European (Tea)Cup - League A - Chester vs Basel

[TeaLovingDave]

The contenders are now well-familiar, each having already played through two matches apiece, but the category is one we haven't looked at so far - TROPICAL FORESTS. How exactly you judge the category is up to you, but naturally it is best if you post your reasoning for discussion and debate!

 

[twilighter]

How many zoos have two Tropical buildings at their grounds ? And how many buildings and exhibits Chester actually have that fall under this category ? Spirit of Jaguar, Realm of the Red Ape, Dragons in Danger, Secret World of Okapi, Chimpanzee Breeding Center, Madagascar, the best representation of Indonesia in Europe?

The new fantastic Bird house, Great Ape building and iconic spieces like Okapi, can save Basel from total crash, but it will be hard to get more than a point.
4-1 for Chester.

 

[CrashMegaraptor]

Really, what Chester has in terms of "Tropical Forests" is absolutely insane.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

No one seems to want to discuss this one further

Anyone want to make arguments in favour of Basel?

 

[Lafone]

I voted a little hastily and having looked at the lovely bird house at Basel which looks excellent (I particularly like a free flight bird house) I revised to 3/2 Chester. This category has a lot going for it at Chester however so while I’m open to other arguments it feels like a weighty punch.

 

[Gil]

Arguments for Basel would include some of the terrariums in the Vivarium, the strong collection of birds in the new bird house (with the recently arrived Javan green magpie), the breeding successes of pygmy hippos and okapis (but the enclosures aren't really great) and the big apes. Chester just wins on quite every point over Basel in this category, so I'm also going to vote 4-1 for Chester.

 

[CrashMegaraptor]

No one seems to want to discuss this one further

Anyone want to make arguments in favour of Basel?

I mean, as someone who went to Chester only last year, it's kinda hard to imagine anything topping what it has in terms of "Tropical Forest", given just the sheer diversity. There's probably an argument somewhere that it could win with just one of its sections. My personal highlight was Islands and I do genuinely think it's one of the best tropical areas I've ever personally visited in a zoo.

All I'm saying is, if Chester is one of the contenders when the "Island" category is used for Group A.... well, good luck to their opponent, they might need it.

 

[lintworm]

No one seems to want to discuss this one further

Anyone want to make arguments in favour of Basel?

Well, I don' think there is much scope here for Basel, beyond maybe a 3-2. When it comes to birds, reptiles and fish the zoo has quite a number of very good exhibits. But for mammals it falls short. Pygmy hippo and okapi don't exactly have the most impressive exhibits. And the primate house is quite good from a primate perspective, but doesn't give forest vibes in the slightest. It is a masterpiece in efficient use of space inside and outside. But it doesn't quite compare to the primate islands and ROTRA in Chester...

I am not in the position to post loads of pictures right now though...

it's kinda hard to imagine anything topping what it has in terms of "Tropical Forest",

Burgers' Zoo might want to have a word with you

 

[CrashMegaraptor]

Burgers' Zoo might want to have a word with you

Oh, Burgers' comes really close, at least in terms of individual exhibits. Burgers' Bush is one of the best indoor tropical houses I've ever seen. But I do still think Chester outdoes it in terms of quantity, without compromising the quality either.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

A pretty clear-cut victory for Chester, which increasingly seems to be set for a formidable position in the next rounds.... although Basel is not without hope yet!

Chester - 81/110 points - 73.636%
Basel - 29/110 points - 26.364%
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