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

[TeaLovingDave]

Two of the most highly-regarded zoological collections in Europe face off against one another - although I strongly suspect that those following the Cup expect that *both* will go far overall, only one can win this match. The category is an interesting one with a few possible points of debate and argument - MOUNTAINS AND POLES.

Let's see what you all think

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Not a great category for Chester I fear - but they do have a few high-quality exhibits which are category relevant which help them to earn a few points including the Spectacled Bear complex and the new Snow Leopard exhibit.

For now, a 3:2 vote for Vienna with the potential to switch to Chester on further thought.

 

[twilighter]

I have not seen the Snow leopard exhibit in person and is difficult to associate Chester with this category. Vienna on the other side has a few remarcable examples that represent both Mountains and Poles. One of the best city zoo Polar Bear complexes Franz Josef Land, breeding record of the Northern rockhopper penguin and brilliant Barbary Sheep/Barbary Macaque exhibit, amoug others. I am not sure what is the status of the the new Himalayan Tahr/Takin exhibit. I will start with 3:2 for Vienna, but 4:1 is also possibility.

 

[remar]

I guess that the Tiroler Hof at Vienna with alpine domestic breeds also count for this category. The mountain areas at Vienna are imo pretty good. (Beside the already mentioned one, they also have a solid exhibit for spectacled bears). The Thar/Takin exhibit is finished. But right now, only the Thars are there as no Takin has arrived yet at the zoo.

The polar exhibits are either standard (domestic reindeer or "arctic" wolf) or not that good anymore (penguins, polar bears have a good structure, but still on the small side, especially since the two parts are permanently separated as they keep two males)

 

[Fallax]

Anyone willing to share what Vienna has to offer? I can make a post for Chester tonight if someone doesn't beat me to it but it really isn't their strongest category, though still one with some standouts.

 

[CrashMegaraptor]

Unfortunately, the Himalayan section was still under construction when I went to Chester, so I'm not in a good position to judge there. Besides that, they've got the Spectacled Bears... I think that big aviary by the elephants may count to a degree with the vultures and NB ibis... yeah, Highland and Tundra ain't Chester's strong-suite by a LONG shot.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

I'd be very interested to hear the thoughts of @GiratinaIsGod for this one, given how far their vote goes against the general trend!

 

[remar]

Let's start the overview about Viennas exhibits.

The larger of the two polar bear exhibits.

Polar bear enclosure overview

• lintworm
• 3 Apr 2018
• 1

The larger enclosure in the front, the smaller just visible in the back. Both enclosures were...

And the smaller one

Polar Bear exhibit

• twilighter
• 8 Jul 2022

Overview of the penguin exhibit

Penguin house - Overview

• lintworm
• 3 Apr 2018
• 2

With Northern rockhopper and King penguin that can normally move freely between all three...

Penguin house

• lintworm
• 3 Apr 2018

In this part the Rockhopper colony was breeding

Domestic reindeer

Reindeer Enclosure at Vienna, 14/06/13

• Maguari
• 19 Jul 2013
• 1

Home to domestic Reindeer.

"Arctic" wolf

Arctic wolf enclosure

• Chapman'szebra
• 2 Jun 2023

This were the pole exhibits. Now the mountains, where many larger exhibits are quite new.

Barbary macaques and Barbary sheeps

Hill side loop - Enclosure for barbary macaques and barbary sheep

• Philipine eagle
• 18 Dec 2023

Seen from the lower viewpoint

So far only Thar and future Takin exhibit

Upcoming thar & takin exhibit

• lintworm
• 10 Sep 2024
• 1

Spectacled bear mixed with white nosed coatis

Spectacled bear enclosure - White-nosed coati (Nasua narica)

• Philipine eagle
• 18 Dec 2023

Maybe the most notable fit in this category is the original farmhouse from Tyrol, with a lot of rare domestic breeds next to it.

Tiroler hof

• lintworm
• 10 Sep 2024

An original Tyrolean farm transplanted to Vienna

Walk trough aviary for norther bald ibis and bearded vulture

Ibis Aviary at Vienna, 14/06/13

• Maguari
• 22 Jun 2013
• 4

Interior of the walk-in Waldrapp Ibis aviary.

There are also a few outdoor terrariums that count for that category. Unfortunately i didn't find pictures for the two adder species (and i don't have one of them by myself either). Here is the one for Mount Kenia Three horned Chameleon.

Mount Kenya Three-horned Chameleon outdoor terrarium

• remar
• 1 Mar 2025

Also from the native aquariums pictures are barely found within the gallery. One of the three tanks is dedicated to freshwater species from the Austrian alps (Note: the picture shows another aquarium, but they are similar in size)

Native fish aquarium

• lintworm
• 3 Apr 2018

One of three tanks exhibiting native fish species

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Still time for @GiratinaIsGod to provide information about why they have voted so very differently from the general trend.....

 

[Lafone]

I've only been to Chester of the two and it is a great zoo but in this category I think it is outdone by Vienna. While the Polar bear exhibit is not that great now it is in half (as I understand it) and I prefer the expansive exhibits for that species elsewhere, they were well designed in their time (some interesting resources online by the architects of everything from the pool to the lighting). Vienna's Ibis and Vulture walkthrough and domestic display look great and I really like the rock exhibits, thoughtful and interesting. The Spectacled bears at Chester are well catered for and the new Snow Leopard exhibit interesting enough for me to go 3/2 Vienna.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

A fairly quiet match in terms of discussion, but one with a very satisfying level of overall participation:

Chester - 56/150 points - 37.333%
Vienna - 94/150 points - 62.667%
.