European (Tea)Cup - FINALS LEAGUE - Zoo Berlin vs Tierpark Berlin

Zoo Berlin vs Tierpark Berlin - LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

  • Zoo Berlin 5/0 Tierpark Berlin

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Zoo Berlin 4/1 Tierpark Berlin

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Tierpark Berlin 4/1 Zoo Berlin

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Tierpark Berlin 5/0 Zoo Berlin

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    21
  • Poll closed .

TeaLovingDave

Moderator
Staff member
15+ year member
This should be a very interesting - and potentially-pivotal - match, and as such a great way to start this round off I reckon :D the category is LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN.

As always, remember that although posting your evidence and reasoning isn't mandatory (unless you wish to cast a 5:0 vote) it is strongly requested, as an increase in discussion and evidence generally leads to an increase in participation and therefore - hopefully - a more reliable result.
 
I remember when these zoos still had Baird's Tapirs and West Indian Manatees, respectively. Good times.

I almost feel this is going to come down to their bird collection, since the other categories they have sorta cancel each other out. Both are certainly fine, but it's kinda hard for me to not vote for T-Berlin in this aspect. That moment when I saw their harpy eagles, a very rare European species I should add, for the first time was just... wow.
 
With the vast Camel paddocks, beautiful Chaco area, Monkey House main mixed exhibit and Parrot aviaries I feel that Tierpark Berlin has the slight edge over his mighty brother.

South America in Berlin zoo has always felt a bit neglected to me. Aquarium has some strengths like the central Arapaima tank, but the most Mammals exhibits are non remarcable.
 
The two brothers going against each other always makes for a spectacle. I feel that South America is actually quite decently represented perhaps not in theming, but in species. I have decided to vote for Zoo Berlin. While the Tierpark is my favourite Zoo overall I have to let bias aside (Harpy is my favorite bird). Tierpark has a nice collection of mammals, raptors and macaws, but the Zoo still has some things to compete with these ones, but the Zoo has somethings that the Tierpark has no answer to: Smaller birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and fish.
I'll make a showcase of the Zoo now.
Mammals:
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@Swedish Zoo Fan - A large grassy paddock for a lot of relevant species with a nice water source.
Species: Guanaco, Capybara, Lesser Rhea, Coscoroba Swan (unfortunately no SA-deer anymore)

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@twilighter - A very nice modern outdoor enclosure, maybe slightly small (hence the plans to extend it), but it contains a great indoor enclosure where there is actually water (not many indoors have this)
Species: Jaguar

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@twilighter - An amazing indoor enclosure again for small cats, I have used the vontsira outdoor enclosure, but the neighbours should have a similar looking enclosure. It is very lush and relatively spacious for these very small cats.
Species: Southern Oncilla, Yucatan Margay (Ocelot offshow)

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@Swedish Zoo Fan
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@Hvedekorn -
Indoor and Outdoor enclosure for monkeys, indoor has some nice climbing, but outdoor isn't great and definitely doesn't come close to Tierpark monkey enclosures.
Species: Colombian Black Spider Monkey, Guianan Weeper Capuchin

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@kiang - a decent outdoor enclosure for Red Titi with nice climbing frames
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@Hvedekorn-
A nice and very lush enclosure
Species: Linnaeus Two-toed Sloth, Black-rumped Agouti, Eastern Pygmy Marmoset
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@SivatheriumGuy - Few enclosures in the night house contain relevant species in quite a nice environment
Species: Bolivian Night Monkey, Southern Three-banded Armadillo, Coruro, Kinkajou

(this is part 1 for mammals)
 
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@MagpieGoose - An amazing large aviary for the biggest raptor in the world and quite a cool mix.
Species: Andean Condor, White-faced Whistling Duck, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Rosy-billed Pochard

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@MagpieGoose - the rarest flamingos in the world are held together in the Pheasantry
Species: Andean Flamingo, Puna Flamingo, Black-necked Stilt, Bronze-winged Duck
They also have Chilean Flamingo and American Flamingo

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@SivatheriumGuy - I was debating whether I should include the King Penguin, but in the end I didn't because it is technically UK territory and it's only a small part of South America (feel free to discuss this)
Species: Humboldt Penguin

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@Paul Kalisch - A great aviary for mostly European birds, but the loudest of them all makes this fantastic display with its amazing wave machine relevant
Species: Inca Tern

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@MagpieGoose
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@MagpieGoose - A few nice aviaries in the Eagle Canyon
Species: King Vulture, Crested Caracara, Spectacled Owl

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@lintworm - a large pond for Pelicans
Species: American White Pelican

Onto the Bird houses
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@snowleopard
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@gulogulogulo
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@lintworm - The Pheasantry and World of Birds contain quite a lot of relevant species in decent housing due to the renovations.
Species: Black-faced Dacnis, Black-necked Aracari, Blue-crowned Motmot, Blue Throated Piping Guan, Blue Winged Macaw, Brazilian Tanager, Burnished Buff Tanager
Rest of the species will follow soon.
 
Other species in Bird house and/or Pheasantry:
Chileo Wigeon, Cuban Amazon, Grey-winged Trumpeter, Guira Cuckoo, Hyacinth Macaw, Lilacine Amazon, Mexican Military Macaw, Montserrat Oriole, Paradise Tanager, Puna Ibis, Red Legged Seriema, Socorro Pigeon, Southern Screamer, Spangled Cottinga, Sunbittern, Swallow Tanager, Turquoise Tanager, Western Cattle Egret, White Winged Blue Grey Tanager, Yellow Cardinal
 
The two brothers going against each other always makes for a spectacle. I feel that South America is actually quite decently represented perhaps not in theming, but in species. I have decided to vote for Zoo Berlin. While the Tierpark is my favourite Zoo overall I have to let bias aside (Harpy is my favorite bird). Tierpark has a nice collection of mammals, raptors and macaws, but the Zoo still has some things to compete with these ones, but the Zoo has somethings that the Tierpark has no answer to: Smaller birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and fish.
I'll make a showcase of the Zoo now.


Excellent - just the sort of primary evidence and reasoning I hoped for!

Anyone else have further details on any of the Zoo Berlin exhibits highlighted, or any that @Père Damian's Deer has omitted? :)

Also, anyone feel up to an equivalent post highlighting what the Tierpark has to offer?
 
As for the Reptiles, where Tierpark has none:
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@JigerofLemuria - A fantastic lush enclosure for some South American reptiles in the middle of the aquarium
Species: Spectacled Caiman, Yellow-spotted River Turtle, Zulia toad-headed sideneck

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@ronnienl
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@Zebraduiker- An example for some of the enclosures that hold relevant species. Some being bigger than others based on the inhabitants, but always creating a very nice environment.
Species: Brazilian Rainbow Boa, Brown Basilisk, Caiman Lizard, Common Green Iguana, Eastern Casquehead Iguana, Green Basilisk, Honduran Milksnake, Rio Fuerte Beaded Lizard, Smooth-fronted Caiman, Spectacled Caiman, Spotted Martinique Anole

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@Hvedekorn - A large Iguana enclosure in the Empire of Cats.
Species: Hispanolian Rhinoceros Iguana

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@gulogulogulo
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@gulogulogulo - two examples for one of the Amphibian species in the Aquarium
Species: Axolotl, Many species of Poison Dart Frogs, Cuban Tree Frog, Rio Rauca caecilian, ....

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@lintworm - A few very lush tanks relevant to the category
Species: Arapaima, Pacu, Red-tail Catfish, River Stingray,...

I hope this gives a full overview for Zoo Berlin's offerings
 
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@MagpieGoose - An amazing large aviary for the biggest raptor in the world and quite a cool mix.
Species: Andean Condor, White-faced Whistling Duck, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Rosy-billed Pochard

full

@MagpieGoose - the rarest flamingos in the world are held together in the Pheasantry
Species: Andean Flamingo, Puna Flamingo, Black-necked Stilt, Bronze-winged Duck
They also have Chilean Flamingo and American Flamingo

full

@SivatheriumGuy - I was debating whether I should include the King Penguin, but in the end I didn't because it is technically UK territory and it's only a small part of South America (feel free to discuss this)
Species: Humboldt Penguin

full

@Paul Kalisch - A great aviary for mostly European birds, but the loudest of them all makes this fantastic display with its amazing wave machine relevant
Species: Inca Tern

full

@MagpieGoose
full

@MagpieGoose - A few nice aviaries in the Eagle Canyon
Species: King Vulture, Crested Caracara, Spectacled Owl

full

@lintworm - a large pond for Pelicans
Species: American White Pelican

Onto the Bird houses
full

@snowleopard
full

@gulogulogulo
full

@lintworm - The Pheasantry and World of Birds contain quite a lot of relevant species in decent housing due to the renovations.
Species: Black-faced Dacnis, Black-necked Aracari, Blue-crowned Motmot, Blue Throated Piping Guan, Blue Winged Macaw, Brazilian Tanager, Burnished Buff Tanager
Rest of the species will follow soon.

Excellent and informative as usual, thank you.

I think you could argue to include King Penguins as, as well as the Falklands which is in the general region, they are also found elsewhere. If we are looking geographically rather than politically they would fit Continental South America. While not Latin America per se they might not count in any category otherwise. Interesting question.

So many other nice things anyway of course.
 
Excellent and informative as usual, thank you.

I think you could argue to include King Penguins as, as well as the Falklands which is in the general region, they are also found elsewhere. If we are looking geographically rather than politically they would fit Continental South America. While not Latin America per se they might not count in any category otherwise. Interesting question.

So many other nice things anyway of course.
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@SivatheriumGuy - for reference
 
While I fully agree with @Père Damian's Deer's comment about the lack of small birds, herps and fish in the Tierpark, the Tierpark with the Camel Wiesen probably has the best scenery to offer, and it will be hard to find a better South American primate exhibit than the one at the front of the Monkeyhouse:

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Yellow-breasted capuchin, Red Howler monkey, Guinean bearded Saki, White-bearded Saki and Lowland paca
 

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Credits for Tierpark not mentioned yet ? Maned Wolf, Bush Dog and Spectacled Bear all in decent enclosures
 
Credits for Tierpark not mentioned yet ? Maned Wolf, Bush Dog and Spectacled Bear all in decent enclosures

Not all that much has been mentioned for the Tierpark full-stop as a matter of fact, other than in passing.

Hopefully someone will produce a photographic breakdown of what the Tierpark has to offer soon :) although if no one does so within the next day I shall do so myself.
 
I would, but it's been nearly a decade since I last went there, so it's likely changed quite a bit since then.

Well, that'll just create a jumping-off point for further discussion and corrections - so go for it I reckon!
 
and West Indian Manatees, respectively. Good times.

Well, not for the manatees I think it's fair to say.

A very nice modern outdoor enclosure, maybe slightly small (hence the plans to extend it)

Again, bit of a stretch, I've seen meerkat enclosures double the size - realistically it's tiny.
Having said that, I agree that the zoo has the edge over the Tierpark volume-wise. the issue is quality. I'd be very interested to see a photographic breakdown of the Tierpark's exhibits to jog my memory for what qualifies, but for now leaning towards the zoo as the majority are in good enclosures, with some brilliant (the shorebird and condor aviaries for example) and there isn't too much that is poor for me - spider monkeys and jaguars are probably the weakest.
 
Given no one else has had a crack at explaining the strengths of Tierpark Berlin in this regard, here goes:

Camelid Meadows

Located in more-or-less the central point of the Tierpark, and one of the most iconic exhibits in the collection as a whole. Naturally, the southern portion of these (containing Dromedary and Bactrian Camel) is not relevant for the purposes of this category - however, the northern portion is entirely relevant, comprising a series of massive exhibits for alpaca, guanaco, llama and vicuna covering a total of around 30,500 m². The Guanaco are mixed with Patagonian Mara, whilst the Vicugna are mixed with Lesser Rhea.

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Flamingo Exhibit

Between the New World camelid exhibits and the Old World camelid exhibits, there is a mixed exhibit for Caribbean Flamingo and Chilean Flamingo:

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Chaco exhibits

Following the path which bisects the Camelid Meadows westwards, there are a series of category relevant exhibits which all follow a loose "South American Chaco" theme, as follows:

A very pleasant little house for Chacoan Mara - the first place I ever saw the species, as a matter of fact. I believe that the group here breeds regularly and (along with Prague) is responsible for establishing the species in European zoological collections.

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Tierpark Berlin was the first European collection to keep Chacoan Peccary, having imported 2,5 individuals from the USA in 2011, and breeds them regularly and in high numbers; the entire European captive population is descended from this import, with a large proportion having been born at the Tierpark itself. The species is kept in multiple neighbouring exhibits, which as the photograph below shows are large and pleasant:

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This exhibit area also holds a fairly-simple but pleasant and spacious aviary for Chacoan Owl - unfortunately the gallery lacks any photographs.

Spectacled Bear and Bush Dog

One of the very oldest exhibits at the Tierpark, and (having undergone extensive renovation in the past decade or two) an extremely good example of how an old and outdated exhibit can be refurbished to bring it up-to-date and increase both the living standards for the inhabitants and the aesthetic appearance for visitors. The species mix is one of the most recent developments, and was introduced around a year ago - previously it held only Spectacled Bear.

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Amazonian Exhibit at Monkey House

One of the highlight exhibits within this particular area of the Tierpark, it comprises a large outdoor mixed exhibit for several New World monkeys (Yellow-breasted Capuchin, Bearded Saki, Guianan Red Howler, White-faced Saki) along with Lowland Paca and Black-rumped Agouti, alongside several indoor exhibits for these species;

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Macaw Aviaries

The Tierpark has several large and pleasant aviaries for macaws and other category-relevant parrots, including the following:

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Harpy Eagle

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Owl and Bird-of-Prey Aviaries

There do not seem to be any decent close-up photographs of the aviaries within the owl and bird-of-prey aviary complex located within the Tierpark - these are all pleasant and well-suited for the inhabitants in my opinion, and contain several category-specific species - including oddities such as Rusty-barred Owl and Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture. The only image of this complex I can find is as follows:

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If I have a chance, I will check through my photographs from my April 2025 visit to see if I can find any further photographs to supplement those above - in the meantime, perhaps other people can highlight the things I have omitted, as I have a strong feeling I have forgotten several relevant points!
 

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I'm going to have to give this one to the Zoo for now based everything put forth in this thread. While the Tierpark appears to have the better enclosures in this category, the Zoo isn't far enough behind and then appears to have a more well rounded collection within this category to bolster it.
 
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