A correction if I may - it is a thread about rough comparisons between the number of holding facilities. The actual populations of the species in the top 10 posted so far are not particularly comparable. Between the highest and lowest on the top 9 wild species, in terms of actual population is some 350 individuals different.
Going by actual population numbers, you would lose at least 4 of the 9 wild species off this top 10, indeed one of them might well have a fight to stay in the top 50!
Yeah, I'm not sure any of the 9 wild species are actually accurate, about 2-5 holders off or so. The porcupine being an exception, being shorted some 18 or more holders I believe. However, that one isn't particularly surprising it's undercounted on ZTL.
Most zoo sloths are identified as Linne's; some of them may be misidentified Hoffmann's or hybrids, but the reality is that so many zoos have sloths nowadays it probably belongs in the top ranks regardless!
Linne's is roughly double Hoffmann's both in holding facilities and actual population as far as the AZA is concerned.
Little fun fact though - even if you combine Linne's and Hoffmann's populations together, they're only just over half the total generic Giraffe population. Size isn't always everything!
You are bang on, and describing it better than I did. If you were to look at the total number or population of lions in AZA it would be even higher compared to cougars than what the difference in the number of holding facilities would suggest. Once I get through the listings, it would be interesting to note how many of the mammals are ones which have a low average of individuals kept per holding facility.
I noticed this too. Even small sized AZA zoos and those that have attendance well under 500,000 annual visitors will push hard to have certain charismatic megafauna, especially, but not exclusively, giraffes and lions.
I also find it striking just how similar many AZA zoo collections are regardless of their facility size and attendance. The Seneca Park Zoo attracts just a fraction of the annual visitors that my local Calgary Zoo does and they could fit several times into the Calgary Zoo's site, and yet they somehow still have fairly comparable collections! Of note, the Calgary Zoo decided they did not have the space and resources to properly display elephants anymore and they now display Malayan tapirs and white handed gibbons in their place. The Seneca Park Zoo still has elephants.
This made it difficult for me to try to create a Limited Collection Zoo category separated from other zoos, and other people on this forum have picked up on that. Many AZA zoos will still try to acquire exotic charismatic megafauna even if they have considerably smaller sites and less resources than some of the other AZA zoos in North America.
Interesting notes about Brazilian Porcupine being unexpected or rarely displayed, as I have seen them on display at Lincoln Park, Milwaukee and Omaha, a third of the US zoos I have visited. Someone told me on my trip to Omaha that the prehensile-tailed porcupine there is rarely seen (I saw it twice!) and I wasn't miffed because I have pretty consistent luck seeing them at the other two zoos. This actually does give me a fresh perspective on them.
Thank you for letting me know. I'm not sure why I made the mistake but somehow I hadn't realized they never reacquired accreditation. This is apparently the first non-AZA accredited facility I have visited in the US.
I noticed this too. Even small sized AZA zoos and those that have attendance well under 500,000 annual visitors will push hard to have certain charismatic megafauna, especially, but not exclusively, giraffes and lions.
I also find it striking just how similar many AZA zoo collections are regardless of their facility size and attendance. The Seneca Park Zoo attracts just a fraction of the annual visitors that my local Calgary Zoo does and they could fit several times into the Calgary Zoo's site, and yet they somehow still have fairly comparable collections! Of note, the Calgary Zoo decided they did not have the space and resources to properly display elephants anymore and they now display Malayan tapirs and white handed gibbons in their place. The Seneca Park Zoo still has elephants.
This made it difficult for me to try to create a Limited Collection Zoo category separated from other zoos, and other people on this forum have picked up on that. Many AZA zoos will still try to acquire exotic charismatic megafauna even if they have considerably smaller sites and less resources than some of the other AZA zoos in North America.
An example that stands out to me is Racine Zoo -- it's a smaller facility, but it has Masai giraffe, lions, tigers, zebra, White rhinoceros, several large macropods and a large breeding population of emperor tamarin alongside what are otherwise species you might expect in a smaller non-accredited facility. I would still call them "limited collection" but the collection is pretty decent for a zoo of its small size.
I'm really surprised that people are so surprised about Brazilian Porcupine. It's one of my most seen zoo mammals for sure and I would have been more surprised if it didn't make the top 10.
I was a bit surprised by the porcupine, but not enough to comment on. I wouldn't have guessed it as a top 10 species, but might would have for top 20 or so.
I imagine that if we run into, say, lesser hedgehog tenrecs, another very common ambassador but not so common exhibit species, we'll see a similar reaction. I don't know off hand how the number of holding facilities compare, but I imagine they should be within the top 100.
If this was a sprinting competition the fleet-footed and lanky cheetah would win top prize. They will have to settle for just missing out of the top ten because of assumed undercounts for prehensile tailed porcupine ambassadors. Cheetahs are well-represented and supported in major AZA zoos. Both wild and captive cheetahs suffer from management challenges originating from their low genetic variability. To ensure captive cheetah sustainability in AZA the population will have to be comparatively (to other mammals in AZA) large and very well managed. Cheetahs are Vulnerable. Cheetah runs can make an exceptional experience and I really enjoyed seeing one at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. I also had a memorable experience with cheetahs at the Oregon Zoo where they looked right into my eyes as though I was someone they recognized. I got within inches of them and they didn't seem afraid of me whatsoever. The charismatic cheetah is usually kept in relatively large open-topped exhibits, but visitors might complain that even those are too small for the cats to properly run in.
3 Small Collection Zoos
Lincoln Children's Zoo, Nebraska Oglebay's Good Zoo, W.Va. Scovill Zoo, Ill.
42 Zoos
Albuquerque Biological Park, N.M. Binder Park Zoo, Mich. BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo, La. Brevard Zoo, Fla. Bronx Zoo/WCS, N.Y. Caldwell Zoo, Texas Cape May County Park and Zoo, N.J. Central Florida Zoological Park, Fla. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Ohio Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ohio Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Ohio Dallas Zoo, Texas Dickerson Park Zoo, Mo. Fort Worth Zoo, Texas. Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Calif. Honolulu Zoo, Hawaii Houston Zoo, Inc. Texas Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc., Ind. Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, Mo. Little Rock Zoological Gardens, Arkansas The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Calif. Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Md. Memphis Zoological Garden and Aquarium, Tenn. Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens, Wis. Naples Zoo, Fla. Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Okla. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Neb. Oregon Zoo, Ore. Philadelphia Zoo, Pa. Phoenix Zoo, The, Ariz. Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Pa. Roger Williams Park Zoo, R.I. Sacramento Zoo, Calif. Saint Louis Zoo, Mo. San Diego Zoo, Calif. Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, D.C. Sunset Zoological Park, Kan. Toledo Zoological Gardens, Ohio Toronto Zoo, Canada. Turtle Back Zoo, N.J. Virginia Zoological Park, Va. Zoo Miami, Fla.
7 Safari Parks
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Fla Disney's Animal Kingdom, Fla. Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Texas Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari, Nebraska San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Calif. Wildlife Safari, Ore. Wilds, The, Ohio
The felid snow leopard is almost as common in AZA zoos as the ZooChat variety snowleopard ! Whereas the latter can handle sweltering temperatures and humidity, the felid snow leopards are rare wherever there are hot and humid summers. Tulsa Zoo has specially cooled housing for their snow leopards to escape the heat. In cooler climates snow leopards can be housed more easily and several Small Collection Zoos display them. Snow leopards are renown for their hunting prowess, beautifully spotted coat, and ability to survive harsh environments. Zoos also display snow leopards because they are Vulnerable and they can support their conservation through a number of initiatives and organizations, including the Snow Leopard Trust. Snow leopards breed well in captivity and appear to adapt well.
7 Small Collection Zoos
Central Park Zoo, N.Y. Dakota Zoo, N.D. Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park, Idaho Lake Superior Zoo, Minn. Miller Park Zoo, Ill. Oglebay's Good Zoo, W.Va. Walter D. Stone Memorial Zoo, Mass.
45 Zoos
Akron Zoological Park, Ohio Albuquerque Biological Park, N.M. Assiniboine Park Zoo, Canada Binder Park Zoo, Mich. Blank Park Zoo, Iowa Bronx Zoo/WCS, N.Y. Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Ill. Buffalo Zoo, N.Y. Cape May County Park and Zoo, N.J. Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park, Tenn. Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Park, Colo. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Ohio Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ohio Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Minn. Great Plains Zoo, S.D. John Ball Zoo, Mich Lee Richardson Zoo, Kansas Lincoln Park Zoo, Ill. Los Angeles Zoo, Calif. Louisville Zoological Garden, Ky Memphis Zoological Garden and Aquarium, Tenn. Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens, Wis. Northeastern Wisconsin (NEW) Zoo, Wis. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Neb. Philadelphia Zoo, Pa. Potawatomi Zoo, Ind. Potter Park Zoological Gardens, Mich. Roger Williams Park Zoo, R.I. Rolling Hills Zoo, Kan. Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, N.Y. Saint Louis Zoo, Mo. San Diego Zoo, Calif. San Francisco Zoological Gardens, Calif. Santa Barbara Zoo, Calif. Sedgwick County Zoo, Kan. Seneca Park Zoo, N.Y. Toledo Zoological Gardens, Ohio Toronto Zoo, Canada. Tulsa Zoo, Okla. Turtle Back Zoo, N.J. Utah's Hogle Zoo, Utah Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, Canada Woodland Park Zoo, Wash. Zoo Boise, Idaho Zoo de Granby, Canada
The cotton-top tamarin, and its striking white hair that could humble an anime character, is more common than you might suspect. Many Small Collection Zoos hold cotton-top tamarins. They are not found in many major and well-known zoos and where they are they often have unexceptional exhibits. Cotton-top tamarins are relegated to an indoor exhibit in the women's washroom at the Nashville Zoo. Disney's Animal Kingdom has a completely forgettable exhibit for cotton-top tamarins at a facility noted for its exceptional exhibits. Cotton-top tamarins are Critically Endangered and one of the rarest species of primate in the wild. Their husbandry is very well understood because they were exported in the thousands for biomedical research. In addition to having a striking appearance, cotton-top tamarins make good display animals because they are diurnal, active and have interesting social behaviors. Cotton-top tamarins don't require as much space to exhibit as their much larger primate relatives, although I would like to see them offered more than a cage or exhibit in a bathroom.
1 Aquarium/Biodome
Moody Gardens Rainforest and Aquarium, Texas
15 Limited Collection Zoos
Buttonwood Park Zoo, Mass. Central Park Zoo, N.Y. Dakota Zoo, N.D. David Traylor Zoo of Emporia, Kan. Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park, Idaho Lake Superior Zoo, Minn. Lincoln Children's Zoo, Nebraska Miller Park Zoo, Ill. Museum of Science, Mass. Oglebay's Good Zoo, W.Va. Saginaw Children's Zoo, Mich. Sequoia Park Zoo, Calif. St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Fla. Staten Island Zoo, N.Y. Walter D. Stone Memorial Zoo, Mass.
35 Zoos
Abilene Zoological Gardens, Texas Assiniboine Park Zoo, Canada Birmingham Zoo, Ala. Blank Park Zoo, Iowa Brevard Zoo, Fla. Bronx Zoo/WCS, N.Y. Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Ill. Caldwell Zoo, Texas Cape May County Park and Zoo, N.J. Central Florida Zoological Park, Fla. Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park, Tenn. Detroit Zoological Park, Mich. Dickerson Park Zoo, Mo. El Paso Zoo, Texas. Franklin Park Zoo, Mass Gladys Porter Zoo, Texas Houston Zoo, Inc. Texas Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Fla. John Ball Zoo, Mich Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, Mo. Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens, Wis. Naples Zoo, Fla. Nashville Zoo, Tenn. Northeastern Wisconsin (NEW) Zoo, Wis. Oakland Zoo, Calif. Peoria Zoo, Ill. Pueblo Zoo, Colo. Phoenix Zoo, The, Ariz. Potter Park Zoological Gardens, Mich. Saint Louis Zoo, Mo. San Antonio Zoological Society, Texas. Santa Barbara Zoo, Calif. Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, D.C. Utica Zoo, N.Y. Zoo Boise, Idaho
1 Safari Park
Disney's Animal Kingdom, Fla.
#14 Donkey (Equus africanus f. asinus)
51 AZA Accredited Institutions
Image by ZooChat Member geomorph
Wait, another domestic animal already? This one surprised me quite a bit. I've seen at least two of the Shrek films years ago, so I should not have underestimated donkeys. It probably doesn't help that as a kid I would skip the domestics at the children's zoo and perhaps missed an opportunity to develop a normal fascination with donkeys. I call it a normal fascination because surely it must be for them to be so popular, right? In addition to children's zoos, donkeys are sometimes seen in hoofstock paddocks in zoos for educational purposes or just to help fill empty exhibits. Donkeys are very easy to acquire and care for. Typically, they can be exhibited on a limited budget.
1 Regional or National Specialist
Western North Carolina Nature Center, N.C.
7 Small Collection Zoos
Cosley Zoo, Ill. Dakota Zoo, N.D. Hutchinson Zoo, Kan. Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park, Idaho Queens Zoo, N.Y. Sequoia Park Zoo, Calif. ZooMontana, Mont.
39 Zoos
Abilene Zoological Gardens, Texas Assiniboine Park Zoo, Canada Blank Park Zoo, Iowa BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo, La. Bronx Zoo/WCS, N.Y. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ohio Detroit Zoological Park, Mich. Dickerson Park Zoo, Mo. Elmwood Park Zoo, Pa. Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, Ind. Fort Worth Zoo, Texas. Franklin Park Zoo, Mass Greensboro Science Center, N.C. Honolulu Zoo, Hawaii Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, Mo. Little Rock Zoological Gardens, Arkansas Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Md. Memphis Zoological Garden and Aquarium, Tenn. Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, Inc., Ind. Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens, Wis. Nashville Zoo, Tenn. North Carolina Zoo, N.C. Peoria Zoo, Ill. Pueblo Zoo, Colo. Phoenix Zoo, The, Ariz. Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Pa. Potawatomi Zoo, Ind. Potter Park Zoological Gardens, Mich. Roger Williams Park Zoo, R.I. Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, N.Y. San Diego Zoo, Calif. San Francisco Zoological Gardens, Calif. Sedgwick County Zoo, Kan. Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, D.C. Toronto Zoo, Canada. Turtle Back Zoo, N.J. Woodland Park Zoo, Wash. Zoo de Granby, Canada Zoo Knoxville, Tenn.
4 Safari Parks
Africam Safari Park, Mexico Disney's Animal Kingdom, Fla. Lion Country Safari, Fla. Wildlife Safari, Ore.
Even with strong competition from 2 other AZA prioritized zebra species, the plains zebra (Near Threatened) is still one of the most common mammals in AZA. They can be a little aggressive, yet are still a staple of African mixed species exhibits. The Endangered Grevy's zebra is generally considered even more aggressive. The Vulnerable mountain zebras mix better with other species, but their population in AZA is too small to meet the huge demand for zebras. Zebras are one of the most recognizable zoo animals and visitors love their contrasting stripes. Plains zebra are generally robust and their husbandry is well known and relatively easy to provide for. They need some space, but their exhibits tend to be relatively simple.
1 Accredited Related Facility
B. Bryan Preserve, Calif.
3 Small Collection Zoos
Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park, Idaho Lehigh Valley Zoo, Penn. Scovill Zoo, Ill.
42 Zoos
Abilene Zoological Gardens, Texas Binder Park Zoo, Mich. Birmingham Zoo, Ala. BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo, La. Buffalo Zoo, N.Y. Cape May County Park and Zoo, N.J. Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Park, Colo. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Ohio Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Ohio Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Minn. Dickerson Park Zoo, Mo. El Paso Zoo, Texas. Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, Ind. Gladys Porter Zoo, Texas Houston Zoo, Inc. Texas Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc., Ind. Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, Mo. Lincoln Park Zoo, Ill. Little Rock Zoological Gardens, Arkansas Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Md. Memphis Zoological Garden and Aquarium, Tenn. Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, Inc., Ind. Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens, Wis. Naples Zoo, Fla. Nashville Zoo, Tenn. North Carolina Zoo, N.C. Oakland Zoo, Calif. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Neb. Philadelphia Zoo, Pa. Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Pa. Potawatomi Zoo, Ind. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, S.C. Roger Williams Park Zoo, R.I. Roosevelt Park Zoo, N.D. San Antonio Zoological Society, Texas. San Diego Zoo, Calif. San Francisco Zoological Gardens, Calif. Seneca Park Zoo, N.Y. Toledo Zoological Gardens, Ohio Woodland Park Zoo, Wash. Zoo Atlanta, Ga. Zoo de Granby, Canada
5 Safari Parks
Africam Safari Park, Mexico Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Fla Disney's Animal Kingdom, Fla. Lion Country Safari, Fla. Wildlife Safari, Ore.
Gorillas are almost entirely limited to the high attendance zoos and safari parks in North America and still manage to have almost 50 AZA holders and growing. Gulf Breeze Zoo is the only non-AZA accredited facility in the United States and Canada to have gorillas. Little Rock Zoological Gardens, Buffalo Zoo, Gladys Porter Zoo, and Santa Barbara Zoo are the only AZA facilities with gorillas that also regularly have annual attendance of under 500,000. Franklin Park Zoo seems to now have annual attendance of over 500,000 after opening the renovated home for their gorillas, Gorilla Grove, in 2021 (their attendance figures of well over this figure include attendance for the Stone Zoo). In addition to their undeniable appeal to the public, AZA zoos hold the Critically Endangered western gorilla for conservation purposes. The Bronx Zoo took this opportunity seriously and visitor fees for the Congo Gorilla Forest exhibit have raised millions of dollars for conservation of Central Africa's Congo Basin rainforest and wildlife. Gorillas in AZA zoos live long lives on average and breed readily. AZA zoos invest heavily in their gorilla exhibits and many of the great apes live in multi-million dollar exhibits, some of which are among the highlights of their respective zoos.
46 Zoos
Albuquerque Biological Park, N.M. Audubon Zoo, La. Bronx Zoo/WCS, N.Y. Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Ill. Buffalo Zoo, N.Y. Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Park, Colo. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Ohio Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ohio Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Ohio Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Minn. Dallas Zoo, Texas Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, Colo. Detroit Zoological Park, Mich. Fort Worth Zoo, Texas. Franklin Park Zoo, Mass Gladys Porter Zoo, Texas Houston Zoo, Inc. Texas Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Fla. Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, Mo. Lincoln Park Zoo, Ill. Little Rock Zoological Gardens, Arkansas Los Angeles Zoo, Calif. Louisville Zoological Garden, Ky Memphis Zoological Garden and Aquarium, Tenn. Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens, Wis. North Carolina Zoo, N.C. Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Okla. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Neb. Philadelphia Zoo, Pa. Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Pa. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, S.C. Saint Louis Zoo, Mo. San Diego Zoo, Calif. San Francisco Zoological Gardens, Calif. Santa Barbara Zoo, Calif. Sedgwick County Zoo, Kan. Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, D.C. Toledo Zoological Gardens, Ohio Toronto Zoo, Canada. Utah's Hogle Zoo, Utah Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, Canada Woodland Park Zoo, Wash. Zoo Atlanta, Ga. Zoo de Granby, Canada Zoo Knoxville, Tenn. Zoo Miami, Fla.
3 Safari Parks
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Fla Disney's Animal Kingdom, Fla. San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Calif.
#17/18 California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)
48 AZA Accredited Institutions
Image by ZooChat Member Bactrian Deer
If it didn't take such a large and expensive water feature to house California sea lions, then perhaps California sea lions would challenge North American river otter for the most common mammal in AZA . Of all the AZA facilities, only the Taxa Specialists could theoretically not have California sea lions. Of note, you can find California sea lions in 8 different AZA facilities in the state of New York. The zoos that do house these pinnipeds tend to have large attendance figures and the ability to invest significantly into their exhibits. California sea lions are common and have an IUCN listing of Least Concern. Some individual California sea lions come into AZA facilities as rescues, but they are also bred. These large and very charismatic mammals are acrobatic and easy to train and so are often featured in shows. Compared to other marine mammals, California sea lions do much better in captivity.
12 Aquariums
Aquarium of Niagara, N.Y. Aquarium of the Pacific, Calif. Georgia Aquarium, Ga. John G. Shedd Aquarium, Ill. Mystic Aquarium, Conn. New England Aquarium, Mass New York Aquarium, N.Y. OdySea Aquarium, Ariz. Oregon Coast Aquarium, Ore. SeaWorld Orlando, Fla. SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas SeaWorld San Diego, Calif.
2 Aquariums/Biodomes
Moody Gardens Rainforest and Aquarium, Texas Vancouver Aquarium, Canada
3 Limited Collection Zoos
Central Park Zoo, N.Y. Prospect Park Zoo, N.Y. Queens Zoo, N.Y.
31 Zoos
Audubon Zoo, La. Blank Park Zoo, Iowa Bronx Zoo/WCS, N.Y. Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Ill. Buffalo Zoo, N.Y. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ohio Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Ohio Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Minn. Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, Colo. El Paso Zoo, Texas. Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, Ind. Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Calif. Houston Zoo, Inc. Texas Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc., Ind. Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, Mo. Los Angeles Zoo, Calif. Louisville Zoological Garden, Ky Memphis Zoological Garden and Aquarium, Tenn. Minnesota Zoological Garden, Minn. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Neb. Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Pa. Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Wash. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, S.C. Saint Louis Zoo, Mo. Seneca Park Zoo, N.Y. Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, D.C. Toledo Zoological Gardens, Ohio Tulsa Zoo, Okla. Turtle Back Zoo, N.J. Utah's Hogle Zoo, Utah Zoo Miami, Fla.
The giant anteater, an insectivorous charismatic megafauna, is unlike anything else on this list! That insectivorous diet presents nutritional challenges for zoos. Breeding giant anteaters can also be challenging. The claws of giant anteaters can be lethal, which can be problematic when introducing pairs of this normally solitary species. Improved understanding of giant anteaters and better husbandry practices have contributed to making this species more common in AZA zoos. I was surprised by all the non-AZA holdings on Zootierliste. It makes me wonder how they acquired their anteaters. Giant anteaters are a Vulnerable species that has been extirpated from much of their former wide range and are rare in remaining habitats. The unique and charismatic giant anteater and its terrestrial habits makes a great compliment to Central and South American mixed-species exhibits, especially those with arboreal animals.
1 Aquarium/Biodome
Dallas World Aquarium, Texas
4 Small Collection Zoos
Charles Paddock Zoo, Calif. Happy Hollow Zoo, Calif. Lincoln Children's Zoo, Nebraska Miller Park Zoo, Ill.
41 Zoos
Abilene Zoological Gardens, Texas Audubon Zoo, La. Birmingham Zoo, Ala. Brevard Zoo, Fla. Bronx Zoo/WCS, N.Y. Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Ill. Buffalo Zoo, N.Y. Caldwell Zoo, Texas Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park, Tenn. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ohio Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, Conn. Dallas Zoo, Texas Detroit Zoological Park, Mich. Franklin Park Zoo, Mass Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Calif. Greensboro Science Center, N.C. Houston Zoo, Inc. Texas Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Fla. John Ball Zoo, Mich Lee Richardson Zoo, Kansas Little Rock Zoological Gardens, Arkansas Los Angeles Zoo, Calif. Naples Zoo, Fla. Nashville Zoo, Tenn. Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park, Fla. Phoenix Zoo, The, Ariz. Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Pa. Potawatomi Zoo, Ind. Potter Park Zoological Gardens, Mich. Reid Park Zoo, Ariz. Roger Williams Park Zoo, R.I. Rolling Hills Zoo, Kan. Saint Louis Zoo, Mo. San Antonio Zoological Society, Texas. San Diego Zoo, Calif. San Francisco Zoological Gardens, Calif. Santa Barbara Zoo, Calif. Sedgwick County Zoo, Kan. Sunset Zoological Park, Kan. Zoo Boise, Idaho Zoo Miami, Fla.
2 Safari Park
Africam Safari Park, Mexico
Disney's Animal Kingdom, Fla.
#19 Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)
47 AZA Accredited Institutions
Image by ZooChat Member zoo_enthusiast
Golden lion tamarins are much more common in AZA zoos than they are in the wild. These beautiful little monkeys almost completely vanished from the wild in the late 20th century. Reintroductions from captive populations, which had considerable contributions from AZA zoos, successfully increased the range and boosted the overall population. Golden lion tamarins are easily one of the most successful captive breeding and reintroduction programs. Maintaining a reserve and insurance population of these Endangered callitrichids in AZA will continue to have an important conservation purpose. Golden lion tamarins are small, diurnal, and active. They require significantly less resources to care for and house than the vast majority of other species on this list. They can be surprisingly good predators considering their small size, but golden lion tamarins can still be housed successfully with many larger species. Given the strong conservation and education reasons for keeping them and the lack of significant costs, perhaps the golden lion tamarin should be even more common in AZA.
1 Aquarium/Biodome
Montreal Biodome, Canada
8 Small Collection Zoos
Brandywine Zoo, Del. Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park, Idaho Lincoln Children's Zoo, Nebraska Oglebay's Good Zoo, W.Va. Prospect Park Zoo, N.Y. Scovill Zoo, ill. St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Fla. Trevor Zoo, N.Y.
38 AZA Zoos
Akron Zoological Park, Ohio Albuquerque Biological Park, N.M. Audubon Zoo, La. Brevard Zoo, Fla. Buffalo Zoo, N.Y. Caldwell Zoo, Texas Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park, Tenn. Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Park, Colo. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ohio Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, Conn. Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, Colo. Dickerson Park Zoo, Mo. El Paso Zoo, Texas. Elmwood Park Zoo, Pa. Greensboro Science Center, N.C. Henry Vilas Zoo, Wis. Honolulu Zoo, Hawaii Houston Zoo, Inc. Texas Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, Mo. Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens, Wis. Minnesota Zoological Garden, Minn. Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park, Fla. Philadelphia Zoo, Pa. Phoenix Zoo, The, Ariz. Potawatomi Zoo, Ind. Potter Park Zoological Gardens, Mich. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, S.C. Roger Williams Park Zoo, R.I. Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, N.Y. San Antonio Zoological Society, Texas. Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, D.C. Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center, Kan. Toronto Zoo, Canada Utica Zoo, N.Y. Woodland Park Zoo, Wash. Zoo Atlanta, Ga. Zoo Miami, Fla. ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Fla.
#20 Red Ruffed Lemur (Varecia rubra)
46 AZA Accredited Institutions + 1 Accredited Related Facility
Ring-tailed lemurs are the most commonly held lemur in AZA, but that's partially because red ruffed lemurs have to compete with black-and-white ruffed lemurs, both of which were considered subspecies of the same species until receiving species status in 2001. A range of facilities with terrestrial exhibits hold red ruffed lemurs. Red ruffed lemurs are sensitive to habitat disturbances and Critically Endangered. They make an excellent flagship species for the imperiled rainforests of Madagascar. These diurnal, group-living and arboreal lemurs live up to their name with spectacular red fur that contrasts nicely with their black fur and cream or buff patches. Their largely frugivorous diet is easy to accommodate in captivity. They can have litters of up to six young, which can help the population increase. Providing an escape proof enclosure has its costs, but red ruffed are not a prohibitively expensive species to house.
1 Accredited Related Facility
Duke University Lemur Center, N.C.
1 Aquarium/Biodome
Tennessee Aquarium, Tenn.
8 Small Collection Zoos
Capron Park Zoo, Mass. Dakota Zoo, N.D. Happy Hollow Zoo, Calif. Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park, Idaho Lehigh Valley Zoo, Penn. Miller Park Zoo, Ill. Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, Fla. St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Fla.
35 AZA Zoos
Akron Zoological Park, Ohio Brevard Zoo, Fla. Bronx Zoo/WCS, N.Y. Caldwell Zoo, Texas Cameron Park Zoo, Texas Central Florida Zoological Park, Fla. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ohio Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Ohio Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, Colo. Detroit Zoological Park, Mich. Dickerson Park Zoo, Mo. Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Calif. Gladys Porter Zoo, Texas Greensboro Science Center, N.C. Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, Mo. Lee Richardson Zoo, Kansas Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Md. Memphis Zoological Garden and Aquarium, Tenn. Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, Inc., Ind. Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens, Wis. Naples Zoo, Fla. Nashville Zoo, Tenn. North Carolina Zoo, N.C. Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Okla. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Neb. Oregon Zoo, Ore. Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park, Fla. Phoenix Zoo, The, Ariz. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, S.C. San Antonio Zoological Society, Texas. San Diego Zoo, Calif. San Francisco Zoological Gardens, Calif. Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, D.C. Toledo Zoological Gardens, Ohio Woodland Park Zoo, Wash.
2 Safari Parks
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Fla Wilds, The, Ohio
* Note, these posts take me considerable time and effort to write and format, so I will have to break them down into smaller groups than what I originally mapped out
@DevinL I found your statement about Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s exhibit for Cotton-Top Tamarins to be rather surprising, as it is one of the better setups I have seen for this species. I should also mention that DAK’s tamarins are mixed with a pair of Yellow-Footed Tortoises (Chelonoidis denticulatus), which are usually a hit-or-miss when it comes to actually seeing them.
I also bring this up, since ironically, my photo that you decided to use was taken at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The exhibit for cotton-top tamarins at Disney's Animal Kingdom isn't bad; it just isn't nearly as memorable as most of the other exhibits at the Park which tend to have exceptionally detailed theming. I'm having difficulty thinking of any cotton-top tamarin exhibit at an AZA facility that is truly exceptional.
The Calgary Zoo once had a mixed species exhibit with several cotton-top tamarins, a small flock of yellow headed amazon parrots, Linnaeus's two-toed sloth, and several red-rumped agoutis. Brazilian porcupines may have also been in there for a while. The exhibit itself was not very good, but the mix of species was very engaging and I would spend considerable time watching all the animals. I did not observe any problematic aggressive behaviors, but that doesn't mean that it never happened or that a similar mix of species would work elsewhere. The building housing the exhibit wasn't in great shape and the floods of 2013 damaged it even further. All of the animals were shipped out and none have returned. I miss the cotton-top tamarins and others greatly and wish that the Calgary Zoo would bring them back in a new and much better exhibit.
The Calgary Zoo once had a mixed species exhibit with several cotton-top tamarins, a small flock of yellow headed amazon parrots, Linnaeus's two-toed sloth, and several red-rumped agoutis.
I did not observe any problematic aggressive behaviors, but that doesn't mean that it never happened or that a similar mix of species would work elsewhere.
Honestly that's not at all a good mix - tamarins are known to harass parrots and steal food from sloths, meanwhile agoutis are strongly recommended to be avoided in callitrichid exhibits as they have been implicated in numerous primate injuries and deaths.
@DevinL I found your statement about Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s exhibit for Cotton-Top Tamarins to be rather surprising, as it is one of the better setups I have seen for this species. I should also mention that DAK’s tamarins are mixed with a pair of Yellow-Footed Tortoises (Chelonoidis denticulatus), which are usually a hit-or-miss when it comes to actually seeing them.
I also bring this up, since ironically, my photo that you decided to use was taken at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The second post is mostly species I expected -- but not the Cheetah! Neither of Chicago's two zoos, Brookfield or Lincoln Park, has held any kind of Cheetah in around twenty years, and my visit to Denver happened to be shortly after they lost Cheetah, too. Milwaukee was the only US zoo I had actually seen them until 2024 (although Saint Louis holds them as well, I wasn't in the right place at the right time) during which I saw Cheetah at a number of facilities, though many non-US.
Loving this thread so far. Very fascinating to compare my impressions based on a small number of institutions with the totality.
Interesting to see how incomplete the ZTL is even for not-recent changes. The Seneca Park zoo for example has African Lions and domestic goats and has had them both for over a decade. Interesting thread and good work you’re doing with an imperfect data set.
Interesting to see how incomplete the ZTL is even for not-recent changes. The Seneca Park zoo for example has African Lions and domestic goats and has had them both for over a decade. Interesting thread and good work you’re doing with an imperfect data set.
Snow leopards being so high up is somewhat surprising to me, but makes sense considering the vast majority of my zoo visits have been roughly between Texas and Virginia.
Snow leopards being so high up is somewhat surprising to me, but makes sense considering the vast majority of my zoo visits have been roughly between Texas and Virginia.
Indeed - excluding a couple of zoos across the river from the Midwest, only 3 of those 52 zoos (less than 6%) are in the Southeast - Tulsa, Memphis and Chattanooga. No AZA zoos in Texas, Florida, the Carolinas, etc with Snow Leopards. Similar situation with Polar Bears and (to a lesser extent) Red Pandas, which are relatively rare in the Southeast compared to other parts of the country.
I find it odd people are surprised to see Cheetah so high on the list, once breeding was properly understood the population took off and spread through AZA and non-AZA alike. Population wise they continue to challenge the Lion for more populous felid in the AZA, and I believe they also rank in the top 5 most numerous carnivores in the AZA.
Commonly held would be more accurate phrasing, as River Otter might not even make top 20 most numerous mammals by population in the AZA. California Sealion has a significant edge over NARO by the population numbers, but they're consolidated at fewer places due to husbandry expenses.
! Whereas the latter can handle sweltering temperatures and humidity, the felid snow leopards are rare wherever there are hot and humid summers. Tulsa Zoo has specially cooled housing for their snow leopards to escape the heat. In cooler climates snow leopards can be housed more easily and several Small Collection Zoos display them. Snow leopards are renown for their hunting prowess, beautifully spotted coat, and ability to survive harsh environments. Zoos also display snow leopards because they are Vulnerable and they can support their conservation through a number of initiatives and organizations, including the Snow Leopard Trust. Snow leopards breed well in captivity and appear to adapt well. 
