If you could change anything you feel is wrong in any zoo, what would it be in your book?

[Alex Roman]

This is an opinionated question, but if anything in any particular zoo doesn't feel right to you (it could be inaccurate geography in an exhibit, animals you think are "boring" or "overused", or the exhibit feels substandard), what would you prefer it to be?

In my book, I think that Sunset Zoo in Manhattan, KS, the Trails of South America part, geography-wise, could use some improvement; For example, replace the Canada geese and Indian peafowl with something actually from South America, such as the Orinoco goose and blue-billed curassow, respectively, especially given that the latter is critically endangered.

Also, in same exhibit at said zoo, the red-eared sliders could be replaced with something like a mata-mata if the turtles are kept-indoors, if they still had the former.

Apparently, in the African loop in Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the Amur leopard has died and was replaced with a lappet-faced vulture, which actually is from Africa.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I think the one that comes to mind would be getting rid of meerkats and Asian short claw otters at Jersey zoo.

 

[Alex Roman]

I think the one that comes to mind would be getting rid of meerkats and Asian short claw otters at Jersey zoo.

Personally, meerkats are one of my favorite animals because the way the look around and also because of Timon from The Lion King. Meerkats may be common in various zoos, but I don't see any problems with them.

I'll take it for granted though as rarer species are just as nice.

 

[Great Argus]

New I think the one that comes to mind would be getting rid of meerkats and Asian short claw otters at Jersey zoo.

Why Asian Short-clawed Otter? They're listed as Vulnerable, and thus higher priority than some other otters.

 

[Alex Roman]

Why Asian Short-clawed Otter? They're listed as Vulnerable, and thus higher priority than some other otters.

It could be because of how numerous they are. They could help restore some otter populations in their native Asia.

It's kinda similar how axolotls are popular as frick in captivity while being critically endandgered in the wild simutaneously.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Personally, meerkats are one of my favorite animals because the way the look around and also because of Timon from The Lion King. Meerkats may be common in various zoos, but I don't see any problems with them.

I'll take it for granted though as rarer species are just as nice.

Well as I've said many times on this forum I do understand that meerkats are very popular with the public and that there are benefits to them being in zoos in drawing in the crowds.

However, for me these and the Asian short clawed otters could really be replaced with other species equally charismatic (though perhaps not as well known by the public) and more endangered.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Why Asian Short-clawed Otter? They're listed as Vulnerable, and thus higher priority than some other otters.

Yes, I know.

Because this is a species that is being held by numerous zoos across the world and I believe that it could be replaced by a far more endangered species and in greater need of ex-situ.

 

[Echobeast]

However, for me these and the Asian short clawed otters could really be replaced with other species equally charismatic (though perhaps not as well known by the public) and more endangered.

Because this is a species that is being held by numerous zoos across the world and I believe that it could be replaced by a far more endangered species and in greater need of ex-situ.

There is also the question of availability. ASC otters breed well in captivity and many zoos have them because there are lots of otters. Unfortunately there are not a lot of individuals of other more endangered species. In fact, I think the success of breeding ASC otters (a threatened species as mentioned) should be commended instead of bashed or viewed as wrong imo.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

There is also the question of availability. ASC otters breed well in captivity and many zoos have them because there are lots of otters. Unfortunately there are not a lot of individuals of other more endangered species. In fact, I think the success of breeding ASC otters (a threatened species as mentioned) should be commended instead of bashed or viewed as wrong imo.

Yes, of course, I agree , they are more available and they are of conservation concern too.

I don't mind seeing them at a lot of European zoos but for some reason the presence of these and meerkats at Jersey just bothers me and I would rather that they were replaced with different species.

 

[Alex Roman]

There is also the question of availability. ASC otters breed well in captivity and many zoos have them because there are lots of otters. Unfortunately there are not a lot of individuals of other more endangered species. In fact, I think the success of breeding ASC otters (a threatened species as mentioned) should be commended instead of bashed or viewed as wrong imo.

Asian small clawed otters are threatened, so it's glad we got to raise awareness of them. I think they should be given respect, IMO. As I mentioned, ASC otters breeding well in captivity while being threatened in the wild is like how popular axolotls became.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Asian small clawed otters are threatened, so it's glad we got to raise awareness of them. I think they should be given respect, IMO. As I mentioned, ASC otters breeding well in captivity while being threatened in the wild is like how popular axolotls became.

Yes, but on the question of the axolotl I think your comparison isn't really correct.

The wild type axolotl is very very different from the axolotls that are commonly kept as pets and in most zoos which typically have extremely low genetic diversity due to genetic inbreeding and are therefore of no utility to ex-situ conservation.

The comparatively tiny captive and wild population of the wild type axolotl with its greater genetic diversity and the efforts to reintroduce these to select areas of Xochimilco which have undergone ecological restoration is ultimately what matters.

 

[Alex Roman]

Yes, but on the question of the axolotl I think your comparison isn't really correct.

The wild type axolotl is very very different from the axolotls that are commonly kept as pets and in most zoos which typically have extremely low genetic diversity due to genetic inbreeding and are therefore of no utility to ex-situ conservation.

The comparatively tiny population of the wild type axolotl with its greater genetic diversity in captivity and the efforts to reintroduce these to select areas of Xochimilco which have undergone ecological restoration is ultimately what matters.

Aren't invasive tilapia one of the main threats to wild axolotls?

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Aren't invasive tilapia one of the main threats to wild axolotls?

Yes, invasives like tilapia and carp are definitely significant threats to the species (and this is also the case with the other endemic ambystoma salamanders of the State of Mexico and Michoacan).

However, there are also several other factors which are threats to wild axolotls like pollutants from the surrounding Mexico city entering the lake ecosystem and to a lesser extent with overharvesting / overexploitation of these animals for human consumption and the pet trade.

The other significant underlying threat to the species as I mentioned before is the reduction in genetic diversity.

 

[Great Argus]

I don't mind seeing them at a lot of European zoos but for some reason the presence of these and meerkats at Jersey just bothers me and I would rather that they were replaced with different species

So basically if it's not super rare, it shouldn't be at Jersey? That seems to be a common theme from what I've seen in your posts across the site, regardless whether the species you would like them replaced with is even feasible. Meerkats I can understand, but the otters? Many other species at Jersey are common zoo species, like the great apes, Red-breasted Goose, Chilean Flamingo, and Visayan Warty Pig. They're all common zoo species that are threatened, just like the otter. Do you want to send all those away from Jersey too? It would follow your logic about the otters.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

So basically if it's not super rare, it shouldn't be at Jersey? That seems to be a common theme from what I've seen in your posts across the site, regardless whether the species you would like them replaced with is even feasible. Meerkats I can understand, but the otters? Many other species at Jersey are common zoo species, like the great apes, Red-breasted Goose, Chilean Flamingo, and Visayan Warty Pig. They're all common zoo species that are threatened, just like the otter. Do you want to send all those away from Jersey too? It would follow your logic about the otters.

Well, I was asked if I could change anything that I believe is "wrong" at a zoo what would it be and that is my answer and granted what I would believe is "wrong" is something subjective isn't it ? so why the interrogative attitude?

Yes, it is a common theme of mine I agree because I am a conservation biologist and while I recognise that there is a lot of nuance surrounding this I do ultimately view zoos through the lens of ex-situ conservation.

 

[Great Argus]

Well, I was asked if I could change anything that I believe is "wrong" at a zoo what would it be and that is my answer and granted what I would believe is "wrong" is something subjective isn't it ? so why the interrogative attitude

You are quite correct, it is subjective. You're entitled to your opinion, and I'm not trying to correct you. I'm asking questions because I'm trying to understand your opinion. I don't see a reason to send away the ASCO from Jersey when they're a threatened species. What species would you seek to replace them with?

Yes, it is a common theme of mine I agree because I am a conservation biologist and while I recognise that there is a lot of nuance surrounding this I do ultimately view zoos through the lens of ex-situ conservation

That is fair, and I have observed your posts to come from that lens. However I have also noticed you have a particular fondness for Jersey, probably due to their frequent in-situ work in places such as Mauritius.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

You are quite correct, it is subjective. You're entitled to your opinion, and I'm not trying to correct you. I'm asking questions because I'm trying to understand your opinion. I don't see a reason to send away the ASCO from Jersey when they're a threatened species. What species would you seek to replace them with?



That is fair, and I have observed your posts to come from that lens. However I have also noticed you have a particular fondness for Jersey, probably due to their frequent in-situ work in places such as Mauritius.

There was a study at Jersey that I quoted from on another thread "Ideal animals and animal traits for zoos: General Public Perspectives" which analyzed visitors perceptions of species at the zoo and those that they preferred and would like to see. The general public seemed to actually highly favour both the meerkat and the ASCO and listed these amongst both favourite species and those that they would most like to see.

So I can definitely pragmatively and objectively look at those findings and see that there is a benefit to having those species at the zoo as they are crowd pleasers and given the location of Jersey and the need to get visitors through the gates they ultimately are quite useful.

However, idealistically I don't think that they fit with the conservation ethos of the zoo and I can actually think of so many other species that could be better fits with the ethos and aesthetics of the zoo and benefit more from being there ex-situ and the expertise of the staff too. As I've said both species are kept by numerous zoos and this may be subjective but I do feel that they sort of detract from the high standards of Jersey zoo.

Yes, I would definitely say that I have a fondness for Jersey due to their in-situ work in Madagascar, Mauritius, the Caribbean and here in Brazil.

But I think I also respect that particular zoo due to what it has managed to achieve in ex-situ terms with species like the Livingstone's and Rodrigues fruitbats, Malagasy giant jumping rat, aye-aye, black lion tamarin to name but a few.

 

[Great Argus]

There was a study at Jersey that I quoted from on another thread "Ideal animals and animal traits for zoos: General Public Perspectives" which analyzed visitors perceptions of species at the zoo and those that they preferred and would like to see. The general public seemed to actually highly favour both the meerkat and the ASCO and listed these amongst both favourite species and those that they would most like to see.

So I can definitely objectively look at those findings and see that there is a benefit to having those species at the zoo as they are crowd pleasers and given the location of Jersey and the need to get visitors through the gates they ultimately are quite useful

They are indeed, and such species are necessary to keep the zoo running. They provide a lot of interest and income, and the guests that come to see them will hopefully find new interest in the lesser known species Jersey holds. Zoos are a balancing act, keeping enough charismatic species to keep guests coming, while doing what conservation they can.

However, I don't think that they fit with the conservation ethos of the zoo and I can actually think of so many other species that could be better fits with the ethos and aesthetics of the zoo and benefit from being there too

How does an endangered species of otter not fit? Meerkat I agree they don't exactly fit, although if they help keep Jersey afloat financially then I would say it's better they stay at Jersey. They have to have money to be able to do both their in-situ and ex-situ conservation. I don't know what percentage of their income comes from guests, but I would suspect it's quite a bit knowing other zoos.
Also what other species are you thinking of? You never answered my previous question of what otter species you'd replace ASCO with either.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

They are indeed, and such species are necessary to keep the zoo running. They provide a lot of interest and income, and the guests that come to see them will hopefully find new interest in the lesser known species Jersey holds. Zoos are a balancing act, keeping enough charismatic species to keep guests coming, while doing what conservation they can.



How does an endangered species of otter not fit? Meerkat I agree they don't exactly fit, although if they help keep Jersey afloat financially then I would say it's better they stay at Jersey. They have to have money to be able to do both their in-situ and ex-situ conservation. I don't know what percentage of their income comes from guests, but I would suspect it's quite a bit knowing other zoos.
Also what other species are you thinking of? You never answered my previous question of what otter species you'd replace ASCO with either.

Yes, I agree, but then again I do think that the bigger draws to the zoo in this sense would be their orangutangs, gorillas and spectacled bears.

I think that with a bit of revamp work on the enclosure I would replace the Asian short claw with either the giant otter (much better thematically given how many South American species are kept) or the marine otter (yes, difficult to obtain but not impossible) which I believe was originally the intention of Jersey back just before the ASCO was brought into the collection.

Of the two species I would much rather see the back of the meerkat over the otter but ultimately I'm not keen on the ASCO either.

 

[Alex Roman]

They are indeed, and such species are necessary to keep the zoo running. They provide a lot of interest and income, and the guests that come to see them will hopefully find new interest in the lesser known species Jersey holds. Zoos are a balancing act, keeping enough charismatic species to keep guests coming, while doing what conservation they can.



How does an endangered species of otter not fit? Meerkat I agree they don't exactly fit, although if they help keep Jersey afloat financially then I would say it's better they stay at Jersey. They have to have money to be able to do both their in-situ and ex-situ conservation. I don't know what percentage of their income comes from guests, but I would suspect it's quite a bit knowing other zoos.
Also what other species are you thinking of? You never answered my previous question of what otter species you'd replace ASCO with either.

Personally, meerkats are some of my favorite animals, hence why they are on my profile picture (which I added them today). Meerkats are popular animals with the general public, so they're basically money magnets for the zoo, and I think there's a similar effect with giraffes.

In that case, I wouldn't complain about Jersey's meerkats. In my own little world, the Jersey meerkats are here to stay.