I feel like SA is so underrepresented that it has two tiers of essential animals. They get lost in the shuffle because there are so many missing from South America that the votes get split. There is the prime tier of the most popular things that would start to correct the balance, and the second tier that starts to resemble the missing species from other continents (Tasmanian devil, tree kangaroo, dromedary, red river hog, fossa, takin, etc.).
1st tier: Really basic zoo animals that are popularly requested:
- Sloth: most requested animal
- Coati: very popular animal
- Howler Monkey: not as common in zoos as some others, but has sound effects. A bigger SA monkey is needed.
- Tamarins: There are a few great options, common in zoos, could be an exhibit animal, a smaller SA monkey is needed
- A tropical bird (Spoonbill, Ibis?, etc.): after the emu, something a little more unique might take slight priority, a bird is needed
- Spectacled Bear: Andes and 1st South American Bear, zoo tycoon 2
- Ocelot: most popular small cat
2nd tier: essential animals that are on the same level as the critical needs of other continents (Tasmanian devil, tree kangaroo, dromedary, red river hog, fossa, takin, etc.), useful for showcasing diverse regions, popular and common in zoos
- Spider Monkey: A very popular monkey with a unique appearance and movements
- Mara: desert and grasslands staple
- Manatee: might not work, but a lot of people want it
- Collared Peccary: staple for many biomes
- Rhea: grasslands staple
- Tamandua: good alternative if sloth doesn't work or is an exhibit animal
- Squirrel Monkey: decently popular and very common in zoos. probably one of the biggest bang for your buck clones (capuchin), in my opinion
- A deer?: not as popular, but I'm bumping this up because there are so many deer species in SA. It would be very weird not to have one
- Argentine Tegu?: if they could get it to work in a habitat, good desert rep and a unique reptile, bumping it up for diverse region/reptile rep.
3rd tier: not as popular, but still good choices. I don't expect them all, but it would be awesome:
- Other Monkeys: Uakari, Saki, Marmosets, maybe even night, titi or wooly
- Other arboreal species: Brazilian porcupine, Kinkajou
- Other ungulates: another deer, tapir, and camelid could be useful
- Other birds: some good options
- Other carnivores: bush dog, a fox, another small cat