I've always had an interest in the smaller, family owned zoos around the world. I was wondering if someone could provide me a list of all of them to see what the facilities are like. (One of the more popular ones is the Dartmoor Zoo.) We could also discuss how we feel the zoos are being run and what work they do.
Though not exactly small both Burgers' Zoo and Tierpark Hagenbeck have been run by the same families for 100+ years each.
In Denmark, at least Blåvand Zoo, Munkholm Zoo, Skærup Zoo, and Odsherred Zoo are family-owned in the sense of being run in unison by a couple or by a parent and child. There are lots of other privately-owned zoos in the country (in fact, I think most are privately owned), but they have other constellations, for example being run by one person whose spouse has another job.
Here are some in Wisconsin (which is filled with them): Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue Timbavati Wildlife Park Animal Garden's Petting Zoo Special Memories Zoo Animal Haven Zoo DeYoung Family Zoo (technically in the UP but close to the border) Doc's Zoo probably more I am unaware of
Bright's Zoo in Tennessee doesn't even have a page here but it's nice. Dave Bright has his history in the hoofstock business hence his exstensive collection. But the grounds are the nicest private facility I've seen.
Paradise Wildlife Park has been family-run since they took ownership 34 years ago, when the site was 'the worst zoo in the UK' - they've upgraded facilities vastly, and there's still work to be done, but it's a nice little site.
Anyone discovered any more family-owned facilities? Europe seems to have really nice ones, not so many nice ones in the U.S.
