Cities in need of zoos

Westcoastperson said:
Los Angeles and the adjoining areas are complicated. Much of South Los Angeles county, Riverside, San Bernadino, Santa Ana (had a small city) Anaheim, and Orange County were all farmland sixty years ago. Los Angeles zoo was put in a place that worked well for the populations of Malibu, Santa Monica, Los Angeles City, and Burbank. So the Los Angeles area faces a major zoo issue. Similar to New York Los Angeles has four counties, unlike New York the zoos of these four countries are not evenly distributed at all. It has four two in Or age County, one in Los Angeles, and one in San Bernadino. San Bernadinos is up in the mountains and hard for the main population to access, contrast to the two in Orange which is the smallest of the counties. Not to mention San Bernadinos and one of Orange County’s zoos are dedicated to only native fauna. So overall it’s difficult for most of the south and eastern populations of the Los Angeles area to get to a good zoo.
And the Aquarium problem is even worse. Los Angeles only has one aquarium in the southwest corner. So the north and eastern areas lack in a large aquarium.
Now before you say Los Angeles doesn’t need all of those zoos and aquariums keep this in mind. Los Angeles metropolitan population is 28 million whereas New York metropolitan area is 23 million. If anyone needs new zoos or a WCS like organization it’s Los Angeles for sure.
Click to expand...

I have to say, I like and strongly support the idea of a system equivalent to the WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) in the Los Angeles area. In fact, I believe that every county within the Los Angeles MSA (Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino) could each use an equivalent to the WCS due to each county having multiple cities of 100,000 people or more within them. Orange County for example, in Santa Ana (Population of 332,318 people) Santa Ana Zoo's goal is to focus on and specialize in the Neotropical zoogeographic region (Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean including taxa such as Guanaco, Black howler monkey, and Giant anteater etc.). My thought for Orange County is for each (or as many as possible) city of 100,000 people or more to have an AZA accredited zoo of their own, each one focusing on a different specific zoogeographic realm. A zoo in Orange (Population of 138,669 people) could focus on the Nearctic Realm (North America, North of Mexico including taxa such as Pronghorn, American black bear, and North American beaver etc.). A zoo in Anaheim (Population of 350,365 people) could focus on Africa south of the Sahara (Including taxa such as Lesser kudu, Thomson's gazelle, and Red river hog etc.). A zoo in Fullerton (Population of 143,617 people) could focus on the Australasian zoogeographic realm (Mostly New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand, including taxa such as Tasmanian devil, Western gray kangaroo, Parma wallaby etc.). A zoo in Costa Mesa (Population of 113,003 people) could focus on North Africa and the Middle East (Saharo-Arabian region if you will, including taxa such as Arabian oryx, Sand cat, and Addra gazelle etc.). A zoo in Huntington Beach (Population of 199,223) could focus on the Indomalayan Realm (South and Southeast Asia, including taxa such as Eld's deer, Malayan tapir, Fishing cat etc.). A zoo in Irvine (Population of 307,670 people) could focus on the Eastern Palearctic realm (Central, Northern, and Eastern Asia, including taxa such as Sichuan takin, Tadjik markhor, and Amur leopard etc.). A zoo in Garden Grove (Population of 171,644 people) could focus on the Western Palearctic (Mostly Europe, including taxa such as European bison, Alpine chamois, and European wild boar etc.). For reasons pertaining to maintenance cost, each park might have to be similar in acreage to the Santa Ana Zoo or perhaps the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas. I will say that I thought of specific locations for each operation concept, however some of them may actually be more than 100 acres.

I am going to write a list of each city within each county in the Los Angeles MSA with a population of 100,000 people or more, thus in my opinion eligibility for a full-fledged AZA accredited zoo.

Riverside County;

Corona - Population of 169,868 people

Moreno Valley - Population of 213,055

Riverside - Population of 303,871 (Probably in most need)

Murrieta - Population of 116,223

Temecula - Population of 114,761

San Bernardino County;

Ontario - Population of 185,010 people. They have an International Airport, why not a zoo?

Fontana - Population of 214,547 people.

Victorville - Population of 122,385 people (My thought for Victorville in particular is a facility similar to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum here to Tucson, but with a focus on the Mojave Desert)

San Bernardino - Population of 222,101 people (Probably in most need)

Rialto - Population of 103,526 people.

Rancho Cucamonga - Population of 177,603 people (My dad used to live there and my stepmom grew up there)

Ventura County;

Oxnard - Population of 208,881.

Thousand Oaks - Population of 126,813 people. They used to have Jungle Land USA on what is now the site of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, which closed in 1969. Taxa kept there included Elephants, Tigers, Lions, Giraffes, Hippopotamus, and Chimpanzees etc.

Ventura - Population of 110,763 people.

Simi Valley - Population of 126,356 people.

Los Angeles County;

Burbank - Population of 102,511 people.

Downey - Population of 111,126 people.

El Monte - Population of 115,487 people.

Glendale - Population of 204,765 people.

Inglewood - Population of 108,151 people.

Lancaster - Population of 157,601 people.

Long Beach - Population of 462,628 people. They already have the Aquarium of the Pacific, why not a zoo?

Norwalk - Population of 103,949 people.

Palmdale - Population of 155,079 people.

Pasadena - Population of 141,029 people.

Pomona - Population of 151,691 people.

Santa Clarita - Population of 212,979 people. They already have The Gibbon Conservation Center which has done some great work over the years, but I believe they should have a full-fledged AZA accredited zoo with visually appealing exhibitry.

Torrance - Population of 143,592 people.

West Covina - Population of 105,101 people.

The Phoenix metro area (Maricopa County) in my home state of Arizona is another region that I feel could use it's own version of WCS parks setup. Especially with Phoenix being the 5th largest city in the United States. Population counts for eligible cities are as follows;

Mesa - Population of 518,012. They have the Arizona Museum of Natural History where I used to work/volunteer and they have a few live animal exhibits. Why not a full-fledged AZA accredited zoo?

Chandler - Population of 261,165 people.

Scottsdale - Population of 258,069 people.

Glendale - Population of 252,381 people.

Gilbert - Population of 262,549 people.

Peoria - Population of 175,961 people.

Surprise - Population of 141,664 people.

Tempe - Population of 187,454. I might be able to count them out as half of Papago Park where the Phoenix Zoo is located is in Tempe. The golf course on the other side of the fence bordering the Phoenix Zoo is considered a part of Tempe. Ideally I would love the Phoenix Zoo to expand and annex/take over that golf course, totalling being similar in size to the Bronx Zoo.

The Las Vegas Metro Area in Nevada is also another region I could see a similar setup to the WCS. I know Las Vegas proper was discussed earlier in this thread. Population counts for eligible cities are as follows;

Las Vegas - Population of 641,903 people.

Henderson - Population of 320,189 people.

North Las Vegas - Population of 251,974 people.

Unfortunately Las Vegas doesn't currently have a zoo.
 
Sorry this reply has taken so long as I was working on another project.
Coelacanth18 said:
No, you shouldn't have added anything :p the 18.7 million in the greater LA area includes the 13 million living in the metropolitan area. The combined population of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties is roughly 18.65 million.



Two actually, though one of them is much smaller.



That's pretty common though - most coastal cities have their aquarium by the water, not on the inland edges of the metro area. NYC also only has one aquarium, though they may have more in the metro area depending on how far out you consider it to be.



Well, no city needs zoos and aquariums... much as people on this site would disagree :p
Click to expand...
Already mention earlier but yes that statistic was wrong to thank you.
Well Los Angeles technically has four aquariums (not counting the science center or Sea Lab(It's closed for now until the owners can reach a rent agreement)). Cabrillo, Manhattan Beach Pier Aquarium, and Santa Monica Pier Aquarium are all extremely small and Aquarium of The Pacific only really serves Orange County and South Los Angeles county. Maybe a larger Aquarium between Los Angeles City and the Inland Empire(1) could work.
(1)I didn't realize this would be important but now it is. The Inland Empire is a general area where San Bernadino and Riverside meet. It also serves as both countys main cities and populations.
Gomphothere said:
On the other hand, you have to factor in the proximity of the San Diego area facilities in terms of what the market would support. The only good zoo within an easy distance from NYC is Philadelphia, which is not good enough to divert you from a trip to the Bronx, and you would have go to either Boston or Baltimore for a good aquarium. If I had a choice of a modest zoo in Riverside and one of the San Diego area institutions, it would on many days be worth the extra time in the car to go to San Diego.
Click to expand...
Well adding these new zoos is really meant to be for local communities not tourists.
UngulateNerd92 said:
I have to say, I like and strongly support the idea of a system equivalent to the WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) in the Los Angeles area. In fact, I believe that every county within the Los Angeles MSA (Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino) could each use an equivalent to the WCS due to each county having multiple cities of 100,000 people or more within them. Orange County for example, in Santa Ana (Population of 332,318 people) Santa Ana Zoo's goal is to focus on and specialize in the Neotropical zoogeographic region (Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean including taxa such as Guanaco, Black howler monkey, and Giant anteater etc.). My thought for Orange County is for each (or as many as possible) city of 100,000 people or more to have an AZA accredited zoo of their own, each one focusing on a different specific zoogeographic realm. A zoo in Orange (Population of 138,669 people) could focus on the Nearctic Realm (North America, North of Mexico including taxa such as Pronghorn, American black bear, and North American beaver etc.). A zoo in Anaheim (Population of 350,365 people) could focus on Africa south of the Sahara (Including taxa such as Lesser kudu, Thomson's gazelle, and Red river hog etc.). A zoo in Fullerton (Population of 143,617 people) could focus on the Australasian zoogeographic realm (Mostly New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand, including taxa such as Tasmanian devil, Western gray kangaroo, Parma wallaby etc.). A zoo in Costa Mesa (Population of 113,003 people) could focus on North Africa and the Middle East (Saharo-Arabian region if you will, including taxa such as Arabian oryx, Sand cat, and Addra gazelle etc.). A zoo in Huntington Beach (Population of 199,223) could focus on the Indomalayan Realm (South and Southeast Asia, including taxa such as Eld's deer, Malayan tapir, Fishing cat etc.). A zoo in Irvine (Population of 307,670 people) could focus on the Eastern Palearctic realm (Central, Northern, and Eastern Asia, including taxa such as Sichuan takin, Tadjik markhor, and Amur leopard etc.). A zoo in Garden Grove (Population of 171,644 people) could focus on the Western Palearctic (Mostly Europe, including taxa such as European bison, Alpine chamois, and European wild boar etc.). For reasons pertaining to maintenance cost, each park might have to be similar in acreage to the Santa Ana Zoo or perhaps the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas. I will say that I thought of specific locations for each operation concept, however some of them may actually be more than 100 acres.

I am going to write a list of each city within each county in the Los Angeles MSA with a population of 100,000 people or more, thus in my opinion eligibility for a full-fledged AZA accredited zoo.

Riverside County;

Corona - Population of 169,868 people

Moreno Valley - Population of 213,055

Riverside - Population of 303,871 (Probably in most need)

Murrieta - Population of 116,223

Temecula - Population of 114,761

San Bernardino County;

Ontario - Population of 185,010 people. They have an International Airport, why not a zoo?

Fontana - Population of 214,547 people.

Victorville - Population of 122,385 people (My thought for Victorville in particular is a facility similar to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum here to Tucson, but with a focus on the Mojave Desert)

San Bernardino - Population of 222,101 people (Probably in most need)

Rialto - Population of 103,526 people.

Rancho Cucamonga - Population of 177,603 people (My dad used to live there and my stepmom grew up there)

Ventura County;

Oxnard - Population of 208,881.

Thousand Oaks - Population of 126,813 people. They used to have Jungle Land USA on what is now the site of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, which closed in 1969. Taxa kept there included Elephants, Tigers, Lions, Giraffes, Hippopotamus, and Chimpanzees etc.

Ventura - Population of 110,763 people.

Simi Valley - Population of 126,356 people.

Los Angeles County;

Burbank - Population of 102,511 people.

Downey - Population of 111,126 people.

El Monte - Population of 115,487 people.

Glendale - Population of 204,765 people.

Inglewood - Population of 108,151 people.

Lancaster - Population of 157,601 people.

Long Beach - Population of 462,628 people. They already have the Aquarium of the Pacific, why not a zoo?

Norwalk - Population of 103,949 people.

Palmdale - Population of 155,079 people.

Pasadena - Population of 141,029 people.

Pomona - Population of 151,691 people.

Santa Clarita - Population of 212,979 people. They already have The Gibbon Conservation Center which has done some great work over the years, but I believe they should have a full-fledged AZA accredited zoo with visually appealing exhibitry.

Torrance - Population of 143,592 people.

West Covina - Population of 105,101 people.

The Phoenix metro area (Maricopa County) in my home state of Arizona is another region that I feel could use it's own version of WCS parks setup. Especially with Phoenix being the 5th largest city in the United States. Population counts for eligible cities are as follows;

Mesa - Population of 518,012. They have the Arizona Museum of Natural History where I used to work/volunteer and they have a few live animal exhibits. Why not a full-fledged AZA accredited zoo?

Chandler - Population of 261,165 people.

Scottsdale - Population of 258,069 people.

Glendale - Population of 252,381 people.

Gilbert - Population of 262,549 people.

Peoria - Population of 175,961 people.

Surprise - Population of 141,664 people.

Tempe - Population of 187,454. I might be able to count them out as half of Papago Park where the Phoenix Zoo is located is in Tempe. The golf course on the other side of the fence bordering the Phoenix Zoo is considered a part of Tempe. Ideally I would love the Phoenix Zoo to expand and annex/take over that golf course, totalling being similar in size to the Bronx Zoo.

The Las Vegas Metro Area in Nevada is also another region I could see a similar setup to the WCS. I know Las Vegas proper was discussed earlier in this thread. Population counts for eligible cities are as follows;

Las Vegas - Population of 641,903 people.

Henderson - Population of 320,189 people.

North Las Vegas - Population of 251,974 people.

Unfortunately Las Vegas doesn't currently have a zoo.
Click to expand...
Um wow ok I love the enthusiasm but not every major city in LA needs a zoo that would lead to over-saturation of the market, all I am proposing is for zoos in Los Angeles to be easy to get to. However, I think that your idea for different themed zoos in different areas is a really great idea that could actually work really well.
Now time to go through all of the zoos you suggested:
Riverside:
  • Corona: Giving South Corona a small zoo might not actually be a terrible idea. It is the westernmost part of the Inland Empire and could also serve as a nearby zoo for Lake Elsinore.
  • Moreno Valley: This is so close to the much larger Riverside city it wouldn't make sense to put a zoo here. Maybe a safari park at the east or south ends of the area but I wouldn't.
  • Riverside: Defenitly
  • Murieta: Mureita and Temecula are both very close so you would have to pick a city. I would go with Murieta, its further north to provide a zoo for smaller areas like lake elsinore while also staying away from SDZSP.
  • Temecula: See the above.
San Bernadino:
  • Ontario: This is far enough away from every other major city to work. Maybe move it closer to Pomona.
  • Fontatna: No and I will go in depth later
  • Victorville: Also has Apple Valley and Hesperia. The region already has a zoo that I would do anything to get rid of so maybe a Living Desert like zoo.
  • San Bernadino: So Riverside, Rialto, San Bernadino, and Fontana are all in very close proximity to each other so what would be best is a zoo somewhere between all three. Actually out of every zoo mentioned I believe thiszoo would need to be the biggest and should really happen.
  • Rialto: See the above
  • Rancho Cucamonga: Share a zoo with Ontario.
Ventura
  • Oxnard: Too close to Santa Barabara
  • Thousand Oaks: This could work as a major zoo spot.
  • Ventura: Too close to Santa Barabara
  • Simi Valley: Share a zoo with Thousand Oaks
Los Angeles
  • Burbank: Too close to LA zoo
  • Downey: Could have a minor Zoo
  • El monte: A tough decision maybe a minor zoo or aquarium
  • Glendale: Too close to Los Angeles
  • Ingelwood: Ingelwood, Torrance, and Long Beach ae all viable spots for a major zoo. I would suggest a major zoo somewhere in between all of them.
  • Lancatser: Could use a small zoo and share with Palmdale
  • Long Beach: See Ingelwood
  • Norwalk: Share with Downey
  • Palmdale:Share with Lancaster
  • Pasadena: Too close to Los Angeles
  • Pomona: See Ontario post
  • Santa Clarita: Could do well with a major zoo. Could also cater to tourists because of it's proximity to Six Flags.
  • Torrance: See Ingelwood post
  • West Covina: Share with el monte
 
Westcoastperson said:
Sorry this reply has taken so long as I was working on another project.

Already mention earlier but yes that statistic was wrong to thank you.
Well Los Angeles technically has four aquariums (not counting the science center or Sea Lab(It's closed for now until the owners can reach a rent agreement)). Cabrillo, Manhattan Beach Pier Aquarium, and Santa Monica Pier Aquarium are all extremely small and Aquarium of The Pacific only really serves Orange County and South Los Angeles county. Maybe a larger Aquarium between Los Angeles City and the Inland Empire(1) could work.
(1)I didn't realize this would be important but now it is. The Inland Empire is a general area where San Bernadino and Riverside meet. It also serves as both countys main cities and populations.

Well adding these new zoos is really meant to be for local communities not tourists.

Um wow ok I love the enthusiasm but not every major city in LA needs a zoo that would lead to over-saturation of the market, all I am proposing is for zoos in Los Angeles to be easy to get to. However, I think that your idea for different themed zoos in different areas is a really great idea that could actually work really well.
Now time to go through all of the zoos you suggested:
Riverside:
  • Corona: Giving South Corona a small zoo might not actually be a terrible idea. It is the westernmost part of the Inland Empire and could also serve as a nearby zoo for Lake Elsinore.
  • Moreno Valley: This is so close to the much larger Riverside city it wouldn't make sense to put a zoo here. Maybe a safari park at the east or south ends of the area but I wouldn't.
  • Riverside: Defenitly
  • Murieta: Mureita and Temecula are both very close so you would have to pick a city. I would go with Murieta, its further north to provide a zoo for smaller areas like lake elsinore while also staying away from SDZSP.
  • Temecula: See the above.
San Bernadino:
  • Ontario: This is far enough away from every other major city to work. Maybe move it closer to Pomona.
  • Fontatna: No and I will go in depth later
  • Victorville: Also has Apple Valley and Hesperia. The region already has a zoo that I would do anything to get rid of so maybe a Living Desert like zoo.
  • San Bernadino: So Riverside, Rialto, San Bernadino, and Fontana are all in very close proximity to each other so what would be best is a zoo somewhere between all three. Actually out of every zoo mentioned I believe thiszoo would need to be the biggest and should really happen.
  • Rialto: See the above
  • Rancho Cucamonga: Share a zoo with Ontario.
Ventura
  • Oxnard: Too close to Santa Barabara
  • Thousand Oaks: This could work as a major zoo spot.
  • Ventura: Too close to Santa Barabara
  • Simi Valley: Share a zoo with Thousand Oaks
Los Angeles
  • Burbank: Too close to LA zoo
  • Downey: Could have a minor Zoo
  • El monte: A tough decision maybe a minor zoo or aquarium
  • Glendale: Too close to Los Angeles
  • Ingelwood: Ingelwood, Torrance, and Long Beach ae all viable spots for a major zoo. I would suggest a major zoo somewhere in between all of them.
  • Lancatser: Could use a small zoo and share with Palmdale
  • Long Beach: See Ingelwood
  • Norwalk: Share with Downey
  • Palmdale:Share with Lancaster
  • Pasadena: Too close to Los Angeles
  • Pomona: See Ontario post
  • Santa Clarita: Could do well with a major zoo. Could also cater to tourists because of it's proximity to Six Flags.
  • Torrance: See Ingelwood post
  • West Covina: Share with el monte
Click to expand...

Thank you for taking the time to give a thorough analysis to my proposal.
 
ThylacineAlive said:
That's a very poor business model for wanting to establish a new major zoo.
Click to expand...
Well most of these zoos aren’t in exactly tourist hot spots. I guess the one near Long Beach could advertise to tourists in Los Angeles but as mentioned earlier marketing against San Diego is futile without a brilliant marketing team.
 
Last edited:
I could definitely see one for Burlington VT, especially since the state has no zoos. I mean, if tiny rust belt towns can support zoos (like Decatur IL), then small college cities can definitely support them. Plus Burlington also has a thriving tourism industry.
 
Ok, so now for my state of residence, Arizona. Outside of Maricopa County (The Greater Phoenix Area), I know that some of these were mentioned earlier in the thread, but these following cities could use a major AZA accredited zoo.

Yuma - Population of 100,015 at the city level and a population of 213,787 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level.

Lake Havasu City - Population of 55,865 at the city level and 212,181 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level. Being major tourist destination during the spring and summer months, especially during spring break, they could use a major zoo, especially to give more for families to do. There is a defunct golf course on the up the hill from Bridgewater Channel, so that would be a great location (I go to Lake Havasu City a lot, so I know the area like the back of my hand).

Flagstaff - Population of 75,038 at the city level and 143,476 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level.

Prescott - Population of 44,299 at the city level and 235,099 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level. Technically they have the Heritage Park Zoo, but to be frank, it is below par and they need a major zoological facility worthy of AZA accreditation.

Sierra Vista - Population of 45,308 at the city level and 131,346 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level. Cochise College is actually considered the third best community college in the United States, so having a major AZA accredited zoo in Cochise County could help enrich their education in that area.

Show Low - Population of 10,660 at the city level and 110,924 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level. Being the seat of Navajo County, Holbrook may be the better option.
 
Now for Arizona's neighbor to the north, Utah. These following cities could use a major AZA accredited zoo;

Provo - Population of 116,618 at the city level and 659,399 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area. Provo has Brigham Young University which is home to the Monte L. Bean Life Sciences Museum and the BYU Museum of Paleontology on its campus, so having a major AZA accredited zoo in Provo would compliment them.

Ogden - Population of 87,773 at the city level and a population of 262,223 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level.

St. George - Population of 89,587 at the city level and a population of 180,279 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level.

Logan - Population of 51,542 at the city level and a population of 133,154 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level. Technically they already have the Willow Park Zoo, but they need a zoological park worthy of AZA accreditation.

West Valley City and West Jordan. The former has a population of 135,248 and the latter has a population of 116,480. Though both of them are in Salt Lake County, with the county seat and largest city, Salt Lake City being home of the Hogle Zoo and Tracy Aviary, I think they could each use an AZA accredited zoo, having a similar set up in place as the WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society).
 
Now for a neighbor of both Arizona and Utah, Colorado. These following cities could use major AZA accredited zoos;

Fort Collins - Population of 169,810 at the city level and a population of 359,066 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level. I remember having a conversation with a girl that was a veterinary student at Colorado State University when she was visiting the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. She was saying that she felt Fort Collins needed a zoo.

Greeley - Population of 108,795 at the city level and a a population of 328,981 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level.

Boulder - Population of 108,250 at the city level and 330,758 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level. Having the University of Colorado Boulder which has a natural history museum on its campus, I think a major AZA accredited zoo would compliment them well, despite being relatively close to Denver.

And

Grand Junction - Population of 63,597 at the city level and 155,703 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level.

Even the Greater Denver Area could use a system similar to the WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), with an AZA accredited zoo in each of these following cities as well as in Denver proper;

Aurora - Population of 386,261

Thorton - Population of 141,867

Arvada - Population of 124,402

Westminster - Population of 116,317

And

Centennial - Population of 108,418
 
EmmettTheOtter said:
I could definitely see one for Burlington VT, especially since the state has no zoos. I mean, if tiny rust belt towns can support zoos (like Decatur IL), then small college cities can definitely support them. Plus Burlington also has a thriving tourism industry.
Click to expand...

I like the idea of Vermont potentially having a major AZA accredited zoo. Being that the Metropolitan Statistical Area that Burlington sits within has a population of 163,774 and also having a thriving tourism industry, they can certainly support a zoological park!
 
UngulateNerd92 said:
I like the idea of Vermont potentially having a major AZA accredited zoo. Being that the Metropolitan Statistical Area that Burlington sits within has a population of 163,774 and also having a thriving tourism industry, they can certainly support a zoological park!
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, I don't think the people of Vermont would support a zoo, most of them don't like zoos and wouldn't want one in the state.
 
UngulateNerd92 said:
Ok, so now for my state of residence, Arizona. Outside of Maricopa County (The Greater Phoenix Area), I know that some of these were mentioned earlier in the thread, but these following cities could use a major AZA accredited zoo.

Yuma - Population of 100,015 at the city level and a population of 213,787 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level.

Lake Havasu City - Population of 55,865 at the city level and 212,181 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level. Being major tourist destination during the spring and summer months, especially during spring break, they could use a major zoo, especially to give more for families to do. There is a defunct golf course on the up the hill from Bridgewater Channel, so that would be a great location (I go to Lake Havasu City a lot, so I know the area like the back of my hand).

Flagstaff - Population of 75,038 at the city level and 143,476 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level.

Prescott - Population of 44,299 at the city level and 235,099 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level. Technically they have the Heritage Park Zoo, but to be frank, it is below par and they need a major zoological facility worthy of AZA accreditation.

Sierra Vista - Population of 45,308 at the city level and 131,346 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level. Cochise College is actually considered the third best community college in the United States, so having a major AZA accredited zoo in Cochise County could help enrich their education in that area.

Show Low - Population of 10,660 at the city level and 110,924 at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level. Being the seat of Navajo County, Holbrook may be the better option.
Click to expand...
Doesn't Flagstaff have Bearizona?
 
Neil chace said:
Unfortunately, I don't think the people of Vermont would support a zoo, most of them don't like zoos and wouldn't want one in the state.
Click to expand...
I really don't think that's true. A lot of places that you wound't think would support a zoo for similar reasons have been able to just fine.

The ZooChat map lists a place called ECHO as being in Vermont. I'm guessing it's not a traditional zoo, but does anyone know what it's like?
 
birdsandbats said:
I really don't think that's true. A lot of places that you wound't think would support a zoo for similar reasons have been able to just fine.

The ZooChat map lists a place called ECHO as being in Vermont. I'm guessing it's not a traditional zoo, but does anyone know what it's like?
Click to expand...
I've been there. It's a small Children's/science museum that happens to have a few fish tanks and some turtles. Maybe 10-20 tanks total. They advertise themselves as Science Center/Aquarium.

This is what their website lists for species: Animals - ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
 
UngulateNerd92 said:
Bearizona is actually in Williams, Coconino County, Arizona. That place is sub-par in my opinion! Again, Flagstaff needs a proper AZA-accredited zoo.
Click to expand...
That's half an hour from Flagstaff. I don't think a new zoo in Flagstaff would be able to compete with Bearizona.
 
For cities that could use zoos in the Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) I'm thinking of city's like Ghent, Bruges, The Hague or Luxembourg (city).
 
birdsandbats said:
That's half an hour from Flagstaff. I don't think a new zoo in Flagstaff would be able to compete with Bearizona.
Click to expand...

Well as I said, Bearizona is absolutely sub-par and as @Westcoastperson said about the zoo in Hesperia, San Bernardino County, California earlier in this thread, I would do anything to see Bearizona shut down and close its doors. A proper zoo in Flagstaff would help that cause! Flagstaff has NAU (Northern Arizona University) and is also home to the Museum of Northern Arizona which has natural history exhibits. Though not open to the public, NAU has a natural history collection on its campus, known as the Colorado Plateau Biodiversity Center. Grand Canyon National Park is nearby, why not a zoo?
 
Last edited:
Tiger said:
For cities that could use zoos in the Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) I'm thinking of city's like Ghent, Bruges, The Hague or Luxembourg (city).
Click to expand...

I like the idea of bringing a major zoos back to The Hague and Ghent.

One other Dutch city that definitely needs a major EAZA accredited zoo is Leiden. Leiden is home to Naturalis Biodiversity Center, so I think a zoo would compliment them well! There are other cities in The Netherlands and Belgium that I am inclined to list out later, that need a zoo, but I am going to have to do deeper research into the logistics of those locations.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top