Best Tiger enclosure in the Benelux

[felis silvestris]

This is just a bit of fun to judge the general consensus on the best enclosure for Tigers in the Benelux. I have added a few photos from the gallery to make it easier for members to compare the different exhibits. If anyone wants to make an argument for a particular enclosure, please feel free to do so. Also, I would encourage people to list the enclosures in order of what they think is the best.

The Wolf and Wild dog threads are closing tomorrow, so if you want to vote or give an opinion on the exhibits do it soon before they close.

If you want to vote for Bouillon, Pairi Daiza (White), Bellewaerde Park, Amersfoort (Amur), Amersfoort (White), Hoenderdaell, Monde Sauvage, Pakawi or Mondo Verde then please vote for the “Other” option and specify which zoo you’re voting for.

Bouillon (Amur)

Unfortunately there are no photos of this enclosure in the gallery. If someone could describe or provide a photo of the enclosure, that would be great.

Pairi Daiza (Amur)



Bellewaerde Park (Amur)

Unfortunately there are no photos of this enclosure in the gallery. If someone could describe or provide a photo of the enclosure, that would be great.

Amersfoort (Amur)



Hoenderdaell (Amur)



Beekse Bergen (Amur)



AZ Leeuwarden (Amur)



Dierenrijk (Amur)



Overloon (Amur)



Ouwehands (Amur)



Burgers (Sumatran)



Rotterdam (Sumatran)

 

[felis silvestris]

Pairi Daiza

https://www.zoochat.com/community/m...d-section-2019-10-04.465613/full?d=1571849849

Amersfoort



Overloon



Monde Sauvage

Unfortunately there are no photos of this enclosure in the gallery. If someone could describe or provide a photo of the enclosure, that would be great.

Pakawi





Mondo Verde



Photo credits to @KevinB @Mr Gharial @vogelcommando @snowleopard
@MennoPebesma @fofo

 

[Mr Gharial]

Between Beekse Bergen, Aquazoo and Burgers' this is a genuinely difficult decision.

BB and Aquazoo both have very similar-looking enclosures, which are quite well-designed and very natural. As AZ's enclosure is younger it would go to BB, as the mature trees and more lower foliage gives it the edge. However, Aquazoo has two enclosures and Beekse Bergen has three, and AZ's are larger than BB's. I'd say in terms of Amur tiger, it goes to AZ

Burgers' Zoo, however, is on another level. Literally, as there is a large amount of height difference in the enclosure that makes the whole thing even bigger. On a flat surface, the enclosure is the same size as one of Aquazoo's enclosures. But the height differences not only make it bigger, but the enclosure is also designed for Sumatran tigers, who are a great deal smaller than their Northern cousins. Along with that, BZ's enclosure has a lot of low foliage and bamboo for the Tigers to comfortably hide in.

Then again, BZ only has one enclosure, and the separation exhibits leave a lot to be desired...

Yeah, I got no idea. I'll give it to Burgers zoo for now

 

[snowleopard]

This should be an easy romp to victory for Burgers' Zoo. The tiger exhibit there is superb.

 

[lintworm]

This should be an easy romp to victory for Burgers' Zoo. The tiger exhibit there is superb.

Not necessarily easy, the one in Rhenen is equally good if not even better....

 

[KevinB]

Does the exhibit at Rhenen has a large secondary/separation exhibit? I don't remember, it's been too long since I visited that zoo.

 

[Mr Gharial]

Not necessarily easy, the one in Rhenen is equally good if not even better....

Ouwehands' Tiger enclosure is often overlooked. Both in threads like these and in the park itself. This is because the enclosure is a little hidden away in the zoo, despite being central in the park and having multiple viewing galleries. This also goes along with the Park itself being overlooked in Dutch zoo discussions

 

[Mr Gharial]

Does the exhibit at Rhenen has a large secondary/separation exhibit? I don't remember, it's been too long since I visited that zoo.

I believe this may be the upper area of the enclosure, separated by the middle path. But I can't say for certain

 

[MennoPebesma]

I believe this may be the upper area of the enclosure, separated by the middle path. But I can't say for certain
View attachment 622863

The section on the other side of the tunnel should indeed also be part of the tiger enclosure.

 

[Choco115]

I feel like Aquazoo is only getting fewer votes because people haven’t seen it themselves. Aquazoo has 2 enormous enclosures with great viewing which is why it narrowly beats Burgers for me with Ouwehands a nice 3rd place

 

[Perseus6]

So Bellewaerde enclosure is not that good. Pretty small plenty of animals and behind the scenes inside enclosures are small concrete like rooms. A train rides through it you can google pictures.
Bouillon zoo has an unique style very minimalistic and functional. It was simple with a platform and a pool not huge not small not to many animals so pretty good.
Sidenote Antwerp will open one soon so maybe it will be the best.
But I think Burgers is just the best one.

 

[lintworm]

I am surprised Ouwehands gets so few votes, while having a large well-forested enclosure with good viewing options, whicu is larger than Burgers' and better structure imo. The second enclosure is also larger than the one in Arnhem...

 

[Philipine eagle]

Burgers is very impressive : as Mr. GHarial wrote it's height differences make it a very attractive enclosure and it is beautifully decorated with lots of vegetation and tree trunks. The second enclosure however doesn't reach this standard.

Leeuwarden looks pretty good for Siberian tiger but it's too young and the vegetation is yet to grow.

Blijdorp is superb in terms of re-using an existing enclosure and is aesthetically pleasing; but it's too small imo and the fact that visitors can watch the cats from above is not a plus.

Ouwehands is good; it gets not many votes probably because it looks a bit old.
Pairi Daiza is very good but it's overcrowded with animals.

...
Sidenote Antwerp will open one soon so maybe it will be the best.
...

I'm pretty sure it won't be: too small, viewable from almost all sides and if I'm correct there will be only 1 enclosure. And they closed their nocturnal house for this.

 

[Perseus6]

Burgers is very impressive : as Mr. GHarial wrote it's height differences make it a very attractive enclosure and it is beautifully decorated with lots of vegetation and tree trunks. The second enclosure however doesn't reach this standard.

Leeuwarden looks pretty good for Siberian tiger but it's too young and the vegetation is yet to grow.

Blijdorp is superb in terms of re-using an existing enclosure and is aesthetically pleasing; but it's too small imo and the fact that visitors can watch the cats from above is not a plus.

Ouwehands is good; it gets not many votes probably because it looks a bit old.
Pairi Daiza is very good but it's overcrowded with animals.



I'm pretty sure it won't be: too small, viewable from almost all sides and if I'm correct there will be only 1 enclosure. And they closed their nocturnal house for this.

IK i think it's a bad decision I was sarcastic. But still for completion, I wouldn't want to have to vote again.

 

[felis silvestris]

(Apologies, I forgot to do these earlier)

Score update. Burgers are currently far ahead, with only Ouwehands and AZ Leeuwarden having also received votes. This is the third enclosure in Burgers Rimba that’s winning or won so far.

 

[felis silvestris]

Poll closed. Congratulations to Burgers for having the best Tiger enclosure in the Benelux. Having a large, dense enclosure for the Sumatran tigers gave them the edge, although it is evident that several other enclosures on here are of high quality (AZ, Ouwehands, Beekse Bergen etc). This is their fifth win so far.

Burgers: 75.0%
Ouwehands: 12.5%
AZ Leeuwarden: 12.5%