These are a few geographical DLCs I have thought of recently - not based on a country or continent, but rather on regions:
Horn of Africa Pack
Based on the Horn of Africa, or Somali Peninsula, which covers Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia and Somaliland; this region has many endemic mammals as well as being a stronghold for some animals that are otherwise relatively scarce in Africa.
The four species if it were a standard pack are:
1)
African wild donkey - A rather well-known species that is Critically Endangered and endemic to the Horn of Africa; it would add a species of donkey to complement the horse and zebra already in the game. They are fairly widespread in captivity, kept in Europe, North America, Israel and Taiwan at least.
2)
Gelada - An endemic to the region, occurring only in the Ethiopian highlands. They would represent a habitat unusual for Africa (temperate high-altitude grasslands) and would add a unique grazing primate; they are also increasingly common in European zoos and have begun appearing in American zoos.
3)
Gerenuk - A highly charismatic antelope that is able to stand on its hind legs to feed; this species is not endemic to the Horn of Africa as it also occurs in some drier parts of East Africa. However, their population stronghold in the region and presence in American zoos (plus two German zoos) make them an ideal addition.
4)
Kori bustard - The largest flight-capable animal on Earth, this large ground bird is nowhere near endemic to the region, occurring elsewhere in East Africa and also as a separate population in southern Africa; however, this bird is rather prevalent in American zoos and would add a new element to mixed savannah enclosures.
The exhibit species would be:
5)
Red spitting cobra - One of the most brightly-coloured of all the cobras, this is also one of the most commonly kept and occurs in zoos throughout North America and Europe; they are found mainly within the Horn of Africa but also range into drier parts of East Africa, having a very similar range to the gerenuk; this would add the first cobra and another species of African snake.
The additional three species for an animal pack would be:
6) Either
Grevy's zebra OR
Speke's gazelle - Either of these species would be reskins, but both would be sufficiently different to warrant consideration; Grevy's zebras are the largest wild equid and have many differences from other zebras including stripe pattern, ear shape, longer and narrower head and a different social structure; the Speke's gazelle is endemic to the area and differs from the Thomson's gazelle firstly by being about half the size, but also by being darker in colour, adapted to arid habitats and having an inflatable nasal sac to amplify their calls; of the two species, the zebra is more commonly kept in zoos worldwide, although the gazelle is still found in a number of American zoos.
7)
Striped hyaena - This is one of the largest carnivores remaining in the Horn of Africa and probably still occurs in all the countries in this region - they are a widespread species that occurs through North and East Africa, across the Middle East and into Asia as far east as Nepal, so providing a lot of versatility in how they can be kept. They are a charismatic species that, in the Horn of Africa, has a close association with humans.
8)
Vulturine guineafowl - While helmeted guineafowl occur in the area, the vulturine has a much closer association with the region, being restricted to here and adjacent drier parts of East Africa; they are commonly-kept in zoos through Europe and America and recent research has found they have one of the most complex societies of all animals, on par with dolphins, elephants and primates. They would add a lot to African savannah enclosures.
This is just a handful of potential options - ones that didn't get the cut include grivet monkey (certainly in Europe, most 'vervets' are actually this species), Hamadryas baboon, Abyssinian ground hornbill, widespread smaller species such as rock hyrax, African crested porcupine, aardwolf and bat-eared fox, blue-winged goose, other antelopes such as Soemmerring's gazelle, either greater or lesser kudu, beisa oryx and Gunther's dik-dik and species either rarely or not kept in zoos such as beira antelope, dibatag, mountain nyala, desert warthog and Somali ostrich.
Annamite Mountains Pack
Based on the Annamite Mountain range, which runs along the border between Vietnam and Laos and also includes a small part of northeast Cambodia; this is an endemism hotspot, featuring a large number of animals found nowhere else in the world. It is also one of the most threatened ecoregions, with rampant hunting (especially snaring) leaving many of the animals there extremely threatened - all eight species here are either Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable.
The four species if it were a standard pack are:
1)
Edward's pheasant - This is one of the world's rarest ground-dwelling birds, which is possibly approaching extinction in the wild. Fortunately, they are common in zoos and can be kept in open-air enclosures; they would add a unique and beautiful new bird to the game, which is endemic to the Annamites.
2)
Giant Asian pond turtle - This species only marginally occurs along the Annamite Mountain range, instead being primarily a lowland species from further west in Indochina. However, this large freshwater turtle has low temperate requirements and so does well outdoors and is a good representative of the Asian turtle extinction crisis.
3)
Mainland serow - A mysterious forest-dwelling wild goat, the serow is kept in captivity at a number of zoos across Southeast Asia; it has the widest range of any species in this pack, ranging from the Himalayas through Indochina to (despite its name) the island of Sumatra.
4)
Owston's civet - Another endemic species from the Annamite Mountains, this terrestrial small carnivore feeds mainly on earthworms and so can live with other small animals. They are kept in both diurnal and nocturnal enclosures and conservation breeding in captivity is considered essential for their survival.
The exhibit species would be:
5)
Asian water dragon - Although it is common and familiar both in zoos and in the pet trade, this bright-green lizard is now listed as Vulnerable - its habit of perching in the open and trusting its camouflage leaves it at risk from hunters. Although they do occur in other parts of Southeast Asia, this species does occur along the entire length of the Annamite Mountain range.
The additional three species for an animal pack would be:
6)
Annamite striped rabbit - This one is a bit of an odd choice, as it is not kept anywhere in captivity at the moment. However, because it is endangered and living in one of the most dangerous areas in the world for wildlife, the IUCN has recommended that a captive breeding programme is started as soon as possible for them. A close relative from Sumatra has been kept in captivity, and information about how it was cared for could be copied over to make the species work in-game.
7)
Banteng - This Asian wild ox is the largest animal in the pack and parts of the Annamites, especially in Cambodia, are a global hotspot for the species. As well as living in tropical forests, they also inhabit woodlands and open grassland. They are among the most commonly-kept wild cattle in zoos, found across Europe and North America with a recent push to increase the number of places that keep them to support conservation.
8)
Golden-cheeked gibbon - This endangered primate is endemic to the Annamites, found across all three countries the mountain range runs through. In Europe, it is the third most commonly-kept gibbon species and they also live at a few American zoos. They have the brilliant sexual dimorphism that is fairly standard among crested gibbons. This species can be kept in a variety of enclosures and has a much more high-pitched song compared to the siamang.
There are many other potential species for such a pack, including monkeys such as the red-shanked douc and stump-tailed macaque, smaller cats like the Asiatic golden cat or fishing cat, the coral-billed ground oo, the widespread and non-threatened wild boar, the gaur, another large chelonian such as the Yangtze giant softshell turtle and many other endemic species that are not currently kept in captivity such as the recently-rediscovered silver-backed chevrotain, the large-antlered muntjac deer and the possibly extinct saola. One species that would originally have made the list, the Vietnamese sika deer, is rather similar to the fallow deer and so has also taken a backseat.
Gran Chaco Pack
Based on the Chaco region, a lowland semiarid South American woodland that is found in Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and southern Brazil; this area is a stronghold for many of South America's large mammals and does have some species that occur nowhere else.
The four species if it were a standard pack are:
1)
Black howler monkey - One of the most-wanted New World primates in the game, this is one of the handful of dry forest primates in the region - they live not only in tropical woodlands but also savannah habitats, are commonly kept in zoos and they would be an ideal addition now that chorus behaviour is included in the game.
2)
Chacoan peccary - This is an endemic species to the Gran Chaco region, an Endangered member of the peccary family and also the largest of the three; they are fairly common in American zoos and are now becoming increasingly abundant in Europe as well.
3)
Maned wolf - Although primarily a species of the cerrado grasslands, maned wolves have been recorded within the Gran Chaco and are one of the most-wanted South American animals. They would add a canid quite unlike anything else in the game so far, as it could be mixed with other species such as giant anteaters.
4)
Six-banded armadillo - An armadillo is an absolute requirement for a Gran Chaco-themed pack, as the region has the highest diversity of armadillos on Earth with around half of all the living species found here; this is one of the most common species in captivity and is able to be kept in large outdoor enclosures.
The exhibit species would be:
5)
False water cobra - The colubrids are the biggest snake family on Earth (containing more species than all other 29 snake families combined) and yet they have no representatives at all in Planet Zoo. This large three-metre species, found throughout humid environments in South America and occurring in zoos across Europe and North America would be an ideal addition.
The additional three species for an animal pack would be:
6)
Azara's agouti - This commonly-kept species of rodent has the Gran Chaco as its distribution centre and occurs within all four countries in which the Chaco region lies. In zoos, they are often kept in mixed-species displays and are also able to live in walkthrough enclosures. They occur within tropical forest patches and also savannahs, making them a versatile option.
7)
Red-footed tortoise - This is a brightly-coloured species from both grassland and rainforest habitats throughout South America. They are common in zoos and are frequent additions to mixed exhibits. Although they are nowhere near endemic to the area a good reason for their inclusion is that, in May of this year, 40 of these tortoises were reintroduced to the northern Argentinian part of the Chaco to help disperse tree seeds.
8)
Southern screamer - As far as birds go, this is one of the most interesting - they are a species of large waterfowl which is so terrestrial it has lost the webbing between its toes. They are a frequent inclusion in South American mixed exhibits, are suitable for walkthrough enclosures and have very cute fluffy yellow chicks that may make them a sleeper favourite among players.
There are many other potential options, such as either the collared or white-lipped peccary, the black-tailed marmoset, another rodent such as the plains viscacha or Chacoan mara (found in zoos, but not as common as the agouti), the Southern tamandua, another species of armadillo (such as nine-banded, three-banded, large hairy or even the giant armadillo), the ring-tailed coati, the greater rhea, the lowland tapir, the Chilean flamingo or a species of small cat such as the ocelot, margay, jaguarundi or Geoffroy's cat.
