European (Tea)Cup - HEAD-TO-HEAD: Tierpark Berlin vs Zoo Berlin (Water and Wetlands)

[TeaLovingDave]

As the title suggests, this one will focus on the WATER AND WETLANDS 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!

 

[CrashMegaraptor]

Z-Berlin literally has a massive and dedicated aquarium. Not just the bottom floor either - the central crocodilian hall of the reptile floor would count too.

Even beyond that, there's a few assorted enclosures, such as the hippo house.

 

[Paul.Haerle]

The Zoo has also James‘s Flamingos and Andean Flamingos in their collection

 

[TeaLovingDave]

The question here, which I shall pose and leave for others to consider rather than attempting to lay out the evidence on either side right now, is whether the quality of the various category exhibits at Tierpark outweighs the *quantity* of category exhibits at the zoo, and if not to what degree the quality at Tierpark makes it a closer proposition than it might seem?

 

[remar]

I really liked the focus at endangered freshwater fish at the Tierparks aquarium within the restaurant.

But the zoo also offers a lot outside of the Aquarium building, including the beach aviary, the flamingos, penguins and seals.

I'm somewhere between 3:2 and 4:1 for the Zoo, currently a little more at 4:1 but still open for both.

 

[Philipine eagle]

The question here, which I shall pose and leave for others to consider rather than attempting to lay out the evidence on either side right now, is whether the quality of the various category exhibits at Tierpark outweighs the *quantity* of category exhibits at the zoo, and if not to what degree the quality at Tierpark makes it a closer proposition than it might seem?

Given that I can learn from previous threads that you like to focus on the quality of the enclosures rather than species lists, I don't see many pluses for this theme at the Tierpark. Both Stork and Gull aviaries undeniably are, but perhaps almost everything has already been said with that?

Penguin outdoors, polar bears (probably absent now in the Zoo?), flamingos are all of similar mediocre quality in both zoos, curious to see if anyone can convince me otherwise there.

Crocodiles in ABH/Aquarium are comparably good.
Aquaria at the Tierpark are limited in number, and while the species range and aquarium design are of high quality, I doubt the Tierpark can beat the giant Aquarium at the Zoo.
And the latter additionally has the Hippo House and the Antarctic Penguin building, 2 locations that may be enough on their own to claim victory.

I guess it tends more towards 4:1 than 3:2, both in favor of the Zoo.

 

[Père Damian's Deer]

I'll do a small showcase for Tierpark Berlin, so people get an idea to what they have to offer in this category:
Mammals:

@SivatheriumGuy - A Polar Bear enclosure with lots of nice water, but not enough landspace.

@Philipine eagle - This fantastic recent exhibit is great mix for South-East Asian animals with the Asian Small-clawed Otter counting here.

@Philipine eagle - This huge enclosure contains a large group of Père David's Deer that tend to live in swamps.

@SivatheriumGuy - Most of the deer paddocks do not count, but one species that is sometimes referred to as Indian Swamp Deer/Barasingha does.
Birds:

@Philipine eagle - This large aviary contains a ton of species that are relevant to the category.
Species: Saddle-billed Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, Hamerkop, Abdim's Stork, Hadada Ibis, Meller's Duck, African Pochard, Red-billed Teal

@Philipine eagle - This large aviary is unique in its kind as not many zoos tend to exhibit Gulls in a large aviary or at all. There is also a small lake next to it.
Species: African Grey-headed Gull, Black-tailed Gull, Grey Gull, Laughing Gull, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Scaly-sided Merganser, Smew, Bufflehead, Ferruginous Duck, Lake: Black-necked Swan, Rosy-billed Pochard.

@Philipine eagle - A nice Australian themed wetlands aviary.
Species: Little Pied Cormorant, Straw-necked Ibis, White-faced Heron, Plumed Whistling Duck.

@lintworm - Tierpark has somewhat all species of Pelican spread out through the park.
Species: American White Pelican, Australian Pelican, Dalmatian Pelican, Eastern Brown Pelican, Great White Pelican, Pink-backed Pelican, Spot-billed Pelican.

@twilighter American and Chilean Flamingo pond next to the Kamelwiese.

@SivatheriumGuy - There are some forested Crane enclosures scattered around the park. There is one african crane that counts in the infamous vulture aviary, but I'm not sure I can count it based on just the one species.
Species: Black-necked Crane, Siberian Crane, Demoiselle Crane, Eastern Grey Crowned Crane, Red-crowned Crane, Western Black Crowned Crane.
Part two will arrive soon.

 

[Père Damian's Deer]

@SivatheriumGuy - Two nice African Penguin enclosure.

@Andreaghido - A nice Madagascar themed aviary.
Species: Madagascar Crested Ibis, Javan Pond Heron, Baer's Pochard.

@snowleopard - A nice aviary dedicated to Herons.
Species: Javan Pond-heron, Indian Pond-heron, Cattle Egret, Philippine Rufous Night Heron

@Hvedekorn - Two simple enclosures for two beautiful eagles.
Species: Bald Eagle, Stellar Sea Eagle.
Some other notable Bird species are: Marabou, European White Stork, Oriental Stork (offshow), African Openbill (offshow), Magpie Goose, Western Greylag Goose, Southern Screamer.
Feel free to add any birds if you know any more.
Reptiles:

@Philipine eagle - Two nice crocodile enclosures in the Alfred Brehm House.
Species: False Gharial, Malaysian Painted River Turtle, Asian Leaf Turtle and Yellow-headed Temple Turtle.

@Philipine eagle - A lot of enclosure in the ABH contain relevant species.
Species: Zhou's Box Turtle, Black-breasted Leaf Turtle, Black Tree Monitor, Blue-spotted Tree Monitor, Borneo Earless Tree Monitor, Central Vietnamese Flowerback Box Turtle, Crocodile Lizard, False Map Turtle, Green Tree Python, McCord's Box Turtle, Mississippi Map Turtle (offshow), Ouachita Map Turtle, Vietnamese Crocodile Lizard.
Some notable amphibian species: Cane Toad, File-eared Tree Frog, Giant Fire-bellied Toad, Golden Mantella (Monkey House), Maranon Poison Frog (Monkey House), Solomon Island Eyelash Frog, Vietnam Crocodile Newt, White-lipped Tree Frog.
Fish:

@Philipine eagle - Some nice fish tanks in the Patagonia restaurant contain a lot of species. Feel free to add something to this section of fish as I did not get to visit it.
Some Species: Chocolate Surgeonfish, Blotched Boxface, Elegant Firefish, Flame Angel,...

In my showcase I have decided to switch to a 3-2 vote because of the Birds and Reptile collection. I feel like I highlighted quite a few species that you wouldn't have thought of at first.

 

[Père Damian's Deer]

@tarsius,@Zebraduiker, @Maguari - I forgot about this one since it’s a domestic. Species: Water Buffalo

 

[TeaLovingDave]

I note with interest that @SivatheriumGuy has popped up with a vote in favour of Tierpark Berlin fancy posting your thoughts, and possibly converting a few people to your side?

On another note, rather a lot more people have voted in this match compared to the other ongoing match - so a bit more participation over there would not go amiss!

 

[SivatheriumGuy]

I note with interest that @SivatheriumGuy has popped up with a vote in favour of Tierpark Berlin fancy posting your thoughts, and possibly converting a few people to your side?

Honestly, personal bias. The kerabau and Pere David's deer paddock, new otter island, the gull dome aviary,... are all exhibits I really enjoy, and in general, the "aquatic" collection at the Tierpark speaks to me more than the one over at its sister location.
I love the collection and exhibitry at the zoo as well, but the Tierpark has a bit more charm in my opinion.