30 essential animals meta-wishlist

[OkapiJohn]

Extraordinary results so far. Thanks Random_goat

I would really never guessed that European Lynx would be so high on the list and also if we would add all the species of Lynx to the one vote it would get even more votes than a Meerkat. Very similar situation with Ibex if we would add Nubian, Alpine and Iberian it would end up much higher on the list. Shocking because I thought that both of those species are not so desired by the community but I was wrong.

I’m also quite amazed by the other results too.
Some niche species are so high on the list that I would never suspected that they ever could. If the first 50 animals from the list would end up in the game I would be the happiest men on earth.

That makes me wonder, should we really specify species and subspecies so exactly or should we just use the types of animals like sea lion or lynx or ibex or leopard or African rhino or gibbon or beaver?
I think that we won’t get more than just one type of lynx or sea lion.
Because we can always use the animal types and only mention which species has won the most votes in the notes.
Or maybe at the end we can modify the list and make the other one with the much less specifics? It can always throw a new light on the ranking and each animal type.

What are your thoughts about that?

We have multiple wolves (dogs) and bears.

 

[NL_Mutso]

For me, if two animals from the same type have different requirements, then it's fine if we get both, like the Bengal tiger (tropical bioma) and Siberian tiger (cold bioma) or the Eurasian lynx (cold) and Iberian lynx (warm). However, if both species have very similar requirements, like the black and white rhino, I only want one.

Fully agree with this one. Not the most exciting thing to have 2 almost similar animals - at least pick a (sub)species with other biome requirements.

 

[paul78]

I would be really surprised to see two lynx subspecies make the roster but I know your just making a point tho. The only real possibilities of similar animals making the roster possibly would be a Sumatran tiger, Malayan tapir, or blue wildebeest. Sumatran tiger is probably very doubtful at this point. As far as the two African rhinos go I’d take both in game but I’m obviously pretty biased in opinion tho. The black and white rhino although sharing some similarities are actually two very different animals from appearance and behavioral standpoints. Based on popularity in both species I wouldn’t be to surprised if both made it in. Just speculation tho.

 

[HunterIsCookie]

Okay, here goes (again, 3rd time I've done this now)
This takes into account highly requested animals and what is commonly found in zoos (those two tend to overlap a lot, unsurprisingly). Although there's a few that made it on purely because I like them a lot.

1. California Sea Lion - Surprised this didn't make it into the aquatic pack, probably the most iconic pinniped species for zoos [Added through the North America Animal Pack]
2. Humboldt Penguin - Any banded penguin is fine, but the name of all things sells me on this species especially [The African Penguin's inclusion in the Africa Pack removes my need for this species]
3. Asian Small-Clawed Otter - The Giant Otter is a fine inclusion, but it doesn't scream otter to me and is less usable for builds. We also need both more smaller animals and more South-East Asian animals in the game
4. Clouded Leopard - Probably the most requested animal for an Asian pack, coupled with becoming a more well known zoo animal and a smaller cat makes it a worthy inclusion in my eyes [Added through the Southeast Asia Animal Pack]
5. Malayan Tapir - An easier animal to make but it's unique pattern and continent compared to the Baird's is enough really [Added through the Southeast Asia Animal Pack]
6. Binturong - My favourite animal of all time, and seemingly a fan-favourite on the forum, the binturong adds carnivoran variety by being a viverrid, and even more arboreal species [Added through the Southeast Asia Animal Pack]
7. Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon - Any gibbon species is fine but I find this species most appealing as a DLC inclusion (If we were talking base game inclusions, it would be a different story)
8. Przewalski's Wild Horse - Another animal from mainland Asia would be nice, and this species may be pairable with the Bactrian Camel (I'm not too sure though)
9. Dromedary Camel - I think it's distinct enough from the Bactrian to warrant an inclusion, right?
10. Hamadryas Baboon - This or the Olive Baboon. I don't care which, but I'm leaning towards Hamadryas because of my own zoo experiences.
11. Black Rhinoceros - Helps finish off the African Big 5 (which I guess doesn't count in a zoo game, but they're all iconic zoo animals anyways), and the rhino decorations seem to depict this species mainly, and it would be nice to be able to use them accurately
12. African Leopard - This subspecies is the most recognizable to the general public (at least in places where leopards are not present) and once again, helps finish of the Big 5 of Africa. I also have the reasoning that the subspecies covers a wider range of biomes than most other subspecies, which are confined to one or two
13. Meerkat - duh, of course [Added through the Africa Pack]
14. Alpine Ibex - Seems to be a staple animal of many European zoos (at least Germany and Austria), also ZT1/2 nostalgia might be what gets a lot of people on board with this species as it was in both games from the start
15. Iberian Lynx - Conservational history and the chance to represent the Mediterranean biome makes this small cat get a thumbs up from me
16. Red Deer - Any "generic" deer species could work (Fallow and Axis deer come to mind), but the Red Deer is easily the most requested because of a stag statue in the base game, so uh, ye
17. Wolverine - Helps represent multiple things including, another cold climate animal, reps both NA and EU which are both lacking in species, land-based mustelids (better than a badger imo) and smaller animals (despite it being on the larger end of it's family)
18. Moose - Not really synonymous with zoos in any sense (more of a national park animal), but it's large size and popularity could make it a challenging and rewarding animal to house (which is possible, somehow) [Added through the North America Animal Pack]
19. American Alligator - Once again, a no duh inclusion. I don't have anything else to say really [Added through the North America Animal Pack]
20. American Beaver - This ALL depends on if they would be able to program dam building. If not, then uh idk [Added through the North America Animal Pack]
21. North American Cougar - For some reason every continental pack idea other than Australia gets a cat thrown into the mix (hmmm,) [Added through the North America Animal Pack]
22. Capybara - Basically, beaver with less work (not really but it's an oversimplification). Very popular as both a candidate for the game and just in general, could be cheap animal that can be paired with numerous other species.
23. Maned Wolf - A unique canid from South America. Literally only makes it onto this list because I like them a lot.
24. Emu - Wow, I haven't listed a bird since animal number 2 (There were so many ground birds I want that didn't make the list unfortunately). This bird is literally on our coat of arms, why the heck was it excluded from the Australia pack???
25. Tasmanian Devil - I don't really know how to explain this pick. I'll just leave it on and hope people agree with me
26. Addax - This critically endangered antelope has become very common in zoos around the globe because of conservation programmes, and it's unique appearance and biome compared to other antelope may tide others over in it's favour
27. Scimitar-Horned Oryx - Same reasons as the Addax, just slightly easier to make. Also, we have an extinct in the wild symbol in game, we might as well use it, and Oryxes as a whole seem to be the poster animals for that status.
28. Fennec Fox - Probably the most plausible fox species for the game, as I know those are highly requested in the community. Also, more desert animals would be greatly appreciated [Added through the Africa Pack]
29. Fossa - The apex predator of Madagascar poses a unique animal for a zoo's collection and it's been seen added to more zoos in recent years, and is starting to become more recognisable to the public.
30. Black-Handed Spider Monkey - Okay, this one is purely because I love this animal a lot. Specifically the ornate subspecies as it's the one I'm most familiar with (I'm guessing ornate as the zoos never specify subspecies but ornate is the only ssp. resembling the ones I've seen). Although a Howler or a Squirrel Monkey are usually chosen as a second New World Monkey, Spider monkeys are probably my favourite, and I'm saddened by the lack of discussion of members in the Ateles genus.

I also though that I'd do 10 honourable mentions animals, to showcase a few animals that I really want to see, but didn't make the cut (You don't need to list these Goat)
1. Markhor - Purely due to my memories of ZT2 and finding out that this animal was a thing. I was even more surprised to find out that it belongs to the same genus as the ibex earlier on in the list. The sheer amount of differences in the two species make it also worthy of inclusion in my opinion, it just didn't make the main list due to lack of mentions by the community. The Spider monkey was the only animal I told myself was going to make the list purely because I want it so much.
2. Southern White Rhinoceros - Okay, this one would've been number 30 on the main list if I didn't shoehorn the monkey onto the list. But I did do that, so here we are. Probably the most common rhinoceros in captivity as a whole, it should've made the base roster instead of the Indian Rhinoceros. But, Frontier makes really weird decisions and we're kind of stuck with that fact. I guess we can only hope [Added through the Africa Pack]
3. North Island Brown Kiwi - Yay, another bird! Probably one of the most unique animals in terms of mechanics (maybe even more complicated than the gibbon and beaver if Frontier wants to put in the effort) as they need specialised nocturnal houses to live in. Although, I don't expect that to be a thing Frontier would want to do and they might just make the kiwi a regular animal
4. Ocelot - The smallest cat on my list. It has the same reasoning as the Maned Wolf (which was a bit of a lie, I also saw other people ask for these two but the MW came up more often from what I noticed so it made it on the list proper while the ocelot didn't)
5. Proboscis Monkey - Not a staple zoo animal in the broadest sense of the term, but a really interesting one none the less. The only zoos I've been to outside of Australia, Singapore Zoo houses two troops iirc (one on display, one off) and they are wonderful. It would be nice to have some very arboreal Old World monkeys (Mandrill, Jap Macaque and even the baboon I mentioned are more ground-dwelling in nature) and they can also swim! [Added through the Southeast Asia Animal Pack]
6. Red-Necked Wallaby/Bennett's Wallaby - I may have a bias towards the Agile Wallaby as I've seen them in the wild, but I can't deny that the Red-Necked Wallaby probably deserves the second macropod slot more as it's found in so many zoos around the world (an astounding 120 according to ZooInstitutes)
7. Blackbuck - Mainly because of ZT1's inclusion of the animal and because it's probably the most recognisable Asian antelope species. Fun Fact: Blackbuck were apparently released into Australia back in the 1900s, but they seem to have all died out iirc (just saying this now, feel free to correct me on any information that I may be wrong on, I can probably take the heat)
8. Spectacled Bear - A noteworthy bear species as it is the closest relative of the now extinct short-faced bears. They would add in some more South American variety because I know we can never get enough of that, right?
9. Little Penguin - Not super noteworthy outside of Australia and New Zealand, the Little Penguin (also called the Fairy Penguin or the Blue Penguin) is the smallest penguin and is noted here just because I like them a lot. Hey, these are the honourable mentions, A.K.A; my hopes and dreams that will be inevitably be crushed by only a year or 2 more of content, so I can put whatever I want here! sobs
10. Red River Hog - Of all the pig species of the world, the Red River Hog's vibrant colouration and tropical habitat make it an instantly recognisable species. Couple that with it's inclusion in many of the more famous zoos around the world (San Diego, Bronx, Singapore), and you got yourself a pig that deserves an inclusion in the game! Too bad it's outshone by many other African animals atm

Dang, that took like... an hour or so of just sitting and typing. I don't think I'm going to back up my choices anymore, too much effort. I feel bad for whoever decides to read to the end of this, but also grateful to anyone who bothered to read it all

 

[random goat]

Extraordinary results so far. Thanks Random_goat

I would really never guessed that European Lynx would be so high on the list and also if we would add all the species of Lynx to the one vote it would get even more votes than a Meerkat. Very similar situation with Ibex if we would add Nubian, Alpine and Iberian it would end up much higher on the list. Shocking because I thought that both of those species are not so desired by the community but I was wrong.

I’m also quite amazed by the other results too.
Some niche species are so high on the list that I would never suspected that they ever could. If the first 50 animals from the list would end up in the game I would be the happiest men on earth.

That makes me wonder, should we really specify species and subspecies so exactly or should we just use the types of animals like sea lion or lynx or ibex or leopard or African rhino or gibbon or beaver?
I think that we won’t get more than just one type of lynx or sea lion.
Because we can always use the animal types and only mention which species has won the most votes in the notes.
Or maybe at the end we can modify the list and make the other one with the much less specifics? It can always throw a new light on the ranking and each animal type.

What are your thoughts about that?

The level of specificity when making an animal wishlist is usually a matter of discussion, and it all comes down to what the user prefers. The concept 'type of animal' is quite broad and not particularly clear nor precise, so it intrinsically has a subjective component. In the case of lynxes, you can say all lynxes species are one 'type' of animal and it sounds reasonable. But what about lemurs, antelopes, new world monkeys, etc.? Is an Aye-aye the same 'type' of animal as an Indri? Is an Impala the same 'type' of animal as a Nile Lechwe? There you have the subjective component.
As a biologist, I always prefer to work with the basic taxonomic classification system. It's simple, precise and global. Like most zoos, animals are presented at species level because it makes the most sense. Some zoos (and even Planet Zoo itself) do even go down to subspecies level for animals which can reproduce with other subspecies (by definition of species) but possess very distinct traits, requirements, appearance, habitat, distribution, etc. like Canis lupus and Panthera tigris.
You can also do the opposite and work at genus level, which includes various species, but then again there are some cases with very distinct species of 'different type' within the same genus (eg. Panthera).

It's true that PZ most likely will work on very distinct animals that don't look similar, but at the same time I hope and think they will work on relatively similar animals too. In fact we've had two giant tortoises, two wolves, two brown bears, etc. which are more similar than... say the Amazonian tapir and the Malayan tapir.

If people would fancy a list defined by the broad concept of 'types' of animal, it shouldn't be too difficult to do the maths based on this list. I would support it, but honestly I won't do it myself because of what I stated above!

 

[random goat]

I think yes.. You can always do it in the end. Not the other way around.
Also gives us more insight in the more popular subspecies.

Could be fun to make a secondary list after a couple of weeks. The "the top 30 from this top 30 animal species list" and you have to create your own 4 habitat animal DLC?

Yep, that's it. As I said I fully support a list like that if people are up to it, but won't do it myself, at least in the forseeable future. The 'create your own 4 habitat animal DLC' based on this list is also a good idea but again I personally don't plan to do it soon.

Right now the priority is to keep increasing the sample size so the meta-wishlist becomes more significant and hopefully meaningful for the high spheres

I also think that it is not very likely that we will get two animals of the same "type" unless we get more animals per pack or a "clone" pack.

For me, if two animals from the same type have different requirements, then it's fine if we get both, like the Bengal tiger (tropical bioma) and Siberian tiger (cold bioma) or the Eurasian lynx (cold) and Iberian lynx (warm). However, if both species have very similar requirements, like the black and white rhino, I only want one.

Agreed, specially if we're given only 25-30 more habitat animals.

 

[random goat]

I would be really surprised to see two lynx subspecies make the roster but I know your just making a point tho. The only real possibilities of similar animals making the roster possibly would be a Sumatran tiger, Malayan tapir, or blue wildebeest. Sumatran tiger is probably very doubtful at this point. As far as the two African rhinos go I’d take both in game but I’m obviously pretty biased in opinion tho. The black and white rhino although sharing some similarities are actually two very different animals from appearance and behavioral standpoints. Based on popularity in both species I wouldn’t be to surprised if both made it in. Just speculation tho.

The lynxes mentioned here and everywhere in the forums are different species, though! But I agree that it is much more likely that we see two African rhinos than two lynxes, even if the Iberian and the Canadian are very different form each other, for instance.

 

[paul78]

@random goat yeah that’s basically all I really meant by saying popularity wise the two rhinos have a much better chance then two lynx. Although different lynx subspecies are very similar tho mainly only differing in size,coat, and adaptions due to regions. The two African rhinos although similar in some ways have a much bigger gap in difference due to being different species instead of subspecies.

 

[markun]

There are four lynx species: Eurasian lynx, Iberian lynx, Canada lynx and bobcat.

 

[paul78]

True but they are subspecies. Kinda like to my knowledge there are 3 black rhino subspecies left. And for the white rhinos there’s southern and the more less extinct atm northern. It’s like the tiger having the Siberian,Bengal, Malayan and so on. The only difference in subspecies is due to the time frame of being divided by environmental regions and adaptions they’ve evolved into a separate species. The black and white rhino are completely different species is all I’m making a point of.

 

[markun]

True but they are subspecies. Kinda like to my knowledge there are 3 black rhino subspecies left. And for the white rhinos there’s southern and the more less extinct atm northern. It’s like the tiger having the Siberian,Bengal, Malayan and so on. The only difference in subspecies is due to the time frame of being divided by environmental regions and adaptions they’ve evolved into a separate species. The black and white rhino are completely different species is all I’m making a point of.

No, they are species.

The Iberian lynx isn’t a subspecies, it’s a species.

The Eurasian lynx isn’t a subspecies but itself has subspecies such as the Carpathian lynx and Siberian lynx.

 

[paul78]

Yeah your right sorry but the only point I’m trying to make tho is the lynx species are closer in evolution and behaviors then the two rhino species. Although the lynx are different species they’re all quite similar in a lot of ways.

 

[Sorgo_Donkey]

Wow that is all just crazy interesting cant’t wait for the final results to pop up

 

[nutrit]

Yep, that's it. As I said I fully support a list like that if people are up to it, but won't do it myself, at least in the forseeable future. The 'create your own 4 habitat animal DLC' based on this list is also a good idea but again I personally don't plan to do it soon.

Right now the priority is to keep increasing the sample size so the meta-wishlist becomes more significant and hopefully meaningful for the high spheres


Agreed, specially if we're given only 25-30 more habitat animals.

Great we can decide later what to do with the list in the end.
It is very hard to make decisions to this types list, just as you said, but it is hard not to notice that there are at least 4 species of lynx or gibbon and probably most of the people would agree to choose just one since most of them seem to be so similar.
There are not that many types on the list so in the end I could gladly by your permission create a list like this.

I think that species that I would like to see added up and merged are:

1. Lynx
2. Gibbon
3. Leopard (Panthera pardus)
4. Sea lion
5. Beaver
6. Ibex
7. Tree kangaroo
8. Wallaby
9. Baboon
10. Small penguin
11. Tiger
12. Deer (?)
13. Otter
14. Wild donkey
15. Pelican
16. Stork
17. Crocodile
18. Macaque
19. Guenon
20. Spider monkey
21. Howler monkey
22. Lemur
23. Another Pinniped (except sea lion)
25. Sloth
26. Duck/goose/swan
27. Pheasant and other galliformes
28. Any small cat
29. Any small mustelid
30. Antelope (?)

Just in the same manner as we already have it on your list like “Echidna (any)” for example.

 

[markun]

Personally I wouldn’t want to see merging like this.

Partly because it’s subjective; one person’s similar ‘types’ are not going to be accepted by all and partly because I want my choices to be accurately represented as I’m sure some others do.

For example I didn’t pick ‘ibex’, I picked Alpine ibex because I specifically want that over the Nubian ibex.

It’s also unscientific. So my view is please don’t merge ‘types’.

 

[OkapiJohn]

Personally I wouldn’t want to see merging like this.

Partly because it’s subjective; one person’s similar ‘types’ are not going to be accepted by all and partly because I want my choices to be accurately represented as I’m sure some others do.

For example I didn’t pick ‘ibex’, I picked Alpine ibex because I specifically want that over the Nubian ibex.

It’s also unscientific. So my view is please don’t merge ‘types’.

I also agreed, although on my list I have put some vague names like echidna or gibbon (ibex too) without specify which species. I know there are several of these animals, but for me, I am happy with any representative of the group.

 

[OkapiJohn]

The lynxes mentioned here and everywhere in the forums are different species, though! But I agree that it is much more likely that we see two African rhinos than two lynxes, even if the Iberian and the Canadian are very different form each other, for instance.

Actually, How did you count the "African rhino"?? Because on the meta-list are only stated black or white rhino. I must say I put African rhino as well. Just because I want both, but if we have to only get one, I cannot choose and I prefer to let the devs pick one xD

 

[random goat]

Wow that is all just crazy interesting cant’t wait for the final results to pop up

I like your enthusiasm! I have to say, however, that most likely there will never be 'final results'. If people keep posting lists, I'll keep updating.
Truth be told, I reckon the current sample size (59 participants) is quite representative of the community and some conclusions can be drawn. Ideally, we should have hundreds if not thousands of participants.

Actually, How did you count the "African rhino"?? Because on the meta-list are only stated black or white rhino. I must say I put African rhino as well. Just because I want both, but if we have to only get one, I cannot choose and I prefer to let the devs pick one xD

As I wrote in the opening post, when someone posts a generic animal choice, this applies:
"To simplify data collection, those answers that include several species per slot (eg.: 1. Any species of sloth) will be automatically treated as a single animal and added to the most requested species inside that generic animal group (eg. in this case: Three Toed Sloth)."

In your case, your African Rhino vote was automatically allocated to White Rhino because it was the most popular/voted species inside the "African Rhino" group of species

There are not that many types on the list so in the end I could gladly by your permission create a list like this.

Sure, you don't need my permission for that!

 

[SalamAnders]

This was in no way easy. I could keep going but this will do the job, I will probably never end up with a list I feel 100% satisfied with anyway. In random other:


1. Meerkat
2. Southern White Rhino
3. Humboldt Penguin
4. Asian Small-Clawed Otter
5. Binturong
6. Przewalski's Horse
7. Alpine Ibex
8. Black Buck
9. Lar Gibbon
10. De Brazza Monkey
11. American Alligator
12. Moose
13. Hamadryas Baboon
14. Fallow Deer
15. Sand Cat
16. European Lynx
17. Fennec Fox
18. Black Howler Monkey
19. Black-tailed Prairie Dog
20. Great White Pelican
21. Helmeted Guinea Fowl
22. Rock Hyrax
23. California Sea Lion
24. Scimitar Horned Oryx
25. Capybara
26. Bennett’s Wallaby
27. Tasmanian Devil
28. American Beaver
29. Japanese Crane
30. Collared Peccary

 

[XxldasOrginal]

Onager is the Asian wild donkey.


Maybe you were thinking about the African Somali wild donkey?

The asian wild donkey.