Snowleopard's Mammals: A Lifetime List of Species Mammalian and Non-Mammalian

[Nile Hippo Expert]

Are you sure you saw Striped Hyenas at Perth? I never knew they had ever been in Australia, especially as recently as 1987.

It is safe to say that he did indeed see Striped Hyenas at Perth, as they had them up until 1991, which was when the last pair of them were sent to Singapore Zoo.

 

[Osedax]

It is safe to say that he did indeed see Striped Hyenas at Perth, as they had them up until 1991, which was when the last pair of them were sent to Singapore Zoo.

That's so interesting! Do you have a source for this information?

 

[carlos55]

In Mexico, Chapultepec zoo has both spotted and brown hyenas. Leon zoo also has brown hyenas. Spotted hyenas can also be found in various Mexican zoos such as Guadalajara and Morelia. Striped hyenas were once held at Guadalajara , Africam Safari and Morelia, but I have not seen them there recently. All the brown hyenas in Chapultepec and Leon came from the Zoologico Nacional de Cuba in Havana. When I visited the Havana zoos about 11 years ago they held spotted, striped and brown hyenas.

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

That's so interesting! Do you have a source for this information?

This ZooChat post from August 2022 mentions when they left.
Species gained and/or lost at Perth Zoo since 1992 [Perth Zoo]

 

[reduakari]

This article, from 2014, might be of interest in this discussion about hyenas. A short drive from Oakland Zoo is the University of Berkeley. Back in 1985, a group of 20 newborn Spotted Hyenas were taken from Kenya and placed at a 'Field Station' near the university in California and studied for three decades. The colony of Spotted Hyenas peaked at 43 individuals, an astonishing number, but due to funding issues the whole program was canceled after almost 30 years. Did anyone on ZooChat ever visit this research group? How many hyenas were together in one space?

It's a fascinating article:

Berkeley's colony of spotted hyenas closes after 30 years

As a Berkeley student in the mid-80s, I have distinct memories of spending evenings with friends in Strawberry Canyon behind the campus, hearing what I knew were hyenas doing their territorial calling. No one believed me! Never got to see them, except for the remnants of the group that ended up at Oakland Zoo.

 

[Dassie rat]

Here is a list of cats currently kept in zoos, according to Zootierliste. The numbers refer to the number of zoos with each type.

Lion (Panthera leo): 494; Southeast African lion (P.l krugeri): 121 Asiatic lion (P.l persica): 54; Barbary lion (P.l leo): 33; Southwest African lion (P.l bleyenberghi): 30; West African lion (P.l senegalenis): 13; Kalahari lion (P.l vernaya): 4; Masai lion (P.l massaica): 3; Roosevelt’s lion (P.p roosevelti): 3; Somali lion (P.l somaliensis): 2

Tiger (Panthera tigris): 303; Siberian tiger (P.t altaica): 272; Sumatran tiger (P.t sumatrae): 109; Malayan tiger (P.t jacksoni): 35; Bengal tiger (P.t tigris): 8; South China tiger (P.t amoyensis): 8; Indochinese tiger (P.t corbetti): 2

Northern lynx (Lynx lynx): 219; Eurasian lynx: 140; Carpathian lynx (L.l carpathicus): 57; Siberian lynx (L.l wrangeli): 17: Central Asian lynx (L.l isabellinus): 11; Caucasian lynx (L.l dinniki):3; Amur lynx (L.l neglectus): 2; Irkutsk lynx (L.l kozlovi): 1

Leopard (Panthera pardus): 140; Amur leopard (P.p orientalis): 123; Persian leopard (P.p tuliana): 45; Sri Lankan leopard (P.p kotiya): 40; North Chinese leopard (P.p japonensis): 31; Indian leopard (P.p fusca): 11; Javan leopard (P.p melas): 8; African leopard (P.p pardus): 6; Cape leopard (P.p melanotica): 5; Indochinese leopard (P.p delcouri): 5; Arabian leopard (P.p nimr): 4; East African leopard (P.p suahelica): 2; West African leopard (P.p leopardus): 1

Cougar (Puma concolor): 319: Florida cougar (P.c coryi): 12; Ecuadorian cougar (P.c soderstromi): 5; Missouri cougar(P.c missoulensis): 2; Oregon cougar (P.c oregonensis): 2; Amazonian cougar (P.c borbensis): 1; Brazilian cougar (P.c concolor): 1; Central American cougar (P.c mayensis): 1; Chilean cougar (P.c puma): 1

Serval (Leptailurus serval): 310; Southern serval (L.t serval): 8; North African serval (L.s constantinus): 1; Uganda serval (L.s lipostictus): 1; West African serval (L.s brachyurus): 1

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus): 2; South African cheetah (A.j jubatus): 265; Sudan cheetah (A.j soemerringii): 22

Jaguar (Panthera onca): 276; Amazon jaguar (P.o onca): 9; Central American jaguar (P.o centralis): 1; Goldman’s jaguar (P.o goldmani): 1

Wild cat (Felis silvestris): European wild cat (F.s silvestris): 139; Scottish wild cat (F.s grampia): 37; Gordon’s wild cat (F.s gordoni): 13; African wild cat (F.s libyca): 7; Palestine wild cat (F.s tristrami): 4; East African wild cat (F.s ocreata): 2; Southern African wild cat (F.s catra): 2

Snow leopard (Panthera uncia): 186

Caracal (Caracal caracal): 146; Common caracal (C.c caracal): 25; Schmitz’s caracal (C.c schmitzi): 7; Damara caracal (C.c damarensis): 1

Bobcat (Lynx rufus): 163

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis): 118; Brazilian ocelot (L.p mitis): 14; Central American ocelot (L.p aequatorialis): 5; Central American ocelot (L.p pardalis): 3; Venezuelan ocelot (L.p pseudopardalis): 1

Indochinese clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa nebulosa): 97

Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis): 11; Amur leopard cat (P.b euptilura): 35; Indochinese leopard cat (P.b bengalensis): 16; Chinese leopard cat (P.b chinensis): 4; Palawan leopard cat (P.b heaneyi): 4; Javan leopard cat (P.b javanesis): 3; Philippines leopard cat (P.b rabori): 3

Pallas’ cat (Otocolobus manul): 1; Siberian Pallas’ cat (O.m manul): 63

Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis): 61

Fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus): 59

Jungle cat (Felis chaus): 50; Palestine jungle cat (F.c furax): 3; Caucasian jungle cat (F.c chaus): 2; Egyptian jungle cat (F.c nilotica): 1; Indian jungle cat (F.c prateri): 1; Kashmir jungle cat (F.c affinis): 1

Sand cat (Felis margarita): 2; Arabian sand cat (F.m harrisoni): 50; Saharan sand cat (F.m margarita): 6

Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi): 55; Central American jaguarondi (H.y panamensis): 2

Geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi): 53

Margay (Leopardus wiedii): 22; Yucatan margay (L.w yucatanicus): 28; Amazonian margay (L.w amazonicus): 2; Central American margay (L.w nicaraguae): 2; Brazilian margay (L.w wiedii): 1

Oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus): 17; Andean oncilla (L.t pardinoides): 4; Southern oncilla (L.t guttulus): 4

Black-footed cat (Felis nigripes): 22

Sri Lankan rusty-spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosa): 22

Asian golden cat (Catopuma temminckii): 6; South-east Asian golden cat (C.t temminckii): 8; Tibetan golden cat (C.t tristis): 3

Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus): 7

Pampas cat (Leopardus colocola): 5; Northern colcolo (L.c garleppi): 1; Southern colocolo (L.c pajeros):1

Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi): 1; Bornean clouded leopard (N.l borneensis): 3; Sumatran clouded leopard (N.d diardi): 2

Flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps):3

African golden cat (Caracal aurata): 2

Marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata): 2

Chinese mountain cat (Felis bieti): 1

Kodkod (Leopardus guigna): 1

 

[Dassie rat]

Here is a list of dogs currently kept in zoos, according to Zootierliste. The numbers refer to the number of zoos with each type.

Wolf (Canis lupus): 245; Eurasian wolf (C.l lupus): 194; Mackenzie Valley wolf (C.l occidentalis): 56; Mexican bay wolf (C.l baileyi): 34;Iberian wolf (C.l signatus ): 27; Interior Alaskan wolf (C.l pambasileus): 15; Arabian wolf (C.l arabs): 9; Mongolian wolf (C.l chanco): 8; Tundra wolf (C.l albus): 6; Middle Eastern wolf (C.l pallipes): 4; Bosnian wolf (C.l kurjak): 2; British Columbia wolf (C.l columbianus): 2; Caspian sea wolf (C.l campestris): 1; Hudson Bay wolf (C.l hudsonicus): 1

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes): 135; European red fox (V.v crucigera): 181American red fox (V.v fulva): 25; Scandinavian red fox (V.v vulpes): 14; Iberian red fox (V.v silacea): 10; Japanese red fox (V.v japonica): 9; Arabian red fox (V.v arabica): 4; Palestine red fox (V.v palestina): 3; Ussuri red fox (V.v dolichocrania): 3; North Caucasian red fox (V.v caucasica): 2; Trans-Baikal fox (V.v daurica): 2; Fergana fox (V.v karagan): 1; Korean red fox (V.v peculiosa): 1; North African red fox (V.v barbara): 1; Sardinian fox (V.v ichnusae): 1

Fennec (Vulpes zerda): 194

Raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides): 166; Japanese raccoon dog (N.p viverrinus): 17; Ussuri raccoon dog (N.p ussuriensis): 3; Hokkaido raccoon dog (N.p albus): 1

Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus): 174

Maned wolf (Chrysocyon jubatus): 124

African wild dog (Lycaon pictus): 114; South African wild dog (L.p pictus): 7

Coyote (Canis latrans): 82

Bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis): 24; South African bat-eared fox (O.m megalotis): 45; East African bat-eared fox (O.m virgatus): 1

Bush dog (Speothos venaticus): 64

Corsac fox (Vulpes corsac): 62

Dhole (Cuon alpinus): 5; Chinese dhole (C.a lepturus): 53; Sumatran dhole (C.a sumatrensis): 1

Grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus): 49; Florida grey fox (U.c floridanus): 3; California grey fox (U.c californicus): 2; Guatemalan grey fox (U.c guatemalae): 2; Arizona grey fox (U.c scottii): 1

Golden jackal (Canis aureus): 7; European golden jackal (C.a moreotica): 34; Indian jackal (C.a indicus):4; Common jackal (C.a aureus): 3; Syrian jackal (C.a syriacus): 2; Sri Lankan golden jackal (C.a naria): 1

Red wolf (Canis rufus): 36

Black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas): 17; Southern black-backed jackal (C.m mesomelas): 4; Northern black-backed jackal (C.m schmidti): 1

Crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous): 15

Swift fox (Vulpes velox): 14

Culpeo fox (Lycalopex culpaeus): 11

Hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus): 6

Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus): 5

Island grey fox (Urocyon littoralis): 4

Blanford’s fox (Vulpes cana): 3

Ruepell’s sand fox (Vulpes rueppellii): 3

Sechuran fox (Lycalopex sechurae): 3

South American grey fox (Lycalopex griseus): 3

African wolf (Canis anthus): Senegalese wolf (C.a anthus): 3; Egyptian wolf (C.a lupaster): 1

Bengal fox (Vulpes bengalensis): 2

Kit fox (Vulpes macrotis): 2; San Joaquin kit fox (V.m muticus): 3

Pale fox (Vulpes pallida): 2

Side-striped jackal (C adustus):2

Cape fox (Vulpes chama): 1

Tibetan fox (Vulpes ferrilata): 1

 

[snowleopard]

Now that I've finished up Hyaenidae, which prompted a lot of discussion, it's time to move on to carnivores from Madagascar. This will be two posts and the first one involves Fossas, which I've seen in 25 zoos.

1- San Diego Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2008
2- Bronx Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2008
3- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (USA) – Fossa – 2008
4- Los Angeles Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2008
5- Mountain View Conservation Centre (Canada) – Fossa – 2008
6- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2010
7- Houston Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2010
8- Dallas Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2010
9- San Antonio Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2010
10- Happy Hollow Park & Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2011
11- Charles Paddock Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2011
12- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (USA) – Fossa – 2012
13- Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park (USA) – Fossa – 2012
14- Naples Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2012
15- Denver Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2012
16- Chahinkapa Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2014
17- Racine Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2014
18- Tanganyika Wildlife Park (USA) – Fossa – 2014
19- Capital of Texas Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2015
20- Micke Grove Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2017
21- Pakawi Park (Belgium) – Fossa – 2019
22- Frankfurt Zoo (Germany) – Fossa – 2019
23- Duisburg Zoo (Germany) – Fossa – 2019
24- ZooParc Overloon (Netherlands) – Fossa – 2019
25- Parken Zoo (Sweden) – Fossa – 2022

San Diego Zoo (USA) was the location of my first ever Fossa sighting, in an old metal cage in a canyon area that eventually morphed into Africa Rocks. In 2011, I saw Fossas in the exhibit pictured below as well as an equally small enclosure inside the Children's Zoo.

Last year, San Diego Zoo had two Fossa exhibits in its Africa Rocks complex, meaning that I've personally seen Fossas in FOUR different exhibits at San Diego over the years. They shift mammals around like crazy...

Fossas have been found inside Madagascar! at the Bronx Zoo (USA):

@mweb08

If you look carefully, you can see two Fossas in this 1960s-era 'roundhouse' exhibit at Los Angeles Zoo (USA):

@mstickmanp

I saw a cage for Hamsters...errr...Fossas at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (USA) in 2010 that was a puny cement bunker. But it did have an exercise wheel!

Houston Zoo (USA) is one of FOUR Texas zoos that had Fossas for years, in an exhibit that at least offered up some height in the Carnivore Row section of the zoo.

San Antonio Zoo (USA) had Fossas in their Cats of the World area. It was a bizarre location for a Madagascan carnivore, and the exhibit was very rocky, steep and not very large. It would have been better suited for Pallas' Cats.

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo (USA) has a Fossa exhibit that isn't really as large as it needs to be, plus it's fairly barren with just a few rocks strewn around the enclosure.

@SwampDonkey

Here's another 'running wheel' with a Fossa, this time at Charles Paddock Zoo (USA). The exhibit is just merely okay, but at least it's much larger than what is shown here:

@Coelacanth18

One could make a case for Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (USA) for having one of the best Fossa exhibits in North America, even though it's nothing superlative. A spacious outdoor yard is pictured here, plus there is indoor viewing within the Expedition Madagascar building, and with a substantial lemur collection in adjacent enclosures.

An exhibit, likely with zero outdoor access, for Fossas at Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park (USA) in 2012:

This old cage attached to the Feline House at Denver Zoo (USA), held Fossas in 2012. It's mediocre, but the height is nice as Fossas will climb if given the opportunity in zoos.

In the winter, North Dakota experiences many months of freezing temperatures, but that doesn't stop Chahinkapa Zoo (USA) from housing Fossas in their collection.

Capital of Texas Zoo (USA) had Fossas in 2015. They also had another Madagascan carnivore, which I'll elaborate on in my next post.

This chain-link cage for Fossas at Micke Grove Zoo (USA) is ugly as hell but probably effective at keeping the animals enriched. It's not very large though.

Pakawi Park (Belgium) has two Fossa exhibits with substantial height:

@KevinB

Duisburg Zoo (Germany) has had Fossas for many years.

@Sneeuwpanter

Why is it that with almost every single mammal species, it's the European zoos that have the better exhibits in comparison to the North American establishments? Honestly...why? Just as with many other examples on this thread, the European zoos 'win' for overall quality for Fossas. Why does it keep happening over and over again?

One could point out that my two most recent 'Snowleopard Road Trips' were in Europe, in 2019 and 2022, and so I saw some newer exhibits. But that explanation doesn't really work because it's not like North American zoos have been steadily building new Madagascar-themed exhibits in the last 5 years. (Ahem, San Francisco!) One could point out that I saw some elite zoos on my European treks, and that's a fair point because if I'd visited the zoos of some 'lesser' zoo nations then I would not have been as impressed. It's just fascinating that in so many cases, European zoos have built more spacious, more enriching environments for their captive animals. And that's not even mentioning the roadside hellholes that are still found in America. You want to see more species, more rarities, more quality exhibits? Then board a plane for Europe.

ZooParc Overloon (Netherlands) opened a new Fossa exhibit in 2019 that's better than anything North American zoos can even dream of. It was fantastic seeing the species here, in multiple enclosures.

Parken Zoo (Sweden) has TWO huge outdoor exhibits and an entire Fossa House devoted to the species with FOUR indoor enclosures. North American zoos would wet their pants if they saw how much space Fossas have at this zoo.

 

[Giant Eland]

While I have seen Spotted Hyenas at 44 of the zoos I've visited, Striped Hyenas are at 14 zoos. I'll finish off Hyaenidae in one fell swoop as I've never seen a Brown Hyena and I've only once seen a bundle of fur in a corner that gives me an Aardwolf at 1 zoo.

1- Perth Zoo (Australia) – Striped Hyena – 1987
2- San Diego Zoo (USA) – Striped Hyena – 2006
3- Zoo Boise (USA) – Striped Hyena – 2010
4- The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens (USA) – Striped Hyena – 2011
5- Naples Zoo (USA) – Striped Hyena – 2012
6- Denver Zoo (USA) – Striped Hyena – 2012
7- Wildwood Wildlife Park (USA) – Striped Hyena – 2014
8- DeYoung Family Zoo (USA) – Striped Hyena – 2014
9- Arbuckle Wilderness Park (USA) – Striped Hyena – 2015
10- Fort Worth Zoo (USA) – Striped Hyena – 2015
11- Opel Zoo (Germany) – Striped Hyena – 2019
12- Dierenpark Zie-ZOO (Netherlands) – Striped Hyena – 2019
13- Berlin Tierpark (Germany) – Striped Hyena – 2019
14- Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park (USA) – Striped Hyena – 2023

AND...

1- Mountain View Conservation Centre (Canada) – Aardwolf – 2008

The now-closed Mountain View Conservation Centre (Canada) still had a single Aardwolf when I went for a guided tour in 2008, and the staff member pointed out a patch of fur lying in the grass near the rear of the exhibit. It was and still remains my only single sighting of this species in my lifetime and it was a very poor sighting indeed! Taxonomic changes made in the last year or so now recognize two Aardwolf species (Eastern and Southern) and I have no idea which one was at that obscure Canadian facility all those years ago. I missed seeing an Aardwolf at zoos such as Cincinnati and Berlin Tierpark. Here's the animal at Mountain View in 2006:

@drzoomi

As for Striped Hyenas, they are much rarer than their spotted cousins. San Diego Zoo (USA) had both species at the same time and here are a couple of my photos of Striped Hyenas from 2011.

Zoo Boise (USA) had Striped Hyenas when I was there in 2010:

On my visits in both 2011 and 2023, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens (USA) had Striped Hyenas in the African loop of the zoo. Both of my photos are from last year.

Naples Zoo (USA) had a very basic, functional enclosure for Striped Hyenas in 2012 and the zoo also had Spotted Hyenas at the same time:

Just as in the case with San Diego and Naples, Denver Zoo (USA) had both Striped and Spotted Hyenas on exhibit at the same time back in 2012. Of course the species were in two separate enclosures, but nevertheless it made for a nice comparison. These two photos are ones I took in 2012 and I'm not sure that this exhibit even exists these days. Does anyone know? It would have been attached to the old Feline House.

Wildwood Wildlife Park (USA) had Striped Hyenas on a cement patch of ground in 2014:

While DeYoung Family Zoo (USA) has had multiple Spotted Hyena grassy enclosures at once, they also had Striped Hyenas at the same time when I visited in 2014. Those poor suckers were kept in this cage:

Another roadside American zoo, Arbuckle Wilderness Park (USA), had Striped Hyenas in this enclosure in 2015:

This photo from my 2015 visit to Fort Worth Zoo (USA), shows an exhibit that once held Sun Bears and Sloth Bears (and probably other species), but was home to Striped Hyenas at the time.

The zoo still has the species:

@BerdNerd

In visits to 120 European zoos, I only ever saw Striped Hyenas 3 times. You can see a Striped Hyena sleeping in its den at Opel Zoo (Germany) and I saw two exhibits for this species while there in 2019. Apparently, Opel used to have Brown Hyenas as well.

@Jogy

Yet again, here's an example of a zoo having two hyena species at the same time. Dierenpark Zie-ZOO (Netherlands) has a new-ish Spotted Hyena yard but also this old-fashioned Striped Hyena enclosure.

Look at this stunning individual! A Striped Hyena at Berlin Tierpark (Germany):

@Fat-tailed dwarf lemur

Incredibly, of the 14 zoos where I've seen Striped Hyenas, SIX of them have also had Spotted Hyenas at the same time. That was a surprise to me and obviously zoos choose to go all in on hyenas. Which zoo has Spotted, Striped and Brown all at once? Doesn't Dvur Kralove (Czech. Rep.) have multiple species of Hyaenidae?

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park (USA) was the 6th zoo in this category when I took these photos last year:

Spotted Hyena exhibit:

Striped Hyena exhibit:

Hyaenidae: 3 TOTAL SPECIES

Spotted Hyenas - 44 zoos
Striped Hyenas - 14 zoos
Aardwolves - 1 zoo

* On page 42 of this thread, there's an extensive list of all the species I've seen for Primates (141), Felidae (28) and Canidae (19).

Aardwolf have been very few and far between for me in American Zoos. I remember seeing them at San Diego Zoo in the early 90s, Baltimore Zoo in the mid 90s, and then Cincinnati in 2011. And then at least RSCC, Tierpark Berlin, and Halle Zoo in Europe and Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve in South Africa
I've also seen them wild in Ethiopia in 2019, and South Africa in 2023.

My first Brown Hyena wasn't until 2010 first at Kronberg Opel Zoo, then at Prague Zoo and Tierpark Berlin. Tried for them wild at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in 2023 but no luck. Has anyone seen Brown Hyena at any zoos in USA? I think Riverbanks Zoo used to have them?

I think my first Striped Hyena was at San Diego Zoo in the late 80s/early 90s. I've also seen them at Delhi Zoo, ZooTampa, The Living Desert Zoo, Tierpark Berlin, Arabian Wildlife Center, Naples Zoo, Meir Segals Garden University Zoo, Johannesburg Zoo, Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve and Rabat Zoo to name a few. That means I've seen all 5 subspecies!
My first and only wild Striped Hyena was in 2022 near Eilat, Israel.

For how common Spotted Hyena are in zoos now, and have always been in general culture, I believe it wasn't until a visit to the Toronto Zoo in 1994 when I was first able to photograph the species. I've seen them at many zoos since then, including my home zoo- Bronx.
They're impossible to avoid on safari, and I've seen them every time I was in range including first at South Luangwa National Park in Zambia in 2019, the Hyena Cave in Ethiopia in 2019, Uganda and Kenya in 2021 and South Africa in 2023.

 

[15399]

You want to see more species, more rarities, more quality exhibits? Then board a plane for Europe.

As someone who has only visited zoos in the US, Canada, and Belize, I am beginning to realize, based on this thread and some of the threads by @lintworm that whenever I am financially and logistically able to plan a zoo trip of my own, Europe is the obvious way to go. Being in the Eastern United States, a flight to London is less than an hour longer than a flight to San Diego, so it seems like an obvious choice to prioritize Europe! That's not to say there aren't incredible zoos in the United States- I've loved my trips to Bronx, Detroit, Toledo, and New York Aquarium, amongst others, and Belize Zoo is absolutely phenomenal, but Europe seems to do things in ways that nowhere else does and has a number of really cool species and exhibits I'd love to see some day.

 

[snowleopard]

Besides seeing Fossas in 25 zoos, the rest of my Madagascan carnivore list is very short and sweet. There are TWO species in this post.

I've seen Ring-tailed Vontsiras at 3 zoos:

1- Bronx Zoo (USA) – Ring-tailed Vontsira – 2008
2- Cologne Zoo (Germany) – Ring-tailed Vontsira – 2019
3- Dierenpark Zie-ZOO (Netherlands) - Ring-tailed Vontsira – 2019

AND...

I've seen a Fanaloka at 1 zoo:

1- Capital of Texas Zoo (USA) – Fanaloka – 2015

Ring-tailed Vontsiras can be found in the Bronx Zoo's (USA) Madagascar! House:

@Ding Lingwei

@Dhole dude

I saw Ring-tailed Vontsiras at Cologne Zoo (Germany) in 2019, the only time I've seen the species in an outdoor exhibit.

@Crowthorne

Dierenpark Zie-ZOO (Netherlands), that zoo nerd paradise, has a couple of exhibits for Ring-tailed Vontsiras:

Both photos via @KevinB

As for Fanaloka, I saw a single specimen at the privately owned, roadside Capital of Texas Zoo (USA) in 2015. At the time, it was surely the only zoo in the nation with the species on-show to the public. There was a chicken-wire barrier fence for visitors and the Fanaloka was confined to a wooden box. Good grief!

There's a 'Falanouc' sign AND a 'Fanaloka' sign. Maybe this zoo had both species!

And here's proof I saw one, which due to the accommodation was the best photo I could get!

Eupleridae: 3 species (Fossa, Ring-tailed Vontsira, Fanaloka)
Hyaenidae: 3 species (Spotted Hyena, Striped Hyena, Aardwolf)

* On page 42 of this thread, there's an extensive list of all the species I've seen for Primates (141), Felidae (28) and Canidae (19).

 

[Lori Patton]

Now that I've finished up Hyaenidae, which prompted a lot of discussion, it's time to move on to carnivores from Madagascar. This will be two posts and the first one involves Fossas, which I've seen in 25 zoos.

1- San Diego Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2008
2- Bronx Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2008
3- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (USA) – Fossa – 2008
4- Los Angeles Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2008
5- Mountain View Conservation Centre (Canada) – Fossa – 2008
6- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2010
7- Houston Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2010
8- Dallas Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2010
9- San Antonio Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2010
10- Happy Hollow Park & Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2011
11- Charles Paddock Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2011
12- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (USA) – Fossa – 2012
13- Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park (USA) – Fossa – 2012
14- Naples Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2012
15- Denver Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2012
16- Chahinkapa Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2014
17- Racine Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2014
18- Tanganyika Wildlife Park (USA) – Fossa – 2014
19- Capital of Texas Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2015
20- Micke Grove Zoo (USA) – Fossa – 2017
21- Pakawi Park (Belgium) – Fossa – 2019
22- Frankfurt Zoo (Germany) – Fossa – 2019
23- Duisburg Zoo (Germany) – Fossa – 2019
24- ZooParc Overloon (Netherlands) – Fossa – 2019
25- Parken Zoo (Sweden) – Fossa – 2022

San Diego Zoo (USA) was the location of my first ever Fossa sighting, in an old metal cage in a canyon area that eventually morphed into Africa Rocks. In 2011, I saw Fossas in the exhibit pictured below as well as an equally small enclosure inside the Children's Zoo.

Last year, San Diego Zoo had two Fossa exhibits in its Africa Rocks complex, meaning that I've personally seen Fossas in FOUR different exhibits at San Diego over the years. They shift mammals around like crazy...

Fossas have been found inside Madagascar! at the Bronx Zoo (USA):

@mweb08

If you look carefully, you can see two Fossas in this 1960s-era 'roundhouse' exhibit at Los Angeles Zoo (USA):

@mstickmanp

I saw a cage for Hamsters...errr...Fossas at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (USA) in 2010 that was a puny cement bunker. But it did have an exercise wheel!

Houston Zoo (USA) is one of FOUR Texas zoos that had Fossas for years, in an exhibit that at least offered up some height in the Carnivore Row section of the zoo.

San Antonio Zoo (USA) had Fossas in their Cats of the World area. It was a bizarre location for a Madagascan carnivore, and the exhibit was very rocky, steep and not very large. It would have been better suited for Pallas' Cats.

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo (USA) has a Fossa exhibit that isn't really as large as it needs to be, plus it's fairly barren with just a few rocks strewn around the enclosure.

@SwampDonkey

Here's another 'running wheel' with a Fossa, this time at Charles Paddock Zoo (USA). The exhibit is just merely okay, but at least it's much larger than what is shown here:

@Coelacanth18

One could make a case for Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (USA) for having one of the best Fossa exhibits in North America, even though it's nothing superlative. A spacious outdoor yard is pictured here, plus there is indoor viewing within the Expedition Madagascar building, and with a substantial lemur collection in adjacent enclosures.

An exhibit, likely with zero outdoor access, for Fossas at Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park (USA) in 2012:

This old cage attached to the Feline House at Denver Zoo (USA), held Fossas in 2012. It's mediocre, but the height is nice as Fossas will climb if given the opportunity in zoos.

In the winter, North Dakota experiences many months of freezing temperatures, but that doesn't stop Chahinkapa Zoo (USA) from housing Fossas in their collection.

Capital of Texas Zoo (USA) had Fossas in 2015. They also had another Madagascan carnivore, which I'll elaborate on in my next post.

This chain-link cage for Fossas at Micke Grove Zoo (USA) is ugly as hell but probably effective at keeping the animals enriched. It's not very large though.

Pakawi Park (Belgium) has two Fossa exhibits with substantial height:

@KevinB

Duisburg Zoo (Germany) has had Fossas for many years.

@Sneeuwpanter

Why is it that with almost every single mammal species, it's the European zoos that have the better exhibits in comparison to the North American establishments? Honestly...why? Just as with many other examples on this thread, the European zoos 'win' for overall quality for Fossas. Why does it keep happening over and over again?

One could point out that my two most recent 'Snowleopard Road Trips' were in Europe, in 2019 and 2022, and so I saw some newer exhibits. But that explanation doesn't really work because it's not like North American zoos have been steadily building new Madagascar-themed exhibits in the last 5 years. (Ahem, San Francisco!) One could point out that I saw some elite zoos on my European treks, and that's a fair point because if I'd visited the zoos of some 'lesser' zoo nations then I would not have been as impressed. It's just fascinating that in so many cases, European zoos have built more spacious, more enriching environments for their captive animals. And that's not even mentioning the roadside hellholes that are still found in America. You want to see more species, more rarities, more quality exhibits? Then board a plane for Europe.

ZooParc Overloon (Netherlands) opened a new Fossa exhibit in 2019 that's better than anything North American zoos can even dream of. It was fantastic seeing the species here, in multiple enclosures.

Parken Zoo (Sweden) has TWO huge outdoor exhibits and an entire Fossa House devoted to the species with FOUR indoor enclosures. North American zoos would wet their pants if they saw how much space Fossas have at this zoo.

The Los Angeles Zoo no longer has any fossas as the last one named Brittany passed away last year in June just one month shy of her 25th birthday. Ring-tailed lemurs now occupy the fossa's area in the roundhouse, which is the same one with the Ruppell's sand fox mentioned earlier. It was actually right after the fossa died when the animals all got changed around in that roundhouse.

 

[snowleopard]

This post literally took me 3 hours to complete, with all the writing being a lot of fun, but I spent ages searching for appropriate photos. In the end, I came up with 20 images that showcase a wide range of exhibits for these ultra-popular critters.

Every zoo nerd loves to see Meerkats, right? Ha! I've seen this species in 129 zoos, which places Meerkats behind Tigers (195), Ring-tailed Lemurs (184) and Lions (179) all-time for me, and tied with Wolves (129) for 4th most common mammal species I've seen...so far!

Top 7 list:

Tigers - 195 zoos
Ring-tailed Lemurs - 184
Lions - 179
Meerkats - 129
Wolves - 129
Bobcats - 128
Cougars - 118

Since the character of 'Timon' debuted in 1994's The Lion King, Meerkats have become ubiquitous in zoos across the globe. When it comes to big AZA and EAZA zoos, sometimes it's easier to locate an establishment that doesn't have Meerkats, as satisfying the public is a major component of a modern zoological facility. That being said, and fingers crossed I didn't miss any while adding up my totals, there's some major zoos that still do not have Meerkats in their collections. What are they thinking?

2008 = 18 zoos
2010 = 23 zoos
2019 = 44 zoos in 4 weeks!! (Western European zoos LOVE Meerkats)

1- Edmonton Valley Zoo (Canada) – Meerkat – 2001
2- Point Defiance Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2005
3- Oregon Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2005
4- Calgary Zoo (Canada) – Meerkat – 2006
5- San Francisco Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2006
6- San Diego Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2006
7- San Diego Zoo Safari Park (USA) – Meerkat – 2006
8- Taronga Zoo (Australia) – Meerkat – 2007
9- Adelaide Zoo (Australia) – Meerkat – 2007
10- Monarto Zoo (Australia) – Meerkat – 2007
11- Melbourne Zoo (Australia) – Meerkat – 2007
12- Minnesota Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
13- Lincoln Park Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
14- Brookfield Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
15- Toledo Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
16- Toronto Zoo (Canada) – Meerkat – 2008
17- Smithsonian’s National Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
18- Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
19- Indianapolis Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
20- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
21- Memphis Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
22- Knoxville Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
23- Zoo Atlanta (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
24- Fort Worth Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
25- Oklahoma City Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
26- Phoenix Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
27- Los Angeles Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
28- Disney’s Animal Kingdom (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
29- Zoo Miami (USA) – Meerkat – 2008
30- Woodland Park Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
31- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
32- Sedgwick County Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
33- Tulsa Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
34- Kansas City Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
35- Saint Louis Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
36- Louisville Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
37- Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
38- Milwaukee County Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
39- Buffalo Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
40- Philadelphia Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
41- Riverbanks Zoo & Garden (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
42- Nashville Zoo at Grassmere (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
43- Birmingham Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
44- Houston Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
45- Caldwell Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
46- Dallas Zoo (USA) – Meerkat 2010
47- Cameron Park Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
48- Gladys Porter Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
49- El Paso Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
50- ABQ BioPark Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
51- Utah’s Hogle Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
52- Zoo Boise (USA) – Meerkat – 2010
53- Oakland Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2011
54- Happy Hollow Park & Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2011
55- Charles Paddock Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2011
56- Santa Barbara Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2011
57- Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium (USA) – Meerkat – 2011
58- The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens (USA) – Meerkat – 2011
59- Potter Park Zoo (USA) – Meerkat 2012
60- Erie Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2012
61- Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park (USA) – Meerkat – 2012
62- Maritime Aquarium (USA) – Meerkat – 2012
63- Virginia Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2012
64- ZooTampa at Lowry Park (USA) – Meerkat – 2012
65- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (USA) – Meerkat – 2012
66- Dickerson Park Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2012
67- Henry Vilas Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2014
68- Racine Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2014
69- Peoria Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2014
70- Miller Park Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2014
71- Scovill Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2014
72- Lincoln Children’s Zoo (USA) – Meerkat - Nebraska – 2014
73- Pueblo Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2014
74- Fresno Chaffee Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2017
75- Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Canada) – Meerkat – 2018
76- Assiniboine Park Zoo (Canada) – Meerkat – 2018
77- Great Plains Zoo (USA) – Meerkat – 2018
78- Artis Royal Zoo (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
79- Avonturia de Vogelkelder (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
80- Landgoed Hoenderdaell (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
81- Van Blanckendaell Park (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
82- Diergaarde Blijdorp (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
83- Familiepark Plaswijckpark (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
84- Faunapark Flakkee (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
85- Lille Zoo (France) – Meerkat – 2019
86- Zoo Antwerp (Belgium) – Meerkat – 2019
87- Pakawi Park (Belgium) – Meerkat – 2019
88- Pairi Daiza (Belgium) – Meerkat – 2019
89- Alsdorf Tierpark (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
90- GaiaZOO (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
91- Mondo Verde (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
92- Aachener Zoo (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
93- Frankfurt Zoo (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
94- Opel Zoo (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
95- Zoo Neuwied (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
96- Affen + Vogelpark Eckenhagen (Monkey + Bird Park) (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
97- Cologne Zoo (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
98- Solinger Vogel-und Tierpark (Bird and Animal Park) (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
99- Wuppertal Zoo (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
100- Tierpark Fauna (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
101- Dortmund Zoo (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
102- Tierpark + Fossilium Bochum (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
103- ZOOM Erlebniswelt (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
104- Duisburg Zoo (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
105- Krefeld Zoo (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
106- BestZOO (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
107- Dierenrijk (Animal Kingdom) (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
108- Dierenpark Zie-ZOO (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
109- Beekse Bergen (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
110- Dierenpark de Oliemeulen (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
111- ZooParc Overloon (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
112- Ouwehands Dierenpark (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
113- Burgers' Zoo (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
114- Berlin Zoo (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
115- Erlebnis Zoo Hannover (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
116- Serengeti-Park (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
117- Osnabruck Zoo (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
118- Allwetterzoo Munster (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
119- Nordhorn Zoo (Germany) – Meerkat – 2019
120- Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
121- Dierenpark Amersfoort (Netherlands) – Meerkat – 2019
122- Skaerup Zoo (Denmark) – Meerkat – 2022
123- Munkholm Zoo (Denmark) – Meerkat – 2022
124- Jyllands Park Zoo (Denmark) – Meerkat – 2022
125- Terrariet Reptile Zoo (Denmark) – Meerkat – 2022
126- Kolmarden Wildlife Park (Sweden) – Meerkat – 2022
127- Parken Zoo (Sweden) – Meerkat – 2022
128- Kristiansand Zoo (Norway) – Meerkat – 2022
129- Den Lille Dyrehage/The Small Zoo (Norway) – Meerkat – 2022

I'll try and select some Meerkat exhibits that are a little different or noteworthy, as so many of them blend together in appearance. When I was at Adelaide Zoo (Australia) in 2007, the Meerkats were in an exhibit directly in front of the Giraffe paddock, which made for an interesting view of two popular mammal species at once. Here's an image from 2015:

@Geoffrey

Monarto Zoo (Australia) has a pair of spacious Meerkat exhibits with several tree branches for climbing and mounds of red sand.

@Ashanti

Seeing Meerkats at Minnesota Zoo (USA) in 2008 was memorable as several were hiding amongst the faux skulls in their exhibit.

Klipspringers, Meerkats and Leopard Tortoises...oh my! Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (USA) has a splendid African Kopje zone.

@Dhole dude

Adelaide Zoo had Meerkats in front of Giraffes, while Riverbanks Zoo & Garden (USA) had Meerkats in front of African Elephants when I was there in 2010. You can see an elephant in the background in this photo, but that species is long gone and has been replaced by White Rhinos now.

I've probably seen at least 160 Meerkat exhibits in my lifetime, as many zoos now have two or even three enclosures for the species to separate groups that are fighting, or to have bachelor mobs, or to be able to mix and match individuals into various groups. One of the very best habitats I've come across for Meerkats is at Nashville Zoo (USA), as there's a substantial amount of space and a lot of natural enrichment for the animals. There's even a pop-up glass tube for visitors, as seen in my photo from 2010.

Another superb exhibit for Meerkats is to be found at Caldwell Zoo (USA). In the background is the East African Savanna and this was originally an enclosure for Black-backed Jackals. It held Meerkats and Leopard Tortoises when I was there in 2010 and 2015, and currently houses Meerkats and African Crested Porcupines.

There's been some very poor Meerkat exhibits at AZA zoos as well. Utah's Hogle Zoo (USA), Erie Zoo (USA), Peoria Zoo (USA) and Woodland Park Zoo (USA) used to all keep Meerkats indoors within exhibits that offered up a lot of cement and a minimal amount of natural substrate. Erie still have the same setup and there are photos of those exhibits at all 4 zoos in the gallery. Maritime Aquarium (USA) even added Meerkats many years ago, with a pop-up bubble for visitors.

Check out this totally wacky Meerkat exhibit at Artis Royal Zoo (Netherlands):

Elsewhere at Artis Royal Zoo (Netherlands), I saw Meerkats scampering around in this exhibit along with Diana Monkeys and Gorillas. To see all three species together was remarkable!

Avonturia de Vogelkelder (Netherlands) keeps Meerkats entirely indoors with a bizarre exhibit of fake red cliffs and animal skulls.

It's much better for Meerkats to have a setup like the one at Diergaarde Blijdorp (Netherlands). There one can find a spacious outdoor exhibit with lots of room for a big mob to roam, as well as a heated indoor space that is accessible to visitors.

@Mr Gharial

Every exhibit at GaiaZOO (Netherlands) is of a high standard, including a couple of Meerkat enclosures that are spacious and sandy.

My first reaction on seeing the Meerkat exhibit at Opel Zoo (Germany), was "how do they not climb out?"

Apartment complexes in the background, weird-looking rainwater-catching devices, this most be Cologne Zoo's (Germany) Meerkat exhibit! Don't let the bizarre structures fool you into thinking this is a second-rate establishment, as Cologne is one of Europe's very best zoos.

@Dianamonkey

Ouwehands Dierenpark (Netherlands) has enormous fake termite mounds amidst its Meerkat exhibit. At one point, Ouwehands combined Meerkats with Gorillas elsewhere, just like Artis.

@KevinB

Sometimes zoos cater to the masses, such as the random inclusion of a Meerkat exhibit inside the Terrariet Reptile Zoo (Denmark). Snakes, lizards, turtles...and Meerkats!

At Kolmarden Wildlife Park (Sweden), there's a long and winding dead-end pathway that finishes at the zoo's Elephant House. When I visited in 2022, there was hardly anyone else that ventured down that trail. Those that do make the walk will not only see the interior of the elephant barn, but a spacious outdoor exhibit for Meerkats. There's also a heated interior area for the animals as well, as Scandinavian zoos continue to offer up a lot of space for every mammal, big or small.

Do you remember when I highlighted the Desert House at Parken Zoo (Sweden) for Sand Cats? This same building has a beautiful indoor and outdoor setup for Meerkats as well.

Not to be outdone by their Swedish neighbours, Kristiansand Zoo (Norway) has three excellent Meerkat exhibits. My favourite of the trio is this one, with a mini-forest of trees! It is a massive habitat that stretches far away and I like to see all those tall trees in with the Meerkats as it creates a memorable sight.

 

[NNM.]

I’m surprised no one ever talks about the Disney’s Animal Kingdom exhibit, which is the best I’ve personally seen (then again, that goes for 90% of DAK in general).





What’s especially cool is the display of being in front of a good exhibit for zebras, in a naturalistic display. Now for why either of those animals are in Gorilla Falls…you tell me.

 

[toastrgophr]

My guess as to one reason why so many zoos have meerkats is because they are relatively simple to house and are very engaging for visitors, always doing something interesting.

I second the shoutout to the DAK meerkat exhibit

 

[15399]

When it comes to big AZA and EAZA zoos, sometimes it's easier to locate an establishment that doesn't have Meerkats, as satisfying the public is a major component of a modern zoological facility.

If you go to the northeast US, then it's really easy to find AZA zoos without meerkats! Both Zoo New England facilities, Roger Williams Park Zoo, and Buttonwood Park Zoo all lack meerkats. Funnily enough, 50% of the New England zoos with meerkats are actually aquariums (Maritime Aquarium in Connecticut and Capron Park Zoo in MA are the only two meerkat holders). Interestingly enough, all five of the WCS facilities similarly lack meerkats, although New Yorkers can see them at Staten Island Zoo. Upstate New York is 50/50 for AZA zoos with (Buffalo, Rosamond Gifford) and without (Utica, Seneca Park) meerkats. Turtle Back Zoo in NJ similarly lacks meerkats.

Erie still have the same setup and there are photos of those exhibits at all 4 zoos in the gallery

I happened to like Erie Zoo's exhibit. Sure, it's indoors, but is that really an inherent bad thing for a non-cold tolerant small mammal in a Pennsylvania zoo? When I visited, much of the floor to this exhibit was real sand, so certainly allows the animals to display natural behaviors in a way that a mock-rock or cement exhibit wouldn't. A photo I took:

I’m surprised no one ever talks about the Disney’s Animal Kingdom exhibit, which is the best I’ve personally seen (then again, that goes for 90% of DAK in general).

View attachment 706854

View attachment 706855View attachment 706856

What’s especially cool is the display of being in front of a good exhibit for zebras, in a naturalistic display. Now for why either of those animals are in Gorilla Falls…you tell me.

I definitely second your praise of Disney's exhibit, certainly the best meerkat exhibit I've seen, and easily a strong exhibit- though there are some exhibits I've yet to see that I suspect beat it.

 

[birdsandbats]

Yeah, Meerkats aren't anywhere near as common in North America as they are in Europe. They're really only found in major zoos over here (often absent from small AZA zoos and almost entirely absent from non-AZA collections). In major zoos, however, they're almost always present, with several notable exceptions of course.

 

[snowleopard]

I've seen Dwarf Mongooses at 29 zoos. I'd previously only ever come across this species at a dozen zoos in my lifetime, until I headed off to Europe where mongooses are extremely common. Just as with Meerkats (129 zoos), Dwarf Mongooses are everywhere in Western European zoos. I toured 6 Dutch zoos and 6 German zoos with this species and approximately 50% of my overall sightings were in a single month in 2019. All these European zoos are smart to include mongooses in their collections, as they are active, inquisitive display animals that are very popular with visitors.

1- San Diego Zoo (USA) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2006
2- Adelaide Zoo (Australia) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2007
3- Lincoln Park Zoo - Illinois (USA) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2008
4- Brookfield Zoo (USA) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2008
5- Bronx Zoo (USA) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2008
6- Oregon Zoo (USA) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2010
7- Saint Louis Zoo (USA) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2010
8- Milwaukee County Zoo (USA) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2010
9- Philadelphia Zoo (USA) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2010
10- Dallas Zoo (USA) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2010
11- San Antonio Zoo (USA) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2010
12- Denver Zoo (USA) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2012
13- Dierentuin Animal Farm (Netherlands) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2019
14- Avonturia de Vogelkelder (Netherlands) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2019
15- Berkenhof’s Tropical Zoo (Netherlands) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2019
16- Lille Zoo (France) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2019
17- Pairi Daiza (Belgium) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2019
18- Frankfurt Zoo (Germany) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2019
19- Opel Zoo (Germany) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2019
20- ZOOM Erlebniswelt (Germany) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2019
21- Duisburg Zoo (Germany) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2019
22- Aquazoo Lobbecke Museum (Germany) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2019
23- Dierenpark Zie-ZOO (Netherlands) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2019
24- Dierenpark de Oliemeulen (Netherlands) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2019
25- Tierpark Hagenbeck (Germany) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2019
26- Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen (Netherlands) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2019
27- Munkholm Zoo (Denmark) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2022
28- Odense Zoo (Denmark) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2022
29- Kolmarden Tropicarium (Sweden) – Dwarf Mongoose – 2022

This rocky, African Kopje exhibit, which opened around 1986, is now part of San Diego Zoo's (USA) Africa Rocks complex. I've spent 8 days at San Diego Zoo over the years, consistently having success in seeing this large enclosure's three species: Klipspringer, Rock Hyrax and Dwarf Mongoose.

@pachyderm pro

Brookfield Zoo (USA) has a building devoted to an African Kopje exhibit, including several species such as Dwarf Mongooses.

@geomorph

Inside the Carter Giraffe Building at the Bronx Zoo (USA), there's an exhibit for Dwarf Mongooses.

@gulogulogulo

Oregon Zoo (USA) has had Dwarf Mongooses inside its African building, formerly Predators of the Serengeti, for many years. This is the indoor image of the exhibit that I highlighted while analyzing Caracals (and now lemurs), as there are mongoose tunnels that run through that 'predator' enclosure. One can see a pop-up visitor bubble here.

Saint Louis Zoo (USA) has a really neat setup, with Dwarf Mongooses in the foreground and Cheetahs in a separate exhibit in the background. There are several black and white tubes for the mongooses to scamper through.

@Grizzly Hound

By contrast, there is Milwaukee County Zoo's (USA) exhibit for Dwarf Mongooses inside the zoo's Small Animal House. Tiny space, probably cement floor, but a jungle mural! This enclosure formerly held Goeldi's Monkeys.

@Moebelle

Dallas Zoo (USA) had Dwarf Mongooses and Jackson's Hornbills together, plus two pop-up visitor bubbles, in their Children's Zoo in 2010. An interesting mix!

The glass-fronted exhibit on the left was home to Dwarf Mongooses when I was at San Antonio Zoo (USA) in 2010:

Dierentuin Animal Farm (Netherlands), a small zoo technically on a little island, had Dwarf Mongooses in this exhibit in 2019:

An Egyptian temple themed enclosure for Dwarf Mongooses at Avonturia de Vogelkelder (Netherlands):

There's lots of mock-rock in this Dwarf Mongoose exhibit at Berkenhof’s Tropical Zoo (Netherlands):

@vogelcommando

Here's a strange, rocky exhibit (with cacti!) for Dwarf Mongooses at Pairi Daiza (Belgium). There's also two pop-up visitor bubbles in the enclosure.

@vogelcommando

Dwarf Mongooses are at Opel Zoo (Germany) behind a very low wall:

Duisburg Zoo (Germany) has an outdoor enclosure for Dwarf Mongooses and this species needs only minimal containment barriers.

@Maguari

A tiny exhibit for Dwarf Mongooses at Dierenpark Zie-ZOO (Netherlands):

@KevinB

Here is a spacious, heavily themed exhibit for Dwarf Mongooses in the Serenga zone of Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen (Netherlands):

@Mr Gharial

Perhaps the best exhibit I've ever seen for Dwarf Mongooses is to be found at Odense Zoo (Denmark), inside the world-class African Waters Aviary.

Odense Zoo also has indoor viewing for the mongooses, inside the Chimpanzee House:

A very impressive indoor exhibit for Dwarf Mongooses (and tortoises) is to be found at the Kolmarden Tropicarium (Sweden).

 

[snowleopard]

Euro zoo nerds will chuckle, but me seeing mongooses in zoos has been a thrill in the past as they are very rare in North American collections. I've seen Banded Mongooses in 22 zoos and 17 of those facilities have been in Europe. I saw more of this species in one week inside Denmark than I previously did in my lifetime!

1- Denver Zoo (USA) – Banded Mongoose – 2006
2- Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo (USA) – Banded Mongoose – 2010
3- San Diego Zoo (USA) – Banded Mongoose – 2011
4- Houston Zoo (USA) – Banded Mongoose – 2015
5- Planckendael Zoo (Belgium) – Banded Mongoose – 2019
6- Aachener Zoo (Germany) – Banded Mongoose – 2019
7- Duisburg Zoo (Germany) – Banded Mongoose – 2019
8- Tiergarten Monchengladbach (Germany) – Banded Mongoose – 2019
9- BestZOO (Netherlands) – Banded Mongoose – 2019
10- Dierenpark Zie-ZOO (Netherlands) – Banded Mongoose – 2019
11- Beekse Bergen (Netherlands) – Banded Mongoose – 2019
12- Berlin Tierpark (Germany) – Banded Mongoose – 2019
13- Osnabruck Zoo (Germany) – Banded Mongoose – 2019
14- Skaerup Zoo (Denmark) – Banded Mongoose – 2022
15- Givskud Zoo (Denmark) – Banded Mongoose – 2022
16- Ree Park Safari (Denmark) – Banded Mongoose – 2022
17- Munkholm Zoo (Denmark) – Banded Mongoose – 2022
18- Jyllands Park Zoo (Denmark) – Banded Mongoose – 2022
19- Aalborg Zoo (Denmark) – Banded Mongoose – 2022
20- Odense Zoo (Denmark) – Banded Mongoose – 2022
21- Boras Zoo (Sweden) – Banded Mongoose – 2022
22- The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens (USA) – Banded Mongoose – 2023

Denver Zoo (USA) had Banded Mongooses and African Crested Porcupines together near the zoo's entrance in 2006.

I saw Banded Mongooses at Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo (USA) in the African Journey kopje zone:

Of course, San Diego Zoo (USA) ended up with Banded Mongooses as well:

And Houston Zoo (USA) had an exhibit for Banded Mongooses that included three pop-up visitor bubbles:

Unless I missed a few from the early zoo trip years when I wasn't as meticulous as I am now, those 4 exhibits were it for Banded Mongooses out of more than 400+ different zoos and aquariums. It was then astonishing for me to head off on a couple of European zoo treks and see Meerkats, Dwarf Mongooses and Banded Mongooses absolutely everywhere. Those three species are prolific in Western Europe, to the point where some zoos have handfuls of exhibits of various Herpestidae. It's great, as they are exciting exhibits to hang around as there's always something going on.

Planckendael Zoo (Belgium) has Banded Mongooses near the Bonobos:

@KevinB

Here's a whole pile of Banded Mongooses at Duisburg Zoo (Germany):

@gulogulogulo

Tiergarten Monchengladbach (Germany) has the species:

BestZOO (Netherlands) has a low wall on its Banded Mongoose exhibit:

@KevinB

Dierenpark Zie-ZOO (Netherlands) has loads of small, active critters. Not only Banded Mongooses, but also Dwarf Mongooses, Yellow Mongooses, Ring-tailed Vontsiras and Common Kusimanses. Plus Siberian Weasels and Prairie Dogs...but no Meerkats! (at least not in 2019)

@KevinB

This photo, at Beekse Bergen (Netherlands), shows a half-dozen Banded Mongooses in with a Red River Hog!

@Mr Gharial

Banded Mongoose exhibit at Osnabruck Zoo (Germany):

Naturally, the Scandinavian nations take things to crazy new heights in terms of exhibit size for mammals. Check out this huge Banded Mongoose habitat at Givskud Zoo (Denmark), and it even stretches around the corner where those tall trees are. The keepers must curse having to clean all that glass, and the wall is very low and easy to reach over.

Not to be outdone, Ree Park Safari (Denmark) has an equally huge Banded Mongoose exhibit that goes beneath sections of the visitor boardwalk. It's amazing. For example, some Danish zoos keep mongooses within spaces that are double the size of the Tiger exhibit at the AZA-accredited Charles Paddock Zoo (USA) in California. Maybe even triple the size!

Jyllands Park Zoo (Denmark) is another example of a Banded Mongoose exhibit with a very low wall. The animals are smart enough to stay away from prying human hands, but it is interesting to see all these zoos with no stand-off barriers.

Just as with the case of my favourite Dwarf Mongoose exhibit being at Odense Zoo (Denmark), that same zoo also has my favourite Banded Mongoose exhibit! The really neat thing about this one is that it's the very first enclosure in the zoo and visitors congregate around it immediately. These Danish zoos show the rest of the world how to provide an engaging space for mongooses AND humans and it's really remarkable to see visitors gaze at active, inquisitive small mammals.

Even the visitor area is immersive with huge boulders:

Please zoom in on this photo. You'll see a spectacular Banded Mongoose mural on the blue/grey holding building.

These are two different exhibits for Banded Mongooses at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens (USA) and I was really impressed when I saw them last year. Neither is as large as any of those Danish zoo mongoose habitats that I highlighted, but these are nicely landscaped, brand-new additions to an already excellent zoo. By North American standards, they are terrific and also right near the zoo's entrance.

 

[birdsandbats]

I wasn't even aware these guys were in North Americans zoos at all until now.