I just wondered whether all the UK zoos together and actually bought out another zoo or built a new one they could combined use it as a holding zone for excess individual animals - I suppose i'm particulary thinking towards elephants , gorillas etc where a younger male or even female can no longer stay in the current group. and unfortunately when an existing male/female passes away there is if you like a ready made replacement . I mean this could not just be in Uk round the world if necessary. I am sure there must be many single animals around the UK/Europe/World that this could apply to
I hate to say it but there is already a system that exists for exactly that purpose and it's called a studbook. Essentially does everything you have said, housing surplus offspring and pairing single animals etc.
