What animals/ new exhibits would you like to see at your local zoo?

[gerome]

any species of crocodile except the west-african dwarf one. Any king-fishers , any indoor area with animals to sit in

 

[AmazonianHippo]

Where is this for?

 

[SeaOtterHQ]

And given that excellent track record of saving species…my ultimate pipe dream would be them making an effort to establish a legitimate SSP for Amazon river dolphins in collaboration with local South American governments. That obviously would be highly expensive and a supremely difficult undertaking, but of all the zoos worldwide, SD is one of the only ones I believe could pull it off. I doubt it’d ever happen, but I would be literally camped outside for opening day haha.

Somewhat related but Yaqu Pacha, which is run in collaboration with Tiergarten Nürnberg, currently has a rescued La Plata dolphin calf (Pontoporia blainvillei) in their care:

YAQU PACHA e.V. on Instagram: "Francisca’s Care: A Bridge Between Ex Situ Expertise and Species Survival A team of animal welfare experts from @zoomarine_algarve_oficial is currently in Florianópolis, Brazil sharing their knowledge on enrichment techniques, with the dedicated team at R3 @associacaor3animal The focus of this collaboration is Francisca, the young Franciscana dolphin who stranded and rescued after being separated from her mother. R3’s work is truly extraordinary. Their commitment not only ensures Francisca’s survival, but also her emotional and cognitive well-being. Separation from the mother is a critical event in the early life of mammals - affecting stress regulation, social behaviour and brain development. Several studies have shown that early maternal loss can lead to long-term behavioural and psychological difficulties, making structured support during rehabilitation even more important. That’s why structured care, emotional stability and cognitive stimulation through conditioning and enrichment are essential. These techniques give animals a sense of predictability and control, stimulating natural behaviours, supporting learning and building resilience to new challenges. Behaviour conditioning is key to veterinary care, enabling stress-free health checks and welfare monitoring. In addition, all veterinary procedures used in Francisca’s rehabilitation are based on decades of ex-situ knowledge. As one of the most endangered small cetaceans in South America, Francisca is a powerful example of how zoo expertise can directly support species conservation. This important work is coordinated by the Alliance for Franciscana Dolphin Conservation Research, Rescue, and Rehabilitation (AFCR3), supported by @yaqupacha @tiergartennuernberg @zoomarine_algarve_oficial @nmmfoundation and @dolphin.quest Together, we are giving Francisca the best chance for a healthy future. #francisca #franciscanas #dolphins #dolphin #laplata #dolphinlove #toninha #toninhas #delfines #golfinhos #ocean #oceanlife #oceans #nature #wildanimals #wildlife #sealife #marinebiology #marinebio #marineanimals #medvet #brasil #brazil #endangered #southamerica #helpushelpthem"

National Marine Mammal Foundation on Instagram: "Butterfly iQ3+ – A Breakthrough in Endangered Dolphin Rehabilitation! . Meet Francisca, the Franciscana Dolphin, who has been in rehabilitation at R3 in Brazil since January 3! With dedicated care and continuous monitoring, she is showing steady improvement. . Recently, her veterinary care team had the chance to work with the Butterfly iQ3+ ultrasound for a week, and the results were remarkable! This cutting-edge device provided unparalleled insights into Francisca’s health, reinforcing its huge potential for future rehabilitation efforts. . Portable & User-Friendly – With just a smartphone, we accessed real-time diagnostic imaging, making assessments more efficient. Ideal for Rehab Cases – Quick, non-invasive scans allowed us to track Francisca’s recovery and adjust her care accordingly. Revolutionizing Marine Mammal Care – Our experience demonstrated how this technology can redefine rehabilitation protocols, offering faster, more accurate diagnoses. . This pioneering approach could significantly enhance how we monitor, diagnose, and treat small cetaceans in rehabilitation. The Butterfly iQ3+ has proven to be an invaluable tool, shaping the future of marine mammal rescue and care, and species conservation. . Swipe to see the Butterfly iQ3+ in action! . #nmmf #conservation #franciscana #dolphins #ultrasound #rescue #marinemammals #brazil"

 

[Local_Shark]

Somewhat related but Yaqu Pacha, which is run in collaboration with Tiergarten Nürnberg, currently has a rescued La Plata dolphin calf (Pontoporia blainvillei) in their care

That is absolutely fascinating, and wonderful to hear! I won't muddle this thread too much, but I do wonder based on these posts if their intention is to release her after rehabilitation. It would be a first, so far as I know, for a dolphin that young at time of rescue to be successfully released.