When were these metal cages built? I'm sure that the species list for the Primate House is amazing and worthwhile for folks who are into ticking off animals on their lifetime lists, but as usual there is a wide gulf between the quality of the exhibits at this world famous zoo. Is there still a bit of a "postage stamp mentality" at Berlin Zoo? Many of the hoofstock paddocks are adequate but nothing more, and yet loads of the carnivore and primate exhibits are quite small and aesthetically awful. The fantastic array of photos recently uploaded over the past couple of weeks by Maguari and Zoogiraffe highlight a collection of animals that is the best on the planet...but it is honestly hard to find many world-class exhibits. Anthony Sheridan in "What Zoos Can Do" understandably rates Berlin Zoo as the 4th best in Europe and he points out the hippos, tigers, elephants, pygmy hippos and lions as some of the "star attractions" but the elephants are perched on top of deep and scary moats that went out of style in the 1990's and even the superb-looking river hippo habitat has taken some flak from ZooChatters. Tim Brown (he of the 500+ zoo fame) says that Berlin and San Diego are the premier zoo meccas of the world, but San Diego at least has a handful of truly wonderful exhibit complexes while with Berlin it seems that everything is based on the staggeringly diverse animal collection.
Many of the hoofstock paddocks are adequate but nothing more, and yet loads of the carnivore and primate exhibits are quite small and aesthetically awful. The fantastic array of photos recently uploaded over the past couple of weeks by Maguari and Zoogiraffe highlight a collection of animals that is the best on the planet...but it is honestly hard to find many world-class exhibits. Anthony Sheridan in "What Zoos Can Do" understandably rates Berlin Zoo as the 4th best in Europe and he points out the hippos, tigers, elephants, pygmy hippos and lions as some of the "star attractions" but the elephants are perched on top of deep and scary moats that went out of style in the 1990's
Moated elephant exhibits are still widespread in Europe; it's only in recent years that the change has begun to happen towards ha-has.
I won't comment on Mr. Sheridan's book; personally I'm not too keen on a few aspects of his method (not least that it seems to be he has taken one man's opinions and impressions and presented them as objective and quantified - I much prefer Tim's UK zoos book, which is also just one man's opinions but is quite open about that) but I haven't read it in full as yet so it would be unfair to comment further.
Tim Brown (he of the 500+ zoo fame) says that Berlin and San Diego are the premier zoo meccas of the world, but San Diego at least has a handful of truly wonderful exhibit complexes while with Berlin it seems that everything is based on the staggeringly diverse animal collection.
Berlin doesn't have many big showy animal complexes. But it has a massively diverse animal collection and (with a few exceptions) a very good standard of care. But they are just not that interested in being big and flashy with their exhibits (again, with the odd notable exception).
It all comes down to what you want from your zoos, I guess.
All I would say is to bear in mind those glowing reviews from Mr Brown (who was there with us on the second day at the Tierpark; I haven't checked but you may be able to glimpse him in my photos) and Mr Sheridan are based on having been there and enjoyed it. Even chizlit, who I know deeply dislikes the cat holdings, seems to have greatly enjoyed the rest of the zoo (correct me if I'm wrong, chizlit!).
Sorry, missed this bit. Having checked the guide, the house was built in 1959 - the outdoor exhibits have been modified at various times since though so I'm not sure if these are original (they look it though, it must be said! ).
There are two rocky exhibits against the primate house for Stump-tailed Macaques and Mandrills, and a pair of back-to-back islands for Hamadryas and Lion-tailed Macaques (though the latter's exhibit is currently a building site).
Moor Macaques are no longer kept - last time I was in this region we saw them at both Berlin and Leipzig, now they can be seen at neither.
There are two rocky exhibits against the primate house for Stump-tailed Macaques and Mandrills, and a pair of back-to-back islands for Hamadryas and Lion-tailed Macaques (though the latter's exhibit is currently a building site).
Some historical insight might be in order here: during the Cold War Zoo Berlin was the only amenity of stature that West Berliners had. For them to have the world's most diverse animal collection was a huge symbol of defiance against the Russians and their client-state on the other side of the wall.
Similarly, the DDR felt it was very important to compete with the West and if possible outdo it. Hence the Tierpark. I loathe the Alfred Brehm House and the sun bear accommodation, but remember they were built under the aegis of a state that had no qualms about gunning people down who tried to cross over the wall.
