Which species were formerly held in captivity here in the US in the last 30 or so years (since 1990) that are now gone? Similarly, which species have seen considerable declines in the last 30 years? Basically, the number of zoos holding them has declined by half or more. Based on research, especially from info on this forum, I already listed several animals. Hopefully others can add more info: (Note: If a species is held by private individuals, legally or ilegally, but are not held at a normally accessable institution, they do not count as being held in the country) GONE Sumatran Rhinoceros Was once in a very small number of zoos. Bronx had them in early 90s, I think San Diego as well. Cincinnati had the last individual, Harapan, but around 2015 he was sent back to Indonesia to breed. Proboscis Monkey I think they were at Bronx and San Diego back in the 90s. I'm not sure how long they've been gone. Bald Uakari Last individual, Daisy, passed away at the Los Angeles Zoo just a month or two ago I was lucky enough to see her in February. Species was formerly kept at some other facilities probably as recently as the 90s (Monkey Jungle in Miami had some at the time I believe). Hartebeest (?) I'm not 100% certain they're completely gone, but I do know the last individual at an AZA facility is. A female Hartebeest at Lion Country Safari passed way a couple of months ago As with Daisy the uakari, I was lucky enough to see her. ALMOST GONE Japanese Serow I believe there's only one individual left, a female at Trevor Zoo in New York. Formerly held at several other institutions like San Diego, LA and Woodland Park. Bush Dog Never common, but Bush Dogs are down to only a few individuals in less then 5 zoos. Recently gone from several major zoos like Detroit, Atlanta and Saint Louis Lion-tailed Macaque Still at several institutions across the country but from what others on this site have said, this species has been on a big decline over the last couple of decades. Bearded Pig Not sure if the species was ever common, but now its only found in perhaps one or two smaller facilities, and I'm not even sure if that's confirmed. Formerly present during the last two decades at several major zoos including Philadelphia, ZooTampa and San Diego.
I saw proboscis monkeys and a Sumatran rhino at Bronx Zoo in 1991 I saw Sumatran rhinos, Japanese serows and a red uakari at Los Angeles Zoo in 1991
Well, to add a bunch... Gone: Yapok - gone currently, but knowing DWA may appear again Red-shanked Douc Langur South American Sealion - from zoos anyways, there is a handful at a traveling show Margay Guenther's Dik-dik Jentink's Duiker Saiga Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo Jabiru Goliath Heron Black Heron Guanay Cormorant Resplendent Quetzal Greater Yellownape Cardinal Lory - per recent reports from SDZ, unless they're now off display Almost gone: Parma Wallaby - might only be one left at SDZ Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby - LA, The Living Desert, and possibly Miami Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth - one individual at DWA, but they might import Black & Rufous Elephant Shrew - only a couple zoos still have them, breeding has been poor Potto - couple zoos still have them but they're not likely to stick around Pygmy Marmoset - not that many zoos with them now Common Woolly Monkey - two semi-offshow at Louisville Tree Pangolin - still at a fair handful of zoos but breeding is basically negligible Raccoon Dog - handful at Oklahoma City Sun Bear - pretty much all individuals left are elderly Guadalupe Fur Seal - if SeaWorld SD still has any Walrus - down to Seaworlds and Indianapolis Hawaiian Monk Seal - one left at Minnesota, one in Hawaii, one at a research center in California Aardwolf - one left at Cincinnati Mountain Tapir - LA and Cheyenne Mountain Barasingha - zoo population is likely doomed now White-lipped Deer - only a few left in zoos, more privately Musk Deer - not that many left now Black Duiker - around a dozen left, and not breeding well Harnessed Bushbuck - couple still at Gladys Porter Gaur - basically reliant on Bronx for pure stock to remain in the US now Musk Ox - down to Point Defiance in the lower 48, but there's plenty of Alaskan holders Commerson's Dolphin - two left at Aquatica Orlando Short-finned Pilot Whale - Seaworld SD is down to three Tongan Scrubfowl - SDZ's lone female still lives on, but is well in her 30's Kagu - handful of birds at three zoos, never common though Emperor Penguin - small group left at Seaworld SD Brolga - one or two at ICF Shoebill - down to DWA and Tampa Oriental White Stork - one at Louisville Storm's Stork - down to two facilities I believe now, SDZSP and I think Bronx Black-necked Stork - two (three?) birds left Lesser Adjutant - Racine and Bronx, reliant on breeding Ornate Hawk-Eagle - scattering of birds left Gray Gull - only a few facilities left, on its way out Parakeet Auklet - North Carolina Crested Auklet - Aquarium of the Pacific Yellow-casqued Hornbill - pair at Memphis White-thighed Hornbill - one left, now in a irreputable place in FL Purple Roller - might be gone now from SDZSP Fire-tufted Barbet - the lone bird at SDZ I believe is the last Plate-billed Mountain Toucan - two or three holders left Horned Parakeet - SDZ is the only holder Collared Lory - couple left at SDZ at most Blue-winged Pitta - might be gone Whale Shark - Georgia is down to either two or three now, but they were the only holder anyways That was a pretty painful post to write... and that's not even the half of them...
Interesting, I was not aware there's three-toed sloth in the US. Were they ever at other facilities in the last 30 years besides DWA. For what its worth, I did see a Fire-tufted Barbet at Miami around a week ago, so they're in at least one other facility besides SDZ.
These are the three I really miss. I did see the bearded pigs in Tampa, but not the other two. Sumatran rhino were held at San Diego, LA, Cincinnati and Bronx, with White Oak at one point too when they were shuffling animals around. I just missed seeing them in San Diego when I was a kid, the habitat was still empty when I went there. I saw Japanese Snow in the wild, but never in a zoo that I recall. The Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls holds them as well.
Last female unfortunately died at Trevor about a year ago, I believe that a facility in one of the Dakotas still holds them but I could be remembering wrong
Royal Antelope comes to mind right away as a species that is gone. I'll get a longer list later. Hasn't Brookfield had some good success with pangolin breeding? I wouldn't count them out so easily. ICF has 2.2 Brolga. I wouldn't be surprised if the import more, either.
Really? Trevor Zoo still shows the serow on its website map. That's such a shame if true. I was thinking of going to Trevor when I visit NY again this summer.
The zoo in the Dakotas that has them is the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot, ND. There were no serows in Sioux Falls when I visited in August of 2020 and haven't seen any mention of news of them moving to Sioux Falls that I'm aware of since my visit. But I could have missed this news as well.
I don't think they were ever common here, but I suppose if we're adding any soon-to-be-gone species, might as well add these: Drill Last one is in Atlanta I believe. Hirola Might already be gone, but I recall a thread on here where someone mentions Gladys Porter having them. Red-faced Spider Monkey This one might be completely gone from US zoos already. Gray Goral LA Zoo from what I understand is the last zoo breeding them, and might be one of if not the last holders here. Guinea Baboon Apparently held at a few small non-AZA facilities, but I have no idea if they're even breeding. Red Howler Monkeys Does DWA have them? Otherwise this species could be gone. Formerly at Monkey Jungle.
Oh wow, my mistake! Reading comprehension 101: I read it as "Japanese Snow", as in snow monkey. Thanks for the correction; I have never seen a Japanese Serow - in the wild or a zoo.
Another species to the gone list: Boto The only individual in the US was held at Pittsburgh Zoo and died back in 2002. Surprised to find out there was ever even a Boto in the US.
Aren't Giant elands also doomed at this point? It's really a shame since I've never seen them and they're one of my favorite ungulates.
Zoo Miami has a herd that has had breeding successes. So at least theirs a fighting chance theyll persist. Several of these animals listed (Gaur, Goral, Barasingha etc) still have a workable population and are at least being bred by one or more facilities with some degree of success despite being phased out by the AZA, so I would move them into a third category, an Outlook Bad category. The odds of them ever being prevelent is almost non-existent if the phase outs stay, and an unfortunate incident puts them at risk of dying out, but they'll still be around for a little longer if things stay stable.
