Regional Zoos that "punch above their weight"

[CGSwans]

Hey folks,

I'm looking for examples of zoos that aren't in close proximity to large populations (say, more than 400,000 people for whom the zoo would be 'the local zoo'), and that don't enjoy a sizable subsidy from government, but are nevertheless moderate to high achievers in terms of attendance, collection, exhibit quality.

For instance, Taronga's Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, Australia would qualify as lacking a large population base and being significantly high achievers, but doesn't quite meet my criteria in that its running costs are to some degree cross-subsidised by the Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

 

[jay]

Would either Mogo or The Australia Zoo qualify? Does Mogo draw in the nembers you are thinking of? Is Australia Zoo too close to Brisbane?

 

[CGSwans]

Would either Mogo or The Australia Zoo qualify? Does Mogo draw in the nembers you are thinking of? Is Australia Zoo too close to Brisbane?

Mogo's exactly the sort of zoo I'm thinking of, although who knows what sort of attendance figures they get. I'm basically looking for comparable (or larger) examples from overseas.

Australia Zoo's funding comes from a different source to government zoos, but it is equally subsidised - in this case by the Crocodile Hunter franchise. They are also for all intents and purposes "Brisbane's zoo", although Alma Park and Darling Downs take smaller numbers of people in that market.

 

[docend24]

Protivín
Protivin Crocodile Zoo, Crocodile Farm Chval?iny, Zoological Museum
the town itself has about 5,000 inhabitants and they have one of the best collection of crododilles worldwide. Officially it kicked off as a zoo only two years ago.

There could be more suitable candidates for this thread among czech zoos and other small/middle sized countries but that depends on what is proximity and whether you compare that 400k to biggest city nearby or to population of the entire region.