Any Shoebills Left in North America?

[MonkeyBat]

I tried to google this but I couldn't necessarily find anything, so here I am. Does anyone know if any shoebills are left in North America? San Diego says they don't have any, although I'm not so sure, DWA does not list them on their website, Zoo Tampa does not have them labeled on the map, and I'm not sure if Houston still keeps them.

 

[Valentinoamor]

According to YouTube, Houston had them in February 2019. You could try emailing Houston or try to find someone who visits Houston regularly.

 

[Coelacanth18]

San Diego says they don't have any, although I'm not so sure

Interestingly their website does say that; they are still on the map though: https://www.sdzsafaripark.org/sites/default/files/SafariPark_GuideMap_Front_1.2020.pdf
and photos were taken of them as recently as Dec 2019 so if they have departed it was very recent.

DWA does not list them on their website

Try again Borneo
Just saw them last year.

 

[MonkeyBat]

Interestingly their website does say that; they are still on the map though: https://www.sdzsafaripark.org/sites/default/files/SafariPark_GuideMap_Front_1.2020.pdf
and photos were taken of them as recently as Dec 2019 so if they have departed it was very recent.



Try again Borneo
Just saw them last year.

I was looking at the South Africa section because, you know, they aren't native to Borneo

 

[ThylacineAlive]

DWA, SDZSP, and ZooTampa are the only holders left. Houston phased them out last year.

~Thylo

 

[nczoofan]

Houston phased them out as @ThylacineAlive said. The aviary is being redeveloped as a walk-through aviary as part of the Pantanal complex.

 

[Dhole dude]

I am very greatful I saw shoebills in San Diego zoo wild animal/Safari Park because I may never get the chance again. But since some of my family live in Dallas (but I never have the time to go to the aquarium ) but I’ll go and see the shoebills once this pandemic is sorted out(but that doesn’t seem like anytime soon)

 

[Coelacanth18]

I was looking at the South Africa section because, you know, they aren't native to Borneo

Yeah I figured The sections are organized by area of the aquarium, and the front entrance area (where the shoebills are) is called "Borneo". It's not a good name - they have tree kangaroos, turacos, Australasian birds, echidnas, and little blue penguins there as well - but it is what it is

 

[drill]

Are there any collections planning on getting shoebills in America. Also I assume Jabirus are not going to be kept in American collections anymore at least for a while?

 

[MonkeyBat]

DWA, SDZSP, and ZooTampa are the only holders left. Houston phased them out last year.

~Thylo

Are you sure about Tampa? I went to take a look at @geomorph species list from 2019 and it stated the aviary was bulldozed.

 

[ThylacineAlive]

Are you sure about Tampa? I went to take a look at @geomorph species list from 2019 and it stated the aviary was bulldozed.

Yes they're off-show atm. The zoo themselves have stated they plan on building a new aviary for them.

~Thylo

 

[MonkeyBat]

Just got a reply from the Houston Zoo. I can confirm the species is no longer in the collection. The bird curator said, quote "the best place to see them is at Dallas World Aquarium and the San Diego Safari Park."

 

[ilovetimberdoodles]

I tried to google this but I couldn't necessarily find anything, so here I am. Does anyone know if any shoebills are left in North America? San Diego says they don't have any, although I'm not so sure, DWA does not list them on their website, Zoo Tampa does not have them labeled on the map, and I'm not sure if Houston still keeps them.

Tell me if I'm wrong but Zoo Tampa is supposed to have some

 

[pachyderm pro]

Tell me if I'm wrong but Zoo Tampa is supposed to have some

That is correct; Tampa and Dallas World Aquarium are the only remaining holders in North America.