American Zoos that ONLY have American animals

How are domestics being counted? Is it only if they originate from North America (which only leaves turkeys, I believe)? Or is it North American breeds (which opens the doors for stuff like Holstein cattle, Guinea hogs, etc.)?
 
How are domestics being counted? Is it only if they originate from North America (which only leaves turkeys, I believe)? Or is it North American breeds (which opens the doors for stuff like Holstein cattle, Guinea hogs, etc.)?
I would say that domestics only count if that species has a wild population in the US. Some like turkeys would qualify as Wild Turkeys in their natural form are native to the US. Others like Domestic Horses or Domestic Cats would count because they have established feral populations in the US.
 
Last edited:
Domestic Rabbits are an introduced species in the US though.

Yes but not all the breeds that are found in the zoo have a wild, feral population in the United States.

How are domestics being counted? Is it only if they originate from North America (which only leaves turkeys, I believe)? Or is it North American breeds (which opens the doors for stuff like Holstein cattle, Guinea hogs, etc.)?

I would say that if there breed or species has a wild population, was bred in the US first, or both, then it should be counted. Something like the Flemish giant rabbit shouldn't be counted, as it doesn't fit either of those 2 criteria. That's why Wildwood would be outdated.
 
Yes but not all the breeds that are found in the zoo have a wild, feral population in the United States.



I would say that if there breed or species has a wild population, was bred in the US first, or both, then it should be counted. Something like the Flemish giant rabbit shouldn't be counted, as it doesn't fit either of those 2 criteria. That's why Wildwood would be outdated.
I don't think we should really consider breeds, since feral populations of domestic animals are never purebred and are instead mixes of many different breeds.
 
For myself, it depends on how the domestics are presented. If it's a farm, or ambassador animal, or otherwise shown to be a domestic/pet, I don't count it towards the facility's native theme. If it has a species-centric exhibit though - like chinchillas and degu often have, for example - and it being shown like the natives are, I'd say the place is no longer natives-only. I know that's a little harder to judge from websites and whatnot :)
 
I would say that domestics only count if that species has a wild population in the US. Some like turkeys would qualify as Wild Turkeys in their natural form are native to the US. Others like Domestic Horses or Domestic Cats would count because they have established feral populations in the US.

If introduced animals with wild populations are being counted you could consider adding the West Virginia Wildlife Center.
 
Back
Top