ZooChat Challenge North America 2020

birdsandbats said:
One from Indianapolis I just realized I forgot to count:

43. Tiger Panthera tigris EN
Click to expand...
DeYoung Family Zoo - September 7 2020
44. Chimpanzee Pan troglodytes EN
45. Brown-headed Spider Monkey Ateles fusciceps EN
46. Common Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius VU
47. Leopard Panthera pardus VU
48. Celebes Crested Macaque Macaca nigra CR
 
Last edited:
Apologies, everyone, for not keeping up with updates (for the status of the challenge as a whole, and my own personal count) as promised. I’ll still post my list but I won’t count it in the rankings for this year’s victors.
 
Sylvan Heights Bird Park: 8/25/20
81. Scaly-sided Merganser (Mergus squamatus)
82. Marbled Duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris)

Metro Richmond Zoo: 9/8/20
83. Mouflon, Ovis orientalis
84. Asian black bear, Ursus thibetanus
85. Baird’s tapir, Tapirus baridii
86. Binturong, Arctictis binturong
87. Black-crested mangabey, Lophocebus aterrimus
88. Black-crested macaque, Macaca nigra
89. Diana monkey, Cercopithecus diana
90. White-handed gibbon, Hylobates lar
91. Pygmy hippopotamus, Choeropsis liberiensis
92. Snow leopard, Panthera uncia
93. Lowland tapir, Tapirus terrestris
94. African Black Crowned Crane, Balearica pavonina
95. Blue Crane, Anthropoides paradiseus
96. Ruppel's Vulture, Gyps rueppellii
97. Southern Ground Hornbill, Bucorvus leadbeateri
98. King cobra, Ophiophagus hannah
 
San Antonio Zoo:
99. Francois langur, Trachypithecus francoisi
100. Golden-headed lion tamarin, Leontopithecus chrysomelas
101. Common hippopotamus, Hippopotamus amphibius
102. Babirusa, Babyrousa celebensis
103. Andean bear, Tremarctos ornatus
104. Speke’s gazelle, Gazella spekei
105.Congo Peafowl, Afropavo congensis
106. Golden White-eye, Cleptornis marchei
107. Guam Kingfisher, Todiramphus cinnamonius
108. Guam Rail, Hypotaenidia owstoni
109. Hooded Crane, Grus monacha
110. Mindanao Bleeding-heart Dove, Gallicolumba crinigera
111. Mountain Peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron inopinatum
112. Palawan Peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron napoleonis
113. Moluccan Cockatoo, Cacatua moluccensis
114. Double-wattled Cassowary, Casuarius casuarius
115. Swan Goose, Anser cygnoides
116. Santa Catalina rattlesnake, Crotalus catalinensis
117. Aldabra giant tortoise, Aldabarachelys gigantea
118. Roti Island snake-necked turtle, Chelodina mccordi
119. Painted terrapin, Batagur borneoensis
120. Indian gharial, Gavialis gangeticus
121. Dwarf crocodile, Osteolaemus tetraspis
122. Mangshan mountain viper, Protobothrops mangshanensis
123. Common spider tortoise, Pyxis arachnoides
124. Sunda gharial, Tomistoma schlegelii
125. Henkel’s leaf-tailed gecko, Uroplatus henkeli
126. Psychedelic rock gecko, Cnemaspis psychedelica
127. Banded alligator lizard, Abronia taeniata
128. Kaznakov’s viper, Vipera kaznakovi
129. Mexican alligator lizard, Abronia graminea
130. Rowley’s palm pitviper, Bothriechis rowleyi
131. Jamaican boa, Chilabothrus subflavus
132. Mexican knob-scaled lizard, Xenosaurus grandis
133. Puerto Rican crested toad, Peltophryne lemur
134. Kaiser’s newt, Neurergus kaiseri
135. Golden poison frog, Phyllobates bicolor
136. Golfodulcean poison frog, Phyllobates vittatus
137. Black-spotted newt, Notophthalmus meridionalis
138. Blue-legged mantella, Mantella expectata
 
ThylacineAlive said:
Bronx Zoo
9. Gaur Bos gaurus VU
10. Nubian Ibex Capra nubiana VU
11. Slender-Horned Gazelle Gazella leptocercos EN
12. Indian Hog Deer Axis porcinus EN
13. Sambar Deer Rusa unicolor VU
14. Pere David's Deer Elaphurus davidianus EW
15. Brow-Antlered Deer Panolia eldii EN
16. Barasingha Rucervus duvaucelii VU
17. North Sulawesi Babirusa Babyrousa celebensis VU
18. African Wild Dog Lycaon pictus EN
19. Lion Panthera leo VU
20. Snow Leopard Panthera uncia EN
21. Przewalski's Wild Horse Equus przewalskii EN
22. Grevy's Zebra Equus grevyi EN
23. Indian Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis VU
24. Western Lowland Gorilla Gorilla gorilla CR
25. Asian Elephant Elephas maximus EN
26. Blue-Winged Goose Cyanochen cyanoptera VU
27. Mariana Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus roseiapilla EN
28. Brown Eared-Pheasant Crossoptilon mantchuricum VU
29. Mountain Peacock-Pheasant Polyplectron inopinatum VU
30. Red-Crowned Crane Grus japonensis EN
31. Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita EN
32. Yellow-Crested Cockatoo Cacatua sulphurea CR
33. Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus VU
34. Komodo Dragon Varanus komodoensis VU
35. Aldabra Giant Tortoise Aldabrachelys gigantea VU

~Thylo
Click to expand...

Now we're at least getting somewhere..

Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy
36. Hawaiian Duck Anas wyvilliana EN
37. Meller's Duck Anas melleri EN
38. Laysan Teal Anas laysanensis CR
39. Bernier's Teal Anas bernieri EN
40. Wild Swan Goose Anser cygnoid VU
41. Red-Breasted Goose Branta ruficollis VU
42. Marbled Teal Marmaronetta augustirostris VU
43. Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri CR
44. White-Headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala EN
45. Chinese Merganser Mergus squamatus EN
46. Hawaiian Goose Branta sandvicensis VU
47. Philippine Duck Anas luzonica VU
48. Grey Crowned-Crane Balearica regulorum EN

Bronx Zoo
49. Dhole Cuon alpinus EN
50. Oriental Small-Clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus VU
51. Matschie's Tree-Kangaroo Dendrolagus matschiei EN
52. Rodrigues Flying Fox Pteropus rodricensis EN
53. Javan Langur Trachypithecus auratus VU
54. Malayan Tapir Tapirus indicus EN
55. Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon Nomascus leucogenys CR
56. Coquerel's Sifaka Propithecus coquereli CR
57. Red-Collared Lemur Eulemur collaris EN
58. Ring-Tailed Lemur Lemur catta EN
59. Red Ruffed Lemur Varecia rubra CR
60. Fossa Cryptoprocta ferox VU
61. Silvered Leaf Monkey Trachypithecus cristatus VU
62. Maleo Macrocephalon maleo EN
63. Pink Pigeon Nesoenas mayeri VU
64. Bali Myna Leucopsar rothschildi CR
65. Black-Necked Crane Grus nigricollis VU
66. Mindanao Bleeding-Heart Dove Gallicolumba crinigera VU
67. Southern Bald Ibis Geronticus calvus VU
68. Storm's Stork Ciconia stormi EN
69. Sulawesi Knobbed Hornbill Rhyticeros cassidix VU
70. Blue-Headed Macaw Primolius couloni VU
71. Great Indian Hornbill Buceros bicornis VU
72. Hyacinth Macaw Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus VU
73. Guam Kingfisher Todiramphus cinnamominus EW
74. North Island Brown Kiwi Apteryx mantelli VU
75. Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill Rhabdotorrhinus exarhatus VU
76. Lesser Adjutant Stork Leptoptilos javanicus VU
77. Roti Island Snake-Necked Turtle Chelodina mccordi CR
78. McCord's Box Turtle Cuora mccordi CR
79. Chinese Crocodile Lizard Shinisaurus crocodilurus EN
80. Dwarf Crocodile Osteolaemus tetraspis VU
81. Burmese Python Python bivittatus VU
82. Yellow-Headed Temple Turtle Heosemys annandalii EN
83. African Spurred Tortoise Centrochelys sulcata VU
84. Fly River Turtle Carettochelys insculpta EN
85. Chinese Alligator Alligator sinensis CR
86. Ganges Gharial Gavialis gangeticus CR
87. Sunda Gharial Tomistoma schlegelii VU
88. Cuban Crocodile Crocodylus rhombifer CR
89. Egyptian Tortoise Testudo kleinmanni CR
90. Pancake Tortoise Malacochersus tornieri CR
91. Spotted Pond Turtle Geoclemys hamiltonii EN
92. Grand Cayman Blue Iguana Cyclura lewisi EN
93. Electric Blue Gecko Lygodactylus williamsi CR
94. Philippine Sailfin Lizard Hydrosaurus pustulatus VU
95. Painted River Terrapin Batagur borneoensis CR
96. Mary River Turtle Elusor macrurus EN
97. Bornean River Turtle Orlitia borneensis CR
98. Red-Headed Amazon River Turtle Podocnemis erythrocephala VU
99. Yellow-Headed Box Turtle Cuora aurocapitata CR
100. Golden Coin Turtle Cuora trifasciata CR
101. Vietnamese Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle Geoemyda spengleri EN
102. Blue-Spotted Tree Monitor Varanus macraei EN
103. Radiated Tortoise Astrochelys radiata CR
104. Common Spider Tortoise Pyxis arachnoides CR
105. Mertens' Water Monitor Varanus mertensi EN
106. King Cobra Ophiophagus hannah VU
107. Kihansi Spray Toad Nectophrynoides asperginis EW
108. Blessed Poison Dart Frog Ranitomeya benedicta VU
109. Panamanian Golden Toad Atelopus zeteki CR

~Thylo
 
Toronto Zoo: October 10, 2020

39. Asian forest tortoise Manouria emys CR
40. Burmese star tortoise Geochelone platynota CR
41. Spiny turtle Heosemys spinosa EN
42. Sumatran orangutan Pongo abelii CR
43. Black-breasted leaf turtle Geoemyda spengleri EN
44. Chinese crocodile lizard Shinisaurus crocodilurus EN
45. Great hornbill Buceros bicornis VU
46. Aldabra giant tortoise Aldabrachelys gigantea VU
47. Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus VU
48. African penguin Spheniscus demersus EN
49. Matschie's tree kangaroo Dendrolagus matschiei EN
50. Fiji banded iguana Brachylophus bulabula EN
51. Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis VU
 
Neil chace said:
Mystic Aquarium-
50. Kaiser’s newt, Neurergus kaiseri
51. Panamanian golden frog, Atelopus zeteki
52. Green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas
53. African Penguin, Spheniscus
54. Northern Fur Seal, Callorhinus ursinus
Click to expand...
Franklin Park Zoo-
55. Northern Brown Kiwi, Apteryx mantelli
 
I initially wasn't going to do this, since there wasn't a list, but I just saw one was added. Rather than going location by location at this point, I went through the posted lists and added the location(s) I saw them at. I didn't much track of birds and herps before a few years ago, so not sure what's new to me of those.

1. Tasmanian Devil (Columbus)
2. Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo (Columbus)
3. Brush-tailed Bettong (Smithsonian, Columbus)
4. Koala (Columbus)
5. Addax (Six Flags, Brights Zoo, Keystone Safari)
6. Aoudad (Six Flags, Briarwood Ranch, Catoctin)
7. Banteng (Keystone Safari)
8. Rhim Gazelle (Columbus)
9. Lowland Anoa (Roer’s Zoofari)
10. Addra Gazelle (Six Flags, Brights Zoo, Columbus)
11. Beisa Oryx (Six Flags)
12. Scimitar-horned Oryx (Six Flags, Virginia Safari, Brights Zoo, Catoctin)
13. Pere David’s Deer (Virginia Safari Park, Briarwood Ranch, Keystone Safari)
14. Reindeer (Keystone Safari, Columbus)
15. Giraffe (Roer’s, Turtle Back, Virginia Safari, Claws N Paws, Brights, Columbus, Keystone Safari, Six Flags)
16. Okapi (Columbus)
17. Siberian Musk Deer (Columbus)
18. Visayan Warty Pig (Catoctin)
19. Fossa (Catoctin)
20. Cheetah (Smithsonian, Roer’s, Columbus, Virginia Safari)
21. Mainland Clouded Leopard (Smithsonian)
22. Lion (Keystone Safari, Six Flags, Turtle Back, Claws N Paws, Columbus)
23. Leopard (Claws N Paws, Living Treasures, Columbus, Turtle Back, Catoctin)
24. Tiger (Six Flags, Plumpton Park, Claws N Paws, Virginia Safari, Living Treasures, Columbus)
25. Snow Leopard (Turtle Back, Claws N Paws)
26. Fishing Cat (Smithsonian)
27. Asian Small-clawed Otter (Claws N Paws, Brights, Catoctin, Columbus)
28. Black-footed Ferret (Smithsonian, ZooAmerica)
29. Giant Panda (Smithsonian)
30. Sun Bear (Catoctin)
31. Sloth Bear (Columbus)
32. Polar Bear (Columbus)
33. Binturong (Claws N Paws, Rainforest Adventures, Catoctin)
34. Grevy’s Zebra (Keystone Safari, possibly others)
35.Baird’s Tapir (Brights Zoo)
36. Giant Anteater (Virginia Safari, Brights)
37. Nancy Ma’s Night Monkey (Pocono Snake & Animal Farm)
38. Black Spider Monkey (Living Treasures, Virignia Safari)
39. Geoffroy’s Spider Monkey (Brights)
40. Golden-headed Lion Tamarin (Virginia Safari, Rainforest Adventures)
41. Golden Lion Tamarin (Smithsonian)
42. Cotton-top Tamarin (Pocono, Rainforest Adventures, Brights, Living Treasures)
43. Booted Macaque (Catoctin)
44. Mandrill (Keystone, Columbus)
45. Western Lowland Gorilla (Smithsonian)
46. White-handed Gibbon (Claws N Paws, Brights, Living Treasures, Leesburg Animal Park)
47. Northern White-cheeked Gibbon (Turtle Back)
48.Siamang (Plumpton Park, Columbus)
49. Ring-tailed Lemur (Pocono, Claws N Paws, Luray, Virginia Safari, Roer’s, Rainforest Adventures, Brights)
50. Red-ruffed Lemur (Roer’s, Brights, Living Treasures, Columbus)
51. Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur (Brights, Catoctin)
52. Asian Elephant (Smithsonian, Columbus)
53. Long-tailed Chinchilla (Smithsonian, Pocono, Claws N Paws, Rainforest Adventures)
54. West Indian Manatee (Columbus)

55. North Island Brown Kiwi (Columbus)
56. Double-wattled Cassowary (Turtle Back, Keystone, Catoctin)
57. Black Curassow (Virginia Safari)
58. Cabot’s Tragopan (Catoctin)
59. Hawaiian Goose (Columbus)
60. Western Crowned Pigeon (Catoctin)
61. Grey Crowned Crane (Brights, Keystone)
62. White-naped Crane (Keystone)
63. Sarus Crane (Brights)
64. Red Crowned Crane (Catoctin)
65. Humboldt Penguin (Columbus)
66. African Penguin (Turtle Back, Virginia Safari, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies)
67. Cape Vulture (Brights)
68. Ruppell’s Vulture (Virginia Safari)
69. Southern Ground Hornbill (Brights, Keystone)
70. Channel-billed Toucan (Brights)
71. Umbrella Cockatoo (Claws N Paws, Brights)
72. Moluccan Cockatoo (Plumpton Park)
73. African Grey Parrot (Brights, Columbus)
74. Hyacinth Macaw (Plumpton Park, Claws N Paws, Brights, Catoctin)
75. Military Macaw (Catoctin)
76. Sun Conure (Rainforest Adventures, Catoctin)
77. Bali Mynah (Columbus)

78. Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle (Columbus)
79. Roti Island Snake-necked Turtle (Columbus)
80. Fly River Turtle (Electric City Aquarium, Columbus)
81. Asian Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle (Columbus)
82. Spotted Turtle (Luray, Columbus)
83. Wood Turtle (Luray)
84. Eastern Box Turtle (Pocono, Luray, Virginia Safari)
85. Chinese Box Turtle (Columbus)
86. Spiny Turtle (Columbus)
87. Vietnamese Pond Turtle (Columbus)
88. Malaysian Giant Pond Turtle (Columbus)
89. Pancake Tortoise (Columbus)
90. Asian Brown Tortoise (Columbus, Catoctin)
91. Common Spider Tortoise (Columbus)
92. Burmese Star Tortoise (Columbus)
93. Aldabra Tortoise (Virginia Safari, Brights, Catoctin, Keystone)
94. Radiated Tortoise (Virginia Safari)
95. African Spur-thighed Tortoise (Barn Hill Preserve, Briarwood Ranch, Brights, Pocono, Claws N Paws, Catoctin, Rainforest Adventures)
96. Alligator Snapping Turtle (Pocono, Claws N Paws, Luray, Electric City, Columbus)
97. Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Turtle Back)
98. Green Sea Turtle (Turtle Back, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies)
99. Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Columbus)
100. Crested Gecko (Roer’s, Electric City)
101. Henkel’s Leaf-tailed Gecko (Leesburg, Columbus)
102. Standing’s Day Gecko (Rainforest Adventures)
103. Chinese Crocodile Lizard (Turtle Back, Columbus)
104. Komodo Dragon (Turtle Back)
105. Mexican Alligator Lizard (Electric City)
106. Rhinoceros Iguana (Catoctin)
107. Grand Cayman Blue Iguana (Columbus)
108. Woma Python (Catoctin)
109. Burmese Python (Plumpton Park, Claws N Paws, Virginia Safari, Rainforest Adventures, Ripley’s)
110. Mangshan Pit Viper (Catoctin)
111. Black & White Spitting Cobra (Electric City)
112. King Cobra (Luray, Electric City, Catoctin, Columbus)
113. Tomistoma (Turtle Back)
114. Panamanian Golden Frog (Columbus)
115. Golfodulcean Poison Frog (Electric City, Rainforest Adventures)
116. Golden Poison Frog (Electric City)
117. Terrible Poison Frog (Electric City, Columbus Zoo)
118. Lake Titicaca Frog (Columbus)
119. Axolotl (Electric City)
 
Toronto Zoo: 22 November 2020
52. Golden lion tamarin Leontopithecus rosalia EN
53. Jamaican boa Chilabothrus subflavus VU
54. Panamanian golden frog Atelopus zeteki CR
55. Axolotl Ambystoma mexicanum CR
56. Black-footed ferret Mustela nigripes EN
57. Yellow-spotted Amazon river turtle Podocnemis unifillis VU
58. Spotted turtle Clemmys guttata EN
 
Hi all,

I apologize for not being as keen a moderator as I had hoped this year - between the pandemic making all of our lives more complicated, and being quite busy with new jobs, university, etc. I just did not have the time and/or motivation. That said, I am withdrawing my own entry from this challenge - I had only updated my personal list one time, on January 2nd. Having been to I believe 25 other facilities since then, I am certainly quite a bit behind, and I don't believe it's fair to add in so many additions last-minute, not to mention it would be hard to confirm what animals I've seen throughout the year.

That said, here are the standings as of today. This winner will be considered final unless there are more entries for the remainder of the day or tomorrow:

1. @Imperator Furiosa - 139
2. @nczoofan - 138
3. @TinoPup - 119
4. @ThylacineAlive - 109
5. @CGSwans - 84
6. @TheGerenuk - 58
7. @Westcoastperson - 56
8. @Neil chace - 55
9. @birdsandbats - 48
10. @d1am0ndback - 33
11. @Hipporex - 31
12. @Mbwamwitu - 22
13. @TZDugong - 2

Had the pandemic been handled better, I feel that this challenge would've been much more competitive. Here's hoping that next year will be better for us all in general. A note about next year's challenge: I've passed the reins over to @Coelacanth18, someone who I know will handle it well. Everyone, be sure to be on the lookout for North American mammals in 2021:

ZooChat Challenge North America 2021

Again, I hope next year is better for the world than this one was, and I wish you all luck in next year's iteration!
 
I have just one more to add from Pittsburgh, Bornean Orangutan, bringing my total to 120. Thanks for running a great challenge!
 
I am very sorry I forgot to add two zoos to the list
Aquarium of the pacific
  1. Steelhead trout Oncorhynchus mykiss
  2. Giant Sea Bass Stereolepis gigas
  3. The Living Desert Masai Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchii
  4. Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum
  5. Addax Addax nasomaculatus
  6. Grevys Zebra Equus grevyi
  7. Slender Horned Gazelle Gazella leptoceros
  8. Rupells Vulture Gyps rueppelli
  9. African Wild Dog Gyps rueppelli
  10. Mexican wolf Canis lupus baileyi
  11. Brush Tailed Bettong Bettongia penicillata
 
I visited Cameron Park a few weeks ago, as well as San Antonio twice more. But I feel strange adding those to the list when I forgot about them :cool:
 
jayjds2 said:
To avoid bloating our lists too much, I’m restricting the challenge to non-fish vertebrates: amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals
Click to expand...

jayjds2 said:
We are strictly following IUCN,
Click to expand...

jayjds2 said:
The masses have spoken: fish are no longer a part of this challenge.
Click to expand...

@Westcoastperson As seen above, the two of your species are invalid for the competition. Furthermore Oncorhynchus mykiss is not evaluated by the IUCN and therefore fails the criteria anyways.

Westcoastperson said:
Aquarium of the pacific
  1. Steelhead trout Oncorhynchus mykiss
  2. Giant Sea Bass Stereolepis gigas
Click to expand...
 
jayjds2 said:
Hi all,

I apologize for not being as keen a moderator as I had hoped this year - between the pandemic making all of our lives more complicated, and being quite busy with new jobs, university, etc. I just did not have the time and/or motivation. That said, I am withdrawing my own entry from this challenge - I had only updated my personal list one time, on January 2nd. Having been to I believe 25 other facilities since then, I am certainly quite a bit behind, and I don't believe it's fair to add in so many additions last-minute, not to mention it would be hard to confirm what animals I've seen throughout the year.

That said, here are the standings as of today. This winner will be considered final unless there are more entries for the remainder of the day or tomorrow:

1. @Imperator Furiosa - 139
2. @nczoofan - 138
3. @TinoPup - 119
4. @ThylacineAlive - 109
5. @CGSwans - 84
6. @TheGerenuk - 58
7. @Westcoastperson - 56
8. @Neil chace - 55
9. @birdsandbats - 48
10. @d1am0ndback - 33
11. @Hipporex - 31
12. @Mbwamwitu - 22
13. @TZDugong - 2

Had the pandemic been handled better, I feel that this challenge would've been much more competitive. Here's hoping that next year will be better for us all in general. A note about next year's challenge: I've passed the reins over to @Coelacanth18, someone who I know will handle it well. Everyone, be sure to be on the lookout for North American mammals in 2021:

ZooChat Challenge North America 2021

Again, I hope next year is better for the world than this one was, and I wish you all luck in next year's iteration!
Click to expand...

Curious to know, back when I was supposed to be spending this year travelling (I expected to *still* be in North America for another month or so from now), I figured you would be my strongest competition for this crown. What are the other facilities you visited, and where did you expect to get to but didn’t? I’m wondering which of us might have won.
 
CGSwans said:
Curious to know, back when I was supposed to be spending this year travelling (I expected to *still* be in North America for another month or so from now), I figured you would be my strongest competition for this crown. What are the other facilities you visited, and where did you expect to get to but didn’t? I’m wondering which of us might have won.
Click to expand...
I really am sorry that your trip was so impacted by the pandemic. The other facilities I visited this year besides the Saint Louis Zoo are:

Pre-pandemic only
Lehigh Valley Zoo

Pre- and during pandemic
St. Louis Aquarium
Philadelphia Zoo
Elmwood Park Zoo

During pandemic
Plumpton Park Zoo
World Bird Sanctuary
Lone Elk State Park (a small drive-through safari)
Chattanooga Zoo
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Mote Marine Lab/Aquarium
Aquatica Orlando
Central Florida Zoo
Brevard Zoo
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
SeaWorld Orlando
Jacksonville Zoo
Chehaw Wild Animal Park
Zoo Atlanta
Riverbanks Zoo
Reptile Lagoon
Sylvan Heights Bird Park
Metro Richmond Zoo
Adventure Aquarium
National Aviary
Nashville Zoo

Now, as far as facilities I had planned to visit but did not because of the pandemic; whether the facility was closed entirely or partly, conflicts arising (my university schedule was altered significantly), or other reasons stemming from COVID:
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Other California facilities (never got far in planning)
ASDM*
Reid Park Zoo*
Phoenix Zoo*
Zoo Miami
Save Our Seabirds Sanctuary*
Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary*
Lubee Bat Conservancy
The Florida Keys (including 3 or 4 very small facilities*)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
DAK Lodge*
Toronto Zoo*
Buffalo Zoo*
Bird Kingdom*
Philadelphia Insectarium*
Cape May Zoo*
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo
Blank Park Zoo*

*a facility I have not been to before.
While it is far from likely I would’ve made it to all of these facilities regardless of the pandemic, each was feasible at some point during the year but still didn't work out. I know this list doesn't at all compare to what you've missed, though, and it's really a shame about the timing of the pandemic. I'm hoping for a better 2021 for us all.
 
Interesting, and thank you for your kind commiserations, though I am grateful to have been able to return home to a country where I have been relatively safe. I was also looked after very well by my employer, which allowed me to cancel my leave of absence and return to work. I can’t truly complain.

It would have come down to what rarities are lurking in some of those more specialised and less known collections. Obviously my trip was going to be geared more towards the more globally notable places, some of which you also visited or planned to do so. It would have been close I think.

Without any detailed knowledge of American collections at all, I think the Dallas area collections, Chicago area collections and the Detroit and Bronx zoos, all of which were on my list, would have been important to my chances. Possibly also San Antonio, which I had planned for a joint visit with @lintworm , until his plans also went awry at the last minute.

Also, I intended to spend the bulk of the period after the American election in Mexico, so you might have had a chance to overhaul me at the end, if indeed I had built up a lead by October.
 
CGSwans said:
Without any detailed knowledge of American collections at all, I think the Dallas area collections, Chicago area collections and the Detroit and Bronx zoos, all of which were on my list, would have been important to my chances. Possibly also San Antonio, which I had planned for a joint visit with @lintworm , until his plans also went awry at the last minute.
Click to expand...
These are all some of my favorite US collections, and I think visiting all of these would indeed have made you quite likely to be the winner. This is the first year I haven’t made an end-of-year visit to Dallas in about 5 years, I think- and while I can’t say anything good about the direction of the Dallas Zoo in those five years, both the Fort Worth Zoo and the Dallas World Aquarium have improved in quality and collection. I had decided to forego Texas in exchange for a different winter destination this year, but that didn’t work out either. I think, if all went as planned, you would’ve had the edge.
 
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