European (Tea)Cup - League B - Zagreb vs Antwerp & Planckendael

[TeaLovingDave]

Both contenders in this match have the potential to progress, but things are still very much in flux - the category which will help to determine which will fall by the wayside, and which will join Wroclaw and Prague in the next round, is a nice broad one with plenty to discuss: GRASSLAND AND DESERT.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Reasonably stuck with this one but to start things off I've gone with a 3:2 vote for the Belgian duo.

 

[twilighter]

Plankandael has a very strong cards in this category with nice exhibits and rich collection of Endangered species of Ungulates: Kordofan Giraffe/Mhor Gazelle Savanna, Addax, Grevy's Zebra, Sahara Dorcas/ Somali Wild Ass, Plain Buffalo, Indian Rhino. Both Zoos have Lions, but Planckendael has also Spotted Hyena and Cheetahs.

Zagreb strengths are the nice Lion exhibit, African Bird aviary, part of the reptile and small mammal collection and the few Ungulates.

Plankendael alone can take this, but Antwerp can add also great Cape Buffalo Aviary, Egyptian Temple, White Rhino, Warthog, Bird and Reptile collections, and to extend the lead to 4:1 in my opinion.

 

[Philipine eagle]

I took a look on the perching bird table:

Antwerp is very strong in this category with a lot of true grassland/desert species:

Plum-headed finch
Sunda golden sparrow
Cut-throat finch
Double barred finch
Golden breasted starling
Masked finch
Red avadavat
Red-billed long-tailed finch
Red-browed firefinch
Rosy starling
Scaly-breasted munia
Superb starling
Vilage weaver
White-headed Buffalo weaver
Yellow-crowned bishop

And other's who prefer grassland in between open woodland:
Gouldian finch
Black-throated finch
Amethyst starling
Red-whiskered bulbul
Yellow-fronted canary

With only Superb starling, Javan sparrow, Red fody and White wagtail Zagreb has a lot less to offer.

Somehow I feel the imbalance here is too large, to the detriment of Zagreb versus the Belgian duo. But the charming thing about cup competitions is that even the underdog can win.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Anyone feel like posting a full breakdown of relevant exhibits and species at each collection?

 

[snowleopard]

It takes a very long time to provide extensive lists of species at the various zoos in this competition, but I spent 20 minutes looking through photos and came up with a few highlights in terms of exhibits.

A quick rundown of 'gems' would include the fantastic Cape Buffalo Aviary at Antwerp:

@Dianamonkey

Antwerp's White Rhino paddock:

@Valvas

There's some grassland species inside Antwerp's historic Bird House:

@KevinB

The Greek temple on top is the Reptile House at Antwerp, with some grassland species inside.

Meanwhile, Planckendael has a stunning Cheetah exhibit:

@KevinB

There's an equally spacious and lush Spotted Hyena exhibit at Planckendael:

@vogelcommando

Planckendael's Indian Rhino paddock (which also possibly still contains Visayan Warty Pigs):

@Toddy

The Kordofan Giraffe/Mhorr Gazelle exhibit at Planckendael is excellent:

@KevinB

The large 'Prairie' paddock at Planckendael, with American Bison and Elk, is splendid:

@KevinB

Zagreb has a spacious African Aviary:

@twilighter

There's also a Lion exhibit in Zagreb that looks to be decent:

@twilighter

I voted 4-1 for the Belgian zoos.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

A few more exhibits and areas at Zagreb which were not mentioned by @snowleopard above:

The excellent Snakes of Croatia exhibit (which is relevant to the category as several of the species displayed within are native to grassland and steppe habitats within the country):

The series of indoor exhibits for a variety of African grassland and desert species (primarily small mammals and reptiles) located within the indoor portion of the overall lion complex:

The large and spacious enclosure for Giant Anteater:




One of the largest meerkat exhibits I have seen in recent years:



...and a very pleasant mixed exhibit for Kulan and Przewalski's Horse:



---

Certainly none of the above earns Zagreb the win, but I feel these (plus the variety of grassland and desert species displayed within other areas of the zoo, including the reptile house and the small indoor exhibit focusing on species found in the plains and deserts of North America) definitely make a 3:2 vote for the Belgian pair a *lot* more justified than the eleven 4:1 votes are!

 

[TeaLovingDave]

The result was never really in doubt, although I stand by my assertion that it *should* have been somewhat closer than it actually was:

Zagreb - 25/95 points - 26.316%
Antwerp & Planckendael - 70/95 points - 73.684%

Either way, Antwerp and its out-of-town sibling are now securely through to the next round!