Planckendael smashed Hamburg 23-1 on primates, but Zurich got here even more comfortably, 28-1, over Whipsnade on birds. Zurich's standing in this competition has always looked shakier than a fourth seeding might suggest, though... and now it might have a problem. Miscellaneous mammals. Tomorrow: Berlin vs Antwerp.
In terms of species numbers both zoos are very similar, a bit more species in Planckendael though, but higher diversity in Zurich. Planckendael clearly wins on Australian mammals, where Zurich only has Koala and Bennet's wallaby for now. Zurich however has Hyrax in an amazing setting and both Giant anteater and Tamandua and the biggest small mammal rarity of the two for Europe: Plains viscacha. Additionally I would say that the enclosures in Zurich are generally better than in Planckendael, so currently leaning towards Zurich, but it is open for discussion
Assuming this is all mammals that aren’t ungulates, primates or carnivores, so the term generally given as ‘small mammals’ despite some not being very small at all... Both have capybara Planckendael has Belanger’s treeshrew, black-rumped agouti, Cape porcupine, common wombat, dusky pademelon, Elbe European beaver, giant anteater, greater guinea pig, northern Luzon giant cloud rat, mara, Prevost’s squirrel, Queensland koala, red kangaroo, black rat, Southeast Australian short-beaked echidna, swamp wallaby and Tasmanian devil Zurich has Barbary striped grass mouse, common rock hyrax, European harvest mouse, giant anteater, Linnaeus’ two-toed sloth, New South Wales koala, plains viscacha, Rodrigues flying fox, southern tamandua, St Vincent agouti, Swinhoe’s striped squirrel and Tasmanian red-necked wallaby Zurich has less species but have more diversity order-wise.....I’m going with Planckendael for now based off of their cracking Australia section.
Zurich has no monotremes and 'only' koala and wallaby for marsupials. Planckendael however has no xenarthra (Zurich has two-toed sloth, tamandua, and giant anteater)[edit: Planckendael does have giant anteater, sorry], no hyrax, and no chiroptera. So overall, Zurich's collection of 'other' mammals is surprisingly diverse. In Zurich the hyrax (ethiopian mountain), giant anteater and capybara (Pantanal), koala (Australia, esp. the indoors enclosure), and rodriguez fruit bats (Masoala) are all housed in enclosures (arguably) second to none, with the rest of the species also housed in generally good to very good enclosures. For me, diversity wins over number of species, and exhibit/enclosure quality over diversity. so unless Planckendael have enclosures that exceed or at least match Zurich's, it is Zurich for me. I have not visited Planckendael, so hoping for reflections on their enclosures.
While several of the most impressive small mammal exhibits at Zurich have been mentioned already, one that I have seen in the gallery that I really like the concept and execution of is the Swinhoe's striped squirrels, mixed in with Derbyan parakeets. It looks like a simple, active and interesting display that would look great in any zoo looking for an engaging exhibit in a small space (it's something I could imagine London slotting in, for example, if they were so inclined). For exhibitry, I am going to be voting for Zurich although I am willing to be convinced otherwise.
It's collection versus exhibitry in this match. PL has a better collection with Tasmanian devils, swamp wallabys, dusky pademelon, echidna, prevost squirrel and belanger's tree shrew. But all their enclosures for these species are very mediocre (nothing bad).
Both: Giant anteater; capybara; Planckendael Southeast Australian short-beaked echidna Tasmanian devil Queensland koala; common wombat; red kangaroo; swamp wallaby; dusky pademelon Belangers tree shrew Elbe European beaver; black rat; northern Luzon giant cloud rat; Cape porcupine; greater guinea pig; Patagonian cavy; Black-rumped agouti; Prevosts squirrel Zurich New South Wales koala; Tasmanian red-necked wallaby ? Common rock hyrax (should this be in Ungulates and friends?) Linnaeus two-toed sloth; southern tamandua European harvest mouse: Barbary striped grass mouse; plains viscacha; St Vincent agouti; Swinhoes striped squirrel Rodriguez flying fox Zurich has a hyrax and a bat, but Planckendael has a tree shrew, dasyuromorph and, most importantly, a monotreme, so wins this one.
I agree, Planckendael is significantly more impressive species wise. If I was travelling to either of these for their 'other mammals ', it wouldn't be a question where to go! Most of Zurich's list I can see in plenty of other places . This shouldn't even be a contest!
Worth noting that Zürich's koalas are the only New South Wales koala in Europe. Definitely not a decisive factor for me but some people seem to vote based on the collection (which is obviously completely fine) and they might not know that.
I really don't see that should make a difference, on collection Planckendael is way ahead anyway ! I've seen little to explain why it isn't walking this?!
@pipaluk: I wasn't referring to your post at all, was just saying that the koalas were of a different subspecies for anyone not knowing that. I personally think Plackendael has a better collection anyway but I still voted for Zürich just for the exhibitry (and the Plains viscacha).
That's fine if you consider the viscacha trump all the Australian rarities, it's all down to personal choice, but for me that one species is all Zurich have to make this a contest, the rest of Zurich's list are commonly seen. I wouldn't travel all the way to Zurich to see those species , but Planckendael.. ...Definitely
@pipaluk: I don't understand your point though, I already said I voted mainly because of the exhibitry so even though Planckendael has a nice collection not only because of the viscacha. I'd rather visit Zürich when it comes to Miscellaneous mammals. I think we're kind of hijacking the thread, we're not getting off-topic but I just don't see the reason behind this debate.
@pipaluk Zurich has arguably the best exhibitry in Europe. That's why people are voting for it. When have you ever left a zoo thinking 'Man, what an awesome capybara exhibit?'
My argument is that Planckendael’s much more impressive collection beats Zurich's. To me the exhibits have to be considerably better at Zurich for this to be a contest! I don't think anyone has really made an argument for that, other than saying Zurich ( being Zurich) is better for exhibits!
No, so I'll go to Planckendael to see all those rarities and leave the Zurich lovers to their Red-necked wallaby and capybara!
Capybara enclosure | ZooChat Viscacha and Owl exhibit in the Exotarium at Zurich 31/08/09 | ZooChat https://www.zoochat.com/community/m...-next-to-lions-house.393608/full?d=1523354390 https://www.zoochat.com/community/media/african-mountain-exhibit-at-zurich-31-08-09.60348/full?d=0 To me, this is not just good exhibitry, it's great exhibitry. As such, when you add in the fact Planckendael has only "decent" exhibits according to @Philipine eagle (although I haven't seen them by myself so I could be wrong) is why I have voted for Zürich. (once again, it's not because Planckendael has decent exhibits, that's only a second factor; it's mainly because Zürich has some cracking exhibits for its small mammals and a decent collection)
