European (Tea)Cup - League B - Copenhagen vs Budapest

[TeaLovingDave]

This time round, we have two of the oldest continental collections outside of the German-speaking sphere - each over 150 years old, and having opened within seven years of each other - facing off against one another, with the category at hand being a nice broad one with plenty of scope for interpretation, discussion and debate - ASIA.

Let's see where this one takes us......

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Not at all sure how well either collection comes off in this category, but I suspect Copenhagen *might* be a shade better? A preliminary 3:2 vote for said collection, but I shall look into the matter further!

 

[twilighter]

Asian Elephants complex at Copenhagen is remarcable architectural achievement from estetic and functional point of view.

Also Giant Panda In/Yan facility and the whole Asian corner with Siberian Tigers, Amur Leopard , Red Panda mesh tunel, Malayn Tapir and beautifully done new Asian Small-clawed Otter exhibit are advocates for Copenhagen.


Budapest greets you with the classic postcard Moorish Temple for their elephants, but the facility, even memorable architectural zoo building is outdated animal welfare wise.
Sadly the gigantic new project totally fall apart.

The rest of the collection at Budapest is also not to be underestimated with Polar Bears, Asiatic lion's, Tigers, Dhole, Takin etc.

I feel that the qqualityof the Copenhagen zoo husbandary, even not with much, is better. 3-2 for Danish capital.

 

[lintworm]

Both zoos have remarkable elephant houses in terms of architecture. But in Budapest that is where it stops and even though they have a second house, their elephant enclosure is still subpar.

Beautiful design of the old elephant house (common hippo on the left)

Elephant stable in old house

New elephant stable

Some other pictures:

Siberian tiger enclosure (1 of 2)

Orang utan indoor enclosure (1 of 2)

Orang utan outdoor enclosure

Taking & Visayan warty pig enclosure

Indoor enclosure of Javan langur

Dhole enclosure

Overall Budapest has quite a varied Asian collection, but many of the enclosures are tight on space.

And here is Copenhagen:

Part of the giant panda enclosure

Malayan tapir enclosure

elevated walkway for the red panda

Asian small-clawed otter enclosure

Lesser mousedeer and Bali mynah exhibit

Siberian tiger exhibit

Harbour seal & reindeer enclosure

Musk ox enclosure

One of 2 Amur leopard cages

Asian elephant indoor enclosure

Asian elephant outdoor enclosure

Copenhagen also has quite a varied collection, but in quite some cases enclosures are on the small side, or simply too small. I still would put them ahead of Budapest, but not by much. But if someone can make a convincing argument for Budapest, I could still change my mind.

 

[oflory]

I've only been to Copenhagen, but I think the pictures above of Budapest make me lean towards a 3/2 to Copenhagen, as, I see, most people have done!

The elephant house at Copenhagen is memorably very good - I spent a lot of time in here when I visited. Wouldn't the polar bear enclosure count for this challenge? I didn't think it was the best exhibit for the species I have seen (not that I thought it was particularly bad), but I did like the educational materials and the visitor perspectives very much.

 

[PossumRoach]

Never been to Copenhagen but if my memory serves me right, but the I have a gripe with the “Southeast Asia House” having species that are not from there. That along with the aforementioned outdated state of the enclosure gives Budapest 2 points instead of three.

The rest of the collection at Budapest is also not to be underestimated with Polar Bears, Asiatic lion's, Tigers, Dhole, Takin etc.

Budapest does not keep polar bears anymore.

 

[Lafone]

I visited Budapest a few years ago. I'd been to a conference and had the afternoon off but hadn't thought much about leisure time, so ended up at the zoo on a boiling hot day wearing clothes that had worked at a podium in an icily air conditioned room. Warm doesn't describe it. The animals were having more fun than me in that regard, either in the shade or having what must have been ice all round...the most ice treats I've seen anywhere before or since.

I did find the architecture remarkable to look at and the general placement in the park was great. The subway etc was an experience with the ornate stations feeling like a real lead in to something fun and if you want to talk 'day out' that really made it for me as a foreigner as it added to the experience and thrill of the zoo visit. I did find the zoo a bit cramped (something of an issue for city zoos) and the Polar bear area small. The bears are not there now so it's not something that can influence a vote though I guess. There is a wow factor to the whole affair as a new visitor though, which means it can be easy to overlook the size of some of the facilities.

The standards for the elephants seemed positive and they were enjoying a hose in their pool but the house was smaller than I expected having seen other places. It did feel like a historical building that was still in many respects amazing but ageing in terms of it's accommodation and facilities for the actual animals on display. I suppose that's another common theme for zoos with a lot of history behind them as husbandry practices change. The tiger enclosure felt sparse in comparison to other zoos I had been to, though that may have been the few plants not being tolerant to heat. I'd have to say the Copenhagen tiger enclosure looks better.

I did enjoy the Dhole and Orangs at Budapest very much. And there were some great birds, though the aviaries were mixed in terms of size and planting / furniture. The Asiatic lions and Striped Hyena were collection highs.

I haven't visited Copenhagen but the pictures in the gallery do make it look more spacious in some spaces but facing similar challenges in others. Interesting things in the collection and some good exhibits for otters for example.

I think I might lean towards Copenhagen for having made more progress towards modernising the exhibits, but it's a bit of a close run thing as collection is fairly even and care seems good.

 

[Kalaw]

With the very important caveat that I have not visited either collection, I have voted 3-2 to Budapest.

I didn't know much about the Hungarian zoo before this, other than its historic mountains and small size, but researching it for the purposes of casting a more informed vote has been very fun, and I have been very much impressed by what I have seen in the galleries. Of course there is only so much you can tell from photos, but for the most part I feel as though the welfare standards are acceptable with very few blemishes, and the architecture is quite astonishing at times. In particular, I am impressed by the Dhole enclosure.

Copenhagen also has a lot that really stands out to me - the elephant enclosure being visible from outside of the zoo, and being of a very high standard, as well as the curious seal and reindeer mix. But then again, it has some blemishes of its own. I am really not impressed by the panda enclosure, which seems a little small and, by virtue of being engulfed by an elevated pathway, lacking in privacy. It is beyond me why the otters have such a small pool, and the tiger enclosure looks remarkably subpar as well.

I have mentioned in previous threads that my logic for voting in polls where I haven't been to either collection is to ask myself which one I would rather visit for the category at hand? And between a more interesting collection, marvellous architecture and several enclosures that strike me as more out-of-the-ordinary either in terms of scope (the Southeast Asia House for instance - would be curious to hear what the upthread criticism of this display is about as I quite like the bird portion of it in particular from photos) or design (the dhole enclosure), I would much rather visit Budapest. For me, exhibit quality should come first, but I don't think there is much between the two in that regard.

Having not been to either in person, I am in no position to try and convice people to vote either way, only to speak for what I find more appealing with is Budapest (a statement which, to be honest, surprises myself given my tendency to prefer modern architecture and exhibitry in zoos). I have no issue with Copenhagen wining, but am happy to be voting the other way and balancing out the percentages marginally.

 

[twilighter]

Budapest does not keep polar bears anymore.

This is news for me, thanks!

With the very important caveat that I have not visited either collection, I have voted 3-2 to Budapest.

I didn't know much about the Hungarian zoo before this, other than its historic mountains and small size, but researching it for the purposes of casting a more informed vote has been very fun, and I have been very much impressed by what I have seen in the galleries. Of course there is only so much you can tell from photos, but for the most part I feel as though the welfare standards are acceptable with very few blemishes, and the architecture is quite astonishing at times. In particular, I am impressed by the Dhole enclosure.

Copenhagen also has a lot that really stands out to me - the elephant enclosure being visible from outside of the zoo, and being of a very high standard, as well as the curious seal and reindeer mix. But then again, it has some blemishes of its own. I am really not impressed by the panda enclosure, which seems a little small and, by virtue of being engulfed by an elevated pathway, lacking in privacy. It is beyond me why the otters have such a small pool, and the tiger enclosure looks remarkably subpar as well.

I have mentioned in previous threads that my logic for voting in polls where I haven't been to either collection is to ask myself which one I would rather visit for the category at hand? And between a more interesting collection, marvellous architecture and several enclosures that strike me as more out-of-the-ordinary either in terms of scope (the Southeast Asia House for instance - would be curious to hear what the upthread criticism of this display is about as I quite like the bird portion of it in particular from photos) or design (the dhole enclosure), I would much rather visit Budapest. For me, exhibit quality should come first, but I don't think there is much between the two in that regard.

Having not been to either in person, I am in no position to try and convice people to vote either way, only to speak for what I find more appealing with is Budapest (a statement which, to be honest, surprises myself given my tendency to prefer modern architecture and exhibitry in zoos). I have no issue with Copenhagen wining, but am happy to be voting the other way and balancing out the percentages marginally.

My last visit at Budapest was some years ago during the winter and your post made me think twice and go thought my old pictures. The collection is indeed very rich with some highlights, but I still think the the quality of the exhibits is a bit behind Copenhagen. .Stripped Hyena also left the collection and their exhibits at the Indian House was occupied by Wolverine.

Indian lion house



Reptile house with some rare viper species




South East Asian House




Komodo Dragon




Siberian Manul


Persian Leopard

 

[twilighter]

With the very important caveat that I have not visited either collection, I have voted 3-2 to Budapest.

Copenhagen also has a lot that really stands out to me - the elephant enclosure being visible from outside of the zoo, and being of a very high standard, as well as the curious seal and reindeer mix. But then again, it has some blemishes of its own. I am really not impressed by the panda enclosure, which seems a little small and, by virtue of being engulfed by an elevated pathway, lacking in privacy. It is beyond me why the otters have such a small pool, and the tiger enclosure looks remarkably subpar as well.

.

The two Panda exhibits are not very big, indeed, but are tastefully done and they are forest patches and indoor quarters where the Pandas can find privacy.





This is the Elephant facility view from outside

 

[cornu aspersum]

Taking & Visayan warty pig enclosure

How far can the rockwork be accessed by the takins?

 

[TeaLovingDave]

A strong success for Copenhagen, and a fairly slow start for Budapest's campaign.....

Copenhagen - 60/105 points - 57.143%
Budapest - 45/105 points - 42.857%