Unusual Mustelids in European zoos

robmv

robmv

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
The latest issue of EAZA's Zooquaria magazine features an interesting article on Mustelids in zoos. The article includes the following tantalising statement:

Since the last assessment [2006], four new species have appeared in European collections: Japanese badger (Meles anakuma), striped hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus semistriatus), hooded skunk (Mephitis macroura) and Altai weasel (Mustela altaica).​

Have they? Where? A quick check of zootierliste.de shows that Altai (or Mountain) Weasels have been kept at Kaunas Zoo, but there are no recent holders recorded for the other species.

Can anyone shed any light?
 
Blimey, that's a surprise to sneak in there! I can't help, but I await the results with interest!
 
I can only imagine that either they have slipped unnoticed into one of the smaller collections within Europe which are visited less often, or - possibly more likely - are being held in a private collection which is affiliated with EAZA.

As you can probably guess, this is a matter of quite some interest to me! :p
 
I should have guessed that you two would be the first to reply to a thread with the phrase "unusual mustelids" in the title!
 
robmv said:
I should have guessed that you two would be the first to reply to a thread with the phrase "unusual mustelids" in the title!
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I can't think why you'd say such a thing. :D
 
Out of curiosity I just did a little calculation for myself to see how European mustelid variety has changed since 2006, not counting the mysterious four taxa which may or may not be around now.

Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) has been in Europe since 2008.

Spotted-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis) has been in Europe since 2008.

Javan ferret-badger (Melogale orientalis) disappeared from Europe in 2008.

Zorilla (Ictonyx striatus) disappeared from Europe in 2010.

So looking at the pure numbers, there has been no actual change; however in the year or two prior to 2006, no new species came into Europe whilst three (Fisher, American Hog-nosed Skunk and Molina's Hog-nosed Skunk) ceased to be kept, and several of the species still held now - such as Sable, Steppe Polecat and Asian Badger - are only held in Russia.
 
TeaLovingDave said:
Out of curiosity I just did a little calculation for myself to see how European mustelid variety has changed since 2006, not counting the mysterious four taxa which may or may not be around now.

Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) has been in Europe since 2008.

Spotted-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis) has been in Europe since 2008.

Javan ferret-badger (Melogale orientalis) disappeared from Europe in 2008.

Zorilla (Ictonyx striatus) disappeared from Europe in 2010.

So looking at the pure numbers, there has been no actual change; however in the year or two prior to 2006, no new species came into Europe whilst three (Fisher, American Hog-nosed Skunk and Molina's Hog-nosed Skunk) ceased to be kept, and several of the species still held now - such as Sable, Steppe Polecat and Asian Badger - are only held in Russia.
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The article makes a similar point, but the four taxa that they list as "phased out from European collections" are:
  • Javan Ferret-badger (Melogale orientalis) - as mentioned above
  • Lesser Grison (Galictis cuja) - didn't one turn up at De Paay recently? (it's not mentioned on ZTL)
  • American Marten (Martes americana) - not sure where these were in the first place
  • American Mink (Neovison vison) - nonsense, there are still plenty out there (although not in "big" zoos)
Oddly, the article makes no mention of otters whatsoever!
 
robmv said:
[*]Lesser Grison (Galictis cuja) - didn't one turn up at De Paay recently? (it's not mentioned on ZTL)
[*]American Marten (Martes americana) - not sure where these were in the first place
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No idea as to where held the Martens - certainly haven't heard about any recent holdings.

As for the Lesser Grison which arrived at De Paay in 2013, this was never added to ZTL as - if memory serves - it was imported as a Greater but the keepers suspected it was a Lesser. As 100% confirmation that this was the case has not come to light as yet, it has not been added.
 
Am I the only one who is going to be pedantic and point out that skunks are no longer considered mustelids?
 
Ituri said:
Am I the only one who is going to be pedantic and point out that skunks are no longer considered mustelids?
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Hehe, I could not be bothered to point this out myself :p but yes, this is very true! Obviously they are still classed as such by EAZA though.

Jana said:
I guess Fisher means Martes pennanti, kept at Prague till 2004.
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Correct, although there is a growing sentiment that the taxon deserves full generic level as Pekania pennanti
 
I just noticed that the authors' email addresses appear in the article header. Enquiry despatched ...
 
Which still does not resolve the question of where has ostensibly held and gone out of the taxa since 2006, barring the Altai Weasel.

Expect we may never know for sure.
 
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