Best Non-Accredited Zoo

loxodonta said:
That is the reason I chose Southwick #1. Southwick is the only non-accredited zoo I have visited that had a collection that was backed up by nice enclosures. Anyone can own a rhino or hyena but the enclosure thats provided is what makes it good or bad. Most of the facilities mentioned before have nice collections but have some of the worst enclosures I have seen.
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Yes I agree with you, do you know whether Southwick was ever accredited? They are lucky to get so many hard to obtain animals, while not being accredited.
 
Judging by conversations I have had with the owner I would say they never have been accredited. They do, however, still receive animals from accredited facilities through the SSP.
 
In another thread I found that they used to have Indian rhino, Malayan tapir, Nile hippo, Cape buffalo, spectacled bear, jaguars.
 
Another zoo that was on Animal Planet called Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. They have a nice facility but your normal exotics. All large exotics have natural substrate. They have quite a few tigers. Most of which that they are borrowing from the Maracan Tiger Preserve. Their monkey habitats weren't very great. Most were small but at least they seemed happy. Their lone male Mandrill, Umba has a small enclosure, and but quite a bit of enrichment. At the end of the Animal Planet series "The Little Zoo That Could" they were donated 25 acres on higher ground. They were hit with hurricanes many times and it wasn't a great place for a zoo, but now their new facility will be bigger and better.

Here's a link to the article.
Gulf Shores' "Little Zoo That Could" headed to larger facility - Breaking News from the Press-Register - al.com

Their new plans include a large lake with two monkey islands. Another smaller lake will have a small island with African Penguins. They will have a large tiger pen, including a tiger tank where guests can view the tigers underwater. I'm REALLY! hoping they get at least one female Mandrill for Umba and have a larger enclosure with grass for him.
 
The Zoo Northwest Florida had its accreditation taken away, and it is temporarily closed. It has Orangutans, Chimps, and at least one Gorilla, Mandrills, Golden Headed Lion Tamarin, Indian Rhino, and surprisingly African Wild Dogs. The cages aren't great and they don't have much enrichment.
 
ANyhuis said:
According to the local media, this Zoo is closed for good. It closed due to lack of funding within the past month.
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That's a shame, I wonder what will become of its animals. I did check on Wikipedia and your right. If anyone has information on its animals and where they are going to I would be interested to hear. Also I was wondering how many gorillas they have.
 
Marcelle Leone of Lionshare Zoo is suppose to be have a bid in for everything! There are 3.1 Gorillas presently on the property 1.1 of them is owned by the zoo and will be going to her zoo. I think they will have alot of controversy once it gets out in the press where everything will be headed. It will take years to move everything.
 
To partially answer my own question, They have two male African Wild Dogs. They are brothers. They are both 10 years old, and their names are Quatro and Phoenix. I am not sure where they are going though.
 
Ok just thought I'd bring the subject up on a new park called Safari Wild and a private breeding facility called Micanopy Zoological Preserve. Both have some rare ungulates. Micanopy has more rarities including lowland anoa, dwarf forest buffalo, and even indian rhino. Safari Wild also has Dwarf forest buffalo, and may have cheetahs and red river hogs too. Just thought I'd ask if anyone knows any background on their collections and the parks background too.
 
The best non-accredited zoo is Reptile Gardens. That has an incredible display of reptiles that all seem to be well-cared for. The SkyDome is a neat aviary that has desert and tropical birds and reptiles. They also have Maniac, a huge saltwater crocodile, Methuselah, a 129 year old tortoise, and a Komodo dragon, among quite a few other exhibits. Bear Country USA is also not a bad spot to check out nearby.
 
I've always wanted to see reptile gardens. It's sometimes hard to find big crocs in zoos. I think that's changing, though.
 
It is well worth it. I don't remember it being too expensive. Maniac is the biggest croc I have ever seen. They also have a Cuban crocodile. Their "Death Row" of poisonous snakes is really neat as well. They have a full-grown black mamba. They also have chickens that play tic-tac-toe, tell your fortune, and pick out postcards. They just peck at certain buttons but it is a neat little exhibit. Their gift shop also has some cool collectibles. In all, one of my favorite little zoos.
 
What about Exotic Animal Farm or something in Ashtabula, Ohio? I had heard from someone that there was this exotic animal place in Ashtabula County, OH off I-90 in the late 1990s or even early 2000s.
 
I have reviewed the past comments on non AZA accredited zoos and provide the following comments. NW FL zoo was bought by the Morgensen family and is now the Gulf Breeze Zoo. Silver Springs exotics exhibits is closed and exotics were sold including hoofstock to the Micanopy Wildlife Preserve which is not open to public. The SS property was sold to the state of Florida as a state park. The former Sasquatch roadside zoo in Crestview, FL, is now owned and operated by the Emerald Coast Exotic Sanctuary. Many small public zoos and private exhibits are members of the new Zoological Association of America AZA. I have visited 446 facilities worldwide.
 
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