That looks like a very unusual exhibit, the otters having a tank and also a moat to swim in. What was your impression of the enclosure?
And also thanks for making me waste a second Sunday in a row...
Very odd layout! Sort of analogous to Blackbrook's penguin pool. It's a big group of otters, and they make a fine display, but there's always a vague sense of anticlimax about any ASCO exhibit. As with meerkats, they're just a little bit too standard - there's nothing inherently wrong with them, they're a very nice display species, but it'd be nice to see the other species a little more often.
Very odd layout! Sort of analogous to Blackbrook's penguin pool. It's a big group of otters, and they make a fine display, but there's always a vague sense of anticlimax about any ASCO exhibit. As with meerkats, they're just a little bit too standard - there's nothing inherently wrong with them, they're a very nice display species, but it'd be nice to see the other species a little more often.
I agree that there should be more diversity, how about Eurasian or North American otters in a few more collections and as for meerkats, we all know there's more than this type of mongoose... Would be nice to see a different species occasionally!
I agree that there should be more diversity, how about Eurasian or North American otters in a few more collections and as for meerkats, we all know there's more than this type of mongoose... Would be nice to see a different species occasionally!
I think what doesn't help is that often even when zoos have multiple otters and mongooses, they quite often have ASCOs and meerkats as well. Look at Chester, for example (for both groups).
In fact, of 9 European zoos with Giant Otters, only one (Parken) doesn't also have ASCOs.
Actually, it just struck me - very odd for a pair of zoos with such a strong and diverse carnivore collection, but this is the only group of otters at either Berlin zoo.
Chester is a great example but at least they've given the dwarf mongoose a decent exhibit. It would've been just as easy to stick the meerkats in the bubble exhibit and called it Meerkat Mania! Kudos to them for not going down the obvious route!
Actualy, it just struck me - very odd for a pair of zoos with such a strong and diverse carnivore collection, but this is the only group of otters at either Berlin zoo.
Really? I saw a video on youtube sometime ago of the Berlin zoo and I'm sure it had Eurasians in it. Saying that, collections change pretty frequently.
Really? I saw a video on youtube sometime ago of the Berlin zoo and I'm sure it had Eurasians in it. Saying that, collections change pretty frequently.
