All four species and several subspecies of hyrax are kept in european zoos. I know this because of Zootierliste. But I do not know how common they are in zoos on other continents. Do many zoos in America, Africa and The Middle East keep hyraxes? I want to know more about their natural history, their history in zoos and why they are so rare in captivity. Last I want to learn more about how they are related to other animals. I know they are related to elephants and manatees, but what evidence support this? and why are they so different and not related to other similar looking animals?
Read again; the Western tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax dorsalis) has not been kept in European collections since the early 1970's. Wikipedia is your friend - look up the pages for hyraxes, the Paenungulata, the Afrotheria and Parallel Evolution.
There are no hyraxes in Australasia. There are a small group at Singapore Zoo, and presumably in other Asian zoos too. As TLD suggested, read up on mammal evolutionary history, its really quite fascinating and some of the relationships would not be expected just from looking at the animals.
interesting side-note, when Orana Park built their kopje exhibit for the meerkats and porcupines two other species they were "planning" on getting were naked mole rats and rock hyrax.
One would imagine that there is potential for naked mole rats to be imported into NZ at some stage if the interest was there. Hyraxes would be less likely. Both would be great additions though.
I can remember seeing rock hyrax at the following zoos: Bronx Zoo (mixed with Gelada baboon and Nubian ibex) Smithsonian National Zoo Jacksonville Zoo Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo Dallas World Aquarium (mixed with Eastern yellow-bellied hornbill) Dallas Zoo (mixed with klipspringer) San Antonio Zoo Cleveland Zoo Lincoln Park Zoo Brookfield Zoo Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo Kansas City Zoo Oakland Zoo Los Angeles Zoo San Diego Zoo (mixed with dwarf mongoose and klipspringer) I have only seen bush hyrax (or yellow-spotted rock hyrax) here: San Diego Zoo (and that was only a few months ago!)
I noticed that only Czech Zoos hold Southern tree hyraxes… Why is that? Does anyone know if this species was a recent import? Recent as in within the last decade. I have heard rumors that a few species of African hyrax were imported to the US. I know rock hyrax were, but I highly doubt any other could have been. I understand there are laws against importing mammals from Africa, but I haven't done in-depth research to see if the hyraxes did in fact come from Africa.
Hyraxes are also found in parts of the Middle-east ( = Asia ) for example in Syria but I doubt that at the moment animals will be exported from that country......
Tree hyraxes were legally imported by czech animal trader in 2 shipments in 2009 ad 2010 from Tansania.
I have contacted a breeder at the moment who bought an imported trio of rock hyrax from Tanzania in summer of last year. Like I said, the rumors are three species were imported but I'll see if they or anyone else in the trade knows if that is actually true. The mind boggling question is if the rumors are true, then where did those other two species end up? I have seen no signs that any tree hyraxes are in America but then again, the exotic animal trade can surprise. I still see random listings for Siberian mink and zorilla from time to time… so who know what is actually out there (legal or illegal.)
Bronx Zoo has beautiful and natural exhibit for rock hyraxes mixed with gelada and Nubian ibex. This was posted above with other zoos.
Here are the zoos I have seen, that are not already mentioned above: -Buffalo Zoo -Erie Zoo -Maryland Zoo -Philadelphia Zoo (not 100% positive) -Virginia Zoo
In S. Korea, only Everland zoo has Rock Hyraxes. There are 14 Rock Hyraxes in the Lost Valley attraction area.
Only rock hyrax and yellow-spotted hyrax were imported to the US from Tanzania in 2013. Where the yellow-spotted hyraxes went, I don't know...
Chiang Mai Zoo in Thailand has a single Rock hyrax. It's waaay up at the top of the big aviary and is not separated from visitors.
