Berlin Zoo VS Berlin Tierpark, which is the best ?

[Norwegian moose]

So to the big question which is better Berlin Zoo or Berlin Tierpark ? I have personaly only visited Berlin Zoo 9 years a go. But judged from what I have heard about both of the zoos, it look like I would have voted on the Berlin Zoo. Berlin Zoo has the most species of the two. Although Tierpark is much bigger. Both zoos have several bad and utdated facilities. But both zoos have at least a handfull of good, to very good enclosuers. So what do you think, which is best of the two Berlin zoos ? Vote and comment below.

 

[zooboy28]

Good question! The thing is, the two zoos have increasingly divergent collections, so comparisons become increasingly difficult. Both have some awesome and very rare-in-captivity species, and extreme variability in exhibit quality. The Tierpark has a better reptile collection in my opinion, but the allowance of dogs on the grounds was ver disappointing to me. Overall I preferred Berlin Zoo, but only because of their superior bird collection (and I visited when the Bird House was closed!).

 

[condor]

Berlin Zoo has the most species of the two.

true, but only if you include the aquarium in the Zoo. Based on the latest published figures (December 2012), the Tierpark has more species of mammals (197 vs. 171), birds (367 vs. 306; however, the latter may well rise substantionally with the opening of the new Zoo birdhouse) and reptiles (104 vs. 69). The Zoo is far ahead in fish and invertebrates, but only because of the aquarium.

I find it hard to choose between the two, but on balance the prize goes to the Zoo.

 

[Newzooboy]

No voting from me.....they are so different, that no trip to Berlin is complete without visiting both!!

 

[Norwegian moose]

Both these zoos have some badly utdated exhibits. Zoo have the carnivore house, primate house, and bear enclosures, and so on. Tierpark have the Alfred Brehm house, african primates house, and more. But Berlin Zoo have at least improved much in the last years (nighthouse, hippohouse, penguinhouse, sealion enclosure, and so on). (And the upcoming birdhouse and bear enclosures). Tierpark have also tried to improve, but many attempts of doing it have ended badly. Now I am thinking about exhibiths such as the so called african primates house, which looks more like a primate laboratory, with its tiny, sterile cages, covered in tiles. It is unbelivable that an exhibit like that was build in 2001, although your surname is Blazieksiwitz, (unsure of spelling) that is not an excuse to have an hellhole like that for any animal, in a 21. century zoo. That Berlin Zoo have changed much to the better is one reason I like that zoo, better than its colleague in the east. Fortunately Berlin Tierpark have some big, wide, open enclosures that have worked brilliantly from the start, over fifty years ago. So the picture is not so black and white as you might think

 

[sooty mangabey]

Both these zoos have some badly utdated exhibits. Zoo have the ... bear enclosures, and so on.

These are in the process of renovation at the moment, with increased space, better substrates and other improvements.

I am thinking about exhibiths such as the so called african primates house, which looks more like a primate laboratory, with its tiny, sterile cages, covered in tiles. think

I dip my toe into this debate cautiously, because it has been done to death elsewhere here, but whatever criticism you want to throw at this house, it is not tiny - the outside enclosures are of a good size, while the indoor ones are no smaller than in many other zoos.

 

[markmeier]

This is a good question and there cannot be an objective answer in my eyes. I think they complement each other rather well.

The zoo always strikes me with the good old Aquarium building which I simply love. As I just wrote somewhere else, I hope the new bird house will be somewhat of a worthy equivalent. And I also like the penguin enclosure as well as some of the houses and enclosures for mammals (e.g. hippos, sea lions, night house, south American mixed species enclosure...). I think in addition to this there is a lot of very decent and some not so great enclosures. But many of the latter are presently being improved or will soon be improved. The landscape is also rather nice.

The Tierpark in contrast has some very large and impressive enclosures for ungulates with large groups of animals. And in general most enclosures are far more generous than their zoo equivalents. The Brehm-building has often been criticized but according to the staff it does have some clear advantages and soon the outside enclosures are going to be largely expanded. Besides that the indoor halls may easily be some of the best INDOOR exhibits for cats. The primate house also offers good conditions for the animals in my opinion. It is ridiculous to claim that little has improved in recent years. Almost all enclosures have in fact been improved. Another thing I really enjoy about this parc is the sheer size. As a result it is far less crowded and I feel a more private atmosphere when I watch the animals.

Well, to make it short: There is some clear advantages for either zoo. Due to personal preferences I did vote for the Tierpark, however, even though I am glad I can visit both zoos (I would strongly miss the aquarium, the apes, the night house and some other great enclosures in the zoo).

 

[ralph]

I visited both for the first time in 2013. I voted for the Zoo. It has a lot more atmosphere than Tierpark does imo.

 

[zootiger]

I'm in Berlin for 1 and a half days.

Which one should I prioritise for the full day?

Thanks

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Tierpark Berlin, without a shadow of a doubt, as it is significantly larger.

 

[Shorts]

Tierpark Berlin, without a shadow of a doubt, as it is significantly larger.

What, and leave only half a day to visit the Zoo. A diligent walk round the Bird House, Pheasantry and Aquarium could exceed half a day (especially on a first visit).

I think the reality (as you know) is that you can't really do the Zoo and Tierpark properly in one and a half days.

I think Zootiger's got to choose their priority, visit that first, and accept they're only really getting a taste from their half day visit.

As to which to prioritise, there lies the debate of ages.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

I think the reality (as you know) is that you can't really do the Zoo and Tierpark properly in one and a half days.

I think Zootiger's got to choose their priority, visit that first, and accept they're only really getting a taste from their half day visit

Oh, I fully agree my advice was based on the fact that TP Berlin is so big that a half-day wouldn't even give a taste, whilst I reckon one could get a decent "feel" for Zoo in the same half-day.

It's a devil's choice; do both collections badly or only do one and do it well.

 

[zootiger]

Thanks for the advice, I'm afraid I don't really have another option!

In terms of my photography, I tend to only really photograph carnivores (particurily cats and bears) so for me the zoo in half a day may be do-able if I don't do the aquarium and bird avaries?

 

[zootiger]

In terms of cats, dogs and bears (based on a very quick scan of zootierliste) this is what I found for Berlin Tieprarc vs Berlin Zoo.

Any corrections or additions would be appreicated!

Berlin zoo:

Barbary Lion
Jaguar
Polar Bear
Sun Bear
Andean Bear
Brown Bear
Asiatic Black Bear
Sloth Bear
African Wild Dog
Sand Cat
Jaguarundi

Berlin Tierparc:

American Black Bear
Polar Bear
Malayan Tiger
Sumatran Tiger
Siberian Tiger
Asiatic Lion
Jaguar
Pallas Cat
Bobcat
Central Asian Lynx
Cheetah
Margay
Ocelot
European Wildcat
Geoffrey's Cat
Gordon's Wild Cat
Clouded Leopard
Javan Leopard
Leopard
North Chinese Leopard
Leopard Cat
Serval
Caracal
Bush Dog
Dingo
Spotted Hyena
Striped Hyena
Aardwolf
Maned Wolf

 

[TeaLovingDave]

In terms of my photography, I tend to only really photograph carnivores (particurily cats and bears) so for me the zoo in half a day may be do-able if I don't do the aquarium and bird avaries?

Easily, I suspect - although I would suggest that even if you only give a cursory glance to the Pheasantry at Zoo Berlin, it is worth a quick visit in order to see and photograph the only Trumpet Manucode in captivity; it's not every day you see a Bird of Paradise!

As far as carnivores at each collection goes, I believe this is the complete list for each, with taxonomic groups lumped together:

Zoo Berlin - 28 carnivore taxa

Canids - 3 taxa

African Wild Dog
Fennec Fox
Non-ssp Wolf

Felids - 8 taxa

Arabian Sand Cat
Barbary Lion
Non-ssp Jaguar
Jaguarundi
Non-ssp Lion
North Persian Leopard
Ocelot
Sri Lankan Rusty-spotted Cat

Mustelids - 2 taxa

Asian Small-clawed Otter
Tayra

Ursids - 4 taxa

Asiatic Black Bear
Non-ssp Brown Bear
Indian Sloth Bear
Polar Bear

Pinnipeds - 4 taxa

California Sea Lion
Cape Fur Seal
Eastern Atlantic Harbour Seal
Northern Fur Seal

Herpestids - 2 taxa

Dwarf Mongoose
Meerkat

Euplerids - 3 taxa

Eastern Ring-tailed Vontsira
Fosa
Northern Narrow-striped Boky

Procyonids - 2 taxa

Kinkajou
South American Coati

Hyaenids - 0 taxa

Viverrids - 0 taxa

Ailurids - 0 taxa

Mephitids - 0 taxa


Tierpark Berlin - 42 carnivore taxa

Canids - 6 taxa

Bush Dog
Chinese Dhole
Eurasian Wolf
Dingo
Maned Wolf
South African Bat-eared Fox

Felids - 21 taxa

Asiatic Lion
Bobcat
Central American Margay
Central Asian Lynx
Southern Caracal
European Wildcat
Geoffroy's Cat
Gordon's Wildcat
Indochinese Clouded Leopard
Non-subspecific Jaguar
Javan Leopard
Non-subspecific Leopard
Malayan Tiger
North Chinese Leopard
Palawan Leopard Cat
Pallas' Cat
Serval
Siberian Tiger
Snow Leopard
Sudan Cheetah
Sumatran Tiger

Mustelids - 2 taxa

Central African Ratel
Northern Yellow-throated Marten

Ursids - 4 taxa

American Black Bear
Polar Bear
Spectacled Bear
Malayan Sun Bear

Pinnipeds - 0 taxa

Herpestids - 1 taxon

East African Banded Mongoose

Euplerids - 0 taxa

Procyonids - 1 taxon

Northern Raccoon

Hyaenids - 3 taxa

Eastern Aardwolf
Spotted Hyena
Striped Hyena

Viverrids - 2 taxa

Malayan Binturong
Malayan Civet

Ailurids - 1 taxon

Nepalese Red Panda

Mephitids - 1 taxon

Striped Skunk

 

[zootiger]

Where abouts are the Hyenas and aardwolves in the zoo? They are not on the map?!

 

[sooty mangabey]

Where abouts are the Hyenas and aardwolves in the zoo? They are not on the map?!

They're in the Tierpark, in a run of moated enclosures adjacent to the elephant house. No hyenas in the zoo for quite a while now, although some spotted hyena used to time-share the lion enclosure.

 

[zootiger]

Sorry I mean the tierparc! Found the spotted hyena and aardwolves enclosure but can't find the striped Hyenas?! Any ideas

 

[sooty mangabey]

Sorry I mean the tierparc! Found the spotted hyena and aardwolves enclosure but can't find the striped Hyenas?! Any ideas

They are - or certainly were - in that same run of enclosures. Standing at the elephant house, and looking towards them, the spotted are in the larger enclosure on the right, aardwolves in the middle, and striped to the left...

 

[zootiger]

It appears not? It goes spotted hyena, aardwolves, and bat eared fox then a path to the wolves. Can't see the striped. Maybe missing something myself!