Your top 5 species that you want to put in your local zoo

DesertRhino150 said:
Kagu - This is a bird species I would love to see at London – they are very attractive, have a breeding programme and rank at number 5 on the EDGE list for birds.
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London Zoo aquired its first kagu 163 years ago, way back in 1862; this was, I believe, the first kagu ever exhibited in a zoo anywhere in the world.

It would certainly be lovely to have kagu back in London Zoo again!
 
My actual local zoo is the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park, but for a more interesting list I'll list my species for Dudley Zoo. All the species chosen (I think) could fit very nicely into the existing layout of the zoo, or would suit the naturally hilly site:
  1. Painted dog (Lycaon pictus)
  2. Dama gazelle (Nanger dama)
  3. Blue-eyed black lemur (Eulemur flavifrons)
  4. Rock hyrax (Procavia capensis)
  5. Pallas's cat (Otocolobus manul)
 
Solo Safari, my local zoo has not had any major animal additions since early last year and will seemingly not have any until late this year. A bit frustrating that they're currently choosing to focus on building unremarkable visitor attractions like haunted houses, but I digress.

The zoo's image is primarily defined by open-top paddocks, with occassional glass enclosures and explicitly NO barred or wire cages (aside from its aviaries), so my suggested additions will attempt to follow this direction:

1. Celebes Warty Pigs/Babirusa
2. A species of Flamingo
3. Capybaras (which they used to keep)
4. A species of Mousedeer
5. Javan Dholes
 
I'll do this for my main home zoo. I'm trying to be somewhat realistic.

Franklin Park Zoo
  1. Spotted Dikkop (Burhinus capensis) - The gouldian finch aviary in A Bird's World is a bit bland so changing it to an African savanna viary would work
  2. Pygmy Slow Loris (Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus) - The potto was recently replaced by another individual when it passed but it's not that sustainable
  3. Black-and-White-Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata) - Ring-tailed lemurs don't fit the Tropical Forest and Franklin Park Zoo even has a mural of them near the entrance
  4. Prevost's Squirrel (Callosciurus prevostii) - The cotton-top tamarin and African pygmy falcon enclosures aren't the best, being a bit small
  5. Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) - Rhinos would go well with the giraffes with the enclosures already safe for them
 
Here are the top 5(+) species that I wish for the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens:
  • Mainland Clouded Leopard — While yes, the zoo did maintain this species until very recently. I do think it would be nice for the zoo to maintain a new individual, and by far, it would be the most feasible of the top five.
  • Key Deer — In between the Black Bears and the currently exhibit for clouded leopards; there is a large open field that’s prime real estate. Given the close proximity to the former, I would assume that another exhibit for a local species would work wonders. Originally, this was going to be set for a new cougar exhibit; but since it was never built due to a lack of funding. I believe that a simpler enclosure for a small herd of this endangered subspecies could work as a temporary solution.
  • Red River Hog — I suppose that the old warthog enclosure, which has at times contained all sorts of animals, could feasibly house a sounder of this species, with some minor adjustments. Given that the AZA seems to be faring this species over the warthogs, despite the latter’s rooted popularity in general media. I’d say it’s a simple, yet sustainable choice*.
  • “Large Antelope” — While I did not specify which species could work the best. I do think that by bringing in one or two species into a new “African Savanna” (by expanding the current giraffe exhibit into the cheetah yard); it may not feel as far-fetched as it may seem.
  • Common Ostrich — in my opinion the zoo could benefit from a larger collection of non-ambassador birds, and I think this would be a hardy, yet popular species that could also benefit from a savanna expansion; especially if zebras and larger antelope aren’t on the zoo’s agenda.
*sustainable in regards to the Red River Hog SSP

As an unofficial bonus, I also hope the zoo can invest in more than one walkthrough aviary. Technically, many of the zoo’s birds are already mixed with one or more species; but a true walkthrough aviary can really set the bar when it comes to guest experiences. Heck, if the aviary contains the following species, any feeding opportunities would be bound to make some extra revenue!
  • Coconut Lorikeet
 
As I split a lot of my zoo time between London and Chester, I’m going to tackle both:

London:

1. Coconut Crab (Birgus latro):
In my opinion the perfect species for Tiny Giants, I think it’s about time more zoos displayed this charismatic creature. Now classed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, it’s as good time as any to finally crack the captive breeding of this species. As much as I love the Desert Locust display, I think this enclosure would be perfect for the crabs.

2. Western Tarsier (Cephalopachus bancanus):
It would be excellent to see any species of Tarsier back on display in the West and Night Life would be a perfect home for them, if only to break up all of the Loris enclosures in the end room.

3. Madagascan Leaf-nosed Snake (Langaha madagscariensis):
This species is currently only held at Drayton Manor in the UK but I think it would be a perfect replacement for the non-conservation dependent Rhinoceros Ratsnakes in SLoRA.

4. European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur):
Potentially to share with the Northern Bald Ibis, any endangered native bird species representation will be great for public engagement and education.

5. Lanza’s Salamander (Salamandra lanzai):
With their move from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered recently, it seems like this European Alpine species is in dire need of help with the only holder worldwide being Tierpark Chemnitz. I feel a nice alpine enclosure could be made in the old Lake Patzcuaro Salamander enclosure.

Honorable mention: Olm (Proteus anguinus)
 
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Franklin Park Zoo:

1. Tiger (Panthera tigris) - An animal they already had, yes, but it was an exceptionally big loss. A solid exhibit could be made out of the unused space throughout the zoo, such as where the rock garden is now.

2. Polar bear (Ursus maritimus): This and the tiger are the only real large ABC animals suggested, and the bears are the less realistic of the two. An at least decent exhibit in the empty lot behind Bird’s World could potentially be made, and it would add a different flavor to the zoo as well as a new kind of well-known species.

3. White-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys): Not the most unrealistic animal to have, but the concept I had of giving them a section of the Tropical Forest, Bronx Zoo-style, probably is. If more foliage was added to the building and doors were installed on either end of one of the two open parts of the building, at least.

4. Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris): Another no-longer-exhibited animal that would do better sharing a preexisting exhibit with the tapirs than in their former exhibit. They used to do this, too, even though I never saw them in that exhibit.

5. American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber): A similar reason to the capybara. It would fit the lively atmosphere the zoo goes for.

I’ll give the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) as an honorable mention, because with or without these other suggestions, I just don’t think the zoo has room.
 
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center:
1. Pzewalski's Horse
2. Dall Sheep
3. Mountain Goat
4. Cougar
5. Aleutian Wild Cattle

So....a non-native species (horse), a feral domestic (cattle), and a rare transient (cougar) and the two only Alaskan "big game" mammals not presently exhibited at the AWCC (sheep and goat).
 
Chester:

1. Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja):
No better zoo than Chester to display this charismatic bird. The old Spectacled Bear enclosure would make a magnificent display.

2. Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis):
I grew up watching this species at Howletts and feel they would be a real crowd pleaser in HoA.

3. Giant Weta (Deinacrida sp):
All species in this genus are endangered and more importantly they are all from New Zealand and commonly predated by Tuatara. This means a predator/prey exhibit is possible. Wetas are rarely kept in zoos or the private trade.

4. Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex):
Arguably Zoochat’s favourite bird and one I would love to see in one of the aviaries in HoA, although I’m not sure how well they mix with other species.

5. Malaysian Fire Snail (Platymma tweediei):
A beautiful species that Chester have kept before. Their captive husbandry and breeding techniques are slowly being discovered in Europe and I feel these snails would be a great addition to the base camp in Monsoon Forest.
 
ZooAmerica:

American Bison: They were always a favorite of mine and the zoo hasn't felt the same without them.

Bighorn Sheep: I think the closest park that has them is Buffalo, so it would be nice to be able to see them somewhere closer. Elmwood Park Zoo used to have them but unfortunately got rid of them in favor of giraffes.

Collared Peccary: An AZA phase-out species, so it would be good for some zoos to keep them around so that we're still able to see them somewhere.

Wolverine: A bit of a stretch given the size of the zoo but not in any zoos around here.

American Beaver: There aren't many zoos with them in the area, so I'd prefer them to river otters, which are in just about every zoo I've been to. There's space in that area to expand that exhibit now that the playground is gone.

Honorable mention that almost made the list would be mixed native ducks and other waterfowl.
 
Whipsnade zoo

Polar bears:
Snow/clouded leopard
Capybara mixed Tapir exhibit
Black rhino
Gorilla
And with the free space they have there all very doable.
 
Five Species I would add to the Toledo Zoo

1. Clouded Leopards

The Zoo is planning on opening a carnivore themed attraction in the future and I feel like they would fit in with that. But if not I would give them one of the Tiger grottos and bring the cougars back off exhibit.

2. Red River Hogs

I would add the Red River Hogs to the african savanna, I feel like they would probably fit best in the watering hole exhibit. My second option would be the Tembo Trail in the exhibit that currently contains Sichuan Takin.

3. Visiyan Warty Pigs

I don’t know what exhibit I would put them but I’ve always found them to be really cool and I want Toledo to get them.

4. Sloth Bears

Toledo used to have Sloth Bears but were phased out and replaced with Andean Bears. Their current exhibit contains dingos and I would move them behind the scenes and bring the sloth bears back. This won’t happen any time soon but maybe one day.

5. Slender Snouted Crocodiles

Finally another species that was phased out Slender Snouted Crocodiles, they used to be in the Tembo Trail but now I would move them to the African savanna and build a new exhibit for them near the giraffe barn.
 
I suppose my local zoo would be Dublin zoo, so if I were to add any animals there or would be.
1) Komodo Dragon I think Dublin Zoo is a big enough Soo to get this Indonesian reptile, and there was a rumor going around that they would be added to Dublin's collection a few years ago, also, they need a new, big reptile, imo.
2) Red Fox this is a very simple animal that they could definitely get and would fit in well. Also, Dublin lacks an animal that is in the wild in Ireland. I think these guys would go in perfectly with Dublin Zoo.
3) Agouti I feel like they could put agoutis in one of the South American monkey's enclosure, of the exhibit was given a little expansion.
4) Malayan Sun Bear Ireland is very much lacking bears, the only ones being up in Wild Ireland, and the never ending Asian habitat that is meant to be built in Fota Wildlife Park will apparently have bears. I feel like this species would suit bc they're a small species of bear, and there'd definitely be space somewhere on the park for them. Also, when Dublin Zoo had their massive failure with polar bears, I think a smaller bear would be a better start.
5) Lorikeets idk if they have been, but I say in Dublin's history they must've had Lorikeets at some stage (could be wrong, I don't remember them ever having any). I think they would be pretty cool for the zoo as the bird species could be good for engaging activities with the zoo goers visiting the park, as they could hand feed them. I think they'd be a nice and friendly addition to the zoo.
 
Bioparc Valencia:
1. Aye-Aye: an amazing nocturnal lemur, it'd fit well in the cave area of the Madagascar walk through (currently used to display models of extinct Malagasy fauna, but could be repurposed). I believe they are breeding in Europe, and it would make Bioparc the only holder in Spain IIRC
2. Shoebill Stork: much tougher to source due to middling breeding success, I immediately fell in love with the species when I saw them at Pairi Daizia and they would fit right in the wetlands area as well. Coupled with the warm weather in Spain, they'd be a very welcome addition
3. Black Rhinoceros: Probably a tougher one to fit in due to their large size, but they'd be a cool addition to the dry savanna area near the top of the park, and are relatively plentiful in captivity
4. Eland: the wet savanna is missing a proper large ungulate alongside the giraffes, and a herd of common (or giant!) eland would fit the bill perfectly. They're also kept elsewhere in Spain if I remember right, so there's animals available for import
5. Cheetah: By far my biggest wished animal, they're an Iconic part of African savannas and a markedly missing species at a park themed all about Africa.
 
Adelaide Zoo

Western Lowland Gorilla Was originally part of the master plan but sadly scrapped. A charismatic drawcard that can make for active and engaging social groups. The species could be displayed alongside pygmy hippo and black and white colobus to create an African forest precinct.

Sri Lankan Leopard Another species that had previously been on the cards. I feel they're a better choice compared to lions (which are held in great numbers in the sister zoo) for a small zoo, and are a species not often kept within the region so quite exciting.

Greater Flamingo Not possible due to import restrictions, but would be hugely well-received considering the public fondness for previous iconic individuals. A flamingo lake would be a beautiful centrepiece.

Platypus An Aussie icon that would round out the native mammal collection. They're always a highlight for me whenever I see them.

Giant Anteater This would be a tremendously exciting addition to what could be an excellent South American precinct, complimenting species already held (Brazilian tapir, squirrel monkey, callitrichids, capybara, maned wolf).


Monarto Safari Park

Indian Rhinoceros Would easily slot into the current black rhino housing, which is conveniently next to the Asian elephant exhibit, and could form the basis of an area focused on Asian species.

Hamadryas Baboon An addition that's anticipated for the coming years. The zoo could use more exhibits that can be enjoyed on-foot, and a primate that can be kept in large, busy groups would really fit the bill.

Black and White Ruffed Lemur To bulk up the lemur walk-through with a second species. I could add a few other lemur species to be honest; the space could create an awesome hub for breeding threatened prosimians.

Impala Replacing Indian Antelope in the 'Wild Africa' zone.

and

Common Wildebeest This would add a ton of authenticity to the African safari experience.
 
Zoo Miami

Simply Return the species that have been lost,

The black duiker, Dhole, Clouded Leopard, White Ruffed-Lemurs, and Somali Wild Ass

Technically I also have Palm Beach Zoo but since that one is a lot smaller, I just would like to see bush dogs, and deer return oh and a bunch more smaller carnivorans would be good too
 
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