Zoo Animals Well-Represented & More-Numerous in America, but not in/than in, Europe

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Nikola Chavkosk

Well-Known Member
Hi Zoochatters,

I have been inspired for this thread from one thread for animals well represented in America but not in Europe, also plans for this thread can be traced back to my thread number of animals in captivity in Europe.

So, what other animals can you add on the list, beside these zoo animals (zoo animals that are well- represented in zoos in America or North America, but not in Europe, also zoo animals that are (quite) more numerous in America than in Europe):

Zoo animals well-estabilshed in America but not in Europe:
-Baird's tapir
-South-central Black rhinoceros
-Massai giraffe
-Pronghorn antelope
-Bornean sun bear
-Californian condor

Zoo animals (quite) more numerous in America than in Europe:
-Okapi (America appx. 100; Europe appx. 67)
-Eastern bongo
-Malayan tiger
-Jaguar
-Chimpanzee (?) (America appx. 1,700; Europe 1,100)
-Golden lion tamarin (America appx. 270; Europe 160)
-Koala
-Komodo dragon
-Galapagos giant tortoises


By the way Happy New Year!
 
I wouldn't call sun bear well established in America. Last I heard they are on the phase out list.

I think other species that can be seen in several American collections but very rare or non-existent in Europe are gharials, Coquerel's sifakas, gerenuks, chacoan peccaries, king cobras, and others. Many native North American species are also rare in Europe but can be seen in America (opossums, nine-banded armadillos, fishers, spotted skunks, North American black bears, North American badgers, coyotes, bobcats, white-tailed and mule deer, and others)
 
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Nikola Chavkosk said:
Zoo animals well-estabilshed in America but not in Europe:
-Baird's tapir
-South-central Black rhinoceros
Click to expand...

Both of these taxa *are* present within Europe in limited numbers.

zoo_enthusiast said:
I think other species that can be seen in several American collections but very rare or non-existent in Europe are gharials, Coquerel's sifakas, gerenuks, chacoan peccaries, king cobras, and others.
Click to expand...

The only one of these which is non-existent in Europe is the Coquerel's Sifaka; however, the Crowned Sifaka - absent from the USA - is present.
 
Nikola Chavkosk said:
Zoo animals well-estabilshed in America but not in Europe:
-South-central Black rhinoceros
-Bornean sun bear
Click to expand...

I wouldn't call SC black rhino "well-established" although they are certainly more so than in Europe where only Frankfurt holds them. They are managed by the International Rhino Foundation, while the AZA manages eastern black rhino, the same subspecies as Europe.

As for sun bears, Nikola is actually right: Bornean sun bears are not held in Europe, only in the US. Mainland sun bears are held on both continents. There are about 35-40 sun bears on both continents, albeit split between the two subspecies in North America.

Loxodonta Cobra said:
Sun Bears are being phased out completely from the AZA.
Click to expand...

This is true, but it's a bit more complicated. The TAG has stopped giving breeding and transfer recommendations and is advising against imports, but zoos aren't being advised to stop trying to breed them if they wish. The problem they've been having with the population is reproduction, so they're encouraging any further research on the issue and any offspring that come of it will have a home found for them. It's therefore possible that there is some breakthrough and American zoos decide to revive the program, but it's highly unlikely... especially with the population split between two subspecies and most animals being post-reproductive.
 
America has more gazelle species, like Soemmering's, red-fronted and slender-horned.

Also some less common South American birds are found occasionally in American zoos but absent in Europe. USA has more variety of eagles, quetzals, less common toucans, cotingas and tanagers, more cocks-of-the-rock etc. Here Dallas Aquarium rules.
 
Jurek7 said:
America has more gazelle species, like Soemmering's, red-fronted and slender-horned.

Also some less common South American birds are found occasionally in American zoos but absent in Europe. USA has more variety of eagles, quetzals, less common toucans, cotingas and tanagers, more cocks-of-the-rock etc. Here Dallas Aquarium rules.
Click to expand...
It just I am very surprised what you say about eagle variety in American zoos, I think Europe should have more? Can you list some or one species of eagle that is present in American zoos, but not in European?
 
Black-footed cats and little penguins are examples of species which seem to do reasonably well in the USA, but not in Europe. There are many amphibian examples of species which are numerous and multiplying in the USA but are (almost) absent from Europe; Panamanian golden frog and coquis come to mind, with other species like the Kihansi spray toad to a lesser extent.
 
@devilfish: I had forgotten about the little blue penguins! Definitely true, a unique species between North America and Oceania, I believe.

Other species include: straw-colored fruit bat, vampire bat, all puffin species, motmots, greater mouse-deer, and Chacoan peccaries.
 
Nikola Chavkosk said:
It just I am very surprised what you say about eagle variety in American zoos, I think Europe should have more? Can you list some or one species of eagle that is present in American zoos, but not in European?
Click to expand...
Ornate hawk-eagle, black (or tyrant) hawk-eagle, Guianan crested eagle, black and white hawk-eagle.
 
jayjds2 said:
Ornate hawk-eagle, black (or tyrant) hawk-eagle, Guianan crested eagle, black and white hawk-eagle.
Click to expand...
Oh yes, now I remmember your photo of Guianan crested eagle, jayjds2.
However, Europe still may equals to/or be greater than, in respect to zoo eagle diversity compared to USA, if Europe holds some Old-World eagles, that are not present in USA, but don't know that. Well-informed about the status of zoo eagles in USA can easily check this looking after Zootierliste list.
 
Chacoan peccaries are a recent arrival in Europe and have a growing population. 2.5 was impoted in 2012 and they can already be seen in 5 European zoos. A number that will expand in the near future.
 
Jurek7 said:
Also some less common South American birds are found occasionally in American zoos but absent in Europe. USA has more variety of eagles, quetzals, less common toucans, cotingas and tanagers, more cocks-of-the-rock etc. Here Dallas Aquarium rules.
Click to expand...

USA might have more individuals of the cock-of-the-rock species, but both species are found in Europe too, and with recent breeding succes, the populations are growing. I suspect Europe to have more species of Old-World passerines, and USA/Canada to have more New-World passerines. Anyone able to confirm?

How about Malagasy birds? I know Walsrode has a one of a kind collection (at least in Europe) of Malagasy birds (three coua species, malagasy pond heron, cuckoo-roller, blue pigeons, several ducks, ibisses and small passerines), is there a similar collection in America?
 
Mr. Zootycoon said:
How about Malagasy birds? I know Walsrode has a one of a kind collection (at least in Europe) of Malagasy birds (three coua species, malagasy pond heron, cuckoo-roller, blue pigeons, several ducks, ibisses and small passerines), is there a similar collection in America?
Click to expand...

I don't think we have anything comparable to Walsrode in the US. The Malagasy bird species that can be seen in some zoos are crested couas, wood crested ibis, vasa parrots, lovebirds, and fodies. I don't believe I ever saw anything else
 
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