Michibear said:

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https://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=223408

Quote:

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The Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat at Baylor University today announced its approval for accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the independent, international accrediting organization for the best zoos and aquariums. Baylor University becomes the first university in the world to receive this designation and joins the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo in Gainesville, Florida, as the only AZA-accredited zoos on higher education campuses.

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That's impressive, so kudos to the Baylor Chamber!

(And aren't you glad we didn't choose a frog for our mascot?)

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So ridiculous.

Michibear said:

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That's impressive, so kudos to the Baylor Chamber!

(And aren't you glad we didn't choose a frog for our mascot?)

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Blame it on the State of Texas. While steers, ponies, etc are considered "domesticated animals" and can be "handled" in public venues outside of their native habitat, bears are not. Somehow UH got/gets away with their undomesticated cat going to games in a cage--never understood that one. Chamber doesn't make the list, but it has to live by the list. Not so much a PETA "thang" as it is a State licensing thing.

So, to have live bear mascots that are not "domesticated" the Bears have to remain in a zoo-approved facility, without taking them in / out to ball games, etc. And the "zoo" approved facilities require a shaded area AWAY from people (aka 10 year olds taunting them and chunkin "thangs" at them) as you will see at every licensed zoo..

Like a lot of "thangs" about tradition, pledging etc. Chamber works with what the BU Administration and State of Texas licensing guidelines (BearPit has to be "zoo equivalent") give it.

One of you current or recent C/C guys or gals jump in here and tweak this, as I haven't been involved as a C/C adviser in a number of years. But I think I'm close on this one.

I do not go to the habitat every time I'm in Waco. In fact, I usually don't but I do recall seeing at least one of the bears the last time I made the point to go there (as opposed to coincidentally walking by last time).

Ive actually always thought the new habitat was kinda weak. The habitat at LSU is much better. Dont know if ive seen any other habitats on college campuses

Swart Dra said:

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Ive actually always thought the new habitat was kinda weak. The habitat at LSU is much better. Dont know if ive seen any other habitats on college campuses

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I don't like it being weak and I get really moody when I can't see the bears. My children always loved getting to see the bears. They are grown now but still want to see the bears!

Everyone does when they go to that part of campus, especially visitors.