I came across this pdf while looking for something else and thought it might be of interest. It is species lists for various USA zoos from USDA inspections from recent years (I haven't actually read through the whole thing, only the first few pages [of 175] but I see 2014, 2015 and 2016. I don't know how many zoos are covered or what states they are in - the first ones seem to be roadside zoo type places (?). Skimming down, the lists are very short and only seem to be mammals, but someone better versed in US zoos and USDA reports could probably say what it is all about. I'm sure similar USDA reports must be online for other places and years as well. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/awa/Inspection_Reports/E/AWA_IR_C-MA_secure.pdf
USDA only cares about mammals. Any other animal group is not subject to their jurisdictions or inspections.
Why are only mammals subject to USDA jurisdiction? Aren't they responsible for inspecting non-mammal livestock industries like chicken and trout farms?
I am questioning the accuracy of these reports. In the Wisconsin one, it lists species like Chimpanzee, Neotropical Otter, and Lumholt's Tree Kangaroo for Milwaukee - species Milwaukee definitely did not keep in March 2014.
And I know that the NEW Zoo did not keep pudus of any sort in 2014. Nor did BBWS keep Neotropical Otter. And Hazel Dormouse appears to a little too common.
This is what the USDA considers an "animal" in terms of what is under their jurisdiction by the Animal Welfare Act: Basically, they inspect all facilities housing mammals (aside from non-research horses, research rodents) for research or exhibition purposes. All other animal groups are exempted. For zoos, the only relevant animal group under USDA's jurisdiction are mammals and those are going to be the only ones to show up on a report. Any facility using animals for the food industry which includes farmed fish and poultry is subject to a different set of regulations also under USDA jurisdiction called the Animal Care Program but they do not look at the quality of life for those animals. Only that the products from those animals are of sufficient quality and safety and that the animals die humanely.
From what I can tell "Commonwealth Zoological Corporation" are two zoos: Stone and Franklin Park. Far from roadside zoos. As for Forest Park, that is indeed a roadside zoo and I highly doubt they keep Utah Prairie Dogs and Brown Dorcopsis. I've never been but it's only 45 minutes from me so I theoretically could investigate next Spring but again I would agree with @birdsandbats about the legitimacy of these reports. It also claims a science museum has Steppe Polecat. What I find really odd is that Lupa Zoo isn't on there at all. They legitimately have some odd mammals so I'm surprised. ~Thylo
More fun stuff: -The children's museum near me has Algerian Hedgehog -Beardsley's Red-Rumped Agoutis have transformed into Central American Agoutis -Beardsley also has Steppe Polecat -Action Wildlife has Four-Horned Antelope (how did I miss those when I went!? My main issue with not being able to trust this is I want to know if several of these little known nature centers in CT actually have Big Brown Bat. ~Thylo
Yes, definitely some issues... running through California's where I'm most familiar, and finding some issues. Report from Sacramento Zoo, 6 Apr 2016 Lists them as having 2 Zebra-banded Duiker. They had Yellow-backed Duiker, but never Zebra! Also listed as having 2 Cape Porcupine, which they did have but not by that date. Another report from Feb 2015 lists several species as 0's, including species Sac has never had. I.E. Nine-banded Armadillo, Golden-crowned Sifaka! San Diego Zoo Dec 13, 2016 -- did they have 3 Brush-tailed Rat Kangaroo? San Diego Zoo Feb 2016 - An Indian Giant Flying Squirrel?
From what i can tell, the reports simply often post glaringly wrong common names for species the zoos do have. "Zebra-Banded Duiker" will be Yellow-Backed I assume, and Golden-Crowned Sifaka will be Coquerel's. The armadillo will likely be another species like three-banded or something, and the rat-kangaroo refers to Woylie. As for SDZ, they had/have Vietnamese Giant Flying Squirrels behind the scenes. ~Thylo
Well this turned out to be disappointing! I thought the initial zoos must be roadside zoos because the species lists were so short and all mammals, but instead it seems like they are just pretty useless (and inaccurate!) reports from what seems to be a pretty useless government department.
Yes, Sac had Yellow-backed Duikers at the time of the report. I assumed the same as you did. You are also correct on sifaka. And the armadillos are Six-banded. I was wondering if they might have. Just had never heard of SDZ having them so put it as a question.
Does Action Wildlife definitely have four-horned antelope? I didn't put it on my list of new england places to visit, but that would get it added!
I'm guessing no - probably 100% no. @ThylacineAlive was being sarcastic as to the inaccuracy of the reports.
@Chlidonias is correct here. Action Wildlife doesn't really have much of anything of interest anymore unfortunately. ~Thylo
