Species You Wish More Zoos Would Keep

Indeed, one example of an issue that comes to my mind is trichomonas. I would be interested to hear any other issues you have experience with or knowledge of.

Naturally, all the other species on the list have their own issues and challenges as well. Nonetheless, I remain of the opinion they all, including the turtle dove, should be kept more widely in zoos.

 

The major issue with European Turtledoves in aviaries is their response to predators. Both Sparrowhawks and Tawny Owls hunt doves by flushing them from cover, and grabbing them before they get up speed. The doves attempt to get away by accelerating. In an aviary setting, both predator species will attempt to flush the doves, which are liable to crash into the aviary netting. They are apt to damage heads and wing butts on wire, or actually be grabbed if flexible netting is involved. Many zoo kept Turtledoves exhibit head damage much of the time. A solid roof to the aviary helps reduce the risk, as does ample shrubbery. The best zoo colony of this species I have seen was in Paignton Zoo’s old Sub-tropical House, now demolished.

 

I definitely agree. The lowland anoa is criminally underrated.

 

It REALLY disappoints me that Hawaiian birds (especially Honeycreepers) aren’t kept enough in captivity. US zoos used to keep them, but captive colonies just petered out. More go extinct every year and zoos just are gonna do nothing about it.

 

Do you know if some of these birds are captive-bred ? (maybe in Hawaiian facilities)
I don't know if any of these species has ever been maintained in an European zoo.

 

@Haliaeetus look at this thread: Hawaiian Bird Species in Captivity

Edit: Hawaiian Geese are in a few collections in Europe: ZootierlisteHomepage

 

San Diego Zoo I believe manages 2 breeding centers (not open to the public) in Hawaii that even have Hawaiian Crows. They should just bring them to the zoo or Safari Park as it would give zoo enthusiasts another reason to come.

 

They also have honeycreepers at the zoo for breeding.

 

@Westcoastperson do you know if they’re on exhibit and what species they have?

 

No Hawaiian honeycreepers are listed on ZTL. I saw an iiwi at Honolulu Zoo in 1991.

 

They are in an aviary only viewable by getting in line for the bus that goes around the park. That aviary only keeps purple and green honeycreepers.

 

Please note that purple and green honeycreepers are not Hawaiian honeycreepers.

 

That’s my mistake I’m not well versed on birds.

 

@Westcoastperson that sucks. At least I live near Elmwood Park and can see Hawaiian Geese.

 

I remember reading somewhere recently that there's going to be another wave of attempts to establish captive populations of a couple species of Hawaiian honeycreepers.

Not even directly related either, always fun when the same term belongs to birds of multiple families. I'm looking at you, robin.

 

@Great Argus OMG! Can you post the link to the article?

 

Looked for it earlier and couldn't find it, but just tried again with different search terms and got it:
Captive breeding-programm for the Kiwikiu

 

I don't think some of these are realistic, but i would love to see more of these/see them in zoos

- Southern hornbill
- Cassowary
- Cock of the rock
- Marine iguana
- Whale shark
- Orca
- False killer whale
- Giant isopod
- Isopods (any species)
- Lookdown
- Salamander species (except axolotl)
- Bat species

 

I mean the large marine animals could be accomplished, but it would be very expensive to give them appropriate enclosures.

 

Most (if not all) of the native Hawaiian landbirds have captive breeding programs, even if most of the species aren't publicly displayed. Sadly though, many of those programs are just a few pairs.