Caribbean exhibits

[foz]

I was just wondering if there are any really good, carribean orientated exhibits out their? caribbean wildlife is really interesting and could incorporate many special species, like manatee's, howler monkeys and hutia etc.

if there are any, what are they like? how would you rate them? and what animals are included in the exhibit?

if there aren't (which i doubt as there are many many zoos out there) why on earth not?

 

[kiang]

What great question foz, every other conceivable theme, both geographically and habitat based has been covered in most zoos, but for the Caribbean, with its host of birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish native to the islands and only to those islands.
The reason i think there is no major exhibit (that i have heard of), is the severe lack of large mammals, yes howler monkey, manatee and bottle nosed dolphin, the last two restricting major zoos .
But where are your hoofstock, great apes, big cats, large carnivores, pinnipeds (you try and get hold of a Caribbean monk seal), to centre an exhibit around.
How many extra visitors would be brought in by the only captive Haitian solenodon?

 

[reduakari]

Rotterdam Zoo's Aquarium has an interesting Caribbean section, with a coral reef, mangrove swamp and some upland exhibits for hutia, island iguanas and a few other species, all clustered around an island-themed cafe. It's very creative and interesting.

Dallas World Aquarium opened a new wing a few years ago: "Mundo Maya," that has jaguars, birds, and other Central American land animals along with sharks and Caribbean reef fish. I've not seen it, but the descriptions I've heard are so-so. Elsewhere in the aquarium they already had red howler monkeys, three-toed sloths, manatee (with arapaima!), Orinoco Crocodiles and a wide assortment of South and Central American birds.

The other one I can think of that is In the Caribbean is the excellent Belize Zoo.

 

[tetrapod]

It would take a little imaginative thinking but there is certainly plenty of scope for Caribbean wildlife displays in zoos. I was thinking of a multi-species exhibit along the lines of Chesters 'Islands'.

An aquarium could feature reef fish, Central American cichlids and live-bearers and Cuban crocs.

Vivariums could feature rhino iguanas, Cuban boas, Hog Island boas, racers, anoles, geckoes, Hispanolan terrapins, Mountain chicken frogs, Cuban tree frogs etc.

Aviaries could display conures and Amazons, small finches and other passerines (Monserrat oriole). Waterfowl, flamingoes, ibis and roseate spoonbills in a walk-through zone.

The display could also stretch to showcase Central American species such as the howlers, capuchins, coati, raccoon, ocelot, tree porcupine, hutia etc.

Plenty of themes to work with: conservation of threatened species (many which are already in place), introduced species, evolution of the islands (poor species richness compared to South America), historical context (ex-territories), climate context (hurricanes, volcanoes). Wouldn't have to multi-millions to make it, but the powers that be would fail to see it happen because it lacks the wow-factor of a 'mega-species'. Need a Jersey to do something like it, in fact I'm surprised that they never did. Shame...

For any zoos out there - I'm willing to be paid to design your next big thing.

 

[Jacobea]

You could probably do quite an interesting display of Caribbean birds and reptiles, amphibians and probably a decent aquatic display too since there are a number of endemic species (Zenaida doves, Jamaican boas, anoles, some fruit bats). There are several iguana species that could do with bigger awareness and conservation (Jaimaican, Turks and Caicos, Blue)-we've already Cuban crocs and rhinoceros iguana, so that's a start I guess

 

[snowleopard]

The Caribbean tank at the Shedd Aquarium is a brilliant example of the underwater world just off the coast of many scenic islands, and there must be a number of aquariums that have some sort of Caribbean wildlife display.

 

[Jurek7]

Carribean animals in great need of zoo conservation are eg. Cozumel raccoon and Cozumel coati.

A bit strange is that popular species from island famous as holiday resort receive no interest. Why?

About Carribean exhibit, Avifauna in Alphen, Holland has aviary with flamingos, spoonbills and ducks.

Tetrapod, you are not the only one with ideas for zoo exhibits.

I imagine walk-through tropical room or glasshouse with free-running Cuban iguanas, anoles, conures, ground-doves, orioles, finches and other birds. And maybe hutias on some separate place.

Or mangrove aquarium separated by waist-high glass. With manatees, sea turtles and big fish underwater. And in mangroves above water - roseate spoonbill, scarlet ibis, west indian whistling-ducks and diverse smaller birds. Maybe even capuchin monkeys.

 

[foz]

Tetrapod, you are not the only one with ideas for zoo exhibits.
QUOTE]

I think most of use have the same ideas really (obviously not identical) it just why zoos don't recreate these ideas to make a much needed caribbean exhibit. Chester have their island exhibit without major pulls (komodos, in my opinion, have the same pull as manatees)

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

As reduakari observed the Rotterdam Oceanium have an good set up of Caribbean wildlife, both aquatic and island ecosystem. Away from the Oceanium they maintain blaus blaus (anole lizards) and Aruba island rattlesnake in the Riviera Hall.

I am not so familiar with US collections and Caribbean themes and cannot really comment on that angle. However, several good collections within the Caribbean certainly showcase their own faunas, including the Bermuda Aquarium and the Hope Zoo amongst others. Pse. give these a look in!