calling it an objectively bad and unrealistic choice
Didn't say that either. Though "unrealistic" is an objective measure. You wouldn't say the tyrannosaurus rex is a realistic pick for a zoo game, would you?
Anyway, there's yet another level of hypocrisy with the saiga. A lot of the same people arguing
for it argued
against the proboscis monkey. Which tells us that the entire thing hinges on personal preference and nobody is actually being very honest. There were better, more realistic choices for an Asian antelope, especially this late into the game's lifespan. In terms of the "gelada vs an actual baboon" debate, the gelada would not be an unrealistic choice, as it has a significant captive presence, but it would not be the
best choice since that presence is mostly in Europe, whereas the Hamadryas baboon is widespread just about everywhere.
European members seem to only look at their own local zoo community when determining whether something has a significant captive presence or not.
That was just how I interpreted it.
Don't interpret people's posts. What you did was simply put words in my mouth. I said what I meant to say, plain as day. I make my own arguments for myself and my point-of-view. Whatever you've read in similar discussions before isn't relevant.