If it had missed out we would know Lintworm had been taken hostage and an impersonator was using his account.
Europe's 100 must see exhibits
- Thread starter lintworm
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If it had missed out we would know Lintworm had been taken hostage and an impersonator was using his account.
*Swiss ZC members* "Wiä bitte?" #masoalaisnotamused
Masoala has the advantage of height and can also easily make a claim for best rainforest hall, but it is in a way a very Swiss interpretation of a rainforest: impressive but clean. It is hard to explain but the Bush feels more unkempt and wild, with partly overgrown trails, signs of decay everywhere and a feeling of actually being able to explore.
I visited Bush in 1998. Two years previously I had visited Chester and made a point of visiting the Tropical House, mainly because I had read about it in "Zoo Without Bars" many years previously. It was showing it's age and while I could relate it to what I had read, it failed to impress. Therefore I had reservations about visiting Bush but I need not have feared, it astounded me. The Desert had been finished not long before and I felt they complemented each other extremely well.
However more interesting for me was the reason it was built. The Curator who showed me around told me it had been built with the intention of opening up a new visitor base. With the inclusion of an Indonesian restaurant it was designed to attract new winter visitors. My guide told me in this it had exceeded all expectations, thus the construction of Desert and Ocean (under construction at the time). He claimed that visitors were coming from all around, including Germany, Belgium and France. We spent a little time discussing how they could get eucalypt trees for an Australian precinct, obviously that did not go ahead,
What was there though was a small Mangrove House (not the present one). I was told it had been built to test the roofing system. There were manatees, though, and they were located in Bush.
A worthy addition to this list.
However more interesting for me was the reason it was built. The Curator who showed me around told me it had been built with the intention of opening up a new visitor base. With the inclusion of an Indonesian restaurant it was designed to attract new winter visitors. My guide told me in this it had exceeded all expectations, thus the construction of Desert and Ocean (under construction at the time). He claimed that visitors were coming from all around, including Germany, Belgium and France. We spent a little time discussing how they could get eucalypt trees for an Australian precinct, obviously that did not go ahead,
What was there though was a small Mangrove House (not the present one). I was told it had been built to test the roofing system. There were manatees, though, and they were located in Bush.
A worthy addition to this list.
Objection!!!! Although I like Burgers Bush very much and must also confess that this exhibit is a precursor of modern tropical halls (and so absolutely deserves beiing in your, @lintworm's, list), Masoala is much more a "real" jungle (exhibiting - with a few exceptions that bothers me as well - only animals and plants living in Madagascar). It has overgrown trails too (although most can only used during guided tours) and it is at least as lush as Burgers.
And refering about cleanless: Well in general you're right (hey, Swiss have a reputation to loose!
). But then even Burgers Bush is to clean in comparison with real rainforests and their "human legacies"...
And refering about cleanless: Well in general you're right (hey, Swiss have a reputation to loose!
). But then even Burgers Bush is to clean in comparison with real rainforests and their "human legacies"...
ParathePineapple
Well-Known Member
Beautiful exhibit, was waiting for this one. I don’t even know much about European Zoo’s and knew this one had to be on here.14. Burgers’ Bush
Burgers’ Zoo, Arnhem, the Netherlands
Opened: 1988
Size: 14.000 square metres
Inhabitants: roughly 50 species, including aardvark, small-clawed otter, Rodriquez fruit bats, >35 bird species and a range of reptiles, amphibians and fish (and 1000+ plant species, as it is also a botanical garden)
Even after close to 35 years, the Bush is still a landmark in the European zoo landscape. What started as the first large-scale experiment at recreating an ecosystem in a zoo, is still one of Europe’s leading exhibits. Several large rainforest halls have been built since, but none have quite matched the wild rainforest feeling, as they are often somewhat cleaner interpretations. It is also still the only one that expects its visitors to explore the place, as there is a large trail network instead of following one fixed route. Despite this dense network, smart landscaping and planting means the cross-viewing is very limited, giving the hall an even larger feel. The only main drawback is that the roof doesn’t exceed 20 metres above the ground, and is often lower, due to building regulations. There is no specific theme, though the vegetation is neatly divided in an Asian, African and S-American section, but the free-ranging animals naturally don’t keep to those areas. Not only are there over 40 free-ranging animals to find, including many rarities, but many have seen breeding success here too. This is really a hall where one has to look for the animals, as there are only a few enclosures dotted around. With some patience and spotting skills you could spend hours here, and one should as this exhibit only shows it’s secrets after a lot of patience. With Dracaena bushii, this is probably also the only zoo exhibit which has a species named after it. One can only imagine how the Bush could have looked if the original plans, which were twice the size, could have been realised.
@lintworm
@lintworm
@KevinB
@ralph
Dracaena bushii
@lintworm
similar exhibits: we'll get there...
Maybe if all the paths were actually usable in Masoala, it would have a more "wild" feeling to it.
I think Masoala's strenght is its not perfect but quite strong geographical coherence.
Also, I believe the bush has, mixed with all the smaller bird species, free-ranging Wrinkled hornbill, it must be a very mesmerizing experience to see them flying in there.
Both are top-class exhibits of course, but for me, Masoala feels more like a 'real' rainforest. Part of this is the more restrained, 'wild-like', stocking levels, and the almost-total lack of enclosures within the main space. It feels a lot like the kind of bit of rainforest a 'normal' tourist would be taken to. Slightly tamed around the edges, yes, but the real thing. It feels almost like looking for animals in the wild at a popular nature reserve. The Bush still contrives to feel much more like a tropical house not a rainforest to me for reasons I can't really fully explain. The lack of geographic theme is probably part of it for the kind of people we all are (who will notice these things), even if Masaola is not perfect in this area either.
Masoala is absolutely fantastic but by focusing on only 1 region, it is particularly vulnerable in the near future. If only a few to us zoo nerds interesting species disappear, it's immediately less appealing, while already some visitors say there's not enough action or animals. It has on the other hand an absolute bonus with the tree walk, which is quite spectacular. But I agree it's probably the best imitation of a tropical forest in any European zoo.
In contrast Burgers' Bush is thrilling with a lot of visitors paths crisscrossing the hall, some of them are very adventurous and run up and down throughout the lush vegetation. And there's a spectacular waterfall, colorful birds everywhere, and every now and then around the corner a exciting enclosure for larger animals.
And I think that most visitors don't bother with the fact that the vegetation includes three different continents.
See - I warned you, @lintworm not to arouse the terrible wrath of the Swiss! No more Schoggi, Bündnerfleisch or Gruyére for you!
As for the Swiss and cleanliness, well...
Asterix in Switzerland: Latin Jokes Explained
No more Gruyére for you!
Eh, not a problem - Gruyère is by all measures inferior to Comté anyway, and we French haven't been too displeased with the lineup so far...
Sigean's safari is lovely, although as a general point Southern French zoos haven't gone anywhere near to hitting their potential in terms of exhibitry given the opportunities the climate offers - enclosures that almost perfectly simulate the African bush are easy to create yet all too often this factor isn't used as much as it could be.
Couldn't it be argued that the reason it's so successful is because it focuses on just one region as appose to trying to cram multiple different continents under one roof? Also, what exactly do you mean by vulnerable?
Strix
Well-Known Member
Less species choice, so if some of the species go out of zoos, there aren’t many replacement possibilities.
I mean by vulnerable that focusing on 1 specific eco region, of which certainly the bird fauna isn't that well represented in zoos, could mean the risk of losing its attraction quickly.
The hall has/had a spectacular bird list, but already the red-fronted coua, crested drongo, magpie robin, and white-eyes are gone, and very difficult to replace by other specimen or other rare species.
The cheese maybe, but the Swiss chocolate? Your move, @zoomaniacEh, not a problem - Gruyère is by all measures inferior to Comté anyway, and we French haven't been too displeased with the lineup so far...
*Swiss Mortal Kombat voice* Fünish him
The more I think about exhibits, the more I realise the Bush is in my opinion the ultimate no.1.
It still is the only great greenhouse where you go in and explore, wander and hope you bump into one of the rarities in there. And if you don’t, who cares, it’s the Bush. When I was looking to buy a house to live, I looked into moving near Arnhem. Granted, it’s closer to my family, but living near the Bush and being able to wander in at will would be awesome.
Now I live near Emmen, with a bigger greenhouse than the Bush. And it’s just “meh” and with it’s current lay-out, always will be. What a waste
I had one winter visit to Masoala, and of course it’s great and will be on this list, but it didn’t even come close. Like Lintworm, imo it’s far too neat and I know there’s a (one?) jungle path, but I don’t need a chaperone when moving through a zoo, thank you.
So the only conclusion can be, that it’s a crying shame that noone managed to make something better in 35 years of existence.
The only one that might come close is something at Omaha? But that’ll be another thread one day
It still is the only great greenhouse where you go in and explore, wander and hope you bump into one of the rarities in there. And if you don’t, who cares, it’s the Bush. When I was looking to buy a house to live, I looked into moving near Arnhem. Granted, it’s closer to my family, but living near the Bush and being able to wander in at will would be awesome.
Now I live near Emmen, with a bigger greenhouse than the Bush. And it’s just “meh” and with it’s current lay-out, always will be. What a waste
I had one winter visit to Masoala, and of course it’s great and will be on this list, but it didn’t even come close. Like Lintworm, imo it’s far too neat and I know there’s a (one?) jungle path, but I don’t need a chaperone when moving through a zoo, thank you.
So the only conclusion can be, that it’s a crying shame that noone managed to make something better in 35 years of existence.
The only one that might come close is something at Omaha? But that’ll be another thread one day
See - I warned you, @lintworm not to arouse the terrible wrath of the Swiss! No more Schoggi, Bündnerfleisch or Gruyére for you!
As for the Swiss and cleanliness, well...
Asterix in Switzerland: Latin Jokes Explained
I specifically entered that sentence with the goal to stimulate some discussion, and it looks like it was worth it
. My better half will be elated that there won't be any Swiss cheeses in our fridge anymore Objection!!!! Although I like Burgers Bush very much and must also confess that this exhibit is a precursor of modern tropical halls (and so absolutely deserves beiing in your, @lintworm's, list), Masoala is much more a "real" jungle (exhibiting - with a few exceptions that bothers me as well - only animals and plants living in Madagascar). It has overgrown trails too (although most can only used during guided tours) and it is at least as lush as Burgers.
And refering about cleanless: Well in general you're right (hey, Swiss have a reputation to loose!
I think the key word in my original sentence is wild. As Masoala has more tree growth it does come closer to a real rainforest in that sense. But it is not as wild due to the somewhat cleaner nature and the lack of exploration options (and like @jwer said, being chaperoned through a normally inaccessible trail isn't my idea of exploring, and certainly not of wild, even though it is quite realistic as all national park visits in Madagascar require a local guide...).
To be clear I don't disagree with you and at times I would have said that Masoala is the more wild real rainforest, but the more I visited Zuerich, the more I was drawn to the quirks of the Bush.
I guess this could be because the roof is very much visible, where in Masoala it is more easily lost in the canopy.
In terms of stocking levels, I don't think there is a big difference, Masoala could even have more birds with their insane amounts of red fody (which like the partridges aren't even real forest birds). The Bush has removed several hundred red-whiskered bulbuls over the past 2 years, so levels are a bit more normal, but might have been insanely high at your last visit
The only one that might come close is something at Omaha? But that’ll be another thread one day
Based on pictures I would say that is a smaller American version of Gondwanaland with loads of mock rock, fake trees and small enclosures for large mammals....
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To be honest, that’s what I also thought about lied jungle, and I also think the desert dome isn’t gonna cut it. But based on @snowleopard adoration of Kingdoms of the Night (and the species line-up, and the pictures), there might still be one set of exhibits rivalling the Bush.
I guess there’s only way to know @lintworm, we will have to go and see. What a shame…
15. Tecton architecture
Dudley Zoo, UK
Opened: 1936-37
Size: n.a.
Inhabitants: Patagonian sea lions, meerkats, polar foxes and others.
Historical zoo buildings from before the first world war are often praised highly, but their slightly newer counterparts are often wrongly forgotten. The structures by the Tecton group are some of the best examples of early modernist architecture in zoos that are still in use. The modernist focus was very much on showing animals and integrating the structures in the surrounding landscape. The result is 6 animal enclosures (plus shops, restaurants, kiosks and the entrance) that are dominated by reinforced concrete. All structures use a lot of curves to fit in the surrounding landscape, and this playfulness is what sets these structures apart from the later concrete heavy zoo buildings from the 60s and 70s which are much more brutalist. Unfortunately most tecton builds in Dudley had fallen into serious disrepair, but in recent years several have been restored to their former state. Several enclosures are not up to modern standards compared to their original inhabitants, but with polar foxes instead of polar bears, best use is made of them. Often underappreciated, but the set of 12 structures is the most complete legacy of early modernism in the UK and one of the more unusual pieces of zoo architecture still around
@Newzooboy
@MagpieGoose
@Maguari
@Benosaurus
Similar exhibits: other famous early buildings by the Tecton group still stand in ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, UK. The original gorilla house and penguin pool in London are great examples. On the other side of the pond Sybold van Ravesteyn was tasked with designing a whole new zoo in 1939-41: Diergaarde Blijdorp. His modernist work, mixed with baroque influences, still stands in the form of multiple interesting buildings and a symmetric garden lay-out.
Penguin pool, ZSL London Zoo, UK
@Nanook
Diergaarde Blijdorp, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Former carnivore house, now gelada
@snowleopard
Tropical greenhouse in Riviera hall
@PAT
Dudley Zoo, UK
Opened: 1936-37
Size: n.a.
Inhabitants: Patagonian sea lions, meerkats, polar foxes and others.
Historical zoo buildings from before the first world war are often praised highly, but their slightly newer counterparts are often wrongly forgotten. The structures by the Tecton group are some of the best examples of early modernist architecture in zoos that are still in use. The modernist focus was very much on showing animals and integrating the structures in the surrounding landscape. The result is 6 animal enclosures (plus shops, restaurants, kiosks and the entrance) that are dominated by reinforced concrete. All structures use a lot of curves to fit in the surrounding landscape, and this playfulness is what sets these structures apart from the later concrete heavy zoo buildings from the 60s and 70s which are much more brutalist. Unfortunately most tecton builds in Dudley had fallen into serious disrepair, but in recent years several have been restored to their former state. Several enclosures are not up to modern standards compared to their original inhabitants, but with polar foxes instead of polar bears, best use is made of them. Often underappreciated, but the set of 12 structures is the most complete legacy of early modernism in the UK and one of the more unusual pieces of zoo architecture still around
@Newzooboy
@MagpieGoose
@Maguari
@Benosaurus
Similar exhibits: other famous early buildings by the Tecton group still stand in ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, UK. The original gorilla house and penguin pool in London are great examples. On the other side of the pond Sybold van Ravesteyn was tasked with designing a whole new zoo in 1939-41: Diergaarde Blijdorp. His modernist work, mixed with baroque influences, still stands in the form of multiple interesting buildings and a symmetric garden lay-out.
Penguin pool, ZSL London Zoo, UK
@Nanook
Diergaarde Blijdorp, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Former carnivore house, now gelada
@snowleopard
Tropical greenhouse in Riviera hall
@PAT
Ah, en Zwiäri!I specifically entered that sentence with the goal to stimulate some discussion, and it looks like it was worth it