Lots of people have posted their own complete wishlist of species they'd love to see, so I thought I'd go ahead and post my own. However, as a lover of biogeography, I also decided to add my own little twist to it by sorting it via biogeographic realms rather than continents. Do note that a species being absent from my wishlist does not mean I would be unhappy with their inclusion (far from it in most cases), just that these are the species I'm most hoping will make it into the game. This also does not represent what I think is realistic or fair (yeah, as if Australasia is going to get that many species). For groups of similar species where just one would satisfy my wants, I've lumped them together with slashes in between. Species are sorted taxonomically rather than by preference.
(Note: while this map shows Sulawesi as part of the Australasian realm, here I'm considering it Indomalayan. I consider the boundary between the two realms to be the Weber Line rather than the Wallace Line, as that is where the mix of species actually switches from majority Asian to majority Australian)
Nearctic Realm
Most wanted species: Ringtail
- Short-beaked Echidna
- Yapok
- Numbat
- Eastern/Western/Spotted-tailed Quoll
- Greater Bilby
- Sulawesi Bear Cuscus
- Common Brushtail Possum
- Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby
- Goodfellow's/Matschie's Tree Kangaroo
- Eastern Grey Kangaroo
- Rock Hyrax
- Mountain Hare
- Malagasy Giant Rat
- South African Springhare
- Patagonian Mara
- Red-rumped Agouti
- Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat
- Rakali
- Geoffroy's Spider Monkey
- Emperor/Cotton-top/Golden Lion Tamarin
- Bolivian Squirrel Monkey
- Sulawesi Crested Macaque
- Spectacled/Francois' Langur
- Mantled Guereza
- Ringtail
- Leopard Seal
- Australian Sealion/New Zealand Fur Seal/Brown Fur Seal
- South American Coati
- Lesser Malay Chevrotain
- Reeves' Muntjac
- Chital/Javan Rusa/Indian Hog Deer
- Lowland Anoa
- Common Eland
- Blackbuck
- Aoudad
- Greater/Lesser Rhea
- Helmeted Guineafowl
- Golden Pheasant/Lady Amherst's Pheasant
- Magpie Goose
- Nene
- Egyptian Goose
- Mandarin Duck
- Australian Pelican
- Gentoo Penguin
- Brolga
- Kagu
- Red-legged Seriema
- Freshwater Crocodile
- West African Slender-snouted Crocodile
- Leopard/Radiated Tortoise
- Pig-nosed Turtle
- Rhinoceros Iguana
- Perentie/Lace Monitor
(Note: while this map shows Sulawesi as part of the Australasian realm, here I'm considering it Indomalayan. I consider the boundary between the two realms to be the Weber Line rather than the Wallace Line, as that is where the mix of species actually switches from majority Asian to majority Australian)
Nearctic Realm
Most wanted species: Ringtail
- Ringtail - My personal favourite North American mammal! Rare in zoos outside of NA and not super common in its native range either, but if there's one part of North America that's still lacking, it's the deserts and scrublands of the south-west and they'd be a great boost in that regard.
Palaearctic Realm
Most wanted species: Aoudad
Most wanted species: Aoudad
- Rock Hyrax - The game needs more afrotheres, and these guys would be a perfect addition in that regard. They have a wide range spanning much of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and would represent a new order of mammals in the game (Hyracoidea).
- Mountain Hare - I feel the game needs a lagomorph, and this species in particular has caught my attention recently due to its variable colouration and reasonable EAZA holdings.
- Reeves' Muntjac - Now that deer are reaching the stage where they feel adequately represented amongst the game's roster, a smaller species like a muntjac would be a great way to shake things up! Also a great pick for mixed species habitats.
- Aoudad - One of only two wild caprines kept in Australian zoos and therefore a very important animal to have for me personally. Also provides us with a goat that lives in a more arid environment rather than another cold alpine species.
- Golden/Lady Amherst's Pheasant - It's about time we got some more gamebirds besides peafowl, and these two pheasants from the highlands of China are both very popular in zoos. I'd be happy with either, or better, with both!
- Mandarin Duck - We all want ducks, and this is among the most well-known, attractive and widespread in zoos. As such, it'd make a perfect addition to the game.
Afrotropical Realm
Most wanted species: Radiated Tortoise
Most wanted species: Radiated Tortoise
- Rock Hyrax - See Palaearctic realm
- Malagasy Giant Rat - While a giant rat doesn't have much appeal to most people, I'm personally a big fan of rodents! These guys remind me a lot of bilbies, and including them in PZ would help to spread awareness of this obscure and critically endangered species.
- South African Springhare - The closest placental mammals have ever got to replicating the kangaroo, and an awesome mammal in its own right. It would also be great to have a non-macropod animal utilise the wallaby rig!
- Mantled Guereza - A striking monkey from equatorial Africa that is widespread in zoos and would provide us with a more typical monkey species from the continent (as opposed to the tailless, baboon-like mandrill).
- Common Eland - These are just such a common African antelope in zoos, with their great size contributing to their uniqueness factor (fairly important for an oversaturated group like African antelope).
- Brown Fur Seal - see Australasian realm
- Helmeted Guineafowl - A very commonly kept and versatile species, these dumpy little gamebirds would feel just as home in a children's zoo as they would in a more impressive Africa section.
- Egyptian Goose - Similar to the guineafowl, the Egyptian goose is super common in zoos and would fit equally as well in an Africa section or a children's zoo. Plus, they're really pretty!
- West African Slender-snouted Crocodile - Many people agree that an African crocodilian would be great to have, and while the Nile crocodile is more well-known, I'd personally prefer this species due to its more unique appearance compared to the crocs we already have.
- Leopard/Radiated Tortoise - The two tortoises we have in the game at the moment are quite similar, and so it'd be great to get another species that's more distinct in both size and colouration. Either of these would be fantastic choices, although I want the radiated slightly more.
Neotropical Realm
Most wanted species: Geoffroy's Spider Monkey
Most wanted species: Geoffroy's Spider Monkey
- Yapok - An opossum would be cool to have for the sake of fleshing out marsupials, and the yapok would be particularly great for its attractive patterning and its unique behaviour as the world's only truly aquatic marsupial. They're rare in global zoos but kept in several places in Latin America.
- Patagonian Mara - Such awesome animals, very common in zoos and a great choice for representing non-tropical South America.
- Red-rumped Agouti - One of the most important non-primate animals for tropical South America in my eyes.
- Geoffroy's Spider Monkey - Spider monkeys are among the most widely kept medium-sized South American primates, and would also give us something other than a gibbon that is able to use the brachiation frames. Geoffroy's is the species kept in Australia and therefore the one I am hoping for.
- Emperor/Cotton-top/Golden Lion Tamarin - Each of these species is highly distinct and in the best case scenario we'd get all three, but I'm only expecting one (most likely the golden lion tamarin given it's the most popular). Just don't make them exhibit animals, please.
- Bolivian Squirrel Monkey - Fairly similar to the capuchin in appearance, but very commonly kept in zoos and a personal favourite species of mine.
- South American Coati - Only procyonid kept in Australia and a delightful animal in its own right.
- Ringtail - See Nearctic realm
- Greater/Lesser Rhea - I really want a representative of each ratite group in the game, and therefore I see rheas as a very important addition even if I personally wouldn't use them much. Either species is fine with me.
- Red-legged Seriema - Seriemas are the only living representatives of the order that also includes the infamous extinct terror birds, and are essentially just cooler secretary birds. They also have raptor claws, which is awesome.
- Rhinoceros Iguana - Although I'm fine with the iguanas we currently have being exhibit animals, the rhinoceros iguana feels more suitable to being a habitat animal to me given they are usually kept in large and spacious enclosures, often outdoors (plus they don't climb, which may be hard to code for habitat lizards).
Indomalayan Realm
Most wanted species: Blackbuck
Most wanted species: Blackbuck
- Sulawesi Bear Cuscus - I'm easily the biggest Sulawesi fanboy on the forum (when I'm not fanboying over Oceanian species that is), and I want as many species as possible from this unique and underappreciated island. And what better species to show off its uniqueness than an Asian marsupial? It's also just an animal I find bizarrely amusing.
- Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat - As previously stated, I'm a big fan of rodents, and this species would also be the first endemic of the Philippines to be added to the game.
- Sulawesi Crested Macaque - Sulawesi species number 2, one of the most iconic macaque species and a great contrast to the Japanese macaque we already have in the game (black colouration and coming from a tropical climate).
- Spectacled/Francois' Langur - While south-east Asia is one of the best represented regions for primates (which isn't saying much), I'd still really like to see a more generic langur to contrast the more unique proboscis monkey.
- Lesser Malay Chevrotain - This is among the smallest of all ungulates and would be the first tragulid in the game. It would also be unique as an ungulate suitable for nocturnal houses.
- Reeve's Muntjac - See Palaearctic realm
- Chital/Javan Rusa/Indian Hog Deer - We currently lack any tropical deer, and I'd especially like to see one of these three species from south and south-east Asia. Indomalaya could use more hoofstock in general in all honesty.
- Lowland Anoa - Sulawesi species number 3, another south-east Asian buffalo but very distinct from the water buffalo thanks to its small size. Would be great to mix with the babirusa.
- Blackbuck - My most wanted antelope and perhaps most wanted ungulate, these guys are just so beautiful and would finally give us an antelope species from somewhere outside of Africa (no Frontier, the pronghorn is not an antelope).
- Mandarin Duck - See Palaearctic realm
Australasian Realm
Most wanted species: Short-beaked Echidna
Most wanted species: Short-beaked Echidna
- Short-beaked Echidna - The all-terrain vehicle of Australian mammals, the short-beaked echidna lives in virtually every environment on the continent, including every zoo. It's now easily the most commonly kept mammal in Australian zoos that's still missing from the game, as well as the most iconic missing native animal.
- Numbat - Extremely rare in zoos, but so charming and unique that I can't help but include it here anyway. Only living member of its family and an icon of Western Australia.
- Eastern/Western/Spotted-tailed Quoll - As my name and profile picture suggest, I love quolls! The eastern quoll is the species kept internationally, the spotted-tailed quoll is the most impressive and the western quoll/chuditch is my personal favourite, so I'd be happy with any or all of these species. None are going to be added anyway.
- Greater Bilby - Another proud member of the "small marsupial I love that's never going to be added" gang, this is a very common species in Australian nocturnal houses and an icon for the conservation of small native mammals. Would also provide representation for the order Peramelemorphia.
- Common Brushtail Possum - Australia's raccoon and most widely distributed marsupial, would be great for fleshing out a variety of different regions while also providing a new option for nocturnal houses.
- Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby - As well as giving us a wallaby species from more arid climates, the rock-wallaby would also be unique among Australian animals in the game in requiring a caprine-like rocky habitat. It's also the most widely kept macropod in my local zoos, making it an animal close to my heart.
- Goodfellow's/Matschie's Tree Kangaroo - Goodfellow's is my preferred species, but I'd be happy with either. In any case, a tree kangaroo is essential for New Guinea and providing the bare minimum representation for macropods in the game (wallaby, kangaroo and tree kangaroo).
- Eastern Grey Kangaroo - Provides us with a temperate kangaroo species that be great for mixing with the red-necked wallaby.
- Rakali - Every continent needs a rodent, and for Australia that's its "native otter". Being the only other semi-aquatic mammal in Australia and another largely nocturnal species, they'd be a great choice to exhibit alongside the platypus.
- Australian Sealion/New Zealand Fur Seal/Brown Fur Seal - I’d just really like to have a locally kept pinniped species. Each species here is not particularly more common than the other but have their own advantages as disadvantages; the Australian sealion is the most distinctive and most endangered, the NZ fur seal represents both NZ and Australia, while the brown fur seal represents both Australia and Africa.
- Magpie Goose - In terms of regional representation, this is one of the most important species for tropical northern Australia. It's also the final living member of an ancient waterfowl family.
- Australian Pelican - It feels weird that we don't have a pelican in the game yet, and the native species is the one for me.
- Brolga - Quite similar to the red-crowned crane, but a very culturally significant bird here in Australia and the only crane species kept locally, so I'd still love to have them.
- Kagu - Not a particularly common zoo animal, but I'd love for New Caledonia to get some representation too (it's one of the largest remaining landmasses that still has no species in-game) and the kagu is virtually the only option it has for a habitat species. It's also one of my favourite birds.
- Freshwater Crocodile - As well as being my favourite crocodilian overall, I mainly want the freshie because I would like an Australian crocodilian species in the game that actually looks good (unfortunately the saltwater crocodile suffers from a bad case of basegameitis). The fastest of all crocodilians on land, they'd likely also come with a new galloping animation.
- Pig-nosed Turtle - One of the best options for a habitat freshwater turtle, being common in captivity, fairly large in size and a very active swimmer (easily the most active reptile I have seen in zoos). They're also just so cute!
- Perentie/Lace Monitor - I'm a huge varanid lover and so I'd love to get an Australian goanna in the game. The perentie is awesome and my personal favourite while the lace monitor has a significantly greater captive presence, so I'd be thrilled with either.
Oceanian Realm
Most wanted species: Nene
Most wanted species: Nene
- Nene - A waterfowl species with a great conservation success story that represents one of the world's most iconic volcanic archipelagos, what's not to love?
Antarctic Realm
Most wanted species: Leopard Seal
Most wanted species: Leopard Seal
- Leopard Seal - The one species I want that has no current presence in captivity, the leopard seal is just too awesome for me to look over. Plus, they were kept in zoos recently enough and could feasibly be brought into captive collections again in the future.
- Gentoo Penguin - Would still be cool to get another Antarctic/Subantarctic penguin species to mix with the king penguin, and the gentoo is probably the species most commonly paired with them.
Twilight Pack:
Common Wombat/Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat*
Grasslands Animal Pack:
Red-necked Wallaby
Nine-banded Armadillo/Southern Three-banded Armadillo*
Maned Wolf
Caracal
Striped Hyena
Emu
Tropical Pack:
Fossa
Arid Animal Pack:
Cape/African Crested Porcupine
Dromedary
Addax
Oceania Pack:
Tasmanian Devil
North Island Brown Kiwi
Little Penguin
4th Anniversary - Collared Peccary
*Groups of similar species where only one was needed to satisfy my wants
= previous most wanted for a particular realm
Common Wombat/Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat*
Grasslands Animal Pack:
Red-necked Wallaby
Nine-banded Armadillo/Southern Three-banded Armadillo*
Maned Wolf
Caracal
Striped Hyena
Emu
Tropical Pack:
Fossa
Arid Animal Pack:
Cape/African Crested Porcupine
Dromedary
Addax
Oceania Pack:
Tasmanian Devil
North Island Brown Kiwi
Little Penguin
4th Anniversary - Collared Peccary
*Groups of similar species where only one was needed to satisfy my wants
= previous most wanted for a particular realm
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