Greater Grison at De Paay, 02/06/12

Galicitis vittata

A species to be seen at no other European zoo. This was as far as it came out of the pophole - from comparing notes with Shorts I think they have recently moved to a new enclosure.

Didn't they used to keep grisons in Plzen Zoo until at least 2009? Or am I mistaken?

I'm not aware of them being at Plzen and Zootierliste has no former holders listed outside of the UK (4 zoos)/Germany (5 zoos), plus the one Dutch current holder of course. Not impossible though.

EDIT: Just checked Lesser (G. cuja) as well and that's even rarer, with only Chester and Berlin listed as former holders and none currently.

Just realised that I might be mistaken them for zorillas even though neither they are listed on Zootierliste as being in Plzen in 2009. I was sure I saw one though...

Plzen currently have African Striped Weasels, and have since 2008 according to Zootierliste, though these weren't on show when I was there in 2010 - they seem to be currently though (and hopefully still will be come Zoohistorica in Septmeber!) so may have been in 2009.

Looks like a direct cross between a Wolverine and a Ratel. Would be nice to see in UK again but some hope.....

I can see where your coming from with that thought. In the flesh it was smaller than both species you mention and I was surprised by how long (and thin) it was compared to it's girth (nearer otter proportions in this respect rather than, say, a skunk).

They'd indeed be great to see in the UK or just more established in Europe but, like yourself, I think think it's unlikely.

The UK fixation with meerkats is taking up a great deal of terrestrial carnivore exhibit space that mioght serve to hold a greater level of diversity. Grisons, properly displayed, would be a very nice exhibit.

Yes, ratel was the first thing that came to my mind. This is a great post - the lack of mustelids in US zoos is depressing for a carnivore lover like myself.