And the people love them. The only reason why there aren't more of them is that EAZA push for leopards (they are more endangered and not cohesist to well) . But if they, a day, will drop from NT to Vulnerable, you ll'see surely more of them around
Most people can't even tell Cheetahs apart from Jaguars As long as one big cat has some spots they're fine.
The discussion if Jaguars or Leopards are the better cats is a never ending story. The major bonus point for leopards is that their exhibits are often cheaper. For many subspecies heated stables aren't necessary and Jaguars need furthermore a swimming area.
I have 4 animals of subspecies A and 3 of subspecies B. Then I decide to have 2 doomed, small and inbred populations or to have 7 founders and increase my chances of having a sustainable population. I would choose the latter.
AZA chimpanzees are being managed at species level with all the mixing you can imagine, while EAZA decided to stick to just one subspecies and phase out the others and the hybrids.
And subsequently found out that pure chimps only is not sustainable policy and reverted to hybrids with at least partially known origin being allowed to breed again
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)
Civets - Viverridae # Species kept 1-1-2000: 8-9
# Species kept currently: 14 (+5 / +6)
# Species gained: 7-8
# Species lost: 2
A family that contains the civets and genets. It is a group that is now more frequently seen in zoos than it was before, which might be a bit surprising, but a significant part of that growth can be attributed to smaller zoos.
@amur leopard Despite being asleep most of the time, binturongs are the most popular civets in Europe Species gained
Rusty-spotted genet - Genetta maculata C4*
The African genets are a group that can be hard to identify and with hybridization happening in captivity it is not always easy to assess which species is kept where. Rusty-spotted genets appear to have been present since at least 2011 and are kept in multiple smaller zoos nowadays. It isn’t uncommon for this species to be signed as Genetta genetta, so it could have been present around 2000 too if identified incorrectly.
Pardine genet - Genetta pardina B?
In 2014 the Wingham Wildlife Park in the UK was the first zoo to claim to keep this species, but it was apparent it could not be this species based on pictures and the latest info I could find was that this is hybrid stock. Multiple Zootierliste photos still show these wrongly identified genets. Genets that do look like true pardine genets have appeared since at least 2018 in small institutions. Given genets are quite widely kept by private keepers that seems the most logical source.
Hausa genet - Genetta thierryi C5*
This small species was first kept in Zoo Zurich 2001-2008, but things only got started when the Zoo der Minis in Aue, Germany acquired this species in 2008 and started breeding from 2010 onwards. Apart from Zoo Plzen it is only the small zoos keeping this small species currently.
Banded palm civet - Hemigalus derbyanus B4*
The RSCC acquired this species in 2012 and bred the species in 2013, 2014 and 2015. It sent its animals to the Wildkatzenzentrum Felidae in Sydower Fliess, Germany, in 2015, which hasn’t seen any breeding. This species is thus likely on its way out again in Europe, whereas in the US this species actually has a chance of getting established.
Masked palm civet - Paguma larvata C4*
In 2009 it was Zoo Dortmund that imported a pair from Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, which marked the first holding of this species in Europe this century. The imported animals were of the nominate subspecies and never bred or spread. This species has become somewhat more common as the distinctive subspecies leucomystax has spread in recent years. First imported by Zoo Chisinau, Moldova in 2016 and subsequently imported from Indonesia by multiple other zoos, this subspecies is now kept in 7 European zoos. It has been bred at least in Hamerton Zoo.
Philippine palm civet - Paradoxurus philippensis C4*↑
This is a recently split species that was imported as a unique subspecies by Zoo Prague and Zoo Plzen in 2009. It proved quite easy to breed and there are currently 6 holders.
@Lafone 2 of the not so pardine genets currently held in the UK
Species gained but lost
Small Indian civet - Viverra tangalunga B4*
In 2002 Diergaarde Blijdorp, Rotterdam, imported a pair of these animals from Zoo Singapore. Breeding quickly started and the population grew so that within a few years there were multiple enclosures in Rotterdam filled with this species. But after the boom came the bust. Tierpark Berlin acquired 2.2 animals from Rotterdam in 2009-2010, but managed to breed only once. After the last animal in Rotterdam died in 2013, the final animals in Tierpark Berlin also died relatively soon, with the species disappearing again from Europe in 2018.
@Therabu Despite regular breeding at Diergaarde Blijdorp, small Indian civets never established themselves
Species lost
Small-toothed palm civet - Arctogalidia trivirgata B3
Despite being common in Asia, this species was always rare in Europe. It was kept in the 1990s in both main Paris zoos. But in the 21st century it was only kept in 2 zoos: in Zoo Vincennes, Paris, until 2004 when the only animal was sent to Zoo Prague, where it died in 2006.
@DannySG Small-toothed palm civets are common in Asia, not so much in Europe
Status unclear
Southern palm civet - Paradoxurus musangus B3*
2 pairs of this recently split species were imported by Tierpark Donnersberg, Rockenhausen, in Germany in 2017. A pair from here was briefly kept in Wildkatzenzentrum Felidae in Sydower Fliess, Germany, in 2020. The species has bred in Rockenhausen at least in 2021. As this is a recently split species it is very possible that some animals that are claimed to be Northern palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus s.l.) are possibly this species, or hybrids.
@LaughingDove Southern palm civets might well be lurking among all the palm civets already present in Europe
Species gaining popularity
Binturong - Arctictis binturong
The largest family member is also one of its most atypical. Nevertheless this is the most commonly kept species of viverrid and while the species has been present for a long while this century saw the addition of the Indochinese, Javan and the Palawan subspecies to European collections. The nominate subspecies is still the one held most commonly, but where the love for this largely inactive black tree fungus comes from is somewhat unclear. Maybe people just love the smell of popcorn…
African civet - Civettictis civetta
From being a huge rarity in European zoos in the first decade this species is now an uncommon inhabitant of mostly smaller zoos with 17 current holders. This species might even be a gain since 2000, despite being kept most of the 20th century too. The first confirmed holding in Zootierliste for this century is Zoo Olomouc in 2003. It does however seem likely this species was already present at the start of the century in a small Belgian zoo.
@gentle lemur African civets have become common out of nowhere, though their presence in the private trade explains a lot
Progress 19/22 orders completed
84/106 families completed
426-435 species present in 2000
441-443 species present in 2023
201-210 species gained this century
192-195 species lost this century
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)
Civets - Viverridae # Species kept 1-1-2000: 8-9
# Species kept currently: 14 (+5 / +6)
# Species gained: 7-8
# Species lost: 2
A family that contains the civets and genets. It is a group that is now more frequently seen in zoos than it was before, which might be a bit surprising, but a significant part of that growth can be attributed to smaller zoos.
@amur leopard Despite being asleep most of the time, binturongs are the most popular civets in Europe Species gained
Rusty-spotted genet - Genetta maculata C4*
The African genets are a group that can be hard to identify and with hybridization happening in captivity it is not always easy to assess which species is kept where. Rusty-spotted genets appear to have been present since at least 2011 and are kept in multiple smaller zoos nowadays. It isn’t uncommon for this species to be signed as Genetta genetta, so it could have been present around 2000 too if identified incorrectly.
Pardine genet - Genetta pardina B?
In 2014 the Wingham Wildlife Park in the UK was the first zoo to claim to keep this species, but it was apparent it could not be this species based on pictures and the latest info I could find was that this is hybrid stock. Multiple Zootierliste photos still show these wrongly identified genets. Genets that do look like true pardine genets have appeared since at least 2018 in small institutions. Given genets are quite widely kept by private keepers that seems the most logical source.
Hausa genet - Genetta thierryi C5*
This small species was first kept in Zoo Zurich 2001-2008, but things only got started when the Zoo der Minis in Aue, Germany acquired this species in 2008 and started breeding from 2010 onwards. Apart from Zoo Plzen it is only the small zoos keeping this small species currently.
Banded palm civet - Hemigalus derbyanus B4*
The RSCC acquired this species in 2012 and bred the species in 2013, 2014 and 2015. It sent its animals to the Wildkatzenzentrum Felidae in Sydower Fliess, Germany, in 2015, which hasn’t seen any breeding. This species is thus likely on its way out again in Europe, whereas in the US this species actually has a chance of getting established.
Masked palm civet - Paguma larvata C4*
In 2009 it was Zoo Dortmund that imported a pair from Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, which marked the first holding of this species in Europe this century. The imported animals were of the nominate subspecies and never bred or spread. This species has become somewhat more common as the distinctive subspecies leucomystax has spread in recent years. First imported by Zoo Chisinau, Moldova in 2016 and subsequently imported from Indonesia by multiple other zoos, this subspecies is now kept in 7 European zoos. It has been bred at least in Hamerton Zoo.
Philippine palm civet - Paradoxurus philippensis C4*↑
This is a recently split species that was imported as a unique subspecies by Zoo Prague and Zoo Plzen in 2009. It proved quite easy to breed and there are currently 6 holders.
@Lafone 2 of the not so pardine genets currently held in the UK
Species gained but lost
Small Indian civet - Viverra tangalunga B4*
In 2002 Diergaarde Blijdorp, Rotterdam, imported a pair of these animals from Zoo Singapore. Breeding quickly started and the population grew so that within a few years there were multiple enclosures in Rotterdam filled with this species. But after the boom came the bust. Tierpark Berlin acquired 2.2 animals from Rotterdam in 2009-2010, but managed to breed only once. After the last animal in Rotterdam died in 2013, the final animals in Tierpark Berlin also died relatively soon, with the species disappearing again from Europe in 2018.
@Therabu Despite regular breeding at Diergaarde Blijdorp, small Indian civets never established themselves
Species lost
Small-toothed palm civet - Arctogalidia trivirgata B3
Despite being common in Asia, this species was always rare in Europe. It was kept in the 1990s in both main Paris zoos. But in the 21st century it was only kept in 2 zoos: in Zoo Vincennes, Paris, until 2004 when the only animal was sent to Zoo Prague, where it died in 2006.
@DannySG Small-toothed palm civets are common in Asia, not so much in Europe
Status unclear
Southern palm civet - Paradoxurus musangus B3*
2 pairs of this recently split species were imported by Tierpark Donnersberg, Rockenhausen, in Germany in 2017. A pair from here was briefly kept in Wildkatzenzentrum Felidae in Sydower Fliess, Germany, in 2020. The species has bred in Rockenhausen at least in 2021. As this is a recently split species it is very possible that some animals that are claimed to be Northern palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus s.l.) are possibly this species, or hybrids.
@LaughingDove Southern palm civets might well be lurking among all the palm civets already present in Europe
Species gaining popularity
Binturong - Arctictis binturong
The largest family member is also one of its most atypical. Nevertheless this is the most commonly kept species of viverrid and while the species has been present for a long while this century saw the addition of the Indochinese, Javan and the Palawan subspecies to European collections. The nominate subspecies is still the one held most commonly, but where the love for this largely inactive black tree fungus comes from is somewhat unclear. Maybe people just love the smell of popcorn…
African civet - Civettictis civetta
From being a huge rarity in European zoos in the first decade this species is now an uncommon inhabitant of mostly smaller zoos with 17 current holders. This species might even be a gain since 2000, despite being kept most of the 20th century too. The first confirmed holding in Zootierliste for this century is Zoo Olomouc in 2003. It does however seem likely this species was already present at the start of the century in a small Belgian zoo.
@gentle lemur African civets have become common out of nowhere, though their presence in the private trade explains a lot
Progress 19/22 orders completed
84/106 families completed
426-435 species present in 2000
441-443 species present in 2023
201-210 species gained this century
192-195 species lost this century
Now this is a group, perhaps more so than any other, that the status in the United States and the status in Europe are extremely different. In the United States, binturong are the only species kept by more than a small handful of institutions, and other than that I am only aware of a small number of large-spotted genet holders and whatever viverrids Nashville breeds behind the scenes. Possibly one or two more species can be found in places I'm just not aware of.
It’s great to see Europe appears to be committed to keeping diversity in this often overlooked and fascinating group of mammals. I unfortunately cannot say the same about North America, As there are only around half as many species displayed here in the states, with only two species being kept with any regularity (Those being Binturong and Large-Spotted Genet to a lesser extent). The rest are mostly confined to a handful of private or unaccredited zoos, with the acceptation of Banded Palm Civets, which have just recently begun spreading outside Nashville.
Now this is a group, perhaps more so than any other, that the status in the United States and the status in Europe are extremely different. In the United States, binturong are the only species kept by more than a small handful of institutions, and other than that I am only aware of a small number of large-spotted genet holders and whatever viverrids Nashville breeds behind the scenes. Possibly one or two more species can be found in places I'm just not aware of.
Asian Palm Civet is around in the private trade and I did encounter it in a roadside zoo on one occasion. There must be some others around, too, I'm sure.
But where the love for this largely inactive black tree fungus comes from is somewhat unclear. Maybe people just love the smell of popcorn…
Ah yes one of the four horseman of the "WE CARE ABOUT CONSERVATION" (Binturong, Red Panda, ASCO, Ring Tailed Lemur). Is one of the easiest animal with a threatened IUCN status to obtain and stabulate for a zoo
A family that contains the civets and genets. It is a group that is now more frequently seen in zoos than it was before, which might be a bit surprising, but a significant part of that growth can be attributed to smaller zoos.
This is one I've been curious about before. From what I know most civets and genets are nocturnal, to an extent that can affect viewing in outdoor exhibits: I've heard that Banded Palm Civets (and I think Owston's also?) are not showy except in nocturnal habitats; Binturongs are indeed usually passed out when I see them; and the only genets I've seen were in nocturnal setups as well. I'm curious why so many smaller zoos - and them specifically, rather than many major zoos - would want them, and if they're showier than I've always assumed them to be?
In 2014 the Wingham Wildlife Park in the UK was the first zoo to claim to keep this species, but it was apparent it could not be this species based on pictures and the latest info I could find was that this is hybrid stock.. Multiple Zootierliste photos still show these wrongly identified genets. Genets that do look like true pardine genets have appeared since at least 2018 in small institutions. Given genets are quite widely kept by private keepers that seems the most logical source.
A minor correction; the first zoological collection with this species was actually Wild Animal Adventures, a small and short-lived collection located in Stockton in the northeast of England, which obtained at least one animal in early 2014 - several months before Wingham obtained their genets. The animal or animals in question were true Pardine, and came from the private breeder responsible for originally importing the species into European collections a few years previously - themselves based in the Stockton area at the time, and responsible for the UK first breeding of the species in 2013. I believe that the private keeper in question dispersed their collection a few years later and no longer lives in the UK, at which point the second influx of true Pardine into private and public collections occurred.
The confusion with the other "Pardine" stock seems to come down to one key issue; Wingham obtained their animals from this private breeder too! Given the fact that it seems the breeder also kept and bred Feline Genet, this raises a few possibilities:
The stock held by Wingham (and subsequently Shepreth) comprise hybrids between Feline and Pardine, sold to Wingham under false identification.
This stock comprises pure Feline, sold to Wingham under false identification.
Either of the above options, but with the error being made at the Wingham end of the equation - that is to say, an assumption being made that as the private keeper had bred Pardine, any animals bought from them must also be Pardine.
As far as I can tell, the breeder only held Pardine and Feline Genet as far as that genus is concerned, so we can probably discount the involvement of any other taxa in the already-confusing mess!
The RSCC acquired this species in 2012 and bred the species in 2013, 2014 and 2015. It sent its animals to the Wildkatzenzentrum Felidae in Sydower Fliess, Germany, in 2015, which hasn’t seen any breeding.
Some supplementary information: although one pair went to the Wildkatzenzentrum, and I believe one or two animals went into private hands within Europe, the bulk of the RSCC group went to Nashville Zoo in the USA, forming the basis of the potentially-viable population of which you spoke
From what I know most civets and genets are nocturnal, to an extent that can affect viewing in outdoor exhibits.....Binturongs are indeed usually passed out when I see them
Strangely enough, I have never really had trouble with the species - it seems a lot more diurnally-active than other civet species. A fair few civet taxa are somewhat crespuscular in zoological collections, including most genets, the Paguma palm civets and the African Civet, and as such can be seen with a little luck. As you note, the Owston's and Banded Civet are both *very* nocturnal.... as are the Paradoxurus palm civets, in my experience.
Ah yes one of the four horseman of the "WE CARE ABOUT CONSERVATION" (Binturong, Red Panda, ASCO, Ring Tailed Lemur). Is one of the easiest animal with a threatened IUCN status to obtain and stabulate for a zoo
I don't think binturong is the 4th musketeer. The 3 musketeers (red panda, ASCO & ring-tailed lemur) are all in the realm of 200-450 holders, whereas binturongs don't even come to 100. That makes it a common species, but it is neither very active nor does it have any name recognition like the other 3. They are "easily" mixed with other species from bears to otters, which is certainly a plus and for such a large animal they don't require much space.
As far as I can tell, the breeder only held Pardine and Feline Genet as far as that genus is concerned, so we can probably discount the involvement of any other taxa in the already-confusing mess!
I would then assume it is likely they are pure feline genets, I don't see any characteristics of the large-spotted genet group in them. The somewhat rufous spotting isn't very typical, but iNaturalist shows some comparable wild individuals.
Strangely enough, I have never really had trouble with the species - it seems a lot more diurnally-active than other civet species. A fair few civet taxa are somewhat crespuscular in zoological collections, including most genets, the Paguma palm civets and the African Civet, and as such can be seen with a little luck. As you note, the Owston's and Banded Civet are both *very* nocturnal.... as are the Paradoxurus palm civets, in my experience.
Interesting how everybody has different experiences, most binturongs I see are asleep, except when I visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon. I have also seen some very active Paradoxurus civets in a diurnal setting, but they tend to be much more active in nocturnal houses (in which they generally have too small enclosures).
I would then assume it is likely they are pure feline genets, I don't see any characteristics of the large-spotted genet group in them. The somewhat rufous spotting isn't very typical, but iNaturalist shows some comparable wild individuals.
Strangely enough, I seem to recall that the latest genetic studies suggest that (despite classically having been merged within Genetta genetta) the Feline Genet is actually the sister taxon to a clade formed by the large-spotted genet species group, and as such is closer kin to these species than it is the Common Genet!
Strangely enough, I seem to recall that the latest genetic studies suggest that (despite classically having been merged within Genetta genetta) the Feline Genet is actually the sister taxon to a clade formed by the large-spotted genet species group, and as such is closer kin to these species than it is the Common Genet!
Based on the papers I found on the topic it seems that placement could well be an artefact of hybridization between the taxa and not so much about their evolutionary trajectory. Sampling sizes (both of number of individuals and number of base pairs) are small in that study.
Dogs and allies - Canidae # Species kept 1-1-2000: 17
# Species kept currently: 18 (+1)
# Species gained: 5
# Species lost: 4
This was nature’s answer to cats, but with the exception of the wolf (Canis lupus) it has failed to become as popular as some of the wild cats in zoos, with a good number of the smaller canids being quite the rarity. Overall it seems zoos have multiple cat species, but often only 1-2 canids. Still a substantial number of canids has spread this century, which can to an extent be explained by the rise of French zoos. Another new canid for this century can be seen next to Zie-Zoo in Volkel, the Netherlands. But the side-striped jackals (Lupulella adusta) are privately owned by the owner of the zoo and not part of the zoo collection.
@Therabu In an age where endangered European wildlife is getting more attention, it is somewhat surprising that the Iberian wolves haven't made any inroads
Species gained
Japanese raccoon dog - Nyctereutes viverridus B4
This species was recently split from the mainland population and has been present in Europe since 2012. The Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre in Eccleshall acquired this species in 2012, before sending them out to the Wildpark Alte Fasanerie in Hanau, Germany, in 2018.
Blanford’s fox - Vulpes cana A2
This species has always been extremely rare in captivity and the import of 1.1 foxes from the UAE by Oasys Mini Hollywood in Tabernas, Spain, in 2019, constituted the first European holding.
Cape fox - Vulpes chama A5*♰
This species was imported by Zoo Plzen in 2000 and bred a bit in the first decade. The species is down to a single individual in Plzen, though the zoo still owns animals that were sent to private breeders.
@Mo Hassan Cape fox are set to disappear again soon again from European zoos
Species gained but lost
African golden wolf - Canis lupaster B4
This species was accidentally imported by Naturzoo Rheine and Burgers’ Zoo in 2008. Both zoos wanted to import a pair of golden jackals from the UAE, but only received a male of this species, with the female being an African golden wolf. The size difference was obvious and the females killed their male and breeding wasn’t successful. In these years it became apparent that the golden jackals from Africa weren’t jackals at all and were best treated as a separate species. The female in Burgers’ Zoo was around until 2012 and the one in Rheine until 2018.
Swift fox - Vulpes velox B4*
This species was imported in 2004 by Diergaarde Blijdorp and Burgers’ Zoo in 2004. Both zoos sent their final individuals away around 2020. It was kept until at least 2021 in Oasys Mini Hollywood in Tabernas, Spain, and the final European zoo animal died in Tierpark Limbach-Oberfrohna, Germany, in 2023.
@ThylacineAlive African golden wolves are somewhat jackallike, but look more like the miniature wolves that they are
Species lost
Large-eared kit fox - Vulpes macrotis A4
This species was imported for the Desert exhibit in Burgers’ Zoo in 1994. 1.2 animals came from Los Angeles Zoo, but they never bred and the final animal died around 2005, by then this species was replaced by swift fox.
Grey fox - Urocyon cinereoargenteus B5*
This species has always been rare in Europe and the final animal was kept in Dartmoor Zoological Park around 2000/2001.
@jayjds2 Large-eared kit foxes were already a dead end at the start of the century
Species gaining popularity
Golden jackal - Canis aureus
Near simultaneously with the expansion of the native range of this species in Europe, the European zoo population has boomed. This was originally a rarely kept species mostly confined to Eastern Europe. This changed when both Naturzoo Rheine in 2010 and Burgers’ Zoo in 2012 acquired this species and started to breed regularly. The number of holders has recently been slightly declining again, but this species is still far more widespread than 15 years ago.
Maned wolf - Chrysocyon brachyurus
This has always been one of the more common canids, but a holding boom in France, with some gains in other places mean this species is now more widespread then before.
Bat-eared fox - Otocyon megalotis
This used to be quite a rare species, but it has become the small African canid of choice in zoos and while still not very common, there are now close to 40 holders with the majority only starting with this species this century.
Dhole - Cuon alpinus
With zoos increasingly looking for endangered EEP managed species, dholes have proven to be the perfect wolf alternatives. The dhole subspecies kept in Europe (lepturus) doesn’t need any heated indoor accommodation. Additionally they are often kept in large and active groups, making for an attractive display.
Bush dog - Speothos venaticus
Not looking much like a dog at first sight, but these stubby hyperactive sausages have made some further inroads this century. Despite their small size they do best in large enclosures with big groups. Like other wild dogs they have rather short life spans, which compensate the large litter sizes. This means that without proper management this species is susceptible to boom- and bust cycles in captivity. In recent years it looks like this has been handled adequately.
@Kwambeze Large groups of bush dogs in spacious enclosures, such as in Kolmarden, can be spectacular to watch
Species losing popularity
Black-backed jackal - Lupulella mesomelas
At the start of the century this was the most common jackal, but it has been surpassed by the golden jackal and with the rise of the bat-eared fox, the amount of available places for this typical African species has declined. The result is a dwindling amount of zoos holding this species to the extent that this species could even disappear from Europe within the next decade. A recent import by Hamerton Zoo Park from South Africa means that not all is lost.
@hmb_zoo Black-backed jackal are the most easily seen canid on a typical African safari, but have become very rare in European zoos
Progress 19/22 orders completed
85/106 families completed
443-452 species present in 2000
459-461 species present in 2023
206-215 species gained this century
196-199 species lost this century
Japanese raccoon dog - Nyctereutes viverridus B4
This species was recently split from the mainland population and has been present in Europe since 2012. The Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre in Eccleshall acquired this species in 2012, before sending them out to the Wildpark Alte Fasanerie in Hanau, Germany, in 2018.
Does the European law enforcement recognize the considerably recent split of raccoon dogs? If not wouldn’t this species end up being a dead end due to the IAS law?
Another new canid for this century can be seen next to Zie-Zoo in Volkel, the Netherlands. But the side-striped jackals (Lupulella adusta) are privately owned by the owner of the zoo and not part of the zoo collection.
The side-striped jackals are "pets" of the owner and kept on his private property. That private property just happens to be next to the zoo he runs, you can see the jackals (with some luck) from a public road, but they are not part of the zoo collection.
The side-striped jackals are "pets" of the owner and kept on his private property. That private property just happens to be next to the zoo he runs, you can see the jackals (with some luck) from a public road, but they are not part of the zoo collection.
When that enclosure had wolverines in it, it was part of the zoo. And now it isn't anymore and is on private property? That's a bit strange. You can see them anyway from within the zoo grounds (parking space) and from the public road.
Bears - Ursidae # Species kept 1-1-2000: 8
# Species kept currently: 8
# Species gained: -
# Species lost: -
Another family that is a zoo staple and most major big zoos will have at least 1 species of bear. That is a big change from the city zoos of the past that would often have multiple bear species displayed next to each other. While the number of available places for bears has probably shrunk a bit, all 8 species are still represented in Europe. Brown bears (Ursus arctos) are still by far the most common species held on the continent, though the North-American subspecies horribilis and middendorfii are on the verge of dying out completely. Syrian brown bears (ssp syriacus) are also in decline, despite being a small and endangered subspecies. Given the overwhelming presence of European brown bears (ssp arctos) overall numbers of brown bears haven’t budged. With Himalayan brown bears (ssp isabellinus) a new subspecies was even imported, though it is still very rare. Somewhat surprisingly the number of American black bears (Ursus americanus) has slightly grown this century (net gain of 4 holders to 25 current holders), especially because of interest of French zoos in this species. Sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) have been relatively stable in number (which means <10 zoos), though interest in this species is low and multiple offspring have been exported to the US. In recent years offspring has been very male-biased which might pose a problem in the future. The current European animals are the nominate subspecies, the always very rare Sri Lankan subspecies inornatus was last kept in 2022 in ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
@hmb_zoo Syrian brown bears are having a hard time, despite being an endangered pocket (cream-)brown bear
Species gaining popularity
Giant panda - Ailuropoda melanoleuca
This was once the rarest of the popular zoo animals and at the start of the century there were 3 pandas in Europe, 1 in Paris and 2 in Berlin. Nowadays Pairi Daiza alone has 3 different panda enclosures and pandas have changed into a money making scheme for Chinese. They are still a prestigious animal to keep, but nowadays it is more about political backing and deep pockets. Nonetheless with 9 (soon 8) holders panda have never been more widespread in Europe then now. The number of zoos could shrink in the future given deteriorating relations between European countries and China
Spectacled bear - Tremarctos ornatus
With many zoos downsizing their bear collection it was hoped more space would come available for the vulnerable and endangered tropical bears. But only the spectacled bears have profited and seen a notable net increase in the number of holders. Good breeding results also mean that this species is basically at capacity on the continent and offspring has been exported to the US too.
@Andrew_NZP People paying good bucks to watch you sleep in the name of conservation: what a business model!
Species losing popularity
Asiatic black bear - Ursus thibetanus
This used to be the most commonly held species of "tropical" bear in Europe and despite being listed as vulnerable it has been phased-out of many zoos and the remaining stock is bar a few breeding institutions down to a large number of single ageing animals. Outside of EAZA there have been recent imports of the subspecies ussuricus to 2 zoos, and in both zoos the import pairs have bred already. It will be interesting to see whether in dedicated non-EAZA zoos a population of these bears can be created. That would need to be at the expense of the ubiquitous brown bear. But this subspecies doesn't need a heated indoor enclosure, so can be an endangered alternative to brown bears.
Sun bear - Helarctos malayanus
Despite being an EEP species this bear has had a hard time in Europe. With no breeding for years after 2011 the population was ageing fast and even with a number of imports from Cambodia this century, there are still very few zoos which could breed and the past years have only seen 3 zoos with any breeding result. Even if things can be turned around, the population will probably shrink further before it starts to grow again. There is a big lack of (breeding) males in the current population
Polar bear - Ursus maritimus
This was once one of the standard animals that any big zoo needed to have, but with increasing knowledge about optimal husbandry it became clear that large grassy enclosures were preferable over small concrete ones. Although there has been a notable net loss of holders for polar bears of ±25% since 2000 the more interesting story is the change in type of holders. City zoos have been getting rid of polar bears at an astonishing speed, although a few have constructed new enclosures this century. Whether these city zoos, such as Vienna and Copenhagen, can hold on to polar bears is something we will see in the coming decades. They will have to beat the long term trend towards large to huge enclosures in zoos with little size limitations.
@Rhino00 Sun bears are obviously real and not men in suits. Unfortunately only 3 zoos have had any breeding success the past 12 years, so maybe we will have to use men in suits in the future as replacement
Progress 19/22 orders completed
85/106 families completed
451-460 species present in 2000
467-469 species present in 2023
206-215 species gained this century
196-199 species lost this century
I had no idea sun bears were in decline, I've seen my home zoo of Chester gain and breed them in the last decade so I guess my perception was a little skewed. They are probably my favourite bear, so I hope results improve.
As long as one big cat has some spots they're fine. 
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