European (Tea)Cup - League A - Basel vs Paris Zoo & Menagerie

Basel vs Paris Zoo & Menagerie - HOOFSTOCK

  • Total voters
    31
  • Poll closed .
The consensus seems to be that Basel is significantly superior in terms of exhibitry, but I’m not all too sure about that. Is there anything at Basel as good as the Vincennes savannah, or anything at Paris as bad as the Pygmy hippo enclosure? I’m not all too sure having only seen one in person. Yes, the hoofstock yards at JdP are all basic (the huge, grassy and well-designed Malayan Tapir enclosure, which I am surprised nobody has mentioned, being an exception, I believe), but none are poor, all providing sufficient space and at least partial grass coverage, with all of the smaller ones housing small group sizes so overstocking isn’t really a risk - whereas at Basel, from photos, I would have to agree with Philippine Eagle that the rhino enclosure is too small for five.

For me, there isn’t really anything between them in terms of exhibitry quality, which is the first thing I consider. Collection numbers mean very little to me (although of course Paris wins there too) unless they are too one-sided not to be ignored, but the interest and rarity of said collection certainly does. Basel only really has Lesser Kudu in terms of rarities, whereas Paris has the gaur, Mhorr, the peccary, the tapir and all the caprices. The charm of the Parisian enclosures is of course very significant too, although I do think it is unfair to judge on such intangibles without having seen both in person - I for one cannot speak to the how it feels to be in the Basel Antelope House (although of course the architecture can be admired from photos and is indeed very impressive) for example.
 
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Kalaw said:
The consensus seems to be that Basel is significantly superior in terms of exhibitry, but I’m not all too sure about that. Is there anything at Basel as good as the Vincennes savannah, or anything at Paris as bad as the Pygmy hippo enclosure? I’m not all too sure having only seen one in person. Yes, the hoofstock yards at JdP are all basic (the huge, grassy and well-designed Malayan Tapir enclosure, which I am surprised nobody has mentioned, being an exception, I believe), but none are poor, all providing sufficient space and at least partial grass coverage, with all of the smaller ones housing small group sizes so overstocking isn’t really a risk - whereas at Basel, from photos, I would have to agree with Philippine Eagle that the rhino enclosure is too small for five.

For me, there isn’t really anything between them in terms of exhibitry quality, which is the first thing I consider. Collection numbers mean very little to me (although of course Paris wins there too) unless they are too one-sided not to be ignored, but the interest and rarity of said collection certainly does. Basel only really has Lesser Kudu in terms of rarities, whereas Paris has the gaur, Mhorr, the peccary, the tapir and all the caprices. The charm of the Parisian enclosures is of course very significant too, although I do think it is unfair to judge on such intangibles without having seen both in person - I for one cannot speak to the wonders of the Basel Antelope House, for example.
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The Basel antelope house is one of the most beautiful zoo buildings in the world (in my humble opinion) and arguably has been better adapted for modern zoo usage than the comparable 'cottage orne' huts and sheds at the menagerie. I gave it some weight in my 3/2 to Paris, but still think Paris edges it for me here.
 
Kalaw said:
anything at Paris as bad as the Pygmy hippo enclosure? I
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I would say several paddocks would qualify for equally bad, from memory especially the one for Sichuan takin was small and relatively barren. While Basel's pygmy hippo exhibit is small, that is almost its only fault. There is a good balance between land and water, it is very densely planted, so full of shade and privacy for a shy rainforest animal. In terms of structure I cannot think of many that are better Behind the scenes is a separation enclosure for the male, but that can't be large either.

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(if you look carefully, there is a hippo in the same location on both pictures)


Kalaw said:
whereas at Basel, from photos, I would have to agree with Philippine Eagle that the rhino enclosure is too small for five.
Click to expand...

The rhino enclosure is designed to house 1.2 + offspring, so at times the female paddock does house 2 females + 2 calves. This is another enclosure that isn't very large (in total less than 2.000 square metres outdoors), but very well structured and designed in a way that animals can get out of each others way. If anything the male paddock is too small:
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(picture makes it look smaller than it is though)

The female exhibit doesn't feel to small, based on its structure and variation:

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view from the NE (the next picture is taken from behind the plant island in the far back, the picture with the big pool is taken from the left (you can see where the pool starts)

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view from the SW

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@twilighter main pool and view from the SE

There might be nothing as iconic as the Vincennes Savannah, but both the rhino and elephant exhibits are better than anything else Paris has to offer imo and the average standard in Basel just seems higher to me. Basel's vice is space and not much more, whereas I think the majority of Parisian exhibits are also on the small side and far less well structured.
 
Please post a substantial and/or reasonable justification for your 5-0 vote in favour of Paris @carlos55 lest it be disregarded; you have just over five hours to do so.
 
Note that this total does not include the 5:0 vote from @carlos55 which was left without comment and hence did not comply with Cup rules:

Basel - 68/150 points - 45.333%
Paris - 82/150 points - 54.666%

Perhaps less close than it should have been, but nonetheless a strong showing from both competitors!
 
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