In that case maybe a few more Zoos should consider keeping them. Is it 'like' because they are unusual to see, or simply because they are attractive creatures- either way it would be nice to see a few more in our zoos.
These are a good animal for animal collections that are just starting out but given that they are not a threatened species (in fact they have been introduced in some areas of Europe and are considered a pest). Given that zoos are meant to be there to preserve and breed endangered species I personally would prefer to see an animal that needs to be protected and bred to increase numbers.
To answer both questions, Mr T, how do you explain away meerkats then. and Pertinax, these animals could be useful in so many ways, firstly they are almost unknown to most regular zoo goers, so they will have the unusual wow factor, plus in the winter they look stunning with their fluffy coats (in the summer they tend to be smelly, but still lovable!).
And their fluffy coats can then be used to explain why it is so wrong to kill them for fur, a smart zoo would be able to get the story over than farming for fur is wrong. The more people that know the story, the more likely that things might change.
I haven't mentioned meerkats. I am sick to death of meerkats in zoos and they are only there to pull in the punters. I don't think raccoon dogs have the same appeal to the general public as meerkats anyway. I personally (and that all I can do, give my personal opinion) would rather see a rare and endangered animals being bred in zoos.
Given that zoos are meant to be there to preserve and breed endangered species I personally would prefer to see an animal that needs to be protected and bred to increase numbers.
That's one function, but not their only one - education, research and (yes) recreation are among the others.
In this case, as well as Raccoon Dogs being interesting and attractive animals in their own right, there are also several possibilities for education 'stories' as are beloved of exhibit designers - in addition to chizlit's suggestions they can also be used as an example of an invasive species.
That's one function, but not their only one - education, research and (yes) recreation are among the others.
In this case, as well as Raccoon Dogs being interesting and attractive animals in their own right, there are also several possibilities for education 'stories' as are beloved of exhibit designers - in addition to chizlit's suggestions they can also be used as an example of an invasive species.
Plus cant it be said that the reason for their invasive status is not of their own doing, they are the victims of where they have ended up.
In my view there is a place for both common and rare animals are zoo's, and for sure raccoon dogs could have the same kind of pulling power as meerkats due to the fact that they are unknown, cute and fluffy.
Raccoon Dogs are very aberrant canids - from the point of view of keeping unusual animals they deserve a place in our zoos. Can't say I was too impressed by the over tidied enclosure at YWP on my visit, if I'm being honest.
I still think that Bush Dogs tick the bill perfectly. Rare, not very large, and when kept in a decent sized group extremely active. A UK zoo that liaised with Guyana to get some new animals out of the wild would make itself very popular with Frankfurt, I'd suspect.
I still think that Bush Dogs tick the bill perfectly. Rare, not very large, and when kept in a decent sized group extremely active. A UK zoo that liaised with Guyana to get some new animals out of the wild would make itself very popular with Frankfurt, I'd suspect.
