San Diego Zoo San Diego Zoo news 2022

Kifaru Bwana said:
That really id

That really is quite disappointing. Why is it so difficult to import animals? What are the issues, this means legislation is blocking ex situ conservation.
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I think one main issues besides politics is the regulations against importing live ruminants into the states. The way things are currently made out to be, it’s close to impossible import them or at least without jumping through hoops. I believe one main concern is CWD, but I may be out of my field of expertise if this is the big reason as to why :/
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
That really id

That really is quite disappointing. Why is it so difficult to import animals? What are the issues, this means legislation is blocking ex situ conservation.
Click to expand...

Julio C Castro said:
I think one main issues besides politics is the regulations against importing live ruminants into the states. The way things are currently made out to be, it’s close to impossible import them or at least without jumping through hoops. I believe one main concern is CWD, but I may be out of my field of expertise if this is the big reason as to why :/
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The main reason that there are so many federal regulations and restrictions on importing bovids is to protect, specifically, the cattle industry. The cattle industry is deeply rooted in the pockets of the federal government, unfortunately, and a lot of the restrictions and regulations in place are really unfounded with amount of tests, precautions, knowledge, etc. we have today. The chance of any disease transfer between a captive exotic bovid being imported for zoological purposes and domestic cattle is slim to none, but it's all about money. (Chronic Wasting Disease has never been proven to be transmissable to domestic livestock or people (although macaques have been infected in a laboratory setting, so human transmission is a potential concern). Regulations related to this disease are in place to protect native deer populations/the game industry).
 
Kudu21 said:
The main reason that there are so many federal regulations and restrictions on importing bovids is to protect, specifically, the cattle industry. The cattle industry is deeply rooted in the pockets of the federal government, unfortunately, and a lot of the restrictions and regulations in place are really unfounded with amount of tests, precautions, knowledge, etc. we have today. The chance of any disease transfer between a captive exotic bovid being imported for zoological purposes and domestic cattle is slim to none, but it's all about money. (Chronic Wasting Disease has never been proven to be transmissable to domestic livestock or people (although macaques have been infected in a laboratory setting, so human transmission is a potential concern). Regulations related to this disease are in place to protect native deer populations/the game industry).
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Thank you for breaking it down for us! it’s like the saying goes: money talks :(
 
The obstacles mentioned aren’t insurmountable, but if there isn’t enough chance of the import resulting in a successful, sustainable new population, why bother? I have a feeling that even if a zoo did pull together an import of black duiker, what makes us think this population would do much better than the last one? Would enough zoos take them and breed them to make it worthwhile, or would they just go into decline?

I’m always sad to lose species, but at the end of the day there are only so many spaces in zoos and so many animals that keepers can care for (staff salaries being the biggest expense at many zoos). If there are going to be sustainable populations to see us into the future, some species have to be phased out… and there are more that will be following black duiker out the door
 
CWD is the reason AZA deer populations have fundamentally fallen apart. It's more or less impossible to import deer from other countries except Canada, who also ban the import of deer from other countries except America. I believe small neotropical deer can squeeze through easier than Old World or large cervids, but even this involves so many hurdles it seldom if ever happens. Many state in the US flat out ban the importation of deer from other states as well, causing a lot of zoos to abandon deer programs. IIRC Louisiana changed their CWD regulations to now ban the importation of deer, essentially stranding Audubon's Barasingha herd from the rest of the fractured zoo population. New York and California both have regulations which allow the movement of deer in and out of the state as long as they are tested before departure and upon arrival. It's still a hassle and expensive but it's a lot more sensible than what most states do, and this is why Bronx and San Diego have become the two major zoos sustaining large Asian deer populations.

CWD regulations for most states are lessened for certain native species (which is bizarre given it's the native species most at risk) and for smaller species, which is why pudu, muntjac, American Elk, and to a lesser degree Tufted Deer have managed to spread out more (in addition to most of them being smaller and therefore easier to house).

I remember reading some time ago that a farm here in CT wanted to import some Domestic Reindeer and they ended up engulfed in a multi-year legal battle with the State before the regulation was amended to say that certified individuals can import Domestic Reindeer, but only for the holiday season and then they must leave again...

~Thylo
 
ThylacineAlive said:
CWD is the reason AZA deer populations have fundamentally fallen apart. It's more or less impossible to import deer from other countries except Canada, who also ban the import of deer from other countries except America. I believe small neotropical deer can squeeze through easier than Old World or large cervids, but even this involves so many hurdles it seldom if ever happens. Many state in the US flat out ban the importation of deer from other states as well, causing a lot of zoos to abandon deer programs. IIRC Louisiana changed their CWD regulations to now ban the importation of deer, essentially stranding Audubon's Barasingha herd from the rest of the fractured zoo population. New York and California both have regulations which allow the movement of deer in and out of the state as long as they are tested before departure and upon arrival. It's still a hassle and expensive but it's a lot more sensible than what most states do, and this is why Bronx and San Diego have become the two major zoos sustaining large Asian deer populations.

CWD regulations for most states are lessened for certain native species (which is bizarre given it's the native species most at risk) and for smaller species, which is why pudu, muntjac, American Elk, and to a lesser degree Tufted Deer have managed to spread out more (in addition to most of them being smaller and therefore easier to house).

I remember reading some time ago that a farm here in CT wanted to import some Domestic Reindeer and they ended up engulfed in a multi-year legal battle with the State before the regulation was amended to say that certified individuals can import Domestic Reindeer, but only for the holiday season and then they must leave again...

~Thylo
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I don't understand why American Elks are small.
 
Haliaeetus said:
I don't understand why American Elks are small.
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They aren't--- but they are native:
ThylacineAlive said:
CWD regulations for most states are lessened for certain native species (which is bizarre given it's the native species most at risk) and for smaller species, which is why pudu, muntjac, American Elk, and to a lesser degree Tufted Deer have managed to spread out more (in addition to most of them being smaller and therefore easier to house).
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ThylacineAlive said:
CWD is the reason AZA deer populations have fundamentally fallen apart. It's more or less impossible to import deer from other countries except Canada, who also ban the import of deer from other countries except America. I believe small neotropical deer can squeeze through easier than Old World or large cervids, but even this involves so many hurdles it seldom if ever happens. Many state in the US flat out ban the importation of deer from other states as well, causing a lot of zoos to abandon deer programs. IIRC Louisiana changed their CWD regulations to now ban the importation of deer, essentially stranding Audubon's Barasingha herd from the rest of the fractured zoo population. New York and California both have regulations which allow the movement of deer in and out of the state as long as they are tested before departure and upon arrival. It's still a hassle and expensive but it's a lot more sensible than what most states do, and this is why Bronx and San Diego have become the two major zoos sustaining large Asian deer populations.

CWD regulations for most states are lessened for certain native species (which is bizarre given it's the native species most at risk) and for smaller species, which is why pudu, muntjac, American Elk, and to a lesser degree Tufted Deer have managed to spread out more (in addition to most of them being smaller and therefore easier to house).

I remember reading some time ago that a farm here in CT wanted to import some Domestic Reindeer and they ended up engulfed in a multi-year legal battle with the State before the regulation was amended to say that certified individuals can import Domestic Reindeer, but only for the holiday season and then they must leave again...

~Thylo
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NY and California probably prove that the other States policy to ban is an non sensical one.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
NY and California probably prove that the other States policy to ban is an non sensical one.
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Well San Diego is more the exception than the rule in CA for deer, only three of the zoos I've been to here have had deer. San Diego parks (various), Sequoia Park (muntjac), and Folsom (rescued Mule). As a whole they're really not very common here.
 
Great Argus said:
Well San Diego is more the exception than the rule in CA for deer, only three of the zoos I've been to here have had deer. San Diego parks (various), Sequoia Park (muntjac), and Folsom (rescued Mule). As a whole they're really not very common here.
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LA has Calamian Deer as well and plans for Tule Elk. Perhaps they're not the best example, though, since I think CWD is what did the Calamian Deer in... CALM and Orange County Zoo also have rescued deer. Regardless, I think the issue is more lack of interest rather than San Diego having a special "pass" for CWD regulations in CA.

~Thylo
 
ThylacineAlive said:
Regardless, I think the issue is more lack of interest rather than San Diego having a special "pass" for CWD regulations in CA.
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I agree it's lack of interest, looking at Sacramento, San Francisco, Fresno Chaffee, Santa Barbara, even Safari West all lacking any deer. Some of San Diego's species even are nearly gone. I do wonder if they're not worth the hassle to most zoos.
Deer are pretty limited on the West coast in general; the safari parks in Oregon have Fallow and Elk (possibly another species or two.) Oregon Zoo itself lacks them, as does Point Defiance. Woodland Park only has pudu iirc. Northwest Trek has at least elk and moose though.
 
Great Argus said:
I agree it's lack of interest, looking at Sacramento, San Francisco, Fresno Chaffee, Santa Barbara, even Safari West all lacking any deer. Some of San Diego's species even are nearly gone. I do wonder if they're not worth the hassle to most zoos.
Deer are pretty limited on the West coast in general; the safari parks in Oregon have Fallow and Elk (possibly another species or two.) Oregon Zoo itself lacks them, as does Point Defiance. Woodland Park only has pudu iirc. Northwest Trek has at least elk and moose though.
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Northwest should have Caribou too?

~Thylo
 
Here's another short article about the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp (set to open March 11th) including a nice video that shows various sections of the complex. After conversing with someone who was able to go to a preview event a few days ago, I can confirm that there aren't any rare or unexpected mammal species on exhibit, unfortunately. Although, the herp and insect sections look promising!

San Diego Zoo's New Wildlife Explorers Basecamp to Debut 4 Family-Friendly, Interactive Habitats
 
IndianRhino said:
Here's another short article about the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp (set to open March 11th) including a nice video that shows various sections of the complex. After conversing with someone who was able to go to a preview event a few days ago, I can confirm that there aren't any rare or unexpected mammal species on exhibit, unfortunately. Although, the herp and insect sections look promising!

San Diego Zoo's New Wildlife Explorers Basecamp to Debut 4 Family-Friendly, Interactive Habitats
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I did expect the rarity animals situation to be that case, I had spoken to an employee who does their tours and made mention that the Zoo had been trying to get a pangolin. This was about a month ago.

I can’t wait to visit it, I will be going the Monday(03/14) after the day it’s set to debut! Will do a top to down photo shoot of everything. I do take a bit to select and edit my photos, want to show off the new complex in the best way possible! Firstly I’ll focus on animals and report back with a list, secondly will be habitats/architecture of the complex. Let me know what you all would like for me to find out about the complex so I can report back! :)
 
Julio C Castro said:
I did expect the rarity animals situation to be that case, I had spoken to an employee who does their tours and made mention that the Zoo had been trying to get a pangolin. This was about a month ago.
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I'm assuming those plans fell through? Would be amazing if they were able to get a pangolin! Perhaps they'll acquire some in the next year or two similar to when the Safari Park acquired their platypus about a year after Walkabout Australia's opening. I doubt it but we can still hope!

Julio C Castro said:
I can’t wait to visit it, I will be going the Monday(03/14) after the day it’s set to debut! Will do a top to down photo shoot of everything. I do take a bit to select and edit my photos, want to show off the new complex in the best way possible! Firstly I’ll focus on animals and report back with a list, secondly will be habitats/architecture of the complex. Let me know what you all would like for me to find out about the complex so I can report back! :)
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I can't wait to visit either but I probably won't be able to get down there for a few more weeks. Hope you enjoy your visit, looking forward to seeing your photos and a complete species list!
 
IndianRhino said:
I'm assuming those plans fell through? Would be amazing if they were able to get a pangolin! Perhaps they'll acquire some in the next year or two similar to when the Safari Park acquired their platypus about a year after Walkabout Australia's opening. I doubt it but we can still hope!


I can't wait to visit either but I probably won't be able to get down there for a few more weeks. Hope you enjoy your visit, looking forward to seeing your photos and a complete species list!
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I think much of it is the potential logistical nightmare of importing/caring for a pangolin. Seeing that most pangolin species are endangered, that would certainly pose problems with importing such delicate animals even for the world famous San Diego Zoo. My guess is that they had plans fall through but who knows, I’d love to see a pangolin yet not at the price of it being difficult to care for one and cause more harm than good :/

I’ll do my best! I really want to make sure I photograph every specie on display, that way I can make my list much easier without having to remember everything by memory only :D
 
Julio C Castro said:
I think much of it is the potential logistical nightmare of importing/caring for a pangolin. Seeing that most pangolin species are endangered, that would certainly pose problems with importing such delicate animals even for the world famous San Diego Zoo. My guess is that they had plans fall through but who knows, I’d love to see a pangolin yet not at the price of it being difficult to care for one and cause more harm than good :/
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San Diego maintained their previous pangolin quite a long time comparatively, but most likely plans have fallen through unless someone stateside is willing to send them one.
 
Great Argus said:
San Diego maintained their previous pangolin quite a long time comparatively, but most likely plans have fallen through unless someone stateside is willing to send them one.
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I did indeed know of that pangolin, was it an actual import from their behalf or a result of willdlife trafficking they acquired the pangolin from? I never had the privilege of seeing the pangolin and the photos I’ve seen just made it such a special animal :(
 
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