Should zoos in cold climates keep animals from warm climates?

elefante

elefante

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Maybe it's just the subzero weather that's making me think of this, but what do you think of zoos in cold climates keeping animals native to warm areas? I know that most people (myself included) like seeing animals from warm climates like elephants, hippos, rhinos, and giraffes when we go to zoos. However, in most areas of the US (and I'm guessing most places in Europe) animals like this may have to spend long periods of time inside as they cannot tolerate the cold. I have mixed feelings on the amount of time the animals spend indoors even though I know the zoos take good care of their animals. Have any zoos ever tried to build big indoor habitats for big animals like pachyderms or giraffes to stay in for extended periods of time?

On a different note, what do you think of cold weather species in warm weather zoos? I know things like polar bears and seals can have chilled water, but what about species like caribou or musk oxen in warmer climates?
 
The problem a lot of animals have is not the cold weather, it is the ice which can seriously hurt animals such as elephants and othe rlarge animals.
 
Oregon has plans for a one acre indoor elephant enclosure.
Columbus Zoo's elephant barn is an acre under roof.
10,000 sq ft. is pretty standard for an elephant barn.

In Europe the following have large elephant houses for winter months:
-Copenhagen
-Chester
-Cologne
-Rotterdam
-Prague
-Plakendael
(and many others which I can't think of off the top of my head.
 
elefante said:
Maybe it's just the subzero weather that's making me think of this, but what do you think of zoos in cold climates keeping animals native to warm areas?
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I think it's cruel torture! If you don't have the capabilities to provide a comfortable outdoor environment, then don't have them at all! I think that such selfish behavior is sick and twisted! If you want to see them so badly, go watch a documentary or something!:mad::mad::mad:
 
@cleusk: So you can start in your hometown and tear down the Dallas World Aquarium...
(Not to ask where and how the Apes at Dallas Zoo are kept during the few cold weeks in Northern Texas)

To be serious: Sometimes it is hard to draw a line where "comfortable" conditions beginns and where they end.
 
My zoo nearby, Kolmården Wildlife Park in Sweden is keeping a lot of exotic animals, but most of them (probably except the apes and monkeys) don't have any problems being out in the cold weather during at least some time during the winter days. In the late 80's / early 90's there was a suggestion on building a large indoor savannah in Kolmården for all exotic hoofstock, but the owners, the city of Norrköping decided not to build this. Instead, Kolmården have now, in the last years, started to keep more and more animals used to the climate, such as Siberian tiger, Snowleopard , Dhole, Red panda, Musk ox and European bison. Anyway,there are still some species that livs indoor most of the winter: Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Gibbon, Giraffe.. etc. I would like to see better indoor enclosures for theese species, but I see no problem in keeping them in Sweden if they just have a high standard indoor enclosure.
 
Birmingham (AL)'s Elephant barn (built 2010) has heated floors. Granted Alabama isn't Wyoming but it still gets cold here and with our humidity we have more ice than snow.
 
Interesting, Although it would suit certain species to be housed in climates that reflect their native countries it would leave zoos with a limited selection of animals they could choose from also all zoos in the same area would have very similar collections.

Highland wildlife park has done a very nice job in species selection to suit the climate.
 
Vulpes said:
Interesting, Although it would suit certain species to be housed in climates that reflect their native countries it would leave zoos with a limited selection of animals they could choose from also all zoos in the same area would have very similar collections.

Highland wildlife park has done a very nice job in species selection to suit the climate.
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That is a big thing with the Phoenix Zoo...they don't house animals that can't handle the high temps in the summer so nothing with a lot of fur or body fat and fur. During the winter they allow certain animals to stay in a heated night house or they have things like heated rocks and heat lamps.
 
I agree with the comments about cold weather zoos having the same types of animals and being limited. However, I do think it wold be good if zoos in cold climates that have big warm-weather animals had big barns where they could at least move around a bit in the winter and not have barren concrete enclosures.
 
My knowledge base revolves around elephants. So I can only give my two cents regarding them.
They have fairly thick skin and a fat layer in addition to that. Meaning the cold tends to not effect them. To my knowledge elephants are kept indoors for extended periods of time due to below freezing temperatures and most notable ice.
I slip for an 8000 + pound animal can result in a fractured femur which is essentially a death sentence for animals of that size.
If suitable indoor housing is provided with adequate space and enrichment I don't see a problem with keeping elephants indoors during inclement weather.
 
On saying that, I really think that zoos in warmer climates should put a lot of thought into how they keep their polar bears. They are one animal that I have seen suffer in a lot in zoos in warmer climates. If some sort of refrigeration is not available then I think they should reconsider keeping them!
 
Vulpes said:
On saying that, I really think that zoos in warmer climates should put a lot of thought into how they keep their polar bears. They are one animal that I have seen suffer in a lot in zoos in warmer climates. If some sort of refrigeration is not available then I think they should reconsider keeping them!
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I agree with this statement. There needs to be a pool of chilled water at the least.
 
Winner was one of the polar bears sent to latin american zoos as part of the polar bear diplomacy that Canada and alaska once practiced by giving away problem animals as gifts to other countries. I saw winner 3 times on visits to Buenos Aires. His exhibit was below standard and he had stereotyped movements. "mira como baila el oso", the public would say. Winner did not seem to be too old. His picture is on the buenos aires zoo gallery. polar bears do not belong in latin american zoos. The space and the resources should be spent on endangered native species. Hopefully the days of polar bear diplomacy are over.
 
elefante said:
Maybe it's just the subzero weather that's making me think of this, but what do you think of zoos in cold climates keeping animals native to warm areas? I know that most people (myself included) like seeing animals from warm climates like elephants, hippos, rhinos, and giraffes when we go to zoos.
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And they don't die from a bit snow:

South Africa Snowfall Stuns Johannesburg (PHOTOS)

Animals from warm areas can cope with the cold pretty good, they just need a warm area for the night and parts of the day. It is almost reversed nature. For example can be the winter nights in the savanna very cold (like really cold) and the sun heats all up during the day. So if an elephant can cope with a cold night followed by a warm day, it can also cope with a cold day followed by a warm night.
Animals are more adaptable than we think.

Lions in europe f.e. get thick winter-fur.

cleusk said:
I think it's cruel torture! If you don't have the capabilities to provide a comfortable outdoor environment, then don't have them at all! I think that such selfish behavior is sick and twisted! If you want to see them so badly, go watch a documentary or something!:mad::mad::mad:
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Yeah, sure. So close down all the aquariums and terrariums and while we are on it... let's close all zoos. Because see animals in cages for our amusement is very selfish.
Cleusk, maybe a forum with all these sick and twisted people is the wrong place for you. But I guess PETA has also some boards where you can find people who agree with you 100% ;)
 
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