Aardwolf
Well-Known Member
Minor point of order, St. Augustine was never a working alligator farm - that's just their name
Zoo/Aquarium Hot Takes
- Thread starter pachyderm pro
- Start date
Yeah, that’s what I was thinking of. There are definitely examples of places that call themselves crocodile farms / alligator farms even if they don’t necessarily actually farm their animals. Another example would be Hamat Gader Crocodile Farm (now closed), which used to be a big tourist attraction as a crocodilian-specialist collection in northern Israel.
Aardwolf
Well-Known Member
You’re not the first to make that assumption. I did Croc School years ago, and remember asking the director when SAAF stopped being a working alligator farm. He looked at me like I was crazy, said they were never an actual farm. So, there we go…Well that's an odd name then
Good to know. However, my point remains. Especially in regard to national differences in definitions.
Kr0xxx
Member
They do though. which is why its ****ed up
Platypusboy
Well-Known Member
Do you actually have a shred of evidence other than “they do”?
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OkapiFan
Well-Known Member
Yah, like @Platypusboy said, do you have any evidence on this claim? I mean, there are several shows about what goes on behind the scenes at these zoos on Nat Geo Wild and Disney plus that show that this is not the case, in fact, show the opposite. I even volunteer at an AZA accredited facility, an I can tell you first hand that it's not the case.
I bet they heard from someone who worked at an AZA zoo that thought an animal was kept alive for too long and is now attributing that one incident to all AZA facilities. It's disingenuous and hurts the reputation of all zoos. That's why they aren't being specific or actually answering criticisms to their opinions.
And while I don't doubt there are specific instances in the US where an animal may have been euthanized "too early", European zoos have a MUCH longer history of the premature euthanasia of zoo animals than US Zoos.
In light of Kohana dying at Loro Parque, My zoo and aquarium hot take is that moving Skyla, Kohana, Tekoa and Keto to Loro Parque was a mess of a decision and thankfully I don't think it would ever be able to happen today. I was a teenager when it happened and it still shocks me to this day that the decision was made to separate a 2 year old orca from her mother (and Kohana was also extremely young at 4 years old).
That isn't quite accurate, at one time on the original site (not the same owners or location they are in now) they raised "thousands of reptiles" and according to the website they "earned a reputation as 'the world’s largest alligator farm.'". Remember, this was Florida in the late 1800's and early 1900's, they were certainly selling the animals for the hide and meat.
Antimony96
Well-Known Member
If a zoo doesn't have a robust South American collection, it's not worth visiting. Despite how absurdly common they are, I can never get enough Patagonian maras in my life.
Lions are the least interesting big cat, though that might just be a consequence of overexposure.
Zoos really need stop including Amur leopards in African sections and pretending they're African leopards. (probably a cold take)
Lions are the least interesting big cat, though that might just be a consequence of overexposure.
Zoos really need stop including Amur leopards in African sections and pretending they're African leopards. (probably a cold take)
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Ayo @Leaf Productions, this you?
Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
I think all 5 big cats are valid. My favorite one usually depends on my mood, but they are all 2nd place to the Clouded Leopard.
As cold as a winter in their home range (which is NOT Africa, btw
).One of the coldest takes on this website by now -- saying this to inform, not to insult. We've had multiple people who work in wildlife conservation come on to say that it is not possible for the AZA to support a second species of leopard under any circumstances.
The entire Chicago-Wisconsin area seems to lack any robust South American collections unfortunately. There are definitely certain popular species around but it is a blind spot across multiple zoos here.
Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
Not sure how “hot” this one is, but I consider gorillas to be pseudo-pachyderms.
Yes, they are obviously primates, but they are the most pachyderm-like of all primates: they’re large, grey, African, and herbivorous, much like elephants, hippos, and rhinos.
If a zoo doesn’t have “traditional” pachyderms, I think gorillas can fill a similar niche. Como, Franklin Park, and Santa Barbara all lack the “grey giants”, but have gorillas, so they feel like they have pachyderms.
Also, if a zoo has elephants, hippos, rhinos, and gorillas, they are either flexing their acreage or one of those giants is getting the short end of the stick exhibit-wise (Memphis with elephants, Denver with hippos, Cincinnati with… all but gorillas at the moment).
Yes, they are obviously primates, but they are the most pachyderm-like of all primates: they’re large, grey, African, and herbivorous, much like elephants, hippos, and rhinos.
If a zoo doesn’t have “traditional” pachyderms, I think gorillas can fill a similar niche. Como, Franklin Park, and Santa Barbara all lack the “grey giants”, but have gorillas, so they feel like they have pachyderms.
Also, if a zoo has elephants, hippos, rhinos, and gorillas, they are either flexing their acreage or one of those giants is getting the short end of the stick exhibit-wise (Memphis with elephants, Denver with hippos, Cincinnati with… all but gorillas at the moment).
I think you mean most specious - best is an interesting claim given there's only 5 bird species and no mammals involved. It is missing the vast majority of classic South American representation present in our zoos.
I do mean among the best. It's not a comprehensive tour of South American wildlife by any means - but you will not find many complexes that present South American wildlife in such an interesting, engaging, immersive, and unique way as Shedd. To me, a zoo collection doesn't need to be comprehensive - it should showcase animals in a way that gets visitors engaged and excited to see animals. You won't see many places doing this better than Shedd.