The short-eared dog is my second favourite South American canid (after the maned wolf), but unfortunately it seems to have no current presence in zoos (last individuals in Europe were back in the 70s). They are occasionally kept in wildlife rescue centres in the Amazon but that's about it.
Analyzing required animals by Taxonomical group
I never would've expected the red river hog to be the species that lit this thread on fire. Prior to this, I don't think I've ever seen anything besides universal approval when it's brought up. I guess it's a vocal minority of detractors, but still. I think a few of the points being used against them aren't entirely fair.
Tropical mainland Africa is still a fairly underrepresented region, with its best representatives being the mandrill, pygmy hippo, bongo, okapi, and pick-your-favorite-ape. This is better than some regions, sure, and certainly better than temperate Europe or American desert. But anything else from Africa that features the Tropical tag (including, and perhaps especially warthogs) isn't something I'd expect to see in a tropical area in zoos, where RRH are often found. I don't think it's redundant at all in that regard.
Saying it's less common than the wild boar is also a strictly regional thing. Wild boar are exceptionally rare in North American zoos, but Zoo Chat lists 78 collections exhibiting RRH. That's 5 more than warthog, and far more than any other wild suine. Zootierliste shows a similar number of RRHs across Europe. While this obviously absolutely pales in comparison to the number of wild boar in Germany alone, let alone the rest of the continent, I don't think it's fair to leverage that as a point against the RRH, given that they're more prevalent in at least NA far from uncommon overall.
Don't take this as a knock against the boar or a peccary, because I really do want all three of them.
Tropical mainland Africa is still a fairly underrepresented region, with its best representatives being the mandrill, pygmy hippo, bongo, okapi, and pick-your-favorite-ape. This is better than some regions, sure, and certainly better than temperate Europe or American desert. But anything else from Africa that features the Tropical tag (including, and perhaps especially warthogs) isn't something I'd expect to see in a tropical area in zoos, where RRH are often found. I don't think it's redundant at all in that regard.
Saying it's less common than the wild boar is also a strictly regional thing. Wild boar are exceptionally rare in North American zoos, but Zoo Chat lists 78 collections exhibiting RRH. That's 5 more than warthog, and far more than any other wild suine. Zootierliste shows a similar number of RRHs across Europe. While this obviously absolutely pales in comparison to the number of wild boar in Germany alone, let alone the rest of the continent, I don't think it's fair to leverage that as a point against the RRH, given that they're more prevalent in at least NA far from uncommon overall.
Don't take this as a knock against the boar or a peccary, because I really do want all three of them.
I don't think anyone actively doesn't want them as much as many people rate them third when it comes to the 3 requsted suines left.
And by any means I think it’s not supported by any facts campaign against one of the most popular and desired species and it bothers me.
Again huge majority of wildlife parks in Germany and Austria are not zoo’s by any means
Do we really have to go all through it all over again 
I respect that someone doesn’t consider RRH essential but I can’t stand still and watch when you guys are trying to deny the facts that are there. RRH is the most desired species by majority of players and this is something that just cannot be undermined
Wild boar and Peccary are great, unique and amazing but are just not so popular and wanted.
Again huge majority of wildlife parks in Germany and Austria are not zoo’s by any means
Do we really have to go all through it all over again I respect that someone doesn’t consider RRH essential but I can’t stand still and watch when you guys are trying to deny the facts that are there. RRH is the most desired species by majority of players and this is something that just cannot be undermined
Wild boar and Peccary are great, unique and amazing but are just not so popular and wanted.
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The thread isn’t asking what the most requested Species are, it’s asking what (in each poster’s opinion) the most needed are…. What makes a species needed is subjective and up to each of us to determine for ourselves - if number of requests is your criterion that’s fine but it doesn’t have to be anyone else’s.And by any means I think it’s not supported by any facts campaign against one of the most popular and desired species and it bothers me.
Again huge majority wildlife parks in Germany and Austria are not zoo’s by any means
I respect that someone doesn’t consider RRH essential but I can’t stand still and watch when you guys are trying to deny the facts that are there. RRH is the most desired species by majority of players and this is something that just cannot be undermined
Wild boar and Peccary are great, unique and amazing but are just not so popular and wanted.
Discussion #7: Antelopes*, Viverroids**, Turtles, crocodilians
What we have:
Antelopes:
Viverroids (Malgasy carnivores, genets, civets...)
Turtles
Explain what you think is still needed from the aforementioned groups, and give your reasoning as to why. Take into account that slots in the roster are not unlimited, so try to keep the discussion realistic.
*Bovines and caprines not inckuded as they will get their own discussion
**Viverroids include hyenas and mongooses as well, but they already got their own discussions
What we have:
Antelopes:
- Black wildebeest
- Bongo
- Gemsbok
- Nyala
- Sable antelope
- Springbok
- Thomson's gazelle
- NIle lechwe
- Scimitar horned oryx
- Blue Wildebeest
Viverroids (Malgasy carnivores, genets, civets...)
- Binturong
Turtles
- Aldabra giant tortoise
- Diamondback terrapin
- Galapagos giant tortoise
- Americsn Alligator
- Cuvier's dwarf caiman
- Gharial
- Saltwater crocodile
- Spectacled caiman
Explain what you think is still needed from the aforementioned groups, and give your reasoning as to why. Take into account that slots in the roster are not unlimited, so try to keep the discussion realistic.
*Bovines and caprines not inckuded as they will get their own discussion
**Viverroids include hyenas and mongooses as well, but they already got their own discussions
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I'm confused by the Antelopes heading... does this include like the klipspringer and duiker?
Antelopes: We really need more antelopes. They are very common in zoos and perfect choices for some sections. From Asia, we have the Blackbuck, a must for every indian section, very beautiful colours and fit so well in every zoo. Another good choice is the Common Eland or another eland, the Giant Eland. They are so imponent antelopes, and very big too, i see a possibility of see them in game. And i think for antelopes is enough.
Viverroids: A very easy one, the Fossa, one of the most requested animals of the game, a very unique animal, the bigest carnivore of Madagascar, i definitely can see this animal coming this year.
Turtles: Another easy one, the African Spurred Tortoise, another Zoo Tycoon 2 icon, and a very curious-looking turtle, hopefully we can see this animal come to the game.
Yes. Everything in Bovidae except the bovines and caprines
Antelopes:
We can never have enough antelopes, such a lackluster selection we have right now. For Africa there is just a wide variety to choose from so I would opt for the Gerenuk , Greater Kudu and to allow us to make kopje habitats I would select the Klipspringer
Of course Asia needs some representation so naturally the Blackbuck will be chosen
Viverriods:
We can't talk about viverriods without mentioning the very much requested Fossa, an essential animal if one is to make a Madagascar section in a zoo. Another animal I would like to see here would be the Common Genet. A large range over Africa and including the Iberian peninsula allows wide usage in general small animal collections
Turtles:
We have big tortoise but what about smaller tortoises, reptile houses and general reptile zones critically lack these additions. A standout animal right away would be the Egyptian Tortoise allowing some tiny filler habitats for tortoises. while some may opt for the popular African spurred tortoise I feel the inclusion is to similar to the Aldabra tortoise for warrant the essential title. We can't talk about turtles without looking at the water dwelling turtles , Pig Nosed Turtle can be frequently found in small pond habitats and even sharing larger reptile habitats such as Gharial. I will miss looking at at aquarium centered turtles like the green sea turtle considering the existing roster of marine animals
Seeing as this is easier than I thought I added crocodilians in, so feel free to comment on them as well
Ok, here we go:
Antelopes
I'd say that some more are needed, most notably Asian antelopes. A common choice is the blackbuck, and I'm gonna add the saiga in this as well as a not needed but not opposed to choice. For Africa, I'm kinda satisfied, although a bontebok would be nice
- Blackbuck - bring it
- Saiga - not common in captivity, but has a presence and that's good enough for me. Not essential but not opposed
- Bontebok - I just like them. No particular reason
I don't have much knowledge in this at all, so imma just mention the ones I know and how I'm not asking for them but I'm not opposed, either:
- African civet
- Masked palm civet
- Fanaloka
- Fossa?
- Red vontsira?
Ok, yes. I'd love a couple more turtles and tortoise species...
Of habitat turtles, then the African spurred tortoise, sea turtle (any species), and the red footed tortoise...
Of exhibit turtles, then the box turtle, the red-eared slider, alligator snapping turtle, and the mata-mata. This are the ones I think are essential...
- African spurred tortoise
- Sea turtle (any species)
- Red footed tortoise
- Box turtle
- Red-eared slider
- Alligator snapping turtle
- Mata-mata
And updating with:
Crocodilians
As it is, I'm actually satisfied. I only want 1, and that's the Nile crocodile. That way, every continent will have a member of this family. Any other ones I'd rather just get mods
See that I added crocodilians in. Also for those you requested, could you add why, abd what do you consider essential or not?
Generally crocodilians are well represented however there is one big issue , WHERE IS AFRICA?! To complete the crocodilians I would want the iconic Nile Crocodile and the budget Gharial or the African Slender Snouted Crocodile
Added them actually, just now
Crocodilians: Some people don't want more, but i think we need more of our prehistoric bois. Firs, the most obvious one, the Nile Crocodile, a Zoo Tycoon 2 Classic and famous enough to enter the game. Another good option is the Tomistoma, a unique crocodile from Asia, with an incredible redish coloration and some similarity to the gharial. And finally the Orinoco Crocodile, a very beautiful South American Crocodile in risk of dissapear, so it can give a conservation message to the game.
I must say, I came around to preferring slender-snouted crocodile over the nile crocodile because the nile croc looks very similar to the salty, and the slender snouted is rather unique looking.
That's my opinion aswell, every time I suggest the slender Snouted over the Nile I always upset some people
Oh boy I'm a bit late...
I'll do this anyway and then do today's discussion in a bit too.Canines:
Our canine roster is really good currently but there is three more species that I think are worth thinking about: Bush dog, Raccoon dog, and Bat-eared fox. All three of these species are common in zoos and being quite small in size and unique looking from the rest of our canines I think these would all be really great additions to flesh out South American areas, East Asian areas and our African savannahs!
Apes:
Give us the lar gibbon! Some variety in gibbons would be very nice and considering this is the archetypal common gibbon and is visually distinct from the siamang it seems like the ideal choice here. I also wouldn't mind the northern white-cheeked gibbon or yellow-cheeked gibbon either as another option. As for great apes, the only sensical addition would be the Sumatran orangutan as it could potentially give us a much needed orangutan rework
but I don't think I'd call it necessary.Suines:
Wild boar, do I need to say more? This is honestly one of the most necessary ungulates for the game... Found almost everywhere and the archetypal "wild pig". We need it. Other than that, there is other species worth mentioning. The Visayan warty pig is quite the common zoo animal and is a Philippines endemic, something that we are still missing from the game... This could be a good way to add this. There is also the ever popular red river hog, visually striking and would help fill out the African rainforest roster. These are the only suids I can think of but now onto something arguably more necessary... Peccaries... Honestly, I would take any of the three species (white-lipped peccary, collared peccary, Chacoan peccary) but I'd favour the collared if I had to choose.
Mongooses:
This isn't one I have thought of much since we got the meerkat but I definitely think we could do with another species. The banded mongoose, dwarf mongoose, and yellow mongoose are all species that are very common in zoos and could work as nice alternatives to meerkats to spruce up our zoos a bit more! All of them are also quite distinct from the meerkat and each other.