Underrepresented Habitats

[Chlidonias]

I would love an exhibit focusing on primates in a mangrove exhibit complex. It would be wonderful to have an underwater viewing window letting visitors see proboscis monkeys and crab-eating macaques swim. To my knowledge, there has never been such an exhibit.

Singapore Zoo has underwater views into Proboscis Monkeys - I kind of doubt they would use it in captivity though, they only swim to move from one set of trees to another. Singapore River Safari also had underwater viewing for Crab-eating Macaques and I'm pretty sure I remember it somewhere else as well, maybe in Europe.

A quick search on the forum immediately showed this photo from Indianapolis: Oceans - Long-tailed Macaque Exhibit - Underwater Viewing - ZooChat

 

[Zooish]

Singapore Zoo has underwater views into Proboscis Monkeys - I kind of doubt they would use it in captivity though, they only swim to move from one set of trees to another. Singapore River Safari also had underwater viewing for Crab-eating Macaques and I'm pretty sure I remember it somewhere else as well, maybe in Europe.

A quick search on the forum immediately showed this photo from Indianapolis: Oceans - Long-tailed Macaque Exhibit - Underwater Viewing - ZooChat

The juvenile proboscis monkeys and macaques would occasionally play in their exhibit pools but the adults almost never enter the water. The Singapore Zoo used to have a trained long-tailed macaque that would demonstrate their swimming and diving skills during daily shows, but this demonstration has been retired.

 

[Zooish]

The juvenile proboscis monkeys and macaques would occasionally play in their exhibit pools but the adults almost never enter the water. The Singapore Zoo used to have a trained long-tailed macaque that would demonstrate their swimming and diving skills during daily shows, but this demonstration has been retired.

Photo of said macaque diving at the Zoo's show amphitheatre

Cargo, Singapore Zoo - ZooChat

 

[Enzo]

Some biomes such as the Atlantic Forest suffer from a shortage of native species in zoos. In this way, the few animals that live in this region are placed in broader sectors, generally related to the Amazon and the Pantanal. The same goes for the Caatinga, the Cerrado, the Chaco and the Pampas.
The Andes and Patagonia have very similar biodiversities, so an area dedicated to one is also almost completely dedicated to the other.
In addition to these, I would like to mention the following South American regions: the Galápagos, the subtropical forests of Chile and the Malvinas.
Finally, we have areas such as the Karoo, the Central Asian steppe, the grasslands of Manchuria and Japan.
These are the regions that come to mind when I think of places that are underrepresented by zoos.

 

[lintworm]

Some biomes such as the Atlantic Forest suffer from a shortage of native species in zoos. In this way, the few animals that live in this region are placed in broader sectors, generally related to the Amazon and the Pantanal. The same goes for the Caatinga, the Cerrado, the Chaco and the Pampas.
The Andes and Patagonia have very similar biodiversities, so an area dedicated to one is also almost completely dedicated to the other.
In addition to these, I would like to mention the following South American regions: the Galápagos, the subtropical forests of Chile and the Malvinas.
Finally, we have areas such as the Karoo, the Central Asian steppe, the grasslands of Manchuria and Japan.
These are the regions that come to mind when I think of places that are underrepresented by zoos.

The problem that many of the regions you mention have is that they have few drawcard species and the ones it has, such as jaguar for the Chaco are often also found in many other habitats. So that makes it difficult for such an exhibit to stand out.

I would also refrain from calling the Falkland Islands the Malvinas on a predominantly English speaking website, the inhabitants don't want you to call it that and in English is mainly a reference to the nationalist issue it is in Argentina... I know it is the common Spanish name though

 

[Therabu]

Some biomes such as the Atlantic Forest suffer from a shortage of native species in zoos. In this way, the few animals that live in this region are placed in broader sectors, generally related to the Amazon and the Pantanal. The same goes for the Caatinga, the Cerrado, the Chaco and the Pampas.
The Andes and Patagonia have very similar biodiversities, so an area dedicated to one is also almost completely dedicated to the other.
In addition to these, I would like to mention the following South American regions: the Galápagos, the subtropical forests of Chile and the Malvinas.
Finally, we have areas such as the Karoo, the Central Asian steppe, the grasslands of Manchuria and Japan.
These are the regions that come to mind when I think of places that are underrepresented by zoos.

I would say that in Brazilian and European zoos at least, you could fill in a very nice and complete Mata Atlantica zone with a nice conservation purpose. If I remember well, Bristol zoo had an area dedicated to this region (Zona Brazil).
In general, and outside of primates which are limited by large rivers, most south-american mammals are very generalist and can be found in different density across various types of biomes (jaguar being a very good example of versatility).

Chaco would be a very interesting habitat to recreate with one large, endangered endemic mammal being the Chacoan peccary.

Valvidian forests of Chile have a totally different track of species with very few present in captivity (magellanic conures and pudu).

In Africa, some zoos have started to breed endangered species of reptiles from the Cape/Karoo area but none have to my jnowledge dedicated more than a vivarium. I'am also surprised (and dissapointed) that no North-american zoo have tried to build a zone dedicated to the Horn of Africa with so many endangered ungulates. With the loss of Derby eland and ref-fronted gazelles, it becomes less interesting to have a West-african savannah area.

In Asia, I am surprised that almost no zoo try to focus an Himalayan foothills with a sufficient array of birds as this is a huge endemism center for many families. Sichuan pavillon (that focus more on Yunnan) in Praha and Plzen aviaries are to my knowledge the only examples. Another under-represented ecosystem are flooded plains from southern and central China. With Pere David's deer, Chinese water deer and various cranes and endangered waaterbirds wintering there, that could be an interesting area to develop.
Finally, I am not aware of any zoo seem to dedicate a specific area to Annamites mountains in Indochina, another center of primate and herps diversity and of huge conservation priority.

Would you say it is lazyness or lack of knowledge from zoo management ?

 

[Tigeanderson]

One thing for sure another underrepresented habitat is the highlands, forests and the islands of Scotland like it is represented well in Europe but not anywhere else like creatures like red deer, Scottish crossbill, White Tailed Sea eagle, Capercaillie, Pine Martin, Scottish wildcat, St Kilda Field mouse, St Kilda Wren, Red Grouse, Shetland Wren, Fair Isle Wren, Canna Mouse and many others and like some of these creatures are found no where else and great examples are the Scottish wildcat, the Scottish crossbill which is the only terrestrial vertebrate endemic to the British isles, the Orkney vole, the wren’s that inhabit the islands of Scotland and the two mouse species.

 

[Enzo]

The problem that many of the regions you mention have is that they have few drawcard species and the ones it has, such as jaguar for the Chaco are often also found in many other habitats. So that makes it difficult for such an exhibit to stand out.

I would also refrain from calling the Falkland Islands the Malvinas on a predominantly English speaking website, the inhabitants don't want you to call it that and in English is mainly a reference to the nationalist issue it is in Argentina... I know it is the common Spanish name though

I couldn't agree more with you. When I spoke of the low diversity of animals, I was referring to the few endemic species of these biomes present in zoos. You agree with me that there would probably be more areas dedicated to the Atlantic Forest if some institutions outside Brazil had muriquis, or a great diversity of tree frogs and tanagers, right?

 

[Enzo]

I would say that in Brazilian and European zoos at least, you could fill in a very nice and complete Mata Atlantica zone with a nice conservation purpose. If I remember well, Bristol zoo had an area dedicated to this region (Zona Brazil).
In general, and outside of primates which are limited by large rivers, most south-american mammals are very generalist and can be found in different density across various types of biomes (jaguar being a very good example of versatility).

Chaco would be a very interesting habitat to recreate with one large, endangered endemic mammal being the Chacoan peccary.

Valvidian forests of Chile have a totally different track of species with very few present in captivity (magellanic conures and pudu).

In Africa, some zoos have started to breed endangered species of reptiles from the Cape/Karoo area but none have to my jnowledge dedicated more than a vivarium. I'am also surprised (and dissapointed) that no North-american zoo have tried to build a zone dedicated to the Horn of Africa with so many endangered ungulates. With the loss of Derby eland and ref-fronted gazelles, it becomes less interesting to have a West-african savannah area.

In Asia, I am surprised that almost no zoo try to focus an Himalayan foothills with a sufficient array of birds as this is a huge endemism center for many families. Sichuan pavillon (that focus more on Yunnan) in Praha and Plzen aviaries are to my knowledge the only examples. Another under-represented ecosystem are flooded plains from southern and central China. With Pere David's deer, Chinese water deer and various cranes and endangered waaterbirds wintering there, that could be an interesting area to develop.
Finally, I am not aware of any zoo seem to dedicate a specific area to Annamites mountains in Indochina, another center of primate and herps diversity and of huge conservation priority.

Would you say it is lazyness or lack of knowledge from zoo management ?

I would find a Karoo-themed savanna enclosure interesting. Would love to see the combination of blesbok, eland, Hartmann's mountain zebra, springbok and white-tailed wildebeest.

 

[Dassie rat]

I think cave and deep sea animals have very few exhibits in most zoos

 

[Enzo]

I think cave and deep sea animals have very few exhibits in most zoos

I think that most animals native to caves are placed in nocturnal houses, since they also live in dark environments. I would say that the lack of diversity of cave-endemic species also helps to explain the absence of cave-themed areas.
The hardships of keeping animals from higher pressure ecosystems is the main reason behind the lack of aquaria that have deep-sea exhibits.

 

[MonkeyBat]

It was briefly mentioned, but I'd love to see a Papua New Guinea exhibit somewhere or a northern Australian rainforest exhibit (outside of Australia of course) Both regions have really unique wildlife that would be pretty easy to obtain (tree kangaroos, cassowary, saltwater crocodiles, monitors, birds of paradise, ect.) I'm not sure how popular it would be with guests, considering anything other than kangaroos is boring.

I think a Southern African desert would be cool. Lots of smaller species could get attention, plus it would be more geographically accurate for the abundant meerkat. Omaha has a Namibian desert display in their Desert Dome, but I haven't seen a similar one anywhere else. Maybe Brookfield?

I'd love to see more South American cloud forest exhibits. Andean bears, small toucans, cock of the rocks, maybe even woolly monkeys (if it's in Europe). The only exhibits I can think of are at Nashville and Dallas World Aquarium.

 

[LiSom]

Europe in general is almost nowhere in zoos... There's lot of curious European animals that could give out for some interesting area in a zoo but nothing. I guess reason is a mix of the fact people are less interested in those animals and more into ABC animals and also European species might be a bit more difficult to get

 

[cerperal]

Europe in general is almost nowhere in zoos... There's lot of curious European animals that could give out for some interesting area in a zoo but nothing. I guess reason is a mix of the fact people are less interested in those animals and more into ABC animals and also European species might be a bit more difficult to get

Plenty of European zoos keep European megafauna, i.e. wolves, bears, elk, lynx and bison. The issue is a lot of these also exist in America, and until relatively recently these were much easier to get hold of. But the morw unique ones have no real reason not to be kept in zoos. Schonbrunn Zoo has a large area dedicated to European and local wildlife, including fish, herps and birds.

 

[Fallax]

It was briefly mentioned, but I'd love to see a Papua New Guinea exhibit somewhere or a northern Australian rainforest exhibit (outside of Australia of course) Both regions have really unique wildlife that would be pretty easy to obtain (tree kangaroos, cassowary, saltwater crocodiles, monitors, birds of paradise, ect.) I'm not sure how popular it would be with guests, considering anything other than kangaroos is boring.

I think a Southern African desert would be cool. Lots of smaller species could get attention, plus it would be more geographically accurate for the abundant meerkat. Omaha has a Namibian desert display in their Desert Dome, but I haven't seen a similar one anywhere else. Maybe Brookfield?

I'd love to see more South American cloud forest exhibits. Andean bears, small toucans, cock of the rocks, maybe even woolly monkeys (if it's in Europe). The only exhibits I can think of are at Nashville and Dallas World Aquarium.

One of the sections of Islands at Chester is themed around Papua, with southern cassowary, Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo and dusky pademelon. Monsoon Forest also has a good few species from there.

 

[Bactrian Deer]

I feel as if most Pacific environments are overlooked; including places like Micronesia and Melanesia. Multiple unique species live there that could be brought into captivity if it already isn’t in there.

Also, many harsher places like the Falklands (Malvinas), Patagonia, Greenland, Svalbard, Ellesmere, Siberia, etc. are all deserving of some representation in zoos.

 

[Therabu]

I feel as if most Pacific environments are overlooked; including places like Micronesia and Melanesia. Multiple unique species live there that could be brought into captivity if it already isn’t in there.

Also, many harsher places like the Falklands (Malvinas), Patagonia, Greenland, Svalbard, Ellesmere, Siberia, etc. are all deserving of some representation in zoos.

Zoos do not have the mission to represent all habitats and regions of the world. I think it would be better that they start to focus on what they already have in their collections and ensure that what have a conservation purpose can thrive in captivity. Habitats and areas of the world represented should reflect those conservation priorities (both in and exsitu).

Conservation purpose is the reason (besides attractivity) why there is no European area outside of Europe (and why we should not have North-American area also on our side of the Atlantic).

Even narrowing this down, there is a lot of space for improvement to bring in a more detailed thematic approach. How many African areas are just a mixbag of savannah and tropical forest species, coming from the most desertic to forested areas of the continent?

 

[SwampDonkey]

I'd love to see more South American cloud forest exhibits. Andean bears, small toucans, cock of the rocks, maybe even woolly monkeys (if it's in Europe). The only exhibits I can think of are at Nashville and Dallas World Aquarium.

Phoenix's Forest of Uco is based on this theme.

 

[birdsandbats]

I think a Southern African desert would be cool. Lots of smaller species could get attention, plus it would be more geographically accurate for the abundant meerkat. Omaha has a Namibian desert display in their Desert Dome, but I haven't seen a similar one anywhere else. Maybe Brookfield?

Brookfield's Fragile Desert exhibit used to be based on African deserts as a whole, but it lost its African focus a few years ago and now exhibit desert species in general.

 

[LiSom]

Plenty of European zoos keep European megafauna, i.e. wolves, bears, elk, lynx and bison. The issue is a lot of these also exist in America, and until relatively recently these were much easier to get hold of. But the morw unique ones have no real reason not to be kept in zoos. Schonbrunn Zoo has a large area dedicated to European and local wildlife, including fish, herps and birds.

Sure I should have specify I was just thinking outside of Europe Of course you can expect European zoos to have a good representation of their own fauna.