What groups of animals are "obligatory" for zoos?
- Thread starter Zygodactyl
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My home is missing #9, #13, #20, and #22. But I do agree, all of these animals seem relativity common. However, when I read this my mind raced through many small zoos I have visited that might have very few of these. The one with the lowest number was Wisconsin Rapids Municipal Zoo, which had only 5 of these. They are #3 (several domestic species), #11 (Swan Geese and Black Swans), #15 (Patagonian Maras), #18 (Striped Skunks and South American Coatis), and #25 (African Spurred Tortoise)
Marine Mammals are extremely rare in Australian Zoos, and even freshwater aquatic mammals are few and far between.
I should have clarified that I was talking about US zoos. Lots of them want to have at least some marine mammal representation, so harbor seals and California sea lions are quite common. (the fact that a lot of them get rescued probably contributes) North American river otters and Asian small-clawed otters are common as well.
The big aquaria are not too large (think the Moorish idol tank at Warsaw): there is a reason the Amazon tank is for rays and schooling uarus rather than arapaima, giant characins, large pimelodids and ripsaw cats.
I considered sharks but the smallest of "proper" sharks (public draw species) is the bonnethead, which needs too large an aquarium. The public do not seem drawn to Atelomycterus though they are active and stereotypically shark-like, but they seem to expect to see certain public aquarium species as jellies and stingrays. Suppose the Asian and Australian tanks were removed for reasons of space, or even the whole building turned marine. I doubt the running costs would be much different, just unavoidable.
Since my big interest is landscaped vivaria and aquaria I could hardly open without them.
Other than the classic pachyderms and noriously difficult zebra, which hoofstock are popular and hardy? Deer were chosen for friendliness and ease of care, similar the few domestics. The water buffalo might cause most problems but surely still a good idea in theory, as an educational exhibit children can pet. (I don't like rabbits and guinea pigs in petting zoos with small children dropping them but ruminants are good for children to experience.)
I was just showing that animals that are common in zoos in some parts of the world may be rarer than others in other parts of the world.
Ah, I see. I'm curious as to which animals that are rare in US zoos are common in other countries.
How about macaque?I see them in almost every zoo.
Kakapo
Well-Known Member
It's included in number 9, and I believe that there are many major zoos without macaques if they have other medium-sized monkeys replacing them. For example, one of my most recently visited zoos, Duisburg, doesn't have macaques if I remember well, but it have colobus, Cercopithecus, etc.
I'd throw penguins anywhere. Nasty bitey things IMHO.
Throw them at me please, I will take in all the penguins
I can think of one zoo I have visited that does not have a primate: the Wildwood Zoo
I've been to the Wildwood Zoo and I'm pretty sure it was staffed by primates.
Of course primate is essential,with Homo Sapiens being the most important.I havn't seen any zoos without it...
Kakapo
Well-Known Member
There are several animal facilitates around the world called "Wildwood". The one I am referring to does not have primates.
Was it ran by lizard men?
I'd go as far to say Great Apes are essential to any zoo (and along with elephants and big cats) are the biggest drawcard of an zoo. All four of the main zoos in NZ have great apes:
Auckland: Orangutans (currently on 2 year loan)
Hamilton: Chimpanzee
Wellington: Chimpanzee
Orana: Gorillas and Orangutans
*Auckland also used to have chimpanzee, and Wellington used to have orangutans in addition to what they have now.
Auckland: Orangutans (currently on 2 year loan)
Hamilton: Chimpanzee
Wellington: Chimpanzee
Orana: Gorillas and Orangutans
*Auckland also used to have chimpanzee, and Wellington used to have orangutans in addition to what they have now.
David Icke thinks a lizard boy was born yesterday.