Zoochat Challenge North America 2024

Zoo de Granby: March 4, 2024
67.) Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus)

 

Riverbanks Zoo, 3/9
29. Fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)
30. Black-footed cat (Felis nigripes)
31. Brown bear (Ursus arctos)
32. Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia)
33. Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus)
34. Leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata)
35. Swell shark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum)
36. Horn shark (Heterodontus francisci)
37. White-spotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum)

Spoiler: running list

1. Leopard (Panthera pardus)
2. Lion (Panthera leo)
3. Tiger (Panthera tigris)
4. Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
5. Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
6. Fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)
7. Black-footed cat (Felis nigripes)
8. Bat-eared fox (Otocton megalotis)
9. Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus)
10. Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
11. Brown bear (Ursus arctos)
12. Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox)
13. Barred owl (Strix varia)
14. Milky eagle owl (Ketupa lactea)
15. Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo)
16. Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia)
17. Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
18. Harris’s hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)
19. King vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)
20. Rüppell’s griffon vulture (Gyps rueppelli)
21. Hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus)
22. Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus)
23. American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
24. West African slender snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus)
25. Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
26. Great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran)
27. Silvertip shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus)
28. Sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus)
29. Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
30. Silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)
31. Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)
32. Zebra shark (Stegostoma tigrinum)
33. Whale shark (Rhincodon typus)
34. Leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata)
35. Swell shark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum)
36. Horn shark (Heterodontus francisci)
37. White-spotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum)

 

A revisit to the Bronx brought some more species out

Bronx Zoo 3.10
25) Dhole (Cuon alpinus)
26) Lion (Panthera leo)
27) White-Faced Scops Owl (Ptilopsis leucotis)
28) African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)
29) Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus)

 

Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 02/10/2024:

Felidae
42. Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
43: Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)
44. Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)

Canidae
45. Bat-eared Fox (Otocyon megalotis)
46. African Painted Dog (Lycaon pictus)

Selachimorpha
47. Epaulette Shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum)

 

Lincoln Park Zoo, 03/11/2024

Felidae
48. Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis)

Canidae
49. Red Wolf (Canis rufus)

Accipitriformes
50. Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus)

Strigiformes
51. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)

 

Tulsa Zoo (March 11, 2024)
37. Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
38. Jaguar (Panthera onca)
39. Snow leopard (Panthera uncia)
40. Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus)
41. Brown bear (Ursus arctos)
42. Spectacled owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata)
43. Snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus)
44. Smooth-fronted caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus)
45. Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis)
46. Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)

 

Philadelphia Zoo: March 11, 2024
68.) Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus)

 

The Greater Phoenix Metro is truly 'A Tale of Two Zoos'... And an aquarium (I guess technically two aquariums, but I couldn't be bothered to visit the SEA LIFE... )

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium, & Safari Park (Litchfield Park, AZ) - 16 March, 2024:
Hyaenidae:

Spoiler

87. Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta)
88. Striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena)

Canidae:

Spoiler

89. Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus)
90. Black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas)
91. New Guinea singing dog (Canis familiaris)
92. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Cathartiformes:

Spoiler

93. King vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)

Cariamiformes:

Spoiler

94. Red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata)

Strigiformes:

Spoiler

95. Verreaux’s eagle-owl (Bubo lacteus)

Crocodilia:

Spoiler

96. Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
97. Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
98. Spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus)

Selachimorpha:

Spoiler

99. Blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus)
100. Spotted wobbegong (Orectolobus maculatus)

Phoenix Zoo (Phoenix, AZ) - 17 March, 2024:
Cathartiformes:

Spoiler

101. Black vulture (Coragyps atratus)

Strigiformes:

Spoiler

102. Ferruginous pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)

OdySea Aquarium (Scottsdale, AZ) - 17 March, 2024:
Selachimorpha:

Spoiler

103. Sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus)

TOTAL: 103 Species

 

Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo and Adventure Park - March 22 2024
23. American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis
24. Red Wolf Canis rufus
25. Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia

 

Question about rule 4 before a possible trip in a few weeks. I thought I'd seen this addressed previously, but didn't see it when skimming back through the thread.

via normal public access during normal public opening hours (no behind-the-scenes or VIP tours, exclusive events, etc.)
​

This facility (Carson Springs Wildlife Sanctuary) is typically tour-only and has biannual open house events. Would the open house count as "normal public opening hours"? My instinct says yeah, it should, since it's a routine non-exclusive event (it's just $15 and doesn't seem to be limited capacity), but I wanted to get clarification before trying to count it. Similarly, would the usual weekend tour count? I'm also hoping to visit Center for Animal Research & Education this summer, who follows that same guided weekend tour format. Between the two of them I'd be able to get some very rare cats on the board (not that this competition impacts my desire to go or anything, lol)

 

@biggest_dreamer Quick answer is, I'll have to get back to you on those.
There is a rule that I have included every year, yet for some reason got left out of my OP:

"Any severely limited opening or private collections don't count for this challenge. Facilities that do regularly scheduled public tours are acceptable."

Center for Animal Research & Education only offers 2 tours a month, which seems pretty limited to me...

Carson Springs sounds potentially more reasonable, but my question would be whether you can see animals during this open house event that you wouldn't during the regular walking tours? It says you can roam around the facility on your own during the open house, I can't tell if that's the case for the regular weekend tours. Maybe someone who has been to Carson Springs can clarify?

 

I get this, but would also argue that consistently doing 2 tours a month would constitute a regular schedule in terms of consistency, just maybe not the most frequent one. It's really not a big deal either way, though. Not trying to give you a hard time or anything!

I visited last fall and made a species list - Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation Species List/Review (9/23/23) [Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation]. It's a guided tour, and free roaming is not allowed. Everything in that post was visible during the tour, or at least had signed enclosures along the tour route. I know of just two species that are kept that weren't part of the tour: maned wolf and jungle cat. I had actually reached out to the facility prior to visiting back then, and they confirmed to me that jungle cat would be on the tour route, so I'm not sure if it was and I missed it, or if it was temporarily off exhibit or moved altogether between that communication and my visit, or my tour route diverged, or what. Either way, I'm not sure if either of these species would even be visible during the open house anyway, but if they were and it does in fact seem like the jungle cat isn't supposed to be on the normal tour route I'd of course have no problem leaving them off assuming the facility otherwise passes muster (and I'll hopefully be able to pick up maned wolf later this year anyway).

Again, not trying to give you a hard time and I fully understand and stand by whatever call you make here.

 

I have done both the tour and open house and all the same exhibits are visited.
The jungle cat is on exhibit for both, last enclosure next to Rusty Spotted across from warthog and tayra.
Maned wolf are still off exhibit as far as know but I also will be attending the open house next weekend.

Not to complicate the matter more but the also have had a visiting bird of prey demonstration during the open house which isn't part of the normal tour. I can understand if that doesn't count, however they tend to bring some very interesting species (yellow headed vulture, augur buzzard, spectacled owl etc.)

 

Hm. I know the area you’re talking about, but I definitely didn’t notice any signage for jungle cat. But it’s also highly likely that I honed in and fixated on the rusty spotted cat as soon as I realized it was super visible compared to what I guess I assumed was an empty exhibit. I really wish the tour guide had highlights that stretch of rare cats at all, but they only mentioned the tayras and lemurs as we walked past.

Anyway, sorry to veer towards off topic here.

 

I just got back from a visit to the Greensboro Science Center and was able to observe every eligible species currently in the collection, although I nearly got robbed of the Fossa because it would not show itself until 30 minutes before closing (this is why I spend all day at zoos; I must have cycled back to that exhibit about 6 times).

Here are my updates. I have added where I saw each species. Species observed at more than one facility will only have the first facility I observed them at listed.

2024 visits to date

• North Carolina Zoo (February)
• Greensboro Science Center (March)

Total - 22

• Felids - 9
  • Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes) - Greensboro Science Center
    
  • Bobcat (Lynx rufus) - North Carolina Zoo
    
  • Cougar (Puma concolor) - North Carolina Zoo
  • Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) - Greensboro Science Center
    
  • Lion (Panthera leo) - North Carolina Zoo
  • Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) - North Carolina Zoo
  • Sand Cat (Felis margarita) - North Carolina Zoo
    
  • Serval (Leptailurus serval) - Greensboro Science Center
    
  • Sunda Tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica) - Greensboro Science Center
• Canids - 3
  • Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus) - North Carolina Zoo
    
  • Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) - Greensboro Science Center
    
  • Red Wolf (Canis rufus) - North Carolina Zoo
• Sharks - 3
  • Epaulette Shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) - Greensboro Science Center
    
  • Sandbar Shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) - Greensboro Science Center
  • White-spotted Bamboo Shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) - Greensboro Science Center
• Bears - 2
  • Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) - North Carolina Zoo
    
  • Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) - North Carolina Zoo
• Owls - 2
  • Barn Owl (Tyto alba) - Greensboro Science Center
    
  • Barred Owl (Strix varia) - North Carolina Zoo
• Crocodilians - 1
  • American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) - North Carolina Zoo
• Fossas - 1
  • Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) - Greensboro Science Center
• Komodo Dragons - 1
  • Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) - Greensboro Science Center

 

Queens Zoo 3.30
30) Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis)
31) Coyote (Canis latrans)

 

Phoenix Zoo - 3/24

1. Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
2. Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
3. Lion (Panthera leo)
4. Jaguar (Panthera onca)
5. Tiger (Panthera tigris)
6. Cougar (Puma concolor)
7. Coyote (Canis latrans)
8. Maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
9. African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)
10. Spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus)
11. Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta)
12. Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
13. Ruppell's vulture (Gyps rueppelli)
14. Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
15. Lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotos)
16. Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura)
17. Black vulture (Coragyps atratus)
18. Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia)
19. Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)
20. Ferruginous pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)
21. Spectacled owl (Pulsatrix perspecillata)
22. Barn owl (Tyto alba)
23. American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
24. Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis)
25. Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)

Butterfly Wonderland - 3/30

26. Yacare caiman (Caiman yacare)
27. Horn shark (Heterodontus francisci)

 

1/1/24
Lowry Park Zoo
1. Tiger (Panthera tigiris)
2. Florida Panther (Puma concolor)
3. Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
4. N.A Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
5. Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus)
6. Red Wolf (Canis rufus)
7. Painted Dog (Lycaon pictus)
8. Tomistoma (Tomistoma schlegelii)
9. Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)
10. Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
11. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
12. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
13. Barred Owl (Strix varia)
14. E. Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
15. Red legged Seriema (Cariama cristata)

1/2/24
Busch Gardens Tampa
16. Lion (Panthera leo)
17. Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
18. Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta)
19. Nile Croc (Crocodylus niloticus)
20. Slender Snouted Croc (Mecistops cataphractus)
21. American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

Florida International Teaching Zoo
22. Jaguar (Panthera onca)
23. Serval (Leptailurus serval)
24. Broad Snouted Caiman (Caiman latirostris)


1/10/24
Florida Aquarium
25. Sand Tiger Shark (Carcharias taurus)
26. Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)
27. Bonnethead Shark (Sphyrna tiburo)
28. Epaulets Shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum)
29. American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

1/13/24
Zoo Atlanta
30. Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
31. Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox)
32. Lapped Faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos)
33. King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)
34. Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus)
35. Milky Eagle Owl (Ketupa lactea)
36. Harris Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)

Georgia Aquarium
37. Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
38. Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
39. Great Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna mokarran)
40. Silvertip Shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus)
41. Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)
42. Silky Shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)
43. Sandbar Shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus)
44. Zebra Shark (Stegostoma tigrinum)
45. Swell Shark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum)

1/26/24
MOTE Aquarium
46. Black Nosed Shark (Carcharhinus acronotus)
47. Coral Cat Shark (Atelomycterus marmoratus)
48. Brown Banded Bamboo Shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum),

Save Our Seabirds
49. Red Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
50. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
51. Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
52. Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis)
53. Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus)
54. Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
55. Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
56. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

1/27/24
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
57. Cape Griffon Vulture (Gyps coprotheres)
58. White Headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis)
59. Morelets Croc (Crocodylus moreletii)
60. Orinoco Croc (Crocodylus intermedius)
61. Cuviers Dwarf Caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus)
62. Schneiders Dwarf Caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus)
63. Yacare Caiman (Caiman yacare)
64. Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger)
65. Cuban Croc (Crocodylus rhombifer)
66. American Croc (Crocodylus acutus)
67. Mugger Croc (Crocodylus palustris)
68. Freshwater Croc (Crocodylus johnstoni)
69. Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis)
70. Halls Croc (Crocodylus halli)
71. Saltwater Croc (Crocodylus porosus)
72. Phillipine Croc (Crocodylus mindorensis)
73. Dwarf Croc (Osteolaemus tetraspis)
74. Siamese Croc (Crocodylus siamensis)

1/26/24
Big Cat Habitat
75. Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus)
76. Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)

2/16/24
Homosassa State Wildlife Park
77. Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
78. Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
79. Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
80. Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)

4/6/24
Carson Springs Wildlife
81. Leopard (Panthera pardus)
82. Siberia Lynx (Lynx lynx)
83. Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)
84. Rusty Spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus)
85. Jungle Cat (Felis chaus)
86. Caracal (Caracal caracal)
87. Geofferys Cat (Leopardus geoffroyi)
88. Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena)
89. Black-backed Jackal (Lupulella mesomelas)
90. Bat-eared Fox (Otocyon megalotis)
91. Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata)

Also, I didn't count them because they weren't owned by CSW, the bird show had a Lesser yellow-headed Vulture and Augur Buzzard

 

Couldn't make Carson Springs work as I’d hoped, so I instead opted for a trip to

North Carolina Zoo, 4/6
38. Cougar (Puma concolor)
39. Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
40. Sand cat (Felis margarita)
41. Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus)
42. Red wolf (Canis rufus)
43. American black bear (Ursus americanus)
44. Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

Spoiler: Running list

1. Leopard (Panthera pardus)
2. Lion (Panthera leo)
3. Tiger (Panthera tigris)
4. Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
5. Cougar (Puma concolor)
6. Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
7. Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
8. Fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)
9. Black-footed cat (Felis nigripes)
10. Sand cat (Felis margarita)
11. Red wolf (Canis rufus)
12. Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus)
13. Bat-eared fox (Otocton megalotis)
14. Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus)
15. Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
16. Brown bear (Ursus arctos)
17. American black bear (Ursus americanus)
18. Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)
19. Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox)
20. Barred owl (Strix varia)
21. Milky eagle owl (Ketupa lactea)
22. Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo)
23. Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia)
24. Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
25. Harris’s hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)
26. King vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)
27. Rüppell’s griffon vulture (Gyps rueppelli)
28. Hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus)
29. Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus)
30. American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
31. West African slender snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus)
32. Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
33. Great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran)
34. Silvertip shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus)
35. Sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus)
36. Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
37. Silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)
38. Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)
39. Zebra shark (Stegostoma tigrinum)
40. Whale shark (Rhincodon typus)
41. Leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata)
42. Swell shark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum)
43. Horn shark (Heterodontus francisci)
44. White-spotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum)

With the polar bear getting checked off, I’m in a position to hit 8/8 bears this year at which point I’ll consider this challenge a personal victory.

 

So lucky you managed to see the rare cats and the jackal! I was at the open house but sadly those were all no-shows besides one Rusty-spotted Cat sleeping.