European (Tea)Cup - HEAD-TO-HEAD: Tierpark Berlin vs Zoo Berlin (Primates)

[TeaLovingDave]

As the title suggests, this one will focus on the PRIMATES category - as previously, the match will last for three days and although discussion of your reasoning and provision of supplementary evidence is not mandatory (except in cases of a 5:0 vote) it *is* very much encouraged.

Moreover, even if one does not feel comfortable voting, please do ask questions, post comments relating to your opinions on the evidence presented, and generally-speaking get involved in the wider discussion!

 

[PossumRoach]

Hmm… as the Zoo is having fewer species of primates on display in the primate house as time goes on, I feel like I am inclined towards a 3:2 for TP. Not to mention that the great ape enclosures in the Zoo are probably considered greatly outdated under current standards and expectations.

 

[amur leopard]

The Tierpark has slightly less than the zoo in this category but what it does have is of far superior quality from top to bottom. And even on top of this it arguably has a more choice collection anyway.

 

[snowleopard]

Does anyone have a recent list of primates at each zoo? I believe my totals from my 2019 visits are 23 species at Berlin Zoo and 18 species at Berlin Tierpark, but that was 6 years ago and it's time for an update. In terms of quality, the Tierpark must take the edge and so I've parked my vote 3-2 in that direction for now.

 

[Père Damian's Deer]

Primates:
While it might not have a great ape like Zoo Berlin, it does have some fantastic enclosure for their monkeys.

@SivatheriumGuy

@Philipine eagle - The monkey house has been renovated recently and is turning into a paradise for Madagascar lovers. With the new addition of one particular night lemur, it now has two of the rarest Lemurs in Europe. The indoor enclosures look very modern.
Species: Aye-aye, Coquerel’s Sifaka

@Philipine eagle

@Gibbonsagainstgravity - The house also has a fantastic Madagascar enclosure.
Species: Red-bellied Lemur, Collared Lemur, Red Ruffed Lemur.

@Philipine eagle - There are two very good enclosures for Roloway Monkeys in the park.

@Philipine eagle - Fantastic enclosure with a great selection of species.
Species: Guianan Bearded Saki, Venezuelan Red Howler, Yellow-breasted Capuchin.

@snowleopard

@zoogiraffe - The closest thing you can get to an ape (in size). This large enclosure contains a great troop of Geladas who can access two islands trough a tree bridge. There is also a group of Barbary Macaque near the Okapis.
Species: Gelada, Barbary Macaque

@Philipine eagle - The Lemurs are spread out throughout the park. There is a fantastic forest walktrough enclosure next to this one where lemurs jump from branch to branch above you.
Species: Mongoose Lemur, Black and White Ruffed Lemur, Ring-tailed Lemur, White-belted Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur.

@snowleopard - Fantastic enclosure well-fitted to the Lar Gibbon's needs. Indoor area is perhaps a little on the smaller side.

@Philipine eagle - Another appearance for this fantastic enclosure. The Sulawesi Black Macaque counts here.

@Philipine eagle - An enclosure that could easily be missed on a visit. Species: Sunda Pig-tailed Macaque.

@twilighter - This fantastic enclosure is in the Himalaya area. The former Stellar Sea Eagle aviary makes for a great and tall exhibit for Francois Langur.

They may not have any apes or callichtrids (not that Zoo has many). The husbandry is fantastic and none of the exhibits are bad.

 

[pipaluk]

Does anyone have a recent list of primates at each zoo? I believe my totals from my 2019 visits are 23 species at Berlin Zoo and 18 species at Berlin Tierpark, but that was 6 years ago and it's time for an update. In terms of quality, the Tierpark must take the edge and so I've parked my vote 3-2 in that direction for now.

ZTL has it as 21 -18 for species in favour of Zoo Berlin

 

[TeaLovingDave]

At this point, it seems worthwhile highlighting the main reasoning behind my vote; I reckon that the match is rather closer than the 60-40 split in favour of Tierpark Berlin which most participants in this match have elected to vote for, and that it comes down to three points:

• Tierpark Berlin does, admittedly, have the better exhibit quality overall - although not by as wide a margin as some have suggested.
• I disagree that the primate collection at Tierpark Berlin is "more choice" - for every interesting oddity at Tierpark Berlin there are just as many at Zoo Berlin, and the latter does have marginally more species overall.
• Given the above, I'd probably vote 55-45 in favour of Tierpark Berlin if I could, but one factor swings the pendulum back towards Zoo Berlin.... not by much, but enough that I have to go with the 60-40 ratio which is the lowest possible pro-Zoo vote. Put simply, I think that the fact that Zoo Berlin has been able to keep Western Lowland Gorilla successfully enough to achieve the world record longevity for the species and moreover beat the closest competition by several years shows they must be doing *something* right!

It's a very subjective basis for a vote, and it won't stop Tierpark Berlin from winning unless a tidal wave of people remember that they also have a massive soft spot for Fatou, but there you go

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Tierpark Berlin - 52/90 points - 57.778%
Zoo Berlin - 38/90 points - 42.222%