Suborder Vombatiformes
4 species across 2 families
3 species kept currently (75%)
Koalas - Family Phascolarctidae (1 species)
Koala -
Phascolarctos cinereus
The well-known Aussie speciesm often nicknamed "koala bears" is either monotypic or has two subspecies based on their northern and southern populations but there haven't been any major studies proving any side.
Image Credit to
@Valentinoamor, At San Diego Zoo
AZA Abundance: Uncommon
Non-AZA Abundance: Not Present
Overall Abundance: Uncommon
Though it isn't found in any non-AZA zoos, it's present in the pet trade (though not common). Though it's the poster child of the dangers that Australian wildfires are causing (more recently), koalas haven't really changed that much in terms of holding but a bit in popularity.
Koalas are only found in the South and Eastern coastal areas of Australia. In captivity, it's often housed outside with easy access to indoor housing, often being housed in tropical or temperate zoos. If you recognize that there are 2 subspecies, there is the Queensland (northern) and the Victoria (southern) populations with all of the koalas (AZA zoos) in the US being Queensland subspecies, owned by the Australian government.
Captive breeding programs have been successful though they are sensitive to stress and diet changes. They survive 12-15 years in captivity with Midori in Japan being the oldest (25+). They are solitary species in the wild but are sometimes in small groups to prevent territorial aggression though in the wild, they do tolerate overlapping territories if the forests are big enough.
Some possible exhibits with this species could be an Australia exhibit, East Australia exhibit, Eucalyptus ecosystems, Dry Forest exhibit, etc. In zoos, this species is often in mixed species exhibits.
Terrestrial Vertebrates: Bare-nosed Wombat (Vombatus ursinus), Parma Wallaby (Notamacropus parma), Red-necked Wallaby (Notamacropus rufogriseus), Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus)
Arboreal Vertebrates: Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Gouldian Finch (Chloebia gouldiae), Woylie (Bettongia penicillata)
If it wasn't obvious, not all of these species are compatible together but individually as a species, each are compatible. A good enclosure for Koalas should have multiple climbing spots (hopefully trees), live plants, and large-ish space. Having multiple enclosure can be helpful due to their flexible social housing. Indoor enclosures are also typically connected in case of weather changes.
Overall Feasibility for Spec Zoo Usage: Plausible as they are present in AZA-accredited American zoos. They haven't had any major changes in American captivity in the past couple years. However, the AZA had Victorian Koalas on the Phase Out list (Marsupial & Monotreme TAG from 2012) though they aren't found in American captivity.
Wombats - Family Vombatidae (3 species)
Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat -
Lasiorhinus latifrons
These wombats are near threatend, being the state animal of Australia.
Image Credit to
@USZOOfan42 , At Brookfield Zoo
AZA Abundance: Extremely Rare
Non-AZA Abundance: Not Present
Overall Abundance: Extremely Rare
Wombats in general are absent (at least mostly) in non-AZA captivity in the United States. In AZA-accredited zoos, it's only held in 5 of them with San Diego Zoo being the only other American AZA zoo in the past decade having them.
Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats are from various areas of semi-arid scrub/mallee in south-central Australia. In captivity, it's often housed outside, being housed in mostly temperate or arid zoos.
Captive breeding programs have been successful with them surviving 15-25 years in captivity with Brookfield Zoo having the oldest documented (34yo male and 24yo female). They are solitary species in the wild but are sometimes in pairs though they tolerate limited social interactions.
Some possible exhibits with this species could be an Australia exhibit, Southern Australia exhibit, Desert exhibit, Burrowing exhibit, etc. In zoos, this species is often in mixed species exhibits.
Terrestrial Vertebrates: Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus)
Arboreal Vertebrates: Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius)
If it wasn't obvious, not all of these species are compatible together but individually as a species, each are compatible. Wombats are highly alert so they could be stressed by territorial animals. They're also nocturnal so it's best to have nocturnal companions that aren't noisy, or none. A good enclosure for wombats should be spaceish, have various hiding spots, natural substrate, and not be all open (have trees or some spots for shade).
Overall Feasibility for Spec Zoo Usage: Plausible as they are somewhat present in AZA captivity. In the 2012 Marsupial and Monotreme AZA RCP, they were listed as phase-in species and they have been more prevalent with a couple new collections in 2010s.
Common Wombat -
Vombatus ursinus
These wombats are least concern with three subspecies: V. u. hirsutus which is the mainland subspecies, V. u. tasmaniensis which is found in Tasmania and V. u. ursinus which is found in two islands in the Bass Strait. It's also the largest wombat species weighing up to 35 kg.
Image Credit to
@Hix , At Wings Wildlife Park (in Australia) as there isn't that many good photos for them in American zoos.
AZA Abundance: Extremely Rare
Non-AZA Abundance: Not Present
Overall Abundance: Extremely Rare
Like I said earlier, wombats are rare in the United States. In AZA-accredited zoos, it's only held in 2 of them; ABQ BioPark Zoo (might've left) and San Diego Zoo. In the past decade, Houston Zoo and Toledo Zoo had them though the Toledo individual (Lily) could only be seen on paid tours. The Tasmanian subspecies is at ABQ BioPark Zoo (if they still have them) with the mainland subspecies at San Diego Zoo.
Common Wombats are from mainland Australia, Tasmania, and the Bass Strait islands (2 of them). In captivity, they are housed outdoors due to their relative weather tolerance, being found in rainy, cold, mild, and humid climates though they aren't that arid or warm adapted.
Like the southern hairy-nosed wombats, common wombats have been successfully bred with them being solitary species in the wild though these are mostly kept solitary.
Some possible exhibits with this species could be an Australia exhibit, islands exhibit, Burrowing exhibit, etc. In zoos, this species is often in mixed species exhibits.
Terrestrial Vertebrates: Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
Arboreal Vertebrates: Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
If it wasn't obvious, not all of these species are compatible together but individually as a species, each are compatible. Wombats are highly alert so they could be stressed by territorial animals. They're also nocturnal so it's best to have nocturnal companions that aren't noisy, or none. A good enclosure for wombats should be spaceish, have various hiding spots, natural substrate, and not be all open (have trees or some spots for shade).
Overall Feasibility for Spec Zoo Usage: Somewhat Plausible as this species is barely present in the United States. It has been used as an animal ambassador at San Diego Zoo.
Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat (
Lasiorhinus krefftii)
This species was thought to be extinct until 1930s with a population of about 30 individuals found. Now in 2024, the population has reached to over 400 individuals thanks to conservation. Due to their rarity, they haven't been held in any institution though they have been kept as pets (though in the last 1960s).
Overall Feasibility for Spec Zoo Usage: Implausible
Spec Zoo Perspective: Though I've thought about having koala in a dry Forest section of Australian Adventure, it isn't that practical due to the dietary needs and how arid Las Vegas is. Common Wombats were also a contender but due to their rarity, I decided to not have them.
Next week (probably in the weekend or on Friday), I will post the superfamily Phalangeroidea (pygmy possums, Bear cuscus, brush tail possum, etc.) which will likely be one post due to most species not being in American captivity. For now, feel free to identify any mistakes, things you noticed, feedback, criticism (with evidence), etc.
