Zoos becoming private collections

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kate person

Active Member
So a lot of zoo out there started off as private collections and then became public zoos but I would like to know if any zoos have done the opposite and went from public zoo to private collection? Thanks
 
New Zealand has an example of this in The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust. It started out as a zoo and originally had some exotic mammals and exotic birds. It is now solely dedicated to the breeding of endangered endemic birds for reintroduction programmes, and the facility is now closed to the public so that these birds experience as little disturbance as possible.
 
kate person said:
So a lot of zoo out there started off as private collections and then became public zoos but I would like to know if any zoos have done the opposite and went from public zoo to private collection? Thanks
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In the UK-
Ventura?
Weston Underwood?
Wolds?
 
Some facilities are turning this way in Japan too.
Here are some recent examples:

Tennoji Zoo
Formally a public zoo operated by the government, this facility became a private collection in 2021.

Suma Aqualife Park
This facility was formally a public aquarium, but it closed in 2023. It re-opened in 2024 as a private collection "Suma Sea World".
 
While not a traditional zoo. White Oak Conservation Center in Yulee FL was open to the public for many years but decided to close to tours and public events a few yeas ago. They hold and have held some really amazing animals including Sumatran rhino, around 28 Asian elephants now, southern black rhino, southern white rhino, Indian rhino, Somali wild ass, okapi, tigers, lions, etc. I always wanted to go there, but never made the effort....and then they closed to visits.

But it has always been a "private collection" and not owned by a governmental entity. Now it is simply closed private where previously it was open private.
 
SwampDonkey said:
While not a traditional zoo. White Oak Conservation Center in Yulee FL was open to the public for many years but decided to close to tours and public events a few yeas ago. They hold and have held some really amazing animals including Sumatran rhino, around 28 Asian elephants now, southern black rhino, southern white rhino, Indian rhino, Somali wild ass, okapi, tigers, lions, etc. I always wanted to go there, but never made the effort....and then they closed to visits.

But it has always been a "private collection" and not owned by a governmental entity. Now it is simply closed private where previously it was open private.
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It looks like a very nice place. Thanks
 
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