Unlike with most other geographical categories, Prague doesn't have any devoted Latin American zones, but there are so many, very well-done smaller displays throughout the zoo that do fit this category. Don't know much about Copenhagen but feel confident in at least a 4-1 win for the Czech zoo. Will have to wait to hear or research a little more with regards to what the Danish capital has to offer here before I consider whether a 5-0 could even be an appropriate scoreline!
A few photos and brief descriptions of Prague so that those who have not visited can make a more informed judgement, although the verdict seems fairly clear-cut regardless.
@Robaque - a standard-sized but attractively planted Maned Wolf enclosure.
@lintworm - a spacious and shaded Bush Dog enclosure, with a decent indoor area onshow.
@vogelcommando - relatively standard enclosure for a really nice rarity, the Cuban Hutia.
@Robaque - part of the outstanding White-nosed Coati enclosure, which is huge with a network of mature trees, and probably one of the best coati enclosures I have ever seen.
@vogelcommando - nondescriept, but certainly adequate Guanaco enclosure.
@Kalaw - decently-sized and well-landscaped enclosure for another rarity, the Chacoan Peccary
@LaughingDove - a walkthrough for Pantanal waterfowl. Held 15 species on my august visit, with rarities including White-faced Ibis, White-throated Piping-guan, Guira Cuckoo and several more; a really impressive species list, in my opinion.
@Kalaw - adjacent to the previous aviary, although this time a little smaller, more dense, and not a walkthrough. It has three major rarities with Horned Screamer, Crested Oropendola, and best of all, what I believe are the only Brazilian Mergansers (the world's most endangered duck) outside of their native range.
@JigerofLemuria - a very interesting hall within the Feline and Reptile Pavilion, which houses breeding groups of Cuban Ground Iguanas and Green Iguanas in different subsections, one of which mixed with North Antillean Sliders, whilst House Finches, Ruddy Doves and Cuban Grassquits free-fly between the lot of them.
There are several really other nice terrariums within the Feline and Reptile Pavilion which count for this category, but sadly there aren't really any photos of them in the gallery. In particular, a display for Mexican desert lizards is really well-constructed, and it is lovely to see Green Anacondas share a pool with Silver Arowana! There is also a Geoffroy's Cat enclosure that I thought was very spacious and attractively landscaped outdoors (although indoors it wasn't poor for the animals but a slight eyesore, it must be said), but again no photos sadly.
Four of the aviaries in the amazing Rakos' Pavilion should count for this category, too. Each one houses at least parrot species (around whom the house revolves), but also several other smaller birds living with them. The geographical accuracy of the house is very commendable, with all species naturally living together barring some one exceptions, the jacanas in the Jamaican and Pantanal aviaries. There are no photos that really show the Jamaican aviary, but the other three are pictured below.
@lintworm - Pantanal aviary, with Tatuapa Tinamou and Scarlet-headed Blackbird being noteworthy.
@lintworm - Caatinga aviary housing just two species (Lear's Macaw and Red-cowled Cardinal) of which both are major rarities. I believe at least some of the desert foliage, such as cacti, are real plants, and the whole theme of the aviary struck me as being quite pleasantly unique.
@Manumea - the outdoor Peruvian walkthrough, which is the best of the lot in my opinion. Monk Parakeets, the only parakeet to build nests rather than repurposing existing tree cavaties, are the stars. Kept in large numbers, it is remarkable to be surrounded by them as the fly back and forth to attend to their impressive nests.
@Chapman'szebra - showing part of the very attractive South American Squirrel Monkey island.
@Kalaw - an even larger island for Mexican Spider Monkeys with many mature trees.
@Kalaw - the largest Titicaca Water Frog tank I have ever seen, in which I counted 80 individuals!
@vogelcommando - a pleasant Brazilian Tapir enclosure.
@Chapman'szebra - a standard-sized but beautifully designed Giant Anteater and Capybara enclosure.
@Chapman'szebra - rather average Spectacled Owl aviary.
@Kalaw - a standard Humboldt Penguin enclosure with one notable addition; a mix with the naturally flightless, and therefore not pinioned, Fuegian Steamer Duck, a rarity in zoo.
That should be a fairly decent overview of all Prague's offerings in this category. Definitely a strength. Happy with 4-1 for now, but I don't think 5-0 should be out of the question unless I am missing something at Copenhagen. Other than the Chilean and Caribbean Flamingos which are sadly pinioned, I don't think Prague has a single substandard exhibit in this category. There are some really nice ones, too, such as the coatis and the spider monkeys, with countless rarities, too, several of which (such as the Cuban Ground Iguana) Prague has a long-standing tradition of breeding success with. I also love how several of the mixed-species exhibits in this category for birds and lizards are very geographically accurate, sticking to particular ecosystems with few waverings, and how unique and memorable some of the displays are (Titicaca frogs and Monk Parakeets for example).
