Zoo(s) with the most species
- Thread starter Potto
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Sun Wukong
Well-Known Member
@Potto: Including the aquarium(s)?
Beijing
I reckon the figure of 600 for Beijing Zoo is an underestimate. I recall an article by Herman Reichenbach in IZN in 2001 so (don't have it with me so I cannot check) where he cited a figure of 900-1000. Now, since then they may have cut back in their endevour to modernize the zoo for the Olympics this summer, but I still think 600 is an underestimate. I am sure that more than me would love if someone who knows the zoos of East Asia well could cite some numbers, even if only for the capital zoos.
I reckon the figure of 600 for Beijing Zoo is an underestimate. I recall an article by Herman Reichenbach in IZN in 2001 so (don't have it with me so I cannot check) where he cited a figure of 900-1000. Now, since then they may have cut back in their endevour to modernize the zoo for the Olympics this summer, but I still think 600 is an underestimate. I am sure that more than me would love if someone who knows the zoos of East Asia well could cite some numbers, even if only for the capital zoos.
More on Beijing
And when I come to think of it, Herman's figure was probably around 1100 species, but again, I don't have the issue here to verify, but it was a figure which made me open my eyes wide at the time
Well below Zoo Berlin though! And let us not forget Moscow, which however, as I understand, has much of the good stuff off exhibit. St Petersburg is supposed to be smaller, but I think their collection is still in the good region of 500 species.
And when I come to think of it, Herman's figure was probably around 1100 species, but again, I don't have the issue here to verify, but it was a figure which made me open my eyes wide at the time
Well below Zoo Berlin though! And let us not forget Moscow, which however, as I understand, has much of the good stuff off exhibit. St Petersburg is supposed to be smaller, but I think their collection is still in the good region of 500 species.
Sun Wukong
Well-Known Member
I tend to agree with Baldur's objection re: Beijing, at least judging from what I saw myself in 2006. Re: Moscow-that's why I mentioned it. I heard that especially the snake and small mammal collection is remarkable there-they even have a long-nosed echidna. And don't forget species like beluga whale, pacific walrus, saiga antelope...I think I'm going to book a flight to Moscow asap. 
@Chris79: I assume it was Zoo Berlin during the time of Ludwig Heck, before WW2.
@Chris79: I assume it was Zoo Berlin during the time of Ludwig Heck, before WW2.
Berlin Zoo
Even if Berlin Zoo still has the world's largest collection, I am sure that it was just as large as before WWII until 1977 or thereabout, when they started combining enclosures, which meant more space for each species but a fewer species in turn. Berlin Zoo has (or used to) traditionally printed its species and specimen inventory in the guidebook, I seem to recall comparing those figures from my old guidebooks at home, and noticed an increase up to 1977 but then a slow decrease. But I am abroad at present, in Switzerland, so I cannot check.
Even if Berlin Zoo still has the world's largest collection, I am sure that it was just as large as before WWII until 1977 or thereabout, when they started combining enclosures, which meant more space for each species but a fewer species in turn. Berlin Zoo has (or used to) traditionally printed its species and specimen inventory in the guidebook, I seem to recall comparing those figures from my old guidebooks at home, and noticed an increase up to 1977 but then a slow decrease. But I am abroad at present, in Switzerland, so I cannot check.
dragon(ele)nerd
Well-Known Member
Brushing on what was said before, Beijing and Shanghai have a huge amount of species but the facilities for their animals probably isn't as impressive, which is probably another understatement.
Sun Wukong
Well-Known Member
I don't think so. The Birdhouse in Berlin, for example, was so crammed full during Prof. Heck's "reign" that I doubt that such a high concentration of species could be reached during Kloes' period as a zoo director. Or think of the antelope or the carnivore house, the pinnipeda, the deer... Of course, some animal groups might be bigger now in terms of species than they were back then, but I think especially during the mentioned time span the collection was within the largest.
chrisnnebraska
New Member
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
I can't believe that Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo was not mentioned. They have more species then San Diego or Houston. Back in 2004 they had 962 species (more than 17,000 animals) and they have undergone a major expansion since then.
I can't believe that Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo was not mentioned. They have more species then San Diego or Houston. Back in 2004 they had 962 species (more than 17,000 animals) and they have undergone a major expansion since then.
Often overlooked are the 2 main zoological collections in South Africa at Pretoria and Johannesburg.
The 85-hectare Zoo in Pretoria houses 3117 specimens of 209 mammal species, 1358 specimens of 202 bird species, 3871 specimens of 190 fish species, 388 specimens of 4 invertebrate species, 309 specimens of 93 reptile species, and 44 specimens of 7 amphibian species. These figures comprise the animals housed at the Zoo in Pretoria as well as at the two biodiversity conservation centres in Lichtenburg, in the North West Province and Mokopane, in the Limpopo Province and the satellite zoo and animal park at the Emerald Animal World complex in Vanderbijlpark.
The Johannesburg zoo has around 2070 animals in 365 species.
The 85-hectare Zoo in Pretoria houses 3117 specimens of 209 mammal species, 1358 specimens of 202 bird species, 3871 specimens of 190 fish species, 388 specimens of 4 invertebrate species, 309 specimens of 93 reptile species, and 44 specimens of 7 amphibian species. These figures comprise the animals housed at the Zoo in Pretoria as well as at the two biodiversity conservation centres in Lichtenburg, in the North West Province and Mokopane, in the Limpopo Province and the satellite zoo and animal park at the Emerald Animal World complex in Vanderbijlpark.
The Johannesburg zoo has around 2070 animals in 365 species.
Zebraduiker
Well-Known Member
A zoo under a roof is Oceanopolis Brest, they say, they keep around 1000 Species.
Zoo Plzen
Some update about the earlier mentioned Pilsen Zoo: according the Annual Riport 2009 of the Union of the Czech and Slovak Zoological Gardens the number of species in Pilsen Zoo is 1381.
Some update about the earlier mentioned Pilsen Zoo: according the Annual Riport 2009 of the Union of the Czech and Slovak Zoological Gardens the number of species in Pilsen Zoo is 1381.
Well, according to Zootierliste Plzen and Berlin Tierpark both have far more species than Berlin Zoo.
So I wonder - is the "we are the zoo with the most species in the world" just an advertising claim, just like several zoos have claimed to have Europe's biggest aviary, tropical house etc.
So I wonder - is the "we are the zoo with the most species in the world" just an advertising claim, just like several zoos have claimed to have Europe's biggest aviary, tropical house etc.
They only list 525 species for the zoo and 268 species for the aquarium = 793 species.
Zootierliste Berlin (Zoologischer Garten)
Zootierliste Berlin (Zoologischer Garten/Aquarium)
Thats strange because the statistic by the zoo itself said they had 1468 species in december 2009
Zoo Berlin Tierstatistik 2009
I guess zootierliste is missing many smaller animals like fish. For example on zootierliste they only list 2 species of cichlids for the aquarium. Perhaps I use it wrong because I have not spend much time on Zootierliste?