How do new zoos get their animals?

[Davdhole]

This is something I just thought of. I know for the most part, zoo animals come from other zoos or aquariums, but how does a new zoo go about getting their animals? They have no history or reputation that would establish trust, and aren't accredited by the AZA, so if they were to talk to other zoos to move their animals to this new facility, what's going to convince the older zoo to move their animals to the new one? Also, do these new zoos just write a letter or send an email to whoever the CEO or owner(s) of another zoo asking for a specific species?

An example: If I were to open up a zoo (which I want to do in the future but another topic), and I wanted to bring a tiger in for my facility and say, I went to Jacksonville Zoo inquiring to have one of their tigers moved to my zoo for the collection, would I be sending a detailed persuasive email to Jeff Ettling asking for a Malayan tiger and why my facility would be a good new home for him/her, or would I just introduce myself, my new facility, and the zoo just prepare to move the tiger?

 

[TinoPup]

A new zoo isn't getting anything from an AZA facility, much less a large carnivore. You would start with an USDA license (assuming you're going to keep mammals, or plan on it). Having a license would allow you to purchase animals from the more reputable dealers. Once you have a nice place built up, with a decent amount of animals and conservation projects, then you could consider applying for AZA stuff.
A lot of places start with domestics, to bring in some money and people and build a base reputation. Then they add in the more common exotics - fallow deer, zebras, lemurs, kangaroos, etc. A lot stay at that point, a few grow from there.
Another way to add some growth is to get a license through fish and wildlife and take in animals that can't be released. It often means species like raccoons and opossums, but it's a reputable way to potentially get large carnivores like coyotes, bears, and cougars.

 

[Davdhole]

A new zoo isn't getting anything from an AZA facility, much less a large carnivore. You would start with an USDA license (assuming you're going to keep mammals, or plan on it). Having a license would allow you to purchase animals from the more reputable dealers. Once you have a nice place built up, with a decent amount of animals and conservation projects, then you could consider applying for AZA stuff.
A lot of places start with domestics, to bring in some money and people and build a base reputation. Then they add in the more common exotics - fallow deer, zebras, lemurs, kangaroos, etc. A lot stay at that point, a few grow from there.
Another way to add some growth is to get a license through fish and wildlife and take in animals that can't be released. It often means species like raccoons and opossums, but it's a reputable way to potentially get large carnivores like coyotes, bears, and cougars.

So I'm guessing it's impossible for a new zoo to get things like tigers, lions, rhinos, apes, etc? Are there at least some facilities a new zoo could acquire generic tigers or lions from? I know years ago Disney's Animal Kingdom had hybrid tigers before moving them out and replacing them with Sumatran tigers. I'm certain those generic tigers wouldn't of come from an AZA facility since an AZA facility would focus on pure subspecies, so could DAK have rescued them from a rundown facility? If so I'm guessing a new zoo could get big cats this way. There's many roadside zoos with big cats, bears, chimps, etc.

 

[TinoPup]

Depends if you want to be reputable or not, and working towards AZA.

 

[Davdhole]

Depends if you want to be reputable or not, and working towards AZA.

My goal is definitely AZA accreditation. Seems my favorites I'd really look forward to having (painted dogs, big cats, gorillas, many more) are going to be on hold for some time. Reptiles and some birds should be easier to get though.

 

[TinoPup]

My goal is definitely AZA accreditation. Seems my favorites I'd really look forward to having (painted dogs, big cats, gorillas, many more) are going to be on hold for some time. Reptiles and some birds should be easier to get though.

African wild dogs and gorillas you'll be working/waiting a long time for, since both also require being able to get a group of animals and are nearly non-existent outside AZA.

 

[Davdhole]

African wild dogs and gorillas you'll be working/waiting a long time for, since both also require being able to get a group of animals and are nearly non-existent outside AZA.

Good to know. So once I get accreditation, (which takes five years to be able to apply for iirc) I can start querying zoos holding pure subspecies, gorillas, or wild dogs for my zoo?

 

[birdsandbats]

So I'm guessing it's impossible for a new zoo to get things like tigers, lions, rhinos, apes, etc?

A new zoo can definitely get all of these species off of the private trade, provided you can pay for them. Big cats aren't too expensive as far as exotics go but rhinos and apes are more costly.

 

[Ursus]

Good to know. So once I get accreditation, (which takes five years to be able to apply for iirc) I can start querying zoos holding pure subspecies, gorillas, or wild dogs for my zoo?

I reckon there is also a lot of bureaucracy involved with breeding programmes and other zoos who would be ''next in line'' to receive them.
Probably also something with population management etc.

But hypothetically, I guess.
But first get a zoo and acreddited

 

[TinoPup]

A new zoo can definitely get all of these species off of the private trade, provided you can pay for them. Big cats aren't too expensive as far as exotics go but rhinos and apes are more costly.

That's why I said reputable There's tons of people you can buy tigers from, for example, most of those options are going to hurt you when you apply to AZA.

 

[TinoPup]

Good to know. So once I get accreditation, (which takes five years to be able to apply for iirc) I can start querying zoos holding pure subspecies, gorillas, or wild dogs for my zoo?

It's one year of being open, but you have to be at a point where you would meet all of their requirements.

For a lot of species you wouldn't reach out to individual zoos, still. You would contact the SSP.

 

[Davdhole]

It's one year of being open, but you have to be at a point where you would meet all of their requirements.

For a lot of species you wouldn't reach out to individual zoos, still. You would contact the SSP.

Ah, think I'm gettin it now. That doesn't sound too bad for a new zoo. I always thought it'd go like "Hey Zoo Miami, I'm new, mind giving me a black rhino for my collection?" Of course much more professional than that.

 

[TinoPup]

Ah, think I'm gettin it now. That doesn't sound too bad for a new zoo. I always thought it'd go like "Hey Zoo Miami, I'm new, mind giving me a black rhino for my collection?" Of course much more professional than that.

It usually isn't up to the zoo itself, when it comes to AZA. Many animals don't even belong to them, they belong to wherever the animal was born, or where the mother was born, depending on the loan agreement. You would need the exhibit space, the staff who can care for the animal, the ability to have your vet care for them, etc.