What are some species that should never be kept in zoos?

Wisp O' Mist said:
You seem to have missed the point of my reply to you.

Which was that Theater of the Sea's cat care program clearly works for them, and indeed, even seems to increase the appeal of the place. Ergo, other zoos in similar circumstances could likely replicate that success if they choose to do so.

The issue of stray and feral cats running amuck has no easy answer, although I wager that zoos committing to having them shot and killed, even out of a concern for Toxoplasmosis, would be a PR nightmare.
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Yes - Australian wildlife conservation authorities come up against the 'cat-lovers backlash' preventing control measures and attempted eradication programmes, whilst the domestic/feral cat remains one of the biggest threats to endangered Australian mammals, to British song-birds and eco-systems wherever it has been introduced.
Maybe there is a case for keeping domestic cats in cages in zoos to help educate the 'cat-lovers' about the damage they and their animals are doing...
 
This may be unpopular but I don’t see the point in zoos keeping domesticated/farm animals. They take up space that can be put towards wild animals.
 
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The_Leopard_Seal said:
This may be unpopular but I don’t see the point in zoos keeping domesticated/farm animals. They take up space that can be put towards wild animals.
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While I also find them irritating which I believe they are in situations, farm animals can be important as an educational asset- either representing themselves or a wild counterpart. Some breeds are also considered endangered and require breeding. Although, I personally believe space should be prioritized for wild animals.
 
The_Leopard_Seal said:
This may be unpopular but I don’t see the point in zoos keeping domesticated/farm animals. They take up space that can be put towards wild animals.
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This has already been discussed elsewhere on ZooChat, but the general consensus seems to be that it's incredibly important for children and adults alike to have opportunities for hands on encounters with animals. Especially animals that aren't dogs or cats or other species commonly kept as pets.

Since farm animals are often the only species housed within the average zoo that are safe for laypeople to handle, that necessitates their presence.

Me personally, I just wish that more zoos would prioritize keeping rare breeds. For example: San Clemente Island goats over Nigeria Dwarf goats or Ossabaw Island hogs over Potbellied pigs. The former are heritage breeds that are desperately in need of new breeders, that latter are ridiculously common.
 
Wisp O' Mist said:
This has already been discussed elsewhere on ZooChat, but the general consensus seems to be that it's incredibly important for children and adults alike to have opportunities for hands on encounters with animals. Especially animals that aren't dogs or cats or other species commonly kept as pets.

Since farm animals are often the only species housed within the average zoo that are safe for laypeople to handle, that necessitates their presence.

Me personally, I just wish that more zoos would prioritize keeping rare breeds. For example: San Clemente Island goats over Nigeria Dwarf goats or Ossabaw Island hogs over Potbellied pigs. The former are heritage breeds that are desperately in need of new breeders, that latter are ridiculously common.
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I understand your point, but if I wanted to see a goat or a chicken I could just go to a farm. There are plenty of wild animals that need more representation in zoos.
 
The_Leopard_Seal said:
I understand your point, but if I wanted to see a goat or a chicken I could just go to a farm. There are plenty of wild animals that need more representation in zoos.
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And many people either don't know anyone who has a farm or have the ability to visit a farm that allows visitors. Ergo, their local zoo is the only place where they can interact with non-pet animals.

Remember, your reality and abilities are your own only. They are not applicable to anyone else.

Besides, children's zoo sections -Which farm animal exhibits are typically located within most zoos- often do have wild animals in addition to the domestics, so wild species are still occupying the majority of zoo holding slots.
 
Wisp O' Mist said:
And many people either don't know anyone who has a farm or have the ability to visit a farm that allows visitors. Ergo, their local zoo is the only place where they can interact with non-pet animals.

Remember, your reality and abilities are your own only. They are not applicable to anyone else.

Besides, children's zoo sections -Which farm animal exhibits are typically located within most zoos- often do have wild animals in addition to the domestics, so wild species are still occupying the majority of zoo holding slots.
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Fair enough. I do agree with zoos keeping heritage breeds or breeds meant to represent wild counterparts.
 
Wisp O' Mist said:
And many people either don't know anyone who has a farm or have the ability to visit a farm that allows visitors. Ergo, their local zoo is the only place where they can interact with non-pet animals.
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Are petting farms / minizoos with just domestics rare in the US?
 
The_Leopard_Seal said:
This may be unpopular but I don’t see the point in zoos keeping domesticated/farm animals. They take up space that can be put towards wild animals.
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As Wisp and others pointed out, Domestic animals I think definitely is a place for domestic animals within traditional zoos (Petting zoos in themselves are very popular) for these reasons
  • Hands on interactions with farm animals is something lots of people, especially children enjoy. Most exotics you cant really hold, for either the animals safety or the handlers or well, both. so its another fun draw for zoos to have
  • Education about farming itself, which is often something lots of city folk don't know much about, along with cultural history, sustainable farming, animal care ect...
  • The can also be used to conserve rare breeds. local examples for me include Auckland Island Pigs, Enderby Island rabbits that are all worth conserving for a varitey of reasons, like cultural, production or even medical with Auckland island pigs for example, being free of many retrovirius and other ailments for human transplants
 
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