The biggest problem with "naturalistic", habitat based zoo design in the US is a tendency for zoos to copy one another without an understanding of what they are trying to recreate. For example, many zoo rainforests are copies of other zoos rainforests much more than they are copies of real rainforests. This often leads to things like nonsensical rockwork spattered about willy-nilly with a big, dramatic waterfall from nowhere to punctuate it.
As to the earlier criticism of Jungleworld, while the leopard exhibit is too small, it does offer much more vertical space and climbing opportunities than many, and I am rather tired of hearing how important some feel it is that animals be given access to the outdoors when the indoor climatic conditions are far more similar to that of their natural range than could ever be provided outdoors in temperate locations like NY.
The silvered langur exhibit in JW is one of the great zoo exhibits ever built, and the terrific breeding record of the colony there is proof that it is not all "just for the visitors" as is so often asserted.
I am really surprised that one very important point about Berlins Zoos hasn't been mentioned here yet : The zoo director. I know it has been discussed in other threads, but it might be an interesting reminder that this man is of a type almost extinct in the rest of the zoo world (even in Germany) : The all controlling figure in the center (not just the top). For US readers, people like Ed Maruska come to mind as comparable to a degree. The current direction and appearance (hence care and enclosure standards) of both Berlin parks are his hand writing to a degree that should not be underestimated, even though many areas predate his reign.
As always, not everything is negative about this person and I while I am appalled by the lack of modern enclosures and basic enrichment (Tierpark), I envy some of Berlins truly remarkable breeding successes and I applaud the director for importing species like Barbary stags or Marco Polo Sheep (not so happy about the conditions for some of those species although...). That is what I call a maverick and I can respect it, to "remember" species that seem to have been forgotten almost everywhere else.
It has been questioned if Berlin can keep its status as one of the worlds zoo capitals. Personally, I have no doubt about that, but it largely depends on how long the current director will stay in place and who will follow him, what Berlins reputation will be : as two zoos with just great collections or as truly great zoos that offer much more than that.
