Would you mind giving a "tour" (i.e. description) of what this building is like? In looking at the pictures of the outside it looks like there are fairly large yards for herds of Asian and African elephants. Are there any other species in here also and what is your assessment of the quality of the exhibits for the animals? Do the elephants have good indoor spaces? The outdoor yards look fairly large but pretty barren, but it isn't fair to judge from just photographs.
Actually for once I think what you see in the picture is a pretty fair assessment of the outdoor paddocks of this house!As for what the quality of exhibit is like for all the animals in this house the word BASIC sums it up best.
As I recall there are interior exhibits for the elephants and a central area for manatees and sloths. All--as noted--pretty basic. But it is a huge building, and the two large breeding groups of elephants are impressive.
@zoogiraffe, reduakari, Maguari, whoever else wants to chime in:
The Berlin Zoo and Tierpark are often mentioned as the world-class zoos of Europe, perhaps the Euro equivalents of San Diego and Bronx Zoos in the US. I ask very sincerely why this is.
I have only photos to go on, but I am seeing zoo exhibits that would be considered adequate at best if they were in the US, if not completely outdated and embarrassing. I realize that the Tierpark in particular was built in communist era Berlin and that it takes a LOT of effort, time, and money to modernize a zoo, but I see very little indication that the Berlin zoos are doing this.
Is there a large gap in the way that German and American zoogoers think of zoos? If anything, some European zoos seem to be avant garde zoo habitat designers. The modern zoo design movement was arguably INVENTED in Germany by Hagenbeck. What am I missing re: why the Berlin zoos have their world class reputation? Is it based solely on size and quality of their animal collection? If so, is this going to sustain their reputation in the 21st century?
How long will this sustain their world-class reputation? Are there enough collection-size and quality driven zoogoers that this is enough to preserve it in perpetuity?
How long will this sustain their world-class reputation? Are there enough collection-size and quality driven zoogoers that this is enough to preserve it in perpetuity?
To be fair the Tierpark does have some decent paddocks and from what I've seen the zoo does seem to be improving but in both collections the major gripe seems to be the carnivore housing. I've not been to either but am itching for a trip to Germany and I reckon I could take the rough with the smooth, given the oppurtunity.
EDIT:- I can't speak for the majority of zoo-goers, just someone who likes an impressive collection in mostly ok exhibits!
To be fair the Tierpark does have some decent paddocks and from what I've seen the zoo does seem to be improving but in both collections the major gripe seems to be the carnivore housing. I've not been to either but am itching for a trip to Germany and I reckon I could take the rough with the smooth, given the oppurtunity.
I think the phrase "decent paddocks" sums things up well. Berlin provides adequate enclosures--in the Tierpark some quite spacious--but with no attempt to replicate natural habitats or immerse visitors. It is a very straightforward approach to zoo keeping, where the primary focus is on successfully maintaining as large and diverse a collection as possible. In general husbandry is very good, viewing is easy, but with only a few examples of innovative exhibitry (the West Berlin hippo exhibit, East Berlin raptor aviary come to mind).
I think the phrase "decent paddocks" sums things up well. Berlin provides adequate enclosures--in the Tierpark some quite spacious--but with no attempt to replicate natural habitats or immerse visitors. It is a very straightforward approach to zoo keeping, where the primary focus is on successfully maintaining as large and diverse a collection as possible. In general husbandry is very good, viewing is easy, but with only a few examples of innovative exhibitry (the West Berlin hippo exhibit, East Berlin raptor aviary come to mind).
This actually sounds like a decent zoo. I have absolutely no desire to Berlin zoo bash, but couldn't understand what all the world-class talk was about based on the exhibits in the photos. This description explains things well. If I am ever in Germany then I'm sure that visiting these zoos will be a high priority.
I think the phrase "decent paddocks" sums things up well. Berlin provides adequate enclosures--in the Tierpark some quite spacious--but with no attempt to replicate natural habitats or immerse visitors. It is a very straightforward approach to zoo keeping, where the primary focus is on successfully maintaining as large and diverse a collection as possible. In general husbandry is very good, viewing is easy, but with only a few examples of innovative exhibitry (the West Berlin hippo exhibit, East Berlin raptor aviary come to mind).
A very good assessment of the Berlins. Very good. It's good collection plus generally good animal care without any particular regard to immersion/theming.
The fact is that many European zoos simply are not interested in immersion. At all. And the Berlins are the epitome of this - absolutely outstanding collection, very few really bad exhibits but equally very few 'innovative' ones in modern terms.
BUT - very few bad exhibits + outstanding collection = very popular with zoo nerds!
