has also seen fly tipping with tires dumped and burned. Sadly, this can be a common sight in derelict areas with garages dumping and burning worn tires to avoid paying for their proper disposal, there are several similar areas within the old zoo grounds where this has occurred.
Outside the back of the indoor area
Inside one of the indoor holding areas
Pit view from viewing area
Further pit view
Debris
Debris and embankment view
Access to indoor area
