THE POLL: Which zoo exhibit has the best landscaping design?

[Dan]

Allright, here we go with another Extra Special Poll Extravaganza here at ZooChat! You have probably read the initial thread?

http://www.zoochat.com/2/zoo-exhibit-has-very-best-landscaping-81610/

Now it is time to vote!

In retrospect I see that I should have been a bit clearer with the rules, because when I put the question “Which is the best landscaped zoo exhibit in the world?” I really meant “exhibit” as in one singular enclosure. But that is my own fault and never mind…

You have 10 (ten) alternatives! Look closely and use your best judgement before you cast your votes. The links are supplied by the persons who nominated the exhibits. The nominees, in chronological order, are:

1. The jaguar exhibit at Woodland Park, nominated by yours truly:
http://www.zoochat.com/622/jaguar-exhibit-78832/
http://www.zoochat.com/622/jaguar-exhibit-78833/
http://www.zoochat.com/622/1-jaguar-exhibit-81296/
http://www.zoochat.com/622/jaguar-exhibit-81298/
http://www.zoochat.com/622/jaguar-exhibit-78826/

2. Monkey Islands at Chester Zoo, nominated by taun:
http://www.zoochat.com/42/sulawesi-macaque-island-36083/
(link kindly supplied by CSJimmy)

3. Burgers Desert, nominated by lintworm:
http://www.zoochat.com/162/burgers-desert-landscape-50699/
http://www.zoochat.com/162/burgers-desert-peccary-exhibit-50695/
http://www.zoochat.com/162/burgers-desert-bobcat-exhibit-50701/
http://www.zoochat.com/162/burgers-desert-burrowing-owl-exhibit-50698/
http://www.zoochat.com/162/burgers-desert-desert-paths-50696/
http://www.zoochat.com/162/burgers-desert-landscape-50704/
http://www.zoochat.com/162/burgers-desert-landscape-50703/
http://www.zoochat.com/162/burgers-desert-cantina-50702/

4. Congo Gorilla Forest at Bronx Zoo, nominated by snowleopard:
http://www.zoochat.com/547/bronx-zoo-congo-gorilla-forest-41195/
http://www.zoochat.com/547/bronx-zoo-congo-gorilla-forest-41163/
http://www.zoochat.com/547/bronx-zoo-congo-gorilla-forest-41171/
http://www.zoochat.com/547/bronx-zoo-congo-gorilla-forest-41177/
http://www.zoochat.com/547/bronx-zoo-congo-gorilla-forest-41190/
http://www.zoochat.com/547/bronx-zoo-congo-gorilla-forest-41186/

5. The Tropical Rainforest section in the Philadelphia Zoo's new McNeil Avian Center, nominated by Zoo Visitor:

6. Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney´s Animal Kingdom, nominated by Cat-Man:
http://www.zoochat.com/277/kilimanjaro-safaris-54392/

7. Spectacled bear and coati at Zurich Zoo, nominated by reduakari:
http://www.zoochat.com/476/spectacled-bear-exhibit-zurich-35452/
ZooLex Exhibit

8. Northern trails at Woodland park, nominated by Zooplantman:
ZooLex Exhibit
http://www.zoochat.com/622/river-otter-mountain-goat-exhibits-81453/
http://www.zoochat.com/622/river-otter-mountain-goat-exhibits-81453/
http://www.zoochat.com/622/1-grizzly-bear-exhibit-north-america-81475/
http://www.zoochat.com/622/roosevelt-elk-paddock-81458/

9. Snow leopard exhibit at Zurich Zoo, nominated by Jurek7:
ZooLex Exhibit
(Jurek7 actually nominated several exhibits, but according to the rules only one is allowed so I picked out the first mentioned.)

10. Kubu Hippo Rivers at Werribee Zoo, nominated by PAT:
http://www.zoochat.com/78/hippo-exhibit-47778/
http://www.zoochat.com/78/hippo-exhibit-47779/
http://www.zoochat.com/78/hippopotamus-47839/
http://www.zoochat.com/78/hippo-exhibit-47780/

That is it, Ladies and Gentlemen! A highly intelligent and tasteful selection (as we would expect) from some of the best and the brightest minds at this web site, OK?

NOW VOTE!!!

 

[James27]

I voted for Chester, purely because it's the only one I've seen and it is very well planted

 

[Dan]

Thanks, ashley-h! Commentaries on your votes are of course very welcome!

 

[taun]

Right well below are a few more shots of Monkey Islands at Chester Zoo. Please bear in mind that these photo's were taken mid winter (my favourite time to visit) when the islands are not looking there best but still nicely planted.

http://www.zoochat.com/42/chester-zoo-monkey-islands-82948/

http://www.zoochat.com/42/chester-zoo-monkey-islands-82949/

http://www.zoochat.com/42/chester-zoo-monkey-islands-82949/

http://www.zoochat.com/42/chester-zoo-monkey-islands-82951/

I'll check the rest of my Photo's to see if there re any during the summer.

Taun.

 

[tigertiger]

I voted Bronx because while I think Woodland's exhibit are phenomenal, I think Congo tops them on 'Oh, wow...I forgot I am in a zoo'-ness. I've never been to Chester, Zurich or Weribee (and I guess the photos don't do them justice?) and the examples of DAK and PZ just--IMO--show a tree basically so I can't get a good enough feel.

 

[Dan]

These pictures make a nice addition to the documentation for this poll, taun. I really like what I see!

 

[taun]

These pictures make a nice addition to the documentation for this poll, taun. I really like what I see!

I'll try and get some photo's next weekend to justify its inclusion with some of the many other wonderfull exhibits

 

[ZooMania]

I tried to remain open minded whilst voting, since i've only seen 2 of these exhibits (Monkey Islands & Kilimanjaro) myself. I therefore based my vote on the photos/youtube videos alone.

I voted for the Congo Gorilla Forest and ranked the 10 enclosures as the following:

1. Congo Gorilla Forest at Bronx Zoo
2. Monkey Islands at Chester Zoo
3. Jaguar exhibit at Woodland Park Zoo
4. Burgers Desert
5. Northern trails at Woodland park
6. Kubu Hippo Rivers at Werribee Zoo
7. Spectacled bear and coati at Zurich Zoo
8. Snow leopard exhibit at Zurich Zoo
9. Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney´s Animal Kingdom
10. The Tropical Rainforest section in the Philadelphia Zoo's new McNeil Avian Center

 

[Dan]

I love tigertiger´s argument!

More votes and reasonings for your votes, please!

 

[Dan]

I tried to remain open minded whilst voting, since i've only seen 2 of these exhibits (Monkey Islands & Kilimanjaro) myself. I therefore based my vote on the photos/youtube videos alone.

I voted for the Congo Gorilla Forest and ranked the 10 enclosures as the following:

1. Congo Gorilla Forest at Bronx Zoo
2. Monkey Islands at Chester Zoo
3. Jaguar exhibit at Woodland Park Zoo
4. Burgers Desert
5. Northern trails at Woodland park
6. Kubu Hippo Rivers at Werribee Zoo
7. Spectacled bear and coati at Zurich Zoo
8. Snow leopard exhibit at Zurich Zoo
9. Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney´s Animal Kingdom
10. The Tropical Rainforest section in the Philadelphia Zoo's new McNeil Avian Center

Thanks so much for this innovative approach, Zoomania! Will anyone follow this brilliant example?!

 

[Dan]

I'll try and get some photo's next weekend to justify its inclusion with some many other wonderfully exhibits

Right on, taun!

 

[taun]

Thinking about it, I should of nominated the Spectacle Bear enclousre are Chester. One of the best bear enclosures I have seen.

Anyhow considering I have not seen any of the others I couldn't possible comment like Zoomania.

 

[Cat-Man]

cant decied

wont be DAK cos i would be bias

 

[Dan]

What do you mean you "can´t decide", Cat-Man?! You should vote for your own suggestion of course - HELL, I voted for mine!

Rock on! More votes, please!

 

[Dan]

Anyhow considering I have not seen any of the others I couldn't possible comment like Zoomania.

You are refering to very sensitive subject here at ZooChat.

Some forumsters suggest that it is not reasonable to have opinions about an enclosure unless you have seen it with your own eyes.

I, and other forumsters, disagree...

 

[taun]

You are refering to very sensitive subject here at ZooChat.

Some forumsters suggest that it is not reasonable to have opinions about an enclosure unless you have seen it with your own eyes.

I, and other forumsters, disagree...

Photo's can be misleading, this is way am hesitant to comment on the other enclosures nominated.

Although if were just talking landscaping it makes this easier to judge.

Monkey Islands at Chester for me is brilliant because of the "habitats" it creates for its inhabitants. The islands are densely planted for the forest species it holds, with varying plants and even water feature to make them look nice.

 

[Dan]

Photo's can be misleading, this is way am hesitant to comment on the other enclosures nominated.

Although if were just talking landscaping it makes this easier to judge.

Monkey Islands at Chester for me is brilliant because of the "habitats" it creates for its inhabitants. The islands are densely planted for the forest species it holds, with varying plants and even water feature to make them look nice.

Yes, photos can be misleading... but often only to a certain point, wouldn´t you agree? Especially when it comes to old fashioned "carnivore cages" and the likes of that. Then there can´t be much doubt, right?

When it comes to more "modern" and "contemporary" enclosures, things can be different. Especially thanks to the "immersion technique" one might be fooled, here and there, I suppose. (Which is not to say that I do not admire this particular landscaping design feature - it is fascinating, indeed!).

 

[snowleopard]

I've seen 6 of the exhibits in person, and I'm voting for Congo Gorilla Forest at the Bronx Zoo. Spectacular! Thanks for organizing this fun event Dan!

 

[BlackRhino]

For me it was a toss between Congo Gorilla Forest and Jaguar Cove in Seattle. I ended up voting for Jaguar Cove as it is one of my personal favorite exhibits.

 

[taun]

Yes, photos can be misleading... but often only to a certain point, wouldn´t you agree? Especially when it comes to old fashioned "carnivore cages" and the likes of that. Then there can´t be much doubt, right?

When it comes to more "modern" and "contemporary" enclosures, things can be different. Especially thanks to the "immersion technique" one might be fooled, here and there, I suppose. (Which is not to say that I do not admire this particular landscaping design feature - it is fascinating, indeed!).

Yes and no, every picture has the opportunity to be misleading. However several photo's from various angles and offsets should sort it out and confusion of what the picture is showing. The best way to judge anything is by seeing it themselves.

However this is a great Idea for a thread and the amount of photo's available should be able to allow everyone to judge for themselves.