Can zoos create new superstar species?

[DavidBrown]

Several months back we had a discussion about what the confirmed superstar species of the zoo world are: http://www.zoochat.com/2/what-confirmed-superstars-zoos-can-build-238673/

I've been wondering if there are any potentially new superstar species currently in the zoo world and who they may be. I've been mulling potential candidates and have decided to make this interactive with a poll.

If part of the mission of the modern zoo is to promote the species within it as conservation ambassadors for their wild cousins and their habitats, then I wonder if zoos can help create new superstars by highlighting spectacular species in awesome exhibits, species that may not otherwise by culturally iconic (e.g., big cats, elephants, giraffes, polar bears, gorillas) or famous from popular culture (meerkats, naked mole rats, etc.).

I'm not sure where this discussion will go, but I think that it is important for zoos and aquariums to try and raise the profile of species beyond the familiar superstars in order to raise awareness of biodiversity conservation.

Has the development of invertebrate collections in zoos helped meaningfully raise positive awareness of "the little things that run the world"?

Clouded leopards and giant otters are two species that seem to be spreading in prominence in the zoo world and are the focus of several new major exhibits and breeding programs. Can these species be promoted to "superstar" status in the public consciousness through the efforts of zoos, in the absence of portrayals in other popular media?

I'm throwing out some potential superstar species that I can think of and hope that others will chime in on this also.

Some species like the saola will likely never be exhibited in any zoos, but perhaps zoos can nonetheless help amplify them into superstars - or maybe not. If not, why not? If so, how? I think that the saola is a literal "poster child" now for a European effort to promote the conservation of Asian rain forests...is this doing anything to help make this species a superstar and ambassador for its habitat?

 

[zooboy28]

Of all the species listed, I think giant otters have the best shot, followed by red pandas. None of the others really have a shot, especially as most are either not unusual enough (California condor, saola), or do not make compelling viewing (platypus, pangolin). Giant otters meet both criteria, and red panda meet the first.

I think the best way for zoos to turn non-ABC species into superstars is to create themed precincts based around their habitat, in which they occupy the main enclosure. In this way, giant otters could certainly dominate an Amazon Basin themed precinct, with other species as the 'supporting cast'. However, species from habitats which have an established ABC superstar/s (for example African savannah, etc) have little chance of becoming superstars, For example, red pandas cannot become superstars in this way, as they are unable to compete with snow leopards in a Himalayan Mountains precinct, and clouded leopards will struggle against tigers for an Asian Jungle precinct.

However, some species (meerkats, and maybe red panda) can use alternative means to become superstars, specifically: a) they have a very high cute factor and/or are very active or otherwise interesting to watch, or b) can be presented in a very compelling way (the only example I can think of is a flea circus, which I believe used to be extremely popular, and may have elevated these animals to superstar status at the time).

Pop culture may create superstars, but I also think this has been rare, and the animal has to already be pretty well known to have such an impact (e.g. Madagascar improved lemurs' status, but they were already popular zoo animals). Zoos can initiate campaigns to create superstars, but these would probably require a children's animated movie tie-in to succeed. Cooperation between WAZA and a film studio could achieve this, assuming that the animals are in a decent amount of zoos already.

So, taking all into consideration, I think giant otters could definitely become superstars, but this would require further spread through zoos, and a lead role in a kids movie. The others do not really have a shot, although their status could be boosted - they could become C-list celebs in the future.

 

[snowleopard]

Knoxville Zoo, in the state of Tennessee, has already created a new superstar animal and that is why I voted for red pandas in the poll. Knoxville has bred over 100 of those adorable critters, constructed Red Panda Village in 2007 that allows visitors to see several of the animals in 3 different areas, the mascot for the zoo is Bamboo the red panda, and there are plenty of signs promoting the species. Rotterdam Zoo is the only zoo on the planet that surpasses Knoxville for breeding success, but that is a huge Dutch establishment that is regarded as one of the best zoos in Europe (if not the world). Knoxville is a fairly tiny zoo that has embraced red pandas and truly promoted those animals to its visitors in a meaningful way.

Clouded leopards have lots of potential but only three AZA-accredited zoos are breeding them: Point Defiance, Nashville and National. All three have had plenty of success in recent years, but the species needs to branch out and have breeding success across the United States as those zoos are all in distant geographical locations to each other.

 

[jbnbsn99]

Can zoos do it? No
Can Disney/Pixar? Yes

 

[chrisbarela]

From my experience a key factor for a superstar animal is MOVEMENT! Humans have a built in need to anthropomorphasize and if it looks like the animal is having fun then the guest will enjoy watching them. At our aquarium the "superstar" animals are the penguins and the river otters - both of which are constantly moving.
Guests don't like to work very hard for their experiences - if you've ever stood by an exhibit where the animal wasn't in plain site you'll notice that most guests take a second to check and then move on. A really active animal almost always brings a crowd, "Hey the XXX is moving!!!"... Clouded leopards are cool but they are secretive and sleep most the day.

I've had this discussion in the aquarium side of things - the criteria is very different than it is for zoos, since due to space, theme and complexity your species choices are much more limited. I would say aquarium superstar animals include sea/river otters, sharks, penguins, cetaceans, and pinnapeds. If your aquarium could get something unique like a whale shark, great white, marlin or humboldt squid then those would certainly be extremely popular.

The main question - can zoos MAKE a super star animal? I think they can but it would need to take a charismatic animal, an really spectacular immersive exhibit and a very strong marketing campaign. Being the only zoo/aquarium to have that species would help greatly.

 

[OrangePerson]

From my experience a key factor for a superstar animal is MOVEMENT!

On that basis the platypus I saw at Sydney acquarium would score very highly, it was extremely active. They are also such unusual animals, probably the unusual animal that more people have heard of, I think it'd be easy to make a superstar if they were exhibited outside Australia.

 

[Arizona Docent]

I voted clouded leopard because I think Nashville is doing that. It is their key animal, with posters of it everywhere and they actively promote whenever they have cubs (like the current five). They also have arguably the best exhibit in the country (certainly the most photo friendly).

The fact that they have the longest canines (in relation to body size) of any cat and to some the most beautiful coat adds to the appeal.

 

[zoomaniac]

I'm mostly agree with @jbnbsn99: For creating a NEW(!) ordinary-visitor-superstar-species zoos allone doesn't have enough power.
But as the examples of Timon (meerkat) and Nemo (clownfish) shows, (animated) movies can (although they have also "failed" with Pumba (wart hog), Roadrunner, Lama etc.).

Giant otters are not that unique for ordinary/common zoo visitors (ozv's). I have my doubts that ozv's will be excited just because they (the otters) are bigger then their widespread (eurasian and small clawed) relatives.

Red or Lesser Pandas are very, very common in zoos. Why should they suddenly appear as a superstar species for ozv's?

Pangolins: Nocturnal, so not very interesting for ozv's. Also, breeding problem is not solved and not enough animals in captivity at the moment.

Clouded Leopards: For ozv's just "another Leopard".

Same for saola ("another antilope"). Beside that: This animals must be catched and exported first.

California Condors: Where is the difference for ozv to the Andean Condor (which is the biggest birds of prey and so much more attractiv then its cous)

Weta: "What the hell is a weta" (ozv). Okay, this animal has potential for your intention. But although it is a living fossil, most people will not see more then a giant "cricket".

Tenrecs: "What is so interesting on hedgehogs? They are digging and running in our gardens all nights" (ozv).

So for me, the biggest chance would have the platypus. Afaik, it was one of the popular characters for the Olympics in Sydney, also for foreign visitors. It has a unique, "cool" shape, it looks cuddly and sweet, it is agile and it belongs to the very few mammals that are poisonous (fear factor). Short: It has all a popular zoo animal needs.
Unfortunately, it will never be a worldwide "superstar" as long as Australian authorities will not let them out of their country (and - to be fair - the food and breeding problem is not solved)...

Another candidate would be the Tasmanian Devil. In the past, many (european and american) zoos didn't used the potential this animal has for drawing visitors. It is first the name "devil". ("We have a real devil in our zoo"). Then it is the fearsome noise. And it is its behaviour (they seem to be allways belligerent).
Points against my opinion: Tasmanian Devils are mostly nocturnal. The cartoon character is no longer popular (must be reactivated, maybe with a new Disney or Dreamworks picture "The lonely little devil") and there is the same export/import problem as we have with the platypuses.

 

[zoomaniac]

Edit: "cute" instead of "sweet". Sorry, translation mistake.

 

[khakibob]

Persian Fallow.

Cheers Khakibob

 

[chrisbarela]

If someone could capture a sasquatch...

 

[PAT]

I voted other because I'm inclined to agree with Zoomaniac. Tasmanian devils could be hugely popular. They're not actually that nocturnal and will be active at any time. It's just pot luck really because sometimes they'll be going crazy the whole time (Loony Tunes wasn't far off with the level of hyperactivity that they display) but at other times they will asleep for a good percentage of the day.

Another contender for next superstar is one that is wide spread and has a few different species for a bit of variety and that is the gibbon. I'm forever surprised by how many people call them all sorts of things, from monkeys (slightly forgivable), to chimpanzees (in the case of siamangs), and the worst I've heard is baby orang-utans that will turn orange when they grow up. They are active enough, interesting enough, and cute enough to catch the attention of everyone if a movie was made that starred a gibbon as the main character.

 

[gentle lemur]

To quote Wild Bill Shakespeare 'Pourquoi my dear knight?'
I can see some potential advantage, but I reckon it would be very expensive and very risky too

Alan

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Gotta say, I wouldn't complain if somehow Tassie Devils made a comeback - as long as they were treated better in terms of enclosure quality and promotion

 

[OrangePerson]

Another contender for next superstar is one that is wide spread and has a few different species for a bit of variety and that is the gibbon. I'm forever surprised by how many people call them all sorts of things, from monkeys (slightly forgivable), to chimpanzees (in the case of siamangs), and the worst I've heard is baby orang-utans that will turn orange when they grow up. They are active enough, interesting enough, and cute enough to catch the attention of everyone if a movie was made that starred a gibbon as the main character.

Gibbons can be spectacular in the right exhibit with the possibility of getting up speed and showing their amazing agility. And there's the funny walk that always attracts attention!

 

[Pertinax]

Can zoos do it? No
Can Disney/Pixar? Yes

Agree- Zoos do not normally have the far-reaching power of T.V./ Film/ and to a lesser extent,Books, though they can later capitalise on the creation of 'superstar' status once its bestowed on a species, as in the case of Meerkats.

One exception to that might be the Giant Panda which has only comparatively rarely featured in films. and seems to have reached iconic status by different means.