Trends in European zoo collections in the 21st century

I saw the Cologne Zoos last white uakari just few months before it died, and it was looking really old, with missing teeth etc.

Lucky you, it is one of the few animals I would liked to have seen, where it would have been remotely realistic to do so had I known about it back then... My first Cologne visit was in 2009, just in time to see the final saiga and their little blue penguins.

And luckily the first offspring of this pair was a female.

Hopefully they have more success (and if they are serious import more animals from Brazil).
 
Number of zoos kept (current and former during the holding period):
A 1 zoo
B 2-5 zoos
C 6-10 zoos
D >10 zoos

Time period kept:
1 < 1 year
2 1-5 years
3 6-10 years
4 11-20 years
5 > 20 years

* Species successfully bred
♱ Dead end (in case of species gained)
↑ Species gaining popularity (in case of species gained)


Night monkeys - Aotidae

# Species kept 1-1-2000: 3
# Species kept currently: 4 (+1)
# Species gained: 2
# Species lost: 1


South America’s answer to galagos, lorises and tarsiers, these are the only group of nocturnal monkeys, they are also known as owl monkeys. While traditionally a staple in nocturnal houses, more and more zoos are also displaying this species in day exhibits, where they tend to be inactive, but not completely so. There is some confusion among zoos as to what species they actually keep as taxonomy is in flux and night monkeys are generally relatively hard to identify based on pelage alone.

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@Therabu Azara's night monkey now also common in diurnal exhibits

Species gained

Nancy Ma’s night monkey - Aotus nancymaae B4*
This species has been kept since at least 2010 in Faunia Madrid, where it has also bred. Oasis mini hollywood in Tabernas, Spain, also acquired this species. Though Zootierliste still lists 2 holders, according to ZIMS only a single animal of this species remains in Europe in Tabernas. Faunia lists their remaining night monkeys as Aotus trivirgatus on ZIMS, but is known for mislabelling species both in the zoo and on ZIMS. I lean towards the remaining animals being Aotus nancymaae, but I have a hard time differentiating these monkeys.

Spix’s night monkey - Aotus vociferans A3*
Has only ever been kept in the Wingham Wildlife Park, which received 3.3 animals in 2013. The first breeding occurred in 2014 and Wingham still keeps a number of these monkeys. The species hasn’t spread to other zoos yet though.

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@Tomek No discussion about the ID of the Spix's night monkeys at Wingham

Species lost

Three-striped night monkey - Aotus trivirgatus C5*
The final animals of this species, which was uncommonly kept throughout most of the recent decades, allegedly passed away in Faunia Madrid and Zoo Antwerp around 2019-2020. Night monkey identification is difficult and its taxonomy in flux, so it is no surprise that part of the European population of this species turned out to be hybrids. ZIMS still lists a few animals of this species, though most are likely to be misidentifications or use of outdated taxonomy when every night monkey was called Aotus trivirgatus.

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@Dormitator Alleged three-striped night monkey in Faunia Madrid

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@twilighter The remaining night monkeys in Faunia Madrid, either Nancy Ma's or three-striped night monkey (picture from 2023)


Progress
14/22 orders completed
37/106 families completed
101-104 species present in 2000
108 species present in 2023
41-43 species gained since 2000
35-36 species lost since 2000
 
Capuchins and allies - Cebidae
# Species kept 1-1-2000: 9
# Species kept currently: 9
# Species gained: 1
# Species lost: 1


This family contains capuchins and squirrel monkeys which are some of the most well-known monkeys of them all. 9 species have been continually kept this century and only one species was gained this century, but also lost within a few years. The number of species from this family in Europe is likely to shrink in the coming years though.

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@Therabu Peruvian squirrel monkeys are gaining popularity, but aren't a separate species

Species gained and lost

Bare-eared squirrel monkey - Saimiri ustus B3
Dierenpark de Wissel in Epe, the Netherlands, which at that time was a stronghold for small South American primates, received 4 animals in 2005. The remaining animals were sent to Zoo Parc Overloon, the Netherlands, in 2011, where the final animal passed away in 2013. The species never bred and wasn’t kept in other zoos in recent decades, though there have been misidentifications with zoos claiming to keep this species.

Species gaining popularity

Yellow-breasted capuchin - Sapajus xanthosternos
Capuchin monkeys have long been one of the most commonly displayed zoo animals, especially members of the Sapajus apella species group. They are popular study subjects and make for a good display, though the most commonly kept species is not endangered. Yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys make a perfect alternative, as they are critically endangered. This species has been kept continually since Zoo Mulhouse received a group from Brazil in 1990. There are currently over 30 holders and the majority of those only started keeping this species this century. If you are endangered, managed as part of an EEP and display a whole range of fascinating behaviour, that is enough motivation for many zoos to step in. Overall they haven’t managed to replace black-capped capuchins (Sapajus apella) as the most common capuchin, as the former is still very common in, especially smaller, zoos.

A subspecies that is gaining in popularity is the Peruvian squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis peruviensis), as the two squirrel monkey species are very commonly kept, some zoos are looking towards the less common alternatives, which in squirrel monkey land is only a subspecies. This subspecies seems to have first been kept in La Vallee des Singes, Romagne, in 1998, when 50 animals were imported from Florida. Given the many zoos keeping large numbers of squirrel monkeys, there would be ample space for a new species to establish itself, if they would ever be imported.

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@Therabu Yellow-breasted capuchins are relative newcomers, but are taking over in major zoos

Dead ends

White-fronted capuchin - Cebus albifrons
With only a single female remaining in Messingham Zoo, UK, the days of this species in Europe are numbered. It was never a very commonly kept species, though especially in the UK it wasn’t uncommon. As capuchins have slowly been replaced by more endangered (or at least EEP managed) South American primates in major zoos, this species was already for years confined to smaller institutions.

Black-horned capuchin - Sapajus nigritus
This was never a common species and often treated as conspecific with black-capped capuchins (Sapajus apella) and as such also hybridised. Most holders were in Eastern Germany and that is where half of the current holders are. The species is down to a few individuals in 4 different zoos, with little to no breeding as far as I am aware.

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@AWP White-fronted capuchins are on their way out in Europe


Progress
14/22 orders completed
38/106 families completed
110-113 species present in 2000
117 species present in 2023
42-44 species gained since 2000
36-37 species lost since 2000
 
Marmosets & Tamarins - Callitrichidae
# Species kept 1-1-2000: 21-22
# Species kept currently: 21 (0 / -1)
# Species gained: 2-3
# Species lost: 3


This is the most species rich family of South American monkeys (if one ignores all the saki splits from a notorious paper), filled with a colourful array of active primates that are popular display animals in zoos. There is remarkable stability in the species kept in European zoos, especially as many other families with small body sizes see a lot of variation. While this can be attributed to how common some members of this family are, there are also plenty of rarities around.

Species gained

Red-mantled saddleback tamarin - Saguinus lagonotus B4*
This species was imported from Peru by Zoo Plzen in 2004 and is regularly bred there. From Zoo Plzen it has spread to a few other zoos too.

Santarem marmoset - Mico humeralifer A3*♱
Zoo Schmiding in Austria imported a pair of these monkeys, also known as Tassel-eared marmosets, from Brazil in 2017 and bred the species once. By now only a single individual remains, which has apparently been moved behind the scenes recently. Te presence of this species this century will likely be a very short one.

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@lintworm The reunion between Santarem marmosets and Europe will likely remain a short one

Species lost

Wied’s marmoset - Callithrix kuhli B5*
This has always been a rarity in Europe. Zoo de la Palmyre kept and bred this species between 1984 and 2009. But apart from that long-term holding only Zoo Mulhouse kept this species in the 1990s.

Illiger’s saddle-back tamarin - Saguinus illigeri B5*
This species was kept in a few British zoos in the later decades of the 20th century and for a few years into the 1990s in Zoo Magdeburg too. This century only kept in Marwell Zoo where the final animal passed away in 2014.

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@Ituri Wied's marmoset never really established themselves in Europe

Unclear status

Andean saddle-back tamarin - Saguinus leucogenys A2?
This species is currently kept in Russia, but in the study area has only been kept in Zoo Bratislava, Slovakia, where it was kept at least in 2009-2010. It is unclear when the species was acquired, but I guess that this was after 2000, so that this species was only shortly present. This species is still kept in Russia.

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@RatioTile Like most saddleback tamarins the Andean saddleback tamarin was never common

Species gaining popularity

Silvery marmoset - Mico argentatus
This pretty primate was long a mostly UK speciality, but this century has been discovered by mainland zoos too. The UK still is the country with the most holdings, but there are now nearly 50 European zoos with this species that was quite uncommon early in the century

Golden-headed lion-tamarin - Leontopithecus chrysomelas
Lion tamarins are as a group one of the most endangered primates, but partly also something of a zoo success story. Whereas golden lion tamarins are still a species exclusive to major (EAZA) zoos, the golden-headed lion tamarin is also relatively common in smaller zoos and with nearly 100 holders in Europe it is one of the most commonly kept callitrichids.

Golden lion tamarin - Leontopithecus rosalia
While less common nowadays then their golden-headed cousins, this conservation success story has continued to spread further this century. The spread to a large number of zoos seems to have started in the 1990s, but has continued, albeit at a slower pace, this century.

Pied tamarin - Saguinus bicolor
This critically endangered primate was a real rarity at the start of the century, but about ¾ of the current holders started keeping this species this century, meaning there are now 30 zoos with this species and that number is increasing. Given their rather unique look and status in the wild, that isn’t really a surprise as the species is bred regularly.

Southern pygmy marmoset - Cebuella niveiventris
Long considered a subspecies of the pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea) it is now considered a separate species based on multiple recent genetic studies. The difficulty is that pelage alone is not a good indicator for a species which is generally considered to be white-bellied (hence the name). This decade this species has gained popularity, often in zoos that look for a more rarely kept replacement of the common northern pygmy marmoset.

Cotton-topped tamarin - Saguinus oedipus
Another critically endangered marmoset with a funny haircut, but in this case the 3rd most commonly kept primate in all of Europe. This is by a margin the most commonly kept species that is listed as critically endangered and plenty of zoos use the IUCN status as an excuse to add this monkey and with that claiming to make a real contribution to conservation.

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@Prochilodus246 An increasingly common gremlin: the pied tamarin

Species losing popularity

Black-tailed marmoset - Mico melanurus
Whereas their silvery cousin is on the rise, the always scarcer black-tailed marmoset is currently at an all time low. This UK speciality is now down to a few individuals in just 4 zoos. Recent years have seen a rather steep decline in the number of holders and it is unclear whether this species can be maintained long-term.

Black-mantled tamarin - Saguinus nigricollis
This was never a common species, but is currently down to a small breeding group in Zoo Rostock and a single animal in Zoo Berlin. That is a new low and it is quite likely that this species could disappear from European zoos in the near future. The closely related Spix saddleback tamarins (Saguinus fuscicollis) seems also to be somewhat decreasing, but is clinging on somewhat better.

Black-tufted-ear marmoset - Callithrix pennicillata
As one of the 2 “invasive marmosets” this species is now managed as a phase-out from EAZA zoos and that shows. While it was never extremely numerous, it is now disappearing fast from EAZA zoos, but it is still maintaining itself in smaller zoos. The other “invasive marmoset”, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) remains the second most commonly kept primate in Europe behind the ring-tailed lemur, despite going out of fashion in EAZA zoos.

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@Otorongo Black-tufted-ear marmosets are increasingly Callithrix non grata in EAZA

Dead ends

Weddell’s saddle-back tamarin - Saguinus weddelli
This has always been a rare species in Europe with only a handful of holders and this century no more than 2 zoos have kept this species simultaneously. Since 2009 there has been only 1 holder, first Zoo Parc Overloon in the Netherlands, which sent the final 2 animals to Zoo Cologne in 2015. 1 animal passed away in 2021, which means this species is now really on its last legs. In general the saddleback tamarin species seem to have a hard time in Europe, they are not as brightly coloured as some other family members and the species kept are generally not endangered. That means that if zoos have a choice they will more likely opt for the colourful and endangered family members like lion tamarins or pied tamarins.

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@Sicarius The final Weddell's saddleback tamarin in Cologne is really the last of the Mohicans as far as European zoos are concerned

This means the South American primates are now complete and we will soon move over to their Old World cousins.

Progress
14/22 orders completed
39/106 families completed
131-135 species present in 2000
138 species present in 2023
44-47 species gained since 2000
39-42 species lost since 2000
 
What do you mean by "invasive" primate in the case of the 2 mamoset species ?
Common marmosets are native to the northeastern part of Brazil before they got introduced to Rio de Janeiro and other parts of Brazil and South America. Their presence compromises the existence of other callitrichids through competition and hybridization. Most black-tufted marmosets are likely to be hybrids which is why, along with their LC status, they are lumped with common marmosets in the phase out EEP.
 
Capuchins and allies - Cebidae
# Species kept 1-1-2000: 9
# Species kept currently: 9
# Species gained: 1
# Species lost: 1


This family contains capuchins and squirrel monkeys which are some of the most well-known monkeys of them all. 9 species have been continually kept this century and only one species was gained this century, but also lost within a few years. The number of species from this family in Europe is likely to shrink in the coming years though.

full

@Therabu Peruvian squirrel monkeys are gaining popularity, but aren't a separate species

Species gained and lost

Bare-eared squirrel monkey - Saimiri ustus B3
Dierenpark de Wissel in Epe, the Netherlands, which at that time was a stronghold for small South American primates, received 4 animals in 2005. The remaining animals were sent to Zoo Parc Overloon, the Netherlands, in 2011, where the final animal passed away in 2013. The species never bred and wasn’t kept in other zoos in recent decades, though there have been misidentifications with zoos claiming to keep this species.

Species gaining popularity

Yellow-breasted capuchin - Sapajus xanthosternos
Capuchin monkeys have long been one of the most commonly displayed zoo animals, especially members of the Sapajus apella species group. They are popular study subjects and make for a good display, though the most commonly kept species is not endangered. Yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys make a perfect alternative, as they are critically endangered. This species has been kept continually since Zoo Mulhouse received a group from Brazil in 1990. There are currently over 30 holders and the majority of those only started keeping this species this century. If you are endangered, managed as part of an EEP and display a whole range of fascinating behaviour, that is enough motivation for many zoos to step in. Overall they haven’t managed to replace black-capped capuchins (Sapajus apella) as the most common capuchin, as the former is still very common in, especially smaller, zoos.

A subspecies that is gaining in popularity is the Peruvian squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis peruviensis), as the two squirrel monkey species are very commonly kept, some zoos are looking towards the less common alternatives, which in squirrel monkey land is only a subspecies. This subspecies seems to have first been kept in La Vallee des Singes, Romagne, in 1998, when 50 animals were imported from Florida. Given the many zoos keeping large numbers of squirrel monkeys, there would be ample space for a new species to establish itself, if they would ever be imported.

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@Therabu Yellow-breasted capuchins are relative newcomers, but are taking over in major zoos

Dead ends

White-fronted capuchin - Cebus albifrons
With only a single female remaining in Messingham Zoo, UK, the days of this species in Europe are numbered. It was never a very commonly kept species, though especially in the UK it wasn’t uncommon. As capuchins have slowly been replaced by more endangered (or at least EEP managed) South American primates in major zoos, this species was already for years confined to smaller institutions.

Black-horned capuchin - Sapajus nigritus
This was never a common species and often treated as conspecific with black-capped capuchins (Sapajus apella) and as such also hybridised. Most holders were in Eastern Germany and that is where half of the current holders are. The species is down to a few individuals in 4 different zoos, with little to no breeding as far as I am aware.

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@AWP White-fronted capuchins are on their way out in Europe


Progress
14/22 orders completed
38/106 families completed
110-113 species present in 2000
117 species present in 2023
42-44 species gained since 2000
36-37 species lost since 2000

I wonder if there would be any interest in replacing some of the brown capuchin holders with other threatened capuchin species - I did notice in the capuchin Best Practice Guidelines on the EAZA website that both the blond and Ka'apor capuchin are listed as 'candidates for an EEP'.

https://www.eaza.net/assets/Uploads...0828-Best-Practice-Guideline-Capuchins-NV.pdf

Also, another thing I'm wondering that arose from the BPGs - is there information to confirm that the white-faced capuchins kept in Europe and managed as an EEP are indeed pure examples of the Panamanian species? The BPGs certainly seem to suggest so, with all the other species of white-faced capuchins receiving a 'do not obtain' recommendation.
 
Common marmosets are native to the northeastern part of Brazil before they got introduced to Rio de Janeiro and other parts of Brazil and South America. Their presence compromises the existence of other callitrichids through competition and hybridization. Most black-tufted marmosets are likely to be hybrids which is why, along with their LC status, they are lumped with common marmosets in the phase out EEP.
But why would their status in Brazil affect what zoos in Europe do with them?
 
But why would their status in Brazil affect what zoos in Europe do with them?
I was just trying to explain GiratinaIsGod why those two species are called invasive marmosets and why they are managed under the same program under the name in question.
 
Species gained

Santarem marmoset - Mico humeralifer A3*♱
Zoo Schmiding in Austria imported a pair of these monkeys, also known as Tassel-eared marmosets, from Brazil in 2017 and bred the species once. By now only a single individual remains, which has apparently been moved behind the scenes recently. Te presence of this species this century will likely be a very short one.

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@lintworm The reunion between Santarem marmosets and Europe will likely remain a short one

Was a short one. As far as i know the last individual was sent back to Brazil a few months ago, as there wasn't a chance to get new animals.

Furthermore there are different versions about the imported animals. Sometimes they were a breeding pair. In another version only two females were brought to Austria. I'm not sure which of this two versions is true.
 
Species gained

Red-mantled saddleback tamarin - Saguinus lagonotus B4*
This species was imported from Peru by Zoo Plzen in 2004 and is regularly bred there. From Zoo Plzen it has spread to a few other zoos too.
This species is managed as a phase-out from EAZA zoos by the Callitrichid TAG.

Species losing popularity

Black-tailed marmoset - Mico melanurus
Whereas their silvery cousin is on the rise, the always scarcer black-tailed marmoset is currently at an all time low. This UK speciality is now down to a few individuals in just 4 zoos. Recent years have seen a rather steep decline in the number of holders and it is unclear whether this species can be maintained long-term.

Black-mantled tamarin - Saguinus nigricollis
This was never a common species, but is currently down to a small breeding group in Zoo Rostock and a single animal in Zoo Berlin. That is a new low and it is quite likely that this species could disappear from European zoos in the near future. The closely related Spix saddleback tamarins (Saguinus fuscicollis) seems also to be somewhat decreasing, but is clinging on somewhat better.

Dead ends

Weddell’s saddle-back tamarin - Saguinus weddelli
This has always been a rare species in Europe with only a handful of holders and this century no more than 2 zoos have kept this species simultaneously. Since 2009 there has been only 1 holder, first Zoo Parc Overloon in the Netherlands, which sent the final 2 animals to Zoo Cologne in 2015. 1 animal passed away in 2021, which means this species is now really on its last legs. In general the saddleback tamarin species seem to have a hard time in Europe, they are not as brightly coloured as some other family members and the species kept are generally not endangered. That means that if zoos have a choice they will more likely opt for the colourful and endangered family members like lion tamarins or pied tamarins.
Not surprised with the species in these catagories as these species are also managed as a phase-out from EAZA zoos by the Callitrichid TAG.
 
I am surprised that the number of species, so far, is slightly growing.

I guess the best time for species diversity in Europe in the recent times was a bit earlier, in the 1980s-early 1990s. In 2000 already remained only few old uakaris, river dolphins etc.
 
What do you mean by "invasive" primate in the case of the 2 mamoset species ?

But why would their status in Brazil affect what zoos in Europe do with them?

Both marmoset species are invasive and Brazil and as they are common and not endangered species they are on the nomination to be replaced by more endangered species in EAZA zoos. I guess the invasive name in the EEP is just a convenient name to treat both species simultaneously.

Was a short one. As far as i know the last individual was sent back to Brazil a few months ago, as there wasn't a chance to get new animals.

Furthermore there are different versions about the imported animals. Sometimes they were a breeding pair. In another version only two females were brought to Austria. I'm not sure which of this two versions is true.

Not a very surprising outcome. When I visited in 2020 I saw 3 Santarem marmosets, so it seems likely they imported a pair, or one of the females should have arrived pregnant...

I guess the best time for species diversity in Europe in the recent times was a bit earlier, in the 1980s-early 1990s. In 2000 already remained only few old uakaris, river dolphins etc.

I have asked that question to myself too and for birds I think this is probably true, but for mammals I am not sure, though you could certainly be right. I haven't done the math but I think there is a reasonable chance that species richness of mammals wasn't all too different for any given year in that period compared to the period 2000-2023. The loss of Kilverstone around that period was a big loss, though a number of those species held out into this century too. I think that we easily forget how new some relatively well established species are, be it golden-breasted capuchins or feather-tailed gliders (not to speak of Visayan warty pigs...) or how relatively recent the arrival is of species that are now being lost.
 
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