Evirapo
Well-Known Member
Sorry, my mistake.
USA Zoos with Civets and Genets
- Thread starter Brayden Delashmutt
- Start date
You're getting lost in what "proof" means. Websites are often out of date, sometimes by years, especially things like species pages, FAQ, etc. Zooville hasn't been open to the public at all in several years now - read the top of the tours page - so we are entirely reliant of photos they post to social media. We know they use old photos, though, so those aren't reliable, either.
People were trying to breed African civets several years ago (I've met a baby one!), but only a few places wanted them. As I said a few days ago, they are awful exhibit animals, and these zoos that have them can't afford to set up big, indoor, nocturnal exhibits for them. Places of any caliber aren't going to continue breeding a species that they can't place/sell.
Evirapo
Well-Known Member
Where did you get the information saying they're awful exhibit animals from? That would be the same said for large nocturnal species like aardvark, Binturong, wombat, etc. Several European zoos are into housing these, so that is likely that NA zoos don't know that they're still around in this country than "not interested in"
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The only one of these appearing on USDA reports between 2017-2023 is porcupine. No genet, palm civet, or kinkajou anywhere. Also if they have Fossa it's been less than 8 months for the same reason. Not sure where they'd get a fossa from right now either, there's a few privately but not many.
Not sure when they wrote that, but it's certainly not currently true. There's at least double that in US zoos currently. They're not particularly common in Europe but they're around.
All three of which are frequently used as ambassador animals - I've never heard of an African Civet being used as such. I've seen exhibit Aardvarks active during the day numerous times for what it's worth.
Oh they're aware, just not interested. You're underestimating the disinterest of zoos in species that have no real benefits - African Civet is not endangered, has a reputation of being a shy exhibit animal, the public doesn't recognize them, really nothing to recommend themselves other than being an oddball.
This is nowhere near true - in Europe alone they are found in approximately 17 zoological collections, and I've personally seen about nine individuals in total across four of these collections.
It must be said, the same applies to African Civet in my personal experience - in fact, I've only ever seen the species in diurnal exhibits.
Evirapo
Well-Known Member
I don't know where you got the first from but sure maybe not all over the zoos in North America. Plus there's still uncommon captive animals left in North America that's in fact not-endangered species and also shy.
A large number of species are on the way out because of declining interest. Implying that zoos are interested in a species merely on the basis that it's present in NA and rare is misguided. There is always the few facilities that hang on to a species, but many species just don't make the cut to be an "in species".
On page 17 of the following document you will see a decision tree which includes factors such as “conservation value” and “exhibit value”. While the latter could be argued as subjective I am sure that an animal that hides or sleeps during visiting hours would be considered as having “high exhibit value” in both a management and visitor perspective.
following the decision tree you will see the advice given to curators regarding to keeping certain taxa of carnivores. African civet is listed as PO which stands for phase out.
http://alouattasen.weebly.com/uploads/8/9/5/6/8956452/rcp_smallcarnivore2009-6c3bef0b.pdf
Evirapo
Well-Known Member
I assume "NA (Isis)" is for population, right?
By visiting them, and looking up exhibit photos (not close up shots) online. The three species you mentioned often are in nocturnal exhibits in zoos, and those are the times I have seen them all most active (other than if a keeper was nearby). I don't understand your last sentence.
Evirapo
Well-Known Member
Yes, but 98% of non-AZA are interested in having binturongs. They will display these outdoors. Yet, most of the owners seem to have no problem with it. Not to mention that there are still non-AZA places and AZA zoos displaying aardvarks and night animals outdoor. What about more than half of tree-kangaroo or wombats holding zoos still put these outdoor in worldwide? They will sleep most of time.
For my last sentence, I mean there are more European zoos holding African civets and probably most North American zoos aren't aware they're still in the country?
The Binturong is an endangered species with a full SSP breeding program. They also have several unique physical attributes (prehensile-tailed carnivore, smelling like popcorn, etc.) They are also easily used as ambassador animals and can be readily featured in normal exhibits.
Again, zoos know they exist. They aren't interested in obtaining African Civets.
That is very much not what " they are equally as scarce in zoos around the world" means; this is not the first time you have outright contradicted yourself within the space of hours, in this thread or elsewhere.
I suggest that if you want things to go smoothly for you within this community, you should carefully consider what you actually want to say - whether speculation or claims of fact - before doing so.
Evirapo
Well-Known Member
Well better something to say is least concern species (Mostly genets, etc) has this similar thing
I'm replying because he couldn't understand my last sentence so I had to say in less enigmatic.
Evirapo
Well-Known Member
Well, I was here to ask a question but this guy just went straight to me saying that they're bad exhibit animals that has to do nothing with my message
Where are you getting that silly number from? Yes, they get displayed outdoors, where they're usually asleep. Owners don't have a problem with a lot of not-so-great things they do. As @Great Argus said, binturongs are pretty unique, and their smell in particular helps make them a focal point for exhibits, even if they're asleep. People can display animals however they like, legally, but it can make a big difference on whether they're visible or not.
Zoos know they're here. They don't want them.
Evirapo
Well-Known Member
Non-Aza zoos too? That's a bit strange to me because they're pretty big civet native to Africa plus has unique fur parts.
Not sure what you're saying here.
It does though - you're claiming zoos don't know they're here and they'd want them it they knew they were here. African Civets have been present for decades, zoos are aware of their presence, they simply don't want them.
Yes, non-aza zoos too, like I said before. It doesn't matter what they look like if people never see them.