What zoo do you think is near perfect? Or close enough?

[BerdNerd]

For me, the perfect zoo is the San Diego Zoo. I personally love huge zoos, and it’s so large that you can’t even finish the whole thing in one day. It has a wide variety of animals and has one of the largest and most complex collections I have ever seen. Every time I go there, there’s always something new to see or a new exhibit. I spent a large part of my childhood in Southern California and when I was little, my parents would take me there all the time, and I would always have a blast, but my parents got sick of going there once every few months

It’s been amazing to see this wonderful place grow and change. I unfortunately wasn’t able to be there for their 100th anniversary, since I moved to another state a few years prior to that. The last time I went there was back in July when I was taking a road trip, which was my first time going back in 7 years! I was able to see the new Africa Rocks and it was awesome! I’m so glad I grew up with the San Diego Zoo, and it will always feel like a second home to me.

 

[Zorro]

For me Jersey is the standout, They have done an outstanding job saving species which others had given up on, the total focus on their mission. I believe that "some" of the other zoo directors in the UK could lean a thing or two from!

 

[FBBird]

I can’t think of the ‘perfect’ zoo from the ones I know, but Jersey probably heads the list for conservation success.
Otherwise...
Chester for size, conservation input and richness of the collection
Jardin des Plantes for atmosphere
Axe Valley for proximity to my home and an interesting collection of small carnivores with a few good birds
Shaldon for squeezing an incredible amount into a tiny space without compromising welfare or exhibitry
Newquay for punching well above its weight, and for the memories
ZSL both sites for what they have been, still are in some ways, and might be in the future
Crocodiles of the world, for an innovative specialist collection
I could go on.....

 

[pipaluk]

For me Jersey is the standout, They have done an outstanding job saving species which others had given up on, the total focus on their mission. I believe that "some" of the other zoo directors in the UK could lean a thing or two from!

There is no questioning Jersey's conservation contribution, but I really hope other directors don't learn anything regarding the animal collection: very primate and bird heavy, only one hoofstock species, virtually no carnivores of any significance and several common zoo species. It would be very boring if every zoo had a collection like Jersey.
Sorry, just my opinion, I know it won't be popular! The question was which zoo is perfect, not which charity/organisation.

 

[Dassie rat]

There is no questioning Jersey's conservation contribution, but I really hope other directors don't learn anything regarding the animal collection: very primate and bird heavy, only one hoofstock species, virtually no carnivores of any significance and several common zoo species. It would be very boring if every zoo had a collection like Jersey.
Sorry, just my opinion, I know it won't be popular! The question was which zoo is perfect, not which charity/organisation.

I must admit that I'm confused by the statement "I really hope other directors don't learn anything regarding the animal collection". Surely, other directors can learn things regarding the animal collection at Jersey. I had a talk with the Mauritius pink pigeon keeper. He was so passionate about his work and let my group see baby pigeons (they do exist). I agree that I don't want all zoos to carry the same species, but complaining about a zoo being 'very primate and bird heavy' seems a bit like complaining that the Dallas World Aquarium is 'very fish heavy'. Each to their own.

 

[pipaluk]

. I agree that I don't want all zoos to carry the same species, but complaining about a zoo being 'very primate and bird heavy' seems a bit like complaining that the Dallas World Aquarium is 'very fish heavy'. Each to their own.

Not anything like it really but I will leave it there, as I said previously, my view is not popular, just that, mine. If Jersey was 2 hours drive from me, I would probably go at least once a year. I'm not suggesting that it isn't a good zoo, just that there are plenty that I would rather go to in Europe for the effort it requires to go to Jersey.
In answer to the original question, I don't think any zoo is perfect or near perfect, they all could be better

 

[FBBird]

Not anything like it really but I will leave it there, as I said previously, my view is not popular, just that, mine. If Jersey was 2 hours drive from me, I would probably go at least once a year. I'm not suggesting that it isn't a good zoo, just that there are plenty that I would rather go to in Europe for the effort it requires to go to Jersey.

Many zoos have a specialism. Jersey’s happens to be primates and birds. They also have a world class herp facility.
It’s almost impossible to import ungulates into the Channel Islands because of regulations that protect their important dairy industry from disease.

 

[Kakapo]

For me, the zoo closest to perfection in which I have been is Plzen. That's because I rate diversity of obscure species higher than any other feature.
Needless to say that I also rate very high San Diego, both Berlins, Bronx, Pairi Daiza and Prague, as the top quality zoos I have been into. Still I can't rate the many excellent zoos where I never have been yet.

 

[carlos55]

In México the perfect zoo is clearly Zoomat , Zoológico Miguel Álvarez del Toro, in Chiapas state. Great conservation, rescue and rehabilitation work. Great exhibits and many breeding success with native mesoamerican animals. Many rarely exhibited species like quetzal, Mexican tamandua , black beaded lizard, forest falcon, Mexican tree porcupine. I wish more Mexican and Central American zoos would follow its example.

 

[Rayane]

For me, the zoo closest to perfection in which I have been is Plzen. That's because I rate diversity of obscure species higher than any other feature.
Needless to say that I also rate very high San Diego, both Berlins, Bronx, Pairi Daiza and Prague, as the top quality zoos I have been into. Still I can't rate the many excellent zoos where I never have been yet.

Plzen is impressive, it is unique but it is far, very far from perfect in my opinion. While some exhibits are definitely top tier, many are average to bad : the lemur atic, the lion exhibit, some of the overcrowded aviaries.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I must admit that I'm confused by the statement "I really hope other directors don't learn anything regarding the animal collection". Surely, other directors can learn things regarding the animal collection at Jersey. I had a talk with the Mauritius pink pigeon keeper. He was so passionate about his work and let my group see baby pigeons (they do exist). I agree that I don't want all zoos to carry the same species, but complaining about a zoo being 'very primate and bird heavy' seems a bit like complaining that the Dallas World Aquarium is 'very fish heavy'. Each to their own.

Yes, exactly, zoo directors could learn a hell of a lot from Jersey and in fact do when they attend the DESMAN course and apply ex-situ conservation to species in their own countries.

I would actually want directors from zoos in Europe, the US and Australia / New Zealand to learn from Jersey and what is being done there.

 

[imaginarius]

In the words of Dr. Jeffrey Bonner, “the best zoo is the one closest to you.” I think this definitely applies, given the responses in this thread. Growing up with a zoo will definitely affect how fond you are for it, regardless of where it ranks on a USA Today list.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

In México the perfect zoo is clearly Zoomat , Zoológico Miguel Álvarez del Toro, in Chiapas state. Great conservation, rescue and rehabilitation work. Great exhibits and many breeding success with native mesoamerican animals. Many rarely exhibited species like quetzal, Mexican tamandua , black beaded lizard, forest falcon, Mexican tree porcupine. I wish more Mexican and Central American zoos would follow its example.

Yes, I very much agree with you on that @carlos55.

Zoomat is an exemplary zoo indeed and the focus on native species / biodiversity / conservation is something that I've always found impressive.

I would go one step then you and say that I wish that not only Mexican and Central American zoos would follow its example but also South American zoos.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

There is no questioning Jersey's conservation contribution, but I really hope other directors don't learn anything regarding the animal collection: very primate and bird heavy, only one hoofstock species, virtually no carnivores of any significance and several common zoo species. It would be very boring if every zoo had a collection like Jersey.
Sorry, just my opinion, I know it won't be popular! The question was which zoo is perfect, not which charity/organisation.

Have to be honest, with a comment like that and those that you make whenever Jersey is in one of the zoochat cup polls it is very hard not to believe that you have some kind of beef with that zoo which I find quite curious.

Doesn't matter anyway because you are of course entitled to your opinion and dislike of Jersey / the Durrell trust if thats what you feel.

 

[Jarne]

For me, the zoo closest to perfection in which I have been is Plzen. That's because I rate diversity of obscure species higher than any other feature.
Needless to say that I also rate very high San Diego, both Berlins, Bronx, Pairi Daiza and Prague, as the top quality zoos I have been into. Still I can't rate the many excellent zoos where I never have been yet.

If you like post-stamp collections those are indeed world-class. However when it comes to welfare several are lacking. For some zoos like the Berlins there is an understandable historical reason for that (though the current director also seems to stand in the way of great welfare) whilst some like Pairi Daiza are just plainly building new sub-standard enclosures.

 

[TZDugong]

but complaining about a zoo being 'very primate and bird heavy' seems a bit like complaining that the Dallas World Aquarium is 'very fish heavy'. Each to their own.

I agree with your overall post, but I don’t think the Dallas World Aquarium comparison is a very good one; it’s easily the least fish heavy aquarium I’ve visited! DWA is only an aquarium in name, it’s a rainforest house with some fish in the basement.

It would also certainly not qualify for this thread

 

[pipaluk]

Have to be honest, with a comment like that and those that you make whenever Jersey is in one of the zoochat cup polls it is very hard not to believe that you have some kind of beef with that zoo which I find quite curious.

Doesn't matter anyway because you are of course entitled to your opinion and dislike of Jersey / the Durrell trust if thats what you feel.

I will repeat once again - I have no 'beef with' or 'dislike' of Jersey zoo. As also said many times, I have the greatest respect for its conservation efforts.
It is just that the current collection really doesn't encourage me enough to visit. For a start they don't hold a mammal species I haven't seen in the UK and several that I can see at many UK zoos.
Just because I don't think Jersey zoo is as perfect as others do, it doesn't mean I have a dislike for it! We all look for different things in a zoo and have different opinions!
There are on the other hand several zoos I do have 'beef' with, but Jersey certainly isn't one of them!

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

@pipaluk one thing I will agree with you on though is that I do not like that Meerkats or Asian short clawed otters are kept there and that I believe that Jersey could definitely expand to keeping some new species.

I wrote this thread on it a while back : What species would you like to see at Jersey Zoo ?

While my view has changed a little on some of the species I proposed (muriquis for example) I still think that the zoo could keep some of those species on the lists I wrote that require ex-situ.

Species like the buffy tufted marmoset, Roloway monkey, white footed tamarin, black blue-eyed lemur, buffy headed capuchin, Brazilian merganser, Hispaniolan solenodon, Ricord's iguana, golden lancehead viper etc would make great additions.

 

[Tim May]

I can’t think of the ‘perfect’ zoo from the ones I know, but Jersey probably heads the list for conservation success.
Otherwise...
Chester for size, conservation input and richness of the collection
Jardin des Plantes for atmosphere
Axe Valley for proximity to my home and an interesting collection of small carnivores with a few good birds
Shaldon for squeezing an incredible amount into a tiny space without compromising welfare or exhibitry
Newquay for punching well above its weight, and for the memories
ZSL both sites for what they have been, still are in some ways, and might be in the future
Crocodiles of the world, for an innovative specialist collection

For me, the zoo closest to perfection in which I have been is Plzen. That's because I rate diversity of obscure species higher than any other feature.
Needless to say that I also rate very high San Diego, both Berlins, Bronx, Pairi Daiza and Prague, as the top quality zoos I have been into. Still I can't rate the many excellent zoos where I never have been yet.

I wouldn't describe any zoo as perfect or even near-perfect; no matter how excellent a zoo is, there is always scope for improvement.

I thought "FBBird's" response was very interesting and concur with most of the points he made (although, regrettably, I've never visited Axe Valley so cannot comment on that).

In particular, I agree with him about Jersey for conservation and the Jardin des Plantes for "atmosphere" (however I would also include Vienna for "atmosphere" too). And I was especially pleased he found room to include the ZSL's two zoos as well.

Like "Kakapo", I like to see a diverse range of species so my favourites would also include the two Berlins, Plzen, Prague, New York, San Diego and Pairi Daiza. (However much as I like the the latter's rich collection, I am not keen on its theming.) And I must add that I'm not suggesting these zoos are perfect; they're just ones I enjoy visiting because of the comprehensive collections.

Finally, I know it's not a popular choice with many ZooChat members but I would have to include Stuttgart on my list of favourites too as I especially like the combination of zoo and botanical garden.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I will repeat once again - I have no 'beef with' or 'dislike' of Jersey zoo. As also said many times, I have the greatest respect for its conservation efforts.
It is just that the current collection really doesn't encourage me enough to visit. For a start they don't hold a mammal species I haven't seen in the UK and several that I can see at many UK zoos.
Just because I don't think Jersey zoo is as perfect as others do, it doesn't mean I have a dislike for it! We all look for different things in a zoo and have different opinions!
There are on the other hand several zoos I do have 'beef' with, but Jersey certainly isn't one of them!

Well, fair enough then, I think for me their history and role in conservation is the attraction and significant factor that makes me rate them higher.

I think it is pertinent to remember that many of the mammal species that you will have seen in zoos on the mainland UK could only be seen there thanks to the historic efforts of the Durrell trust. Species like the Livingstones and Rodrigues fruit bats, Malagasy giant jumping rat, pied tamarin, aye aye etc.

Have you seen a black lion tamarin or a Malagasy big headed turtle ?

There are species that Jersey currently hold and that they will probably hold in the future that will be difficult or impossible to see out of their range countries.