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Why aren't there cyclotis in major zoos?

Discussion in 'General Zoo Discussion' started by savethelephant, 29 Jun 2015.

  1. savethelephant

    savethelephant Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    (Hope this hasn't been discussed before; couldn't find anything on it)

    I'll just get right to the point.

    Why are there no loxodonta cyclotis is captivity? (Yes I am aware of the few individuales in Japan) Is it because of food requirements(I would assume it would just be fruit and forest shrubs)? Is it location in wild? Temperance? No interest by zoos or public?
    It really just baffles me as I understand why there aren't platypus or ethiopian wolf/mountain nyala and as far as I know there aren't any restrictions in Gabon or Ghana or something. What is the reason?
     
  2. Thaumatibis

    Thaumatibis Well-Known Member

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    A.) An elephant is an elephant to zoo-visiting Joe.
    B.) Until recently, no one knew they were a special species.
    C.) Try catching a large, dangerous animal in a thick, hidden jungle.

    ~ Thaumatibis
     
  3. The Vegan

    The Vegan Well-Known Member

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    Educated on the plight of the Sumatran Rhinoceros? You'll find all your answers there. ;)
     
  4. jbnbsn99

    jbnbsn99 Well-Known Member

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    Money and politics.
     
  5. FunkyGibbon

    FunkyGibbon Well-Known Member

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    I presume as well that there isn't enough exhibit space in either North America or Europe to maintain three healthy breeding populations.
     
  6. colobus

    colobus Well-Known Member

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    Prevailing taxonomy in the past caused scarce interest with forest elephants. Several individuals were exported from Gabon as gift to individual governments in the 80's. But they were often lone individuals.
    Considering advances in elephant management in zoos, it should be not a bad idea a new more scientifically-sound attemp.
     
  7. Chlidonias

    Chlidonias Moderator Staff Member 15+ year member

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  8. savethelephant

    savethelephant Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    That's what I read before I made this thread but it doesn't explain WHY there aren't many.

    Thank you though.
     
  9. Zooplantman

    Zooplantman Well-Known Member

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    Look at this another way: Many of the current plans for zoo expansions, new exhibits, etc (and this is for aquariums as well) are being driven by the public and what the public wants. We see an increase in Town Hall Meetings to "crowd source" what exhibit a zoo will build next.
    If that is where leadership is coming from, will an obscure variant on a popular animal stand a chance? Until it stars in a Disney movie it will be left alone where it is
     
  10. savethelephant

    savethelephant Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    But isn't it up to the AZA?(For accredited zoos of course)
     
  11. Zooplantman

    Zooplantman Well-Known Member

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    Do you mean, to determine what exhibits a zoo builds? What animals a zoo exhibits? No, not at all.
    If a zoo has chosen to participate in an SSP for a specific species (and has been accepted) then the SSP coordinator does decide which individual animal within that SSP goes to which facility. But that is about as far as AZA goes. AZA does not control zoos or actually lead North American zoos. It is much more loose than that
     
  12. savethelephant

    savethelephant Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Thanks fot he clear up, zooplantman:)