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Any Shoebills Left in North America?

Discussion in 'North America - General' started by MonkeyBat, 20 Jul 2020.

  1. MonkeyBat

    MonkeyBat Well-Known Member

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    I tried to google this but I couldn't necessarily find anything, so here I am. Does anyone know if any shoebills are left in North America? San Diego says they don't have any, although I'm not so sure, DWA does not list them on their website, Zoo Tampa does not have them labeled on the map, and I'm not sure if Houston still keeps them.
     
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  2. EsserWarrior

    EsserWarrior Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    According to YouTube, Houston had them in February 2019. You could try emailing Houston or try to find someone who visits Houston regularly.
     
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  3. Coelacanth18

    Coelacanth18 Well-Known Member Premium Member 5+ year member

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  4. MonkeyBat

    MonkeyBat Well-Known Member

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  5. ThylacineAlive

    ThylacineAlive Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    DWA, SDZSP, and ZooTampa are the only holders left. Houston phased them out last year.

    ~Thylo
     
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  6. nczoofan

    nczoofan Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Houston phased them out as @ThylacineAlive said. The aviary is being redeveloped as a walk-through aviary as part of the Pantanal complex.
     
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  7. Dhole dude

    Dhole dude Well-Known Member

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    I am very greatful I saw shoebills in San Diego zoo wild animal/Safari Park because I may never get the chance again. But since some of my family live in Dallas (but I never have the time to go to the aquarium :() but I’ll go and see the shoebills once this pandemic is sorted out(but that doesn’t seem like anytime soon)
     
  8. Coelacanth18

    Coelacanth18 Well-Known Member Premium Member 5+ year member

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    Yeah I figured :p The sections are organized by area of the aquarium, and the front entrance area (where the shoebills are) is called "Borneo". It's not a good name - they have tree kangaroos, turacos, Australasian birds, echidnas, and little blue penguins there as well - but it is what it is :D
     
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  9. drill

    drill Well-Known Member

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    Are there any collections planning on getting shoebills in America. Also I assume Jabirus are not going to be kept in American collections anymore at least for a while?
     
  10. MonkeyBat

    MonkeyBat Well-Known Member

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    Are you sure about Tampa? I went to take a look at @geomorph species list from 2019 and it stated the aviary was bulldozed.
     
  11. ThylacineAlive

    ThylacineAlive Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Yes they're off-show atm. The zoo themselves have stated they plan on building a new aviary for them.

    ~Thylo
     
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  12. MonkeyBat

    MonkeyBat Well-Known Member

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    Just got a reply from the Houston Zoo. I can confirm the species is no longer in the collection. The bird curator said, quote "the best place to see them is at Dallas World Aquarium and the San Diego Safari Park."
     
  13. ilovetimberdoodles

    ilovetimberdoodles Active Member

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    Tell me if I'm wrong but Zoo Tampa is supposed to have some
     
  14. pachyderm pro

    pachyderm pro Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    That is correct; Tampa and Dallas World Aquarium are the only remaining holders in North America.