European (Tea)Cup - League E - Chester vs Zoo Berlin

[TeaLovingDave]

Firstly, an aspect of the category which is entirely neglected at Chester but which is a particular strength of Zoo Berlin - mountain hoofstock such as Siberian Ibex, Sichuan Takin and Himalayan Tahr:

Similarly, the Wader Aviary at Zoo Berlin has no real equivalent at Chester Zoo, contains a large number of category-relevant species, and is one of the least-discussed highlight exhibits at the zoo in my opinion:

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The Giant Panda exhibit complex has already been mentioned by myself and others as one of the highest-quality new developments at Zoo Berlin:

However, the other two exhibits at Berlin for Asian bear species (Sloth Bear and Brown Bear) are also pretty good - especially now that the collection has ceased to keep Asiatic Black Bear and their vacated exhibit was incorporated into the existing Brown Bear exhibit:

Sloth Bear

Brown Bear

The exhibits for these three Asian bear species, when taken together, easily beat the exhibit for a single Asian bear species (Sun Bear) at Chester Zoo in my opinion:

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As far as Indian Rhinoceros is concerned, I would definitely argue that the large and attractive exhibit complex for the species at Zoo Berlin is far superior to the significantly more-simplistic counterpart at Chester Zoo - and thinking about it, I can't recall the last time that I saw *two* individuals mixed together within the Chester exhibit, which raises the distinct possibility that this exhibit is guilty of the exact same sin levelled against the Berlin exhibit! Given the fact there is no indoor viewing for the Chester animals, I suppose it would be hard to tell for sure.

Berlin

Chester

(continued below)

 

[TeaLovingDave]

(continued above)

Another aspect where I think Berlin definitely takes the lead over Chester where directly-equivalent exhibits are concerned are the exhibits for Banteng and Gaur at the former, when compared to the Banteng exhibit at the latter. Here, however, there isn't *that* much in it I reckon

Berlin

Chester

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Another example where the Berlin exhibit is superior to the Chester equivalent by a narrow margin is, I reckon, the Ganges Gharial exhibit at the former:

This is somewhat larger and more attractive than the Sunda Gharial exhibit at Chester, and provides a lot more land space for the inhabitants, although I must admit that the underwater viewing within the Chester exhibit is aesthetically-nicer:

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By and large, the vast majority of category exhibits at Zoo Berlin and Chester Zoo (barring those I have highlighted above as examples where the former excels over the latter) are pretty much neck-and-neck in quality.

However, it should be noted that there are two MAJOR exceptions where Chester by far outshines Zoo Berlin in both quality and size: the exhibits for Sumatran Orangutan and Moloch Gibbon within Monsoon Forest and the equivalent exhibits for Bornean Orangutan and Lar Gibbon within Realm of the Red Ape, and the Elephant House and associated outdoor exhibit for Asian Elephant. These, above all else, are the main reason why I initially voted 3-2 for Chester Zoo despite preferring (as noted) a much closer result than the vote mechanics permit. However, on further reflection I decided that three points swing the needle in the other direction:

1) The number of exhibits at Zoo Berlin which surpass those at Chester is rather greater, even if the exhibits at Chester which surpass those at Zoo Berlin surpass them by a wider margin.
2) Although the vast majority of category exhibits at *both* collections are of equal quality, Zoo Berlin has a greater overall number of said exhibits.
3) The diversity of habitats, species and ecological niches found throughout Asia is better represented at Zoo Berlin.

It's still a bloody close thing.

 

[EliasNys]

A little map of the four enclosures of the rhino pagoda. 3 of the four have a pool btw and mixed with visayan wart pigs, who can roam free in all four enclosures. They do in fact have more than enough space for 4 rhinos, and large indoor space too. The tapirs are in the enclosure on the bottom left, that is not encircled. I don't know where the rumour came from that they don't have enough space for their animals, and It doesn't matter much where it came from. It matters that it is not true.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

An enjoyable and closely-fought match, with an appropriately close result - although I do wonder whether the result would have gotten even closer, or even switched around, had the information provided by @EliasNys come a little sooner and potentially influenced people to change their votes, or indeed vote full-stop if they were sitting the match out!

Chester - 58/110 points - 52.727%
Zoo Berlin - 52/110 points - 47.273%

Either way, I think this is a pretty fair and accurate result overall