Too Many Zoos?

[Nikola Chavkosk]

IMO, I think countries should distribute zoos in this such order:
* Large cities should have urban zoos, dedicated to a larger variety of smaller species, like primates, nocturnal animals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, etc.
* Small towns with plenty of space around them should have rural open-range zoos, dedicated to a smaller variety of larger species, like hoofstock, big cats, elephants, rhinoceros, etcetera.
* Coastal populations in general should receive the aquariums.
The overall size and spectrum of the zoo should have the magnitude of the population/tourism in mind.
I'd like to know what you guys think.

Interesting thinking. Here we take also into acount the influence of altitude on marine species kept at higer altitudes.

London zoo is such example (urban zoo) : great urban zoo, focusing on smaller species, is in it?

 

[Dassie rat]

I don't think there are too many zoos in the UK, but that some species are represented in too many zoos and occupy space that could be used by other species. Many species have been lost by zoos in the past 25 years and some of these could have been bred to aid conservation.

Here are some examples of animals kept by many zoos:
Meerkat 101
Asiatic small-clawed otter 73
Ring-tailed lemur 65
Red-necked wallaby @ 58
Blue-and-yellow macaw 51
Tiger @ 50
Giraffe @ 40
Cotton-top tamarin 38
Common green iguana 36
Lion @ 35
Black swan 33

 

[SHAVINGTONZOO]

Having just visited Birmingham Nature Centre for the first time I've come to the view that most large cities should have similar collections: a few acres, set in parkland (ideally) with a collection of smaller mammals, birds and reptiles.

A great teaching resource (arguably better than a Chester or a Whipsnade);
Good for families with small children (who find a larger place tiring and fractious);
A resource for captive breeding of said smaller species.

So: Glasgow, Newcastle, York, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Licoln, Norwich, Gloucester, Exeter, Plymouth, Southampton .....

Think how many breeding groups of tamarins we could support!

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Having just visited Birmingham Nature Centre for the first time I've come to the view that most large cities should have similar collections: a few acres, set in parkland (ideally) with a collection of smaller mammals, birds and reptiles.

A great teaching resource (arguably better than a Chester or a Whipsnade);
Good for families with small children (who find a larger place tiring and fractious);
A resource for captive breeding of said smaller species.

So: Glasgow, Newcastle, York, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Licoln, Norwich, Gloucester, Exeter, Plymouth, Southampton .....

Think how many breeding groups of tamarins we could support!

Sheffield and Newcastle do have collections of this ilk - North Anston Tropical Butterfly House and Kirkley Hall Zoo respectively.

 

[Macaw16]

Having just visited Birmingham Nature Centre for the first time I've come to the view that most large cities should have similar collections: a few acres, set in parkland (ideally) with a collection of smaller mammals, birds and reptiles.

A great teaching resource (arguably better than a Chester or a Whipsnade);
Good for families with small children (who find a larger place tiring and fractious);
A resource for captive breeding of said smaller species.

So: Glasgow, Newcastle, York, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Licoln, Norwich, Gloucester, Exeter, Plymouth, Southampton .....

Think how many breeding groups of tamarins we could support!

York will have one in less then a year (I'm rather excited!). As far as I know the only primates planned are Lemurs and Slender Loris, so no Tamarins...

 

[pipaluk]

Having just visited Birmingham Nature Centre for the first time I've come to the view that most large cities should have similar collections: a few acres, set in parkland (ideally) with a collection of smaller mammals, birds and reptiles.

A great teaching resource (arguably better than a Chester or a Whipsnade);
Good for families with small children (who find a larger place tiring and fractious);
A resource for captive breeding of said smaller species.

So: Glasgow, Newcastle, York, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Licoln, Norwich, Gloucester, Exeter, Plymouth, Southampton .....

Think how many breeding groups of tamarins we could support!

I think several of the places you suggest have the population to support a similar venture to Birmingham, with no major rivals locally e.g Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham but some of the others wouldn't stand a chance e,g Norwich, Exeter, Plymouth, Gloucester as there are serious rivals too close and insufficient immediate population! Bournemouth /Poole may do better, as far enough from Paignton /Marwell and as big a population as the aforementioned, which have major zoos on their doorstep, holiday trade too.

Tilgate at Crawley survives, despite no major population, but the nearest large zoos are either Marwell, the Aspinall Parks or London all over an hour away

It also probably depends how much the local council is prepared to invest ( & potentially lose in many cases.)