Species you'd like to see in the UK?
- Thread starter Sand Cat
- Start date
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Twycross died out in a very short space of time.
It's a fountain/decorative pond now... (that's if you were referring to the twycross seal pool)
Sun Wukong
Well-Known Member
Leipzig has 0.1 Baikal seal. According to the curator, they won't get any more animals.
Japanese Aquariums (f.e. the Sunshine Aquarium in Tokyo) and Russian institutions still keep some, and obviously a Japanese aquarium successfully bred the species in 2006.
A lot of the animals You ask for are not kept in a zoo anymore anywhere-and I think that this isn't always the worst in respect to the animals. If apt husbandry conditions can't be achieved, the mortality is high, the breeding success minor to non-existent, the animals suffer and the species is not really at the brink of extinction, I think it's better to let them be where they are. And the UK zoos still have plenty of species continental European zoo-fans can only "lust" after-may it be Aardwolf, cervinus-Euro, Red Bird of Paradise or Lesser Antillean Iguana. So, cheer up!
Japanese Aquariums (f.e. the Sunshine Aquarium in Tokyo) and Russian institutions still keep some, and obviously a Japanese aquarium successfully bred the species in 2006.
A lot of the animals You ask for are not kept in a zoo anymore anywhere-and I think that this isn't always the worst in respect to the animals. If apt husbandry conditions can't be achieved, the mortality is high, the breeding success minor to non-existent, the animals suffer and the species is not really at the brink of extinction, I think it's better to let them be where they are. And the UK zoos still have plenty of species continental European zoo-fans can only "lust" after-may it be Aardwolf, cervinus-Euro, Red Bird of Paradise or Lesser Antillean Iguana. So, cheer up!
It does annoy me when zoos clearly aren't successful with a species and yet they'll still repeatedly endeavour with them. Its seems a waste of resources as well as unfair on the animals. I'd say Proboscis monkeys would be an example, though they're not impossible to keep in zoos, they never really thrive unless they're displayed in a climate, and provided with a diet very similar to what they're used to in the wild. In such a case, there is no real point European and North american zoos trying to keep them, but that doesn't mean they won't.
I'd never really want to see Indris in zoos for similar reasons.
Sometimes it's boring to be a voice of reason, but I agree with you here.
They are present in the private herp market, but quite expensive. Crested geckoes on the other hand must be #2 or 3 most popular lizard.
Sun Wukong
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I know-but sometimes one has to be the spoilsport...
@MARK: Regarding New Caledonian Giant Gecko-You're kidding me-and You're so close to the natural "source"! Can't You get some via regular pet trade?
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Australia (and NZ) have very strict laws about private importation of exotic animals. In fact I think in most states of Australia it is actually illegal to keep most (or all?) exotic reptiles...those poor Australians, only able to keep native species 
I know that all the New Caledonian geckos are available on the private reptile market (crested and gargoyles readily so, the others are very expensive). My point was that I'd like to see them in zoos: indeed I think that a major New Caledonian exhibit would be very interesting. Just think about the crows, kagu and horned parakeets (together with some rather strange pigeons) and a nocturnal section for the geckos.
Alan
Alan
Sun Wukong
Well-Known Member
@gentle lemur: I agree with You about the New Caledonia theme. One could combine the display of the animals You mentioned (including Ornate Flying Fox-Berlin had them for quite a while, aquariums with nautilus, fluorescent corals etc.) with displaying interesting examples of the enedemic flora (although outside the reach of the Horned Parakeet) and maybe life-like casts of its now extinct/wiped out species, may it be Sylviornis, Mekosuchus inexpectatus, Meiolania sp. or the Terror Skink.
I think Zurich & Frankfurt have Rhacodactylus leachianus on display.
I think Zurich & Frankfurt have Rhacodactylus leachianus on display.
Zoos are missing a treat. I've often thought that a generalized Pacific/South Seas exhibit would work well. There are plenty of species that relatively easy to obtain - monkey-tail skinks, Fijian iguanas, Partula, flying foxes etc. And mix in a nice coral tank too.
Emperor Penguins
To my knowledge the places are only three, i.e. SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld San Antonio, and then, needless to say, a place in Japan, whose name I cannot recall, but you gotta love those Japanese and all the stuff that you can still see in their aquariums, including Elephant Seals in one.
To my knowledge the places are only three, i.e. SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld San Antonio, and then, needless to say, a place in Japan, whose name I cannot recall, but you gotta love those Japanese and all the stuff that you can still see in their aquariums, including Elephant Seals in one.
ISIS lists only one these days, a female at Leipzig. At my only visit to Leipzig in 2002 I saw two in a small pool outside the aquarium. I would not be too shocked if the Japanese still had a few, but wether they would manage to get themselves to Scotland is doubtful.
I do know of one collection with a South Pacific themed area, but it is wasted really. It's a big greenhouse at Tropical World (Leeds) and is mostly just a plant collection- I think the only animals in there are a few junglefowl. If fruit bats were added to that, and displays for reptiles and invertebrates like crabs then it'd be vastly improved.
Bwassa
Well-Known Member
Thought I'd add my list on here:
Tasmanian Devil
More polar bears!!!!
Brown Hyena
****-of-the-rock
Gharial
Harpy Eagle
Shoebill
Lappet-faced Vulture
Bushmaster
White-tailed Gnu
Musk Ox
Proboscis Monkey
Walrus
Leopard Seal
Orinoco and Siamese Crocs
Spot-billed Pelican
Manatee
Emperor and Yellow-eyed Penguin
Sumatran Rhino
Philippine Eagle
Giant Armadillo
Amazon River Dolphin
I know the last 4 really are pretty unlikely, but 10 years ago who would have thought we'd have Koalas, Komodo Dragons, King Cobras, Philippine Crocs, Birds of Paradise, and Visayan Warty Pigs in UK zoos ?
Tasmanian Devil
More polar bears!!!!
Brown Hyena
****-of-the-rock
Gharial
Harpy Eagle
Shoebill
Lappet-faced Vulture
Bushmaster
White-tailed Gnu
Musk Ox
Proboscis Monkey
Walrus
Leopard Seal
Orinoco and Siamese Crocs
Spot-billed Pelican
Manatee
Emperor and Yellow-eyed Penguin
Sumatran Rhino
Philippine Eagle
Giant Armadillo
Amazon River Dolphin
I know the last 4 really are pretty unlikely, but 10 years ago who would have thought we'd have Koalas, Komodo Dragons, King Cobras, Philippine Crocs, Birds of Paradise, and Visayan Warty Pigs in UK zoos ?
