Virginia Zoo Virginia Zoo News 2022

It'll be interesting to see what goes in their enclosure but also sad considering we are losing sun bears.
 
PSO said:
It'll be interesting to see what goes in their enclosure but also sad considering we are losing sun bears.
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I would be surprised if, between sun bears and the inevitable phase out of asiatic black bears, Virginia Zoo doesn't acquire sloth bears, whether it be now or after the loss of their asiatic black bear, whenever that occurs.
 
True. Always found it odd yet bold that VA choose the two phase out Asian bears. Sloths would make sense and be a great addition
 
PSO said:
True. Always found it odd yet bold that VA choose the two phase out Asian bears. Sloths would make sense and be a great addition
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Bears live a long time - when Trail of the Tiger opened, there wasn't as much emphasis on focusing on sustainability species. Also, I believe that sun bears were an SSP species at the time that the exhibit was being planned and constructed
 
I believe you are right about a sun bear ssp, my one and only visit to VA zoo was back in 2010 or 2011 and even though the exhibit wasn't open it was pretty much completed by then.

Also, after thinking about, Asiatic blacks will go on longer than suns anyhow just by numbers. Though being a phase out by AZA, there doesn't seem to be a shortage in the private sector
 
PSO said:
I believe you are right about a sun bear ssp, my one and only visit to VA zoo was back in 2010 or 2011 and even though the exhibit wasn't open it was pretty much completed by then.

Also, after thinking about, Asiatic blacks will go on longer than suns anyhow just by numbers. Though being a phase out by AZA, there doesn't seem to be a shortage in the private sector
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In the AZA, asiatic blacks are down to four individuals- the one at Virginia, the one at Cheyenne Mountain, and the two at Roger Williams. All four are elderly. My big question with asiatic black bears in the private sector is whats taking place for breeding? I've tried asking on here before, and nobody has given a real answer as to who, if anyone, is breeding asiatic black bears. Metro Richmond had a cub a few years ago, but other than the occasional cub there I haven't found any evidence of any asiatic black bear cubs in the US.
 
PSO said:
Also, after thinking about, Asiatic blacks will go on longer than suns anyhow just by numbers. Though being a phase out by AZA, there doesn't seem to be a shortage in the private sector
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I don't know, I have heard more black bears being confiscated in the US then being born in the US. I wouldn't expect much from the private trade either.
 
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