Zoo animal trades
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marmoset23
Active Member
Most AZA zoos get animals from other AZA zoos based on breeding recommendations or acquire new species that are recommended by the AZA for a population increase. This has led to a homogeneous collection in many zoos.
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
Many zoo animals are not even traded but, technically are on loan from one institution to another. About 500 species are "managed" by AZA Taxon Advisory Groups and SSPs.
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
AZA does not tell a zoo what species to display. AZA is involved only with species held within AZA member facilities and cannot dictate that this zoo must have Amur tigers when a zoo has no plans to obtain tigers.
I wouldn't point fingers to AZA alone to the homogenization of zoo collections. Wildlife, Agriculture, and Trade laws such as the ESA, Lacey act, and CITES also limit the animals the zoo want to exhibit. AZA makes recommendations based on what they have which I would compare to rationing food.
As others have said, SSPs and other similar groups will recommend animals to be moved from one zoo to the other but in many cases, the zoo is not required to comply if they do not want to. Zoos have employees that monitor the collection such as registrars and curators who have various ways of communicating to other institutions what species they want or have available to be moved. These people may put out a message saying along the lines of "I have 1.1 Hedgehogs available" and another institution can respond if they are interested and it is up to the zoos themselves what moving them looks like. Such as does the sending zoo retain ownership as if the animals are on a loan, or if there is money exchanged for transport, pre-vet exams/tests, etc.
I would be surprised if any AZA zoo uses this, especially when it hasn't been updated in two years.
Remi Blackwing
New Member
AZA and ZAA both have “available/wanted” boards available to professional level members. There is also at least 1 Facebook group as well (must be in zoo management to be accepted). It also can come down to knowing who to talk to. Have a space for a Lynx? You need to talk to this person? Have a Lion available? I heard so and so was looking for one. All zoos, including AZA, get animals from the private sector as well. Also not every species had an SSP/AMP.
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
Excellent summary
Sophie Brugmann
Active Member
In addition: A European zoo would use it's accreditation from the Association if they would buy from a commercial dealer like that one.
Wild caught mammals are a big NO. The only exception to that are breeding programs, where the breeding a is working well, but the genetic diversity is too low to keep a healthy population. And then they don't buy from breeders but rather look for rescues that couldn't be rehabilitated.
Elephas Maximus
Well-Known Member
In Russia zoo animals are often sourced from the private owners, especially in the case of small, poorly funded or private zoos: unwanted pets (usually dangerous species), rescued native wildlife, retired circus animals. Wildlife seized by officials is sent to zoos too.
At least some aquariums get some of their fish from confiscations from private keepers, and I imagine the same is true for some reptiles. For example, Mooloolaba Aquarium got many of their exotic freshwater fish, such as Redtail Catfish, Cigar Shark and Black Pacu from confiscations from private keepers illegally keeping them (most exotic fishes, and other animals, are illegal to keep in Australia). They are not at the aquarium anymore, however, with the freshwater exhibit being replaced with a Little Penguin exhibit.