Let's Do This Again: How Would You Have Done the DLC?

I believe there has been a thread like this in the past. Basically a game. Keeping the same formats (4+1 scenery packs, 7+1 animal packs, no exceptions) what animals would you have included in each DLC if it was entirely up to you? Let's exclude the Deluxe because it barely counts.

I'll go first:

Arctic Pack
IMO the animal choices were fairly solid, but even though we got it later I'll stand by my opinion that the Arctic fox should have been here instead of the wolf. I'm also swapping out the Dall sheep for the muskox, which is more iconically Arctic I think.
  • Polar bear.
  • Muskox.
  • Reindeer.
  • Arctic fox.
South America Pack
I was thrilled with everything except the llama. Even so, I'd swap out the capuchin for a different monkey, and I'd also swap out the frog for a snake.
  • Jaguar.
  • Giant anteater.
  • Bolivian squirrel monkey.
  • Capybara.
  • Emerald tree boa.
Australia Pack
Well...enough said, really.
  • Red kangaroo.
  • Tasmanian devil.
  • Koala.
  • Emu.
  • Eastern blue-tongued skink.
Aquatic Pack
In the past I'd have said to swap out the seal for the sea lion, but in this case I won't, the seal has grown on me a lot.
  • Grey seal.
  • King penguin.
  • Asian small-clawed otter.
  • Spectacled caiman.
  • Northern diamondback terrapin.
Africa Animal Pack
I'm switching up the order. I still don't understand the hype around the North Africa building set, so I'll skip it and make this an animal pack. Also swapping out the exhibit animal.
  • Southern white rhinoceros.
  • Meerkat.
  • African penguin.
  • Fennec fox.
  • Red river hog.
  • Diana monkey.
  • Scimitar-horned oryx.
  • Giant African millipede.
Southeast Asia Pack
On the other hand, I'd have liked a dedicated Southeast Asia building set, so this one becomes a scenery pack (also with a different exhibit animal).
  • Clouded leopard.
  • Sun bear.
  • Babirusa.
  • Proboscis monkey.
  • Tokay gecko.
North America Animal Pack
It's no secret that this is my least favourite DLC so far (well...we'll see if the Twilight Pack grows on me), and there are some animal choices I would make differently. I'll put the raccoon in here, too.
  • Black-tailed prairie dog.
  • California sea lion.
  • American alligator.
  • Collared peccary.
  • Raccoon.
  • Cougar.
  • Bighorn sheep.
  • Scarlet kingsnake.
Europe Pack
The Europe Pack had an almost perfect roster. For me, once again the exhibit animal is one I'd have chosen differently.
  • Alpine ibex.
  • Eurasian lynx.
  • European fallow deer.
  • European badger.
  • Scheltopusik/European legless lizard.
Wetlands Animal Pack
So I've already stolen three slots from this one, but to me the answer is to make it more bird-heavy.
  • Nile lechwe.
  • Domestic water buffalo (come on).
  • Platypus.
  • Red-crowned crane.
  • Mute swan.
  • Shoebill.
  • Eurasian river otter.
  • Japanese fire-bellied newt.
Conservation Pack
I took the oryx out for the Africa Pack here.
  • Addax.
  • Siamang.
  • Przewalski's horse.
  • Amur leopard.
  • Axolotl.
Twilight Pack
Since I don't know what the scenery looks like yet, I'll refrain from turning it into an animal pack like I want to (subject to change). So obviously the raccoon is out since I chucked it in the North America Pack (mostly to satisfy the people who want it), and I've also taken out the fox because blah. I kept the skunk, wombat, and fruit bat, because those are the only animals I'm happy with (and the skunk is still on the very edge of that).
  • African crested porcupine.
  • North Island brown kiwi.
  • Common wombat.
  • Striped skunk.
  • Egyptian fruit bat.
 
I'll try:

Arctic
  1. Polar bear
  2. Reindeer
  3. Arctic fox
  4. Musk ox
South America
  1. Jaguar
  2. Giant anteater
  3. Capybara
  4. White faced capuchin
  5. Red eyed tree frog (E)
Australia
  1. Red kangaroo
  2. Koala
  3. Tasmanian devil
  4. Emu
  5. Frilled lizard (E)
Aquatic
  1. Asian small clawed otter
  2. African penguin
  3. Grey seal
  4. Nile crocodile
  5. Diamondback terrapin (E)
Southeast Asia
  1. Clouded leopard
  2. Binturong
  3. Malayan tapir (fixed)
  4. North Sulawesi babirusa
  5. Ussuri dhole
  6. Sun bear
  7. Southern cassowary
  8. Giant Malaysian leaf insert (E)
Africa
  1. White rhinoceros
  2. Fennec fox
  3. Dromedary camel
  4. Meerkat
  5. Black mamba (E)
North America
  1. Moose
  2. North American beaver
  3. Cougar
  4. American alligator
  5. Black-tailed prairie dog
  6. Raccoon
  7. California sea lion
  8. Copperhead (E)
Europe
  1. European fallow deer
  2. European badger
  3. Eurasian lynx
  4. Alpine ibex
  5. Fire salamander (E)
Wetlands
  1. Spectacled caiman
  2. Giant otter
  3. Domestic water buffalo
  4. Red crowned crane
  5. Nile lechwe
  6. Shoebill
  7. Coypu
  8. Mudskipper (E)
Conservation
  1. Siamang
  2. Przewalski's wild horse
  3. Scimitar horned oryx
  4. Amur leopard
  5. Axolotl (E)
Twilight
  1. Red fox
  2. Common wombat
  3. Kiwi
  4. Ocelot
  5. Egyptian fruit bat (E)
 
Arctic:
  • Polar Bear
  • Reindeer
  • Musk Ox
  • Wolverine
South America:
  • Jaguar
  • Giant Anteater
  • White-Faced Capuchin
  • Spectacled Bear
  • Helmeted Basilisk
Australia:
  • Red Kangaroo
  • Emu
  • Koala
  • Tasmanian Devil (we now know three animals from the same order is okay)
  • Blue-Tongued Skink
Aquatic:
  • King Penguin
  • Grey Seal
  • Giant Otter
  • Great White Pelican
  • Green Anaconda
Africa:
  • Southern White Rhinoceros
  • Meerkat
  • African Penguin
  • Fennec Fox
  • Greater Kudu
  • Mantled Guereza
  • Grey Crowned Crane
  • Jackson's Chameleon
Southeast Asia:
  • Sun Bear
  • Babirusa
  • Binturong
  • Lesser Chevrotain
  • Reticulated Python
North America:
  • American Beaver
  • Moose
  • Californian Sea Lion
  • Cougar
  • Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
  • American Alligator
  • Striped Skunk
  • Coral Snake
Europe:
  • Eurasian Lynx
  • European Fallow Deer
  • Alpine Ibex
  • European Badger
  • Fire Salamander
Wetlands:
  • Capybara
  • Asian Small-Clawed Otter
  • Spectacled Caiman
  • Shoebill
  • Malaysian Tapir
  • Red-Crowned Crane
  • Proboscis Monkey
  • Alligator Snapping Turtle
Conservation:
  • Przewalski's Horse
  • Amur Leopard
  • Siamang
  • Somali Wild Donkey
  • Axolotl
Twilight:
  • Raccoon
  • Indian Crested Porcupine
  • Clouded Leopard
  • Eurasian Wild Boar
  • Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox
 
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I've actually made a google doc that was how I'd change the roster for the entire game. I'm not sure if I can link it in the forums, but my list will come from that, so excuse some obvious species being missing.

Deluxe Edition:
  • Blackbuck - Replaces the Thomson's Gazelle, which I put in the base game in place of the Springbok.
  • Komodo Dragon
  • Pygmy Hippopotamus
Arctic Pack:
  • Arctic Fox - Replaces the Arctic Wolf
  • Muskox - Replaces the Dall Sheep
  • Polar Bear
  • Reindeer
South America Pack:
  • Capybara - Replaces the Jaguar, which is in my version of the base game
  • Giant Anteater
  • Llama
  • Tufted Capuchin - Replaces the Colombian White-Faced Capuchin Monkey (literally just because of the name)
  • Emerald Tree Boa - Replaces the Red-Eyed Tree Frog, which is in my base game
Australia Pack:
  • Emu - Replaces the Southern Cassowary
  • Koala
  • Red Kangaroo
  • Tasmanian Devil - Replaces the Dingo
  • Eastern Blue-Tongued Skink
Aquatic Pack:
  • American Alligator - Replaces the Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman
  • California Sea Lion - Replaces the Grey Seal, which is placed in Europe
  • King Penguin
  • Sea Otter - Replaces the Giant Otter, which is placed in Wetlands
  • Axolotl - Replaces the Diamondback Terrapin, which is placed in NA
Southeast Asia Animal Pack:
  • Asian Small-Clawed Otter - Replaces the Dhole
  • Binturong
  • Clouded Leopard
  • Lar Gibbon - Replaces the Proboscis Monkey, which is placed in Wetlands
  • Malayan Tapir
  • North Sulawesi Babirusa
  • Sun Bear
  • Tokay Gecko - Replaces the Giant Malaysian Leaf Insect, which is placed in the base game.
Africa Pack:
  • African Penguin
  • Fennec Fox
  • Meerkat
  • Southern White Rhinoceros
  • Sacred Scarab Beetle
North America Animal Pack:
  • American Black Bear - Replaces the California Sea Lion, which is placed in the Aquatic Pack
  • Bighorn Sheep - Replaces the American Alligator, which is placed in the Aquatic Pack
  • Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
  • Cougar
  • Moose
  • North American Beaver
  • Wolverine - Replaces the Arctic Fox, which is placed in the Arctic Pack
  • Diamondback Terrapin - Replaces the American Bullfrog
Europe Pack:
  • Alpine Ibex
  • Eurasian Lynx
  • European Fallow Deer
  • Grey Seal - Replaces the European Badger
  • Fire Salamander
Wetlands Animal Pack:
  • Giant Otter - Replaces the Asian Small-Clawed Otter, which is placed in SEA
  • Platypus
  • Proboscis Monkey - Replaces the Capybara, which placed in SA
  • Red-Crowned Crane
  • Sitatunga - Replaces the Nile Lechwe
  • Spectacled Caiman
  • Water Buffalo - Replaces the Wild Water Buffalo
  • Plumed Basilisk - Replaces the Danube Crested Newt
Conservation Pack:
  • Amur Leopard
  • Przewalski's Wild Horse
  • Scimitar-Horned Oryx
  • Siamang
  • Roti Island Snake-Necked Turtle - Replaces Axolotl, which is put into the Aquatic Pack
Twilight Pack:
  • Malayan Flying Fox - Upgraded the bat to a full habitat animal. Replaces the wombat, because it just feels out of place here.
  • Nine-Banded Armadillo - Replaces the Striped Skunk
  • Raccoon
  • Red Fox
  • Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko - Replaces the bat
 
Arctic:
Polar Bear
Reindeer
Dall Sheep
Wolverine (replaces arctic wolf)

South America:
Jaguar
Capuchin
Anteater
Maned Wolf (replaces llama)
Mata Mata (replaces tree frog)

Australia:
I'd change nothing. The dingo is still pretty common in both Australian zoos and international Aussie sections, so I still think its a decent choice in the grand scheme of things, just not over something like the tassie, but I'm putting that in later (ideally we should get both and more...). I won't replace the cassowary with an emu out of wishful thinking that we (hopefully) get it in the future.

Aquatic:
Asian Small Clawed Otter (replaces giant otter)
King Penguin
Harbor Seal (replaces grey seal)
Dwarf Caiman
Chinese Giant Salamander (replaces diamondback terrapin)

Southeast Asia:
Move the siamang from Conservation to replace the proboscis monkey, and maybe swap the leaf insect for a reticulated python. Other than that I wouldn't really change anything.

Africa:
Nothing I'd change here to be honest, I love all of these animals! :>

North America Pack:
Move Alligator to Wetlands (replacing the caiman) and swap it for the raccoon from the Twilight pack.

Europe:
Alpine Ibex
Fallow Deer
Eurasian Lynx
Capercaillie (replaces badger)
Sheltopusik (replaces fire salamander)

Wetlands:
Capybara
Platypus
Red Crowned Crane
Water Buffalo
Black Swan (replaces otter, which is moved to aquatic)
American Alligator (replaces caiman)
Allen's Swamp Monkey (replaces lechwe)
Danube Crested Newt

Conservation:
Amur Leopard
Przewalski's Wild Horse
Nene (replaces siamang, which is moved to SEA)
Scimitar Horned Oryx
Axolotl

Twilight:
Wombat
Fossa (replaces raccoon, which is moved to NA)
Tasmanian Devil (replaces skunk)
North Island Brown Kiwi (replaces fox)
Egyptian Fruit Bat
(Oceania heavy I know, but it's an underrepresented region and the original was very NA heavy so it doesn't really matter, at least to me)
 
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Arctic:
Polar Bear
Reindeer
Arctic Fox
Dall Sheep

South America:
Capybara - Though it's been added to the game, I still maintain this was the biggest "omission" from a pack, or at least until today....more on that later
Jaguar
Giant Anteater
Sloth
Red Eye Tree Frog (EX)

Australia:
Koala
Red Kangaroo
Common Wombat
Southern Cassowary
Thorny Devil (EX)

Aquatic:
King Penguin
Asian Small Clawed Otter
Spectacled Caiman
Harbor Seal
Snapping Turtle (EX)

Southeast Asia:
Clouded Leopard
Sun Bear
Binturong
Babirusa
Malayan Tapir
Dhole
Lar Gibbon
King Cobra (EX)

Africa: the only one of two I'm switching for an Animal Pack
Meerkat
Southern White Rhino
Fennec Fox
African Penguin
Red River Hog
Crested Porcupine
Hamadryas Baboon
Scarab Beetle (EX)

North America:
Moose
Cougar
North American Beaver
Prairie Dog
California Sea Lion
American Alligator
Wolverine
American Bullfrog (EX)

Europe:
Keep it exactly as it is. It's a perfect roster for the theme.

Wetlands:
Platypus
Giant Otter
Domestic Water Buffalo
Nile Crocodile
Red Crowned Crane
Mute Swan
Shoebill Stork
Danube Newt (EX)

Conservation:
Amur Leopard
Przewalski's Horse
Schimitar Oryx
Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo
Axolotl (EX)

Twilight - Making this an animal pack as it should have been.
Striped Skunk
Raccoon
Maned Wolf -- now I'm positively baffled because the Maned Wolf is crespular, and would have been a much better addition than the Red Fox.
Tasmanian Devil
Northern Brown Kiwi
North American Porcupine
Elk
Egyptian Fruit Bat (EX)
 
Arctic Polar:
Polar Bear
Reindeer
King Penguin (replaces Dall Sheep)
Arctic Fox (replaces Arctic Wolf)

Not sure if this is totally allowed, but the base game really should have had a penguin, technical difficulties aside. Getting one into the very first DLC would've been the next best thing, and the Dall Sheep always struck me as bit of an odd pick.

South America:
Jaguar
Capuchin
Anteater
Capybara (replaces Llama)
Brazilian Rainbow Boa (replaces Red-eyed Tree Frog)

Save Llamas/Alpacas for a petting zoo/domestic focused pack.

Australia:
Red Kangaroo
Koala
Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat (replaces Dingo)
Emu (replaces Cassowary)
Eastern Blue-tongued Skink

Save the Devil for Halloween and the Cassowary for a future Oceania pack, go with the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat due to conservation status.

Aquatic:
Asian Small-clawed Otter (replaces Giant Otter)
African Penguin (replaces King Penguin, which is moved to Arctic Polar)
Grey Seal
American Alligator (replaces Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman)
Alligator Snapping Turtle (replaces Diamondback Terrapin)

Alligator Snapping Turtles are ambush predators that don't move much, so they actually work well as exhibit animals.

Southeast Asia:
Dhole
Binturong
Clouded Leopard
Proboscis Monkey
Malayan Tapir
North Sulawesi Babirusa
Sun Bear
King Cobra (replaces Giant Malaysian Leaf Insect)

This pack is nearly perfect. Yes we could've used a gibbon, but I like the Proboscis Monkey selection too much to remove from the roster.

Africa:
Black Rhinoceros (replaces Southern White Rhinoceros)
Meerkat
Fennec Fox
Dwarf Crocodile (replaces African Penguin, which is moved to Aquatic)
Saharan Horned Viper (replaces Sacred Scarab Beetle)

Having cut the Dwarf Caiman, the Dwarf Crocodile offers a much needed Crocodilian representative from Africa and a replacement smaller croc option. It's also of greater conservation concern than Nile Crocodile, and I feel the Slender-snouted Crocodile species are too similar to the Gharial for release at this point in development.

North America Pack:
California Sea Lion
Bighorn Sheep (replaces American Alligator, which is moved to Aquatic)
Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
Cougar
Moose
American Black Bear (replaces North American Beaver, which is moved to Wetlands)
Common Raccoon (replaces Arctic Fox, which is moved to Arctic Polar)
Diamondback Terrapin (replaces American Bullfrog)

Europe:
Alpine Ibex
Fallow Deer
Wolverine (replaces Eurasian Lynx, which has become the Iberian Lynx and moved to Twilight)
European Badger
Sheltopusik (replaces Fire Salamander, which is moved to Wetlands)

Wetlands:
North American Beaver (replaces Capybara, which is moved to South America)
Platypus
Red-crowned Crane
Domestic Water Buffalo (replaces Wild Water Buffalo, which is not commonly kept)
Shoebill (replaces Small-clawed Otter, which is moved to Aquatic)
Spectacled Caiman
Nile Lechwe
Fire Salamander (replaces Danube Crested Newt)

Yeah, I kept the Caiman. It's a good medium sized croc representative and it's a croc from South America, both of which are important niches to fill imo.

Conservation:
Amur Leopard
Przewalski's Wild Horse
Lar Gibbon (replaces Siamang)
Scimitar-horned Oryx
Axolotl

I prefer the sexual dimorphism of the gibbon over the throat sacks of the Siamang, and both species chorus anyway.

Twilight:
Tasmanian Devil (replaces Wombat, which is moved to Australia)
Maned Wolf (replaces Red Fox)
Malagasy Giant Rat (replaces Common Raccoon, which is moved to North America)
Iberian Lynx (replaces Skunk)
Egyptian Fruit Bat

Bats, cats, rats, and a wolf. What more could you want in a Halloween pack? All species are nocturnal or crepuscular, though some of the autumny temperate forest threads have been lost. I'd still like to see the Skunk and Red Fox someday, maybe in temperate forest pack.
 
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Deluxe
komodo dragon
pygmy hippo
blackbuck
emu
emerald tree boa
Arctic pack
Polar bear
dall's sheep
arctic fox
reindeer
wood frog
South america pack
Jaguar
giant anteater
Colombian white faced Capuchin monkey
llama
red eyed tree frog
Australia pack
red kangaroo
dingo
koala
cassowary
eastern blue tongued skink
Aquatic pack
king penguin
gray seal
Cuvier's dwarf caiman
giant otter
diamondback terrapin
Southeast Asian animal pack
sun bear
dhole
binturong
babirusa
proboscis monkey
clouded leopard
actually add Malayan tapir
Giant leaf insect
Africa pack
meerkat
fennec fox
southern white rhino
African penguin
sacred scarab beetle
North american animal pack
North american beaver
american alligator
moose
cougar
black tailed prairie dog
California sea lion
roseate spoonbill
american bullfrog
European pack
Eurasian lynx
European badger
Alpine ibex
European fallow deer
fire salamander
Wetlands animal pack
Capybara
platypus
domestic water buffalo
Nile lechwe
red crowned crane
spectacled caiman
Asian small clawed otter
Danube crested newt
Conservation pack
siamang
P-horse
Amur leopard
scimitar horned oryx
axolotl
Twilight pack
raccoon
striped skunk
red fox
common wombat
Egyptian fruit bat
 
Arctic Pack
1.
Polar bear
2. Arctic fox - replaces the arctic wolf
3. Reindeer
4. Musk ox - replaces the dall sheep
Exhibit. European common adder

South America Pack
1. Jaguar
2. Vicuna - replaces the llama
3. Giant anteater
4. Yellow-breasted capuchin - replaces the Colombian white-faced capuchin
Exhibit. Golden-eyed stick insect - replaces the red-eyed tree frog

Australia Pack
1. Red kangaroo
2. Koala
3. Emu - replaces the Southern cassowary
4. Common wombat - replaces the dingo
Exhibit. Frilled lizard - replaces the blue-tongued lizard

Aquatic Pack
1.
California sea lion
2. Giant otter
3. King penguin
4. Giant Asian pond turtle - replaces the dwarf caiman
Exhibit. African lungfish - replaces the terrapin

Africa Animal Pack
1.
Southern white rhinoceros
2. Meerkat
3. Bat-eared fox - replaces the fennec fox
4. African penguin
5. Southern ground hornbill
6. De Brazza's guenon
7. Red river hog
Exhibit. Red spitting cobra - replaces the scarab

Southeast Asia Pack
1.
Sun bear
2. Malayan tapir - actually looks like a Malayan tapir
3. Clouded leopard
4. Dusky leaf monkey - replaces the proboscis monkey
Exhibit. Tokay gecko - replaces the leaf insect

North America Animal Pack
1.
American alligator
2. Cougar
3. Moose
4. American beaver
5. Black-tailed prairie dog
6. Ocellated turkey - replaces the California sea lion
7. Common raccoon - replaces the arctic fox
Exhibit. Texas cave salamander - replaces the bullfrog

Europe Pack
1.
European fallow deer
2. Eurasian lynx
3. Alpine ibex
4. European badger
Exhibit. Fire salamander

The only pack where I don't think I would change anything.

Wetlands Animal Pack
1.
Asian small-clawed otter
2. Platypus
3. Spectacled caiman
4. Red-crowned crane
5. Capybara
6. Pere David's deer - replaces the water buffalo
7. Alaotran gentle lemur - replaces the lechwe
Exhibit. False water cobra - replaces the Danube crested newt

Conservation Pack
1.
Amur leopard
2. Siamang
3. Przewalski's horse
4. Brush-tailed bettong - replaces oryx, uses kangaroo rig
Exhibit. Kaiser's spotted newt - replaces axolotl

Twilight Pack
1.
Tasmanian devil - replaces the wombat
2. Malagasy giant rat - replaces the skunk
3. North Island brown kiwi - replaces the raccoon
4. Striped hyena - replaces the red fox
Exhibit. Rodrigues flying fox - replaces the Egyptian fruit bat

I suspect I would prefer it as an animal pack, so I would also include:
5. South African springhare - uses the kangaroo rig
6. Owston's civet
7. Kinkajou - uses the binturong rig
 
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Oh, I love doing these. To change things up a little, I'm going to do things a bit different for the sake of this thread (shamelessly ignoring the introductory premise, sorry @NZFanatic 😛), so I will include the deluxe edition and also do a couple of changes to the base game roster.
Headliners marked in bold, exhibit animals in italics.

Base Game Roster
These are the (mostly subtle) changes I have in mind for the roster:
  • Bengal Tiger becomes the Sumatran Tiger
  • West African Lion becomes the Southern Lion
  • Timber Wolf becomes the Eurasian Wolf
  • Formosan Black Bear becomes the Asiatic Black Bear
  • Himalayan Brown Bear becomes the Eurasian Brown Bear
  • Aldabra Giant Tortoise becomes the African Spurred Tortoise
  • Springbok becomes the Thomson's Gazelle (although I'd personally prefer Dama Gazelle as a critically endangered North African species)
And also three additions to the base game roster, which I don't think would have been too time-consuming to create at that point, just to give South America at least a little more of a head-start:
  • Greater Rhea
  • Bolivian Squirrel Monkey
  • Guanaco

Deluxe Edition
Make this a 4+1 pack without scenery:
  • Blackbuck (instead of the Thomson's Gazelle, which replaces the Springbok in the original edition)
  • Pygmy Hippo
  • Emu (replacing the Komodo Dragon, which will come in a later pack)
  • Dromedary Camel
  • Plumed Basilisk (E)
Arctic Pack
I love the Dall Sheep, but for the sake of this thread, I'll switch it out regardless because I think there would have been better choices:
  • Polar Bear
  • Reindeer
  • Musk Ox (replacing the Dall Sheep)
  • Arctic Fox (replacing the Arctic Wolf)

South America Pack
With the Guanaco (instead of the Llama) already part of the base game, that clears up one spot in this pack:
  • Jaguar
  • Giant Anteater
  • Spectacled Caiman (replacing the Llama)
  • Tufted Capuchin Monkey (replacing Colombian White-Faced, since the Tufted is much more common in captivity in Europe and, to me, the most iconic capuchin)
  • Emerald Tree Boa (replacing the Red-Eyed Tree Frog, which makes its way into the base game instead)

Australia Pack
I'm fine with the dingo, but there are plenty of other choices that would have improved this pack significantly. Emu came in Deluxe already, Tasmanian Devil, Platypus, Kiwi and Wombat will come later, so I'll go with an oddball pick here.
  • Red Kangaroo
  • Koala
  • Southern Cassowary
  • Lace Monitor (replacing the Dingo, as a tree-climbing monitor species)
  • Eastern Blue-Tongued Skink (E)
Aquatic Pack
I like that most of the species included here are not as popular as their counterparts that came in later packs, as it makes these later packs more interesting. Still, a few changes here to get even more regional diversity:
  • Harbor Seal (replacing the Grey Seal)
  • King Penguin
  • Asian Small-Clawed Otter (replacing the Giant Otter)
  • American Alligator (replacing the Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman)
  • Mata-Mata (E, replacing the Diamondback Terrapin which still comes in later)
Southeast Asia Animal Pack
Pretty much a perfect roster in my opinion, but I'll do two changes regardless:
  • Clouded Leopard
  • Sun Bear
  • Binturong
  • Babirusa
  • Gray Langur (replacing the Proboscis Monkey, which will come in later)
  • Komodo Dragon (replacing the Malayan Tapir, which will also come in later)
  • Dhole
  • Reticulated Python (E, replacing the Giant Malaysian Leaf Insect, which might have come in the base game instead, or not at all)
African Animal Pack
Since I barely use the African scenery pieces to begin with, I'd just make this an animal pack altogether:
  • Southern White Rhinoceros
  • Meerkat
  • Fennec Fox
  • African Penguin
  • Red River Hog
  • Scimitar-Horned Oryx
  • Mantled Guereza
  • Panther Chameleon (E, replacing the Sacred Scarab Beetle)
North America Animal Pack
Arctic Fox and American Alligator have already come in earlier packs.
  • California Sea Lion
  • North American Beaver
  • Cougar
  • Moose
  • Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
  • Mountain Goat (alt. Bighorn Sheep, replacing the Alligator)
  • Striped Skunk (replacing the Arctic Fox)
  • Diamondback Terrapin (E)
Europe Pack
This pack had the ultimate perfect roster, in my opinion. No changes at all.
  • Eurasian Lynx
  • European Badger
  • Alpine Ibex
  • European Fallow Deer
  • Fire Salamander (E)
Wetlands Animal Pack
Capybara, Small-Clawed Otter and the Caiman came in earlier packs already, so:
  • Platypus
  • Giant Otter (replacing the Asian Small-Clawed Otter)
  • Great White Pelican (replacing the Red-Crowned Crane)
  • Proboscis Monkey (replacing the Capybara)
  • Malayan Tapir (replacing the Water Buffalo)
  • West African Dwarf Crocodile (replacing the Spectacled Caiman)
  • Nile Lechwe (alt. Père David's Deer)
  • Iberian Ripped Newt (E, replacing the Danube Crested Newt)
Conservation Pack
This would have been the ultimate meta-wishlist eliminator.
  • Przewalski's Horse
  • Siamang
  • Amur Leopard
  • Tasmanian Devil (replacing the Scimitar-Horned Oryx)
  • Axolotl (E)
Twilight Pack
  • Raccoon
  • Maned Wolf (replacing the Red Fox, although I do like the Fox!)
  • Common Wombat
  • North Island Brown Kiwi (replacing the Skunk, which came in NA)
  • Egyptian Fruit Bat (E)

As a little "bonus", if we assume that Covid prevented a fourth DLC pack from happening in 2020, I would include another regional pack, namely the Greater Asia Animal Pack (since we already have an East Asian building theme):

Greater Asia Animal Pack
  • Giant Panda (would have made a great headliner that I think we would have survived not having in the base game, and we could have had another bear such as the Spectacled Bear or the American Black Bear in the base game instead)
  • Amur Leopard (freeing up space in the Conservation Pack for the Addax)
  • Red-Crowned Crane (as I didn't include them in the Wetlands Pack)
  • Japanese Macaque (which I would then replace in the Base Game with the Lion-Tailed Macaque)
  • Wild Yak (I'd love the Takin, but would probably hold them back for a Highlands Pack later on)
  • Chinese Pangolin (the smaller oddball of the pack; not having it in the base game would free up space for a South American rodent, the Patagonian Mara, which I would include there instead, or perhaps an armadillo as an alternative)
  • Dhole (which would free up space in the SEA Animal Pack for the Lowland Anoa instead)
  • Chinese Box Turtle (E)
 
Two things regarding this monkey.
1. The gray langur is multiple species
2. They aren't Southeast Asian, but just South Asian (Indian subcontinent)
Ah, you're totally right there. I always get confused with the langurs.
Then I'd probably choose Dusky leaf monkeys instead, or the Red-Shanked Douc.
 
Arctic:
Although I don't mind the arctic wolf that much, I'd also rather have the fox in this pack, as it is way more unique. I'd also swap the dall sheep for the walrus, but the deep diving wasn't a thing back then, so I'll stay realistic.

  • Polar bear
  • Reindeer
  • Dall sheep
  • Arctic fox

South America:
I think llama is a good choice, i prefer the capy but considering it came in the wetlands, I'm fine with the inclusion of llama. I'd maybe switch it for a more wild species, like guanaco.

  • Jaguar
  • Giant anteater
  • White-faced cappuchin monkey
  • Guanaco
  • Red eyed tree frog

Australia:
I understand the inclusion of dingo, but the tassie would have been a way better pick imo. I actually prefer the cassowary to emu, but I hope for it in a future pack.

  • Koala
  • Red kangaroo
  • Tassmanian devil
  • Southern Cassowary
  • Blue-tongued lizard

Aquatic:
I'll leave the sea lion to the north american pack, as I love the seal so much. I'd prefer getting the spectacled caiman here though. The giant otter can stay, as I like having two very distinct otter species in the game.

  • Grey seal
  • King penguin
  • Giant otter
  • Spectacled Caiman
  • Diamondback Terrapin

Southeast Asia animal pack:
The roster is great in my opinion. There isn't really anything I'd change, even the dhole i was sceptical about. I think it's a great inclusion after all, so everything stays the same, but the malayan tapir should have a different model.

  • Clouded leopard
  • Binturong
  • Proboscis monkey
  • Sun bear
  • Dhole
  • Babirussa
  • Malayan tapir (not a reskin though)
  • Giant malaysian leaf insect

Africa pack:
Basically a perfect roster for me.

  • Fennec fox
  • Meerkat
  • Southern white Rhinoceros
  • African penguin
  • Sacred scarab beetle

North America Animal Pack:
I also consider it to be an almost perfect roster, although with the inclusion of arctic fox in an arctic pack, I'd go for a racoon here, also swapping the exhibit animal.

  • North american beaver
  • American alligator
  • Moose
  • California sea lion
  • Prairie dog
  • Racoon
  • Cougar
  • Alligator snapping turtle

Europe Pack:
Great roster aswell, and though I like the badger, I'd still prefer the wolverine, even if it's a worse representation for Europe.

  • Eurasian lynx
  • Alpine ibex
  • European fallow deer
  • Wolverine
  • Fire salamander

Wetlands Animal Pack:
As i had included the caiman in the aquatic pack, I switched it to nile croc. Also swapping the buffalo for the roseate spoonbill.

  • Capybara
  • Platypus
  • Asian small-clawed otter
  • Red-crowned crane
  • Nile crocodile
  • Nile lechwe
  • Roseate spoonbill
  • Danube crested newt

Conservation Pack:
Perfect roster aswell, but I'd rather have a lar gibbon if we are not gonna get it later.

  • Przewalski's horse
  • Amur leopard
  • Scimitar-horned oryx
  • Lar gibbon
  • Axolotl

Twilight pack:
Racoon is in the na already, and I'm not a big fan of the skunk and the fox, I don't mind them, but I'd prefer something different.

  • Maned wolf
  • Common wombat
  • Red river hog
  • Crested porcupine

That's it ;D
 
I.....believe that frontier did a great job with every pack without a sliver of irony.
The packs arnt the problem, the basegame just had to massive holes to decently cover up for the most part.
While i actually agree with the south saharan african focus mostly, as overloading one and arguably the most important area for zoos was a good idear to have a glimpse of what will be possible once the dlcs rolled in, id take away some african lower effort and importance animals, most importantly the bonobo, thompson gazelle/spring bock, adebara giant tortoise, nile monitor and the orang utan and panda from asia to sprinkle in more variety elsewhere in form of the emu, a south american monkey, my preffered choice being the white faced sake, an australian monitor, common pheasent, american flamingo and either a second weirder monkey, the rhea or something like an australian possum if a more unique rig is on the table.
Together with changing some to specific subspecies a base were we got 4/5 south american, 3/4 australian and 1 more european animals would have helped alot to get them to a point of equal footing much easier. Any region sucks if you only got 4 animals for the most part, so thats where i would put the blame.
Besides the "wild" water buffalo. That one was mad stupid
 
I see a lot of people have similar ideas. I still want to do mine however because I toyed with this idea from time to time.

Deluxe:
I'm one of those rare ones who likes Arctic Wolf inclusion, so I didn't want to get rid of it completely. Although there are better choices for Arctic DLC I can easily see Wolf in Deluxe or even as anniversary animal

-Pygmy Hippo
-Komodo Dragon
-Arctic Wolf
(T.Gazelle out)

Arctic
This pack would be more Carnivora-heavy in this rendition, but it frees up later packs for some better choices (imo)

-Reindeer
-Polar Bear
-Arctic Fox
(Wolf out)
-Wolverine (Sheep out)

South America
I like the Llama inclusion, but not in the moment where we need to do more SA Fauna catch up. I think it's better suited for some Highland or Farm pack down the line. I also went for a bigger monkey species. Frog's fine, Boa is just personal pick.

-Jaguar
-Giant Anteater
-Spider Monkey
(Capuchin out)
-Maned Wolf (Llama out)
-Emerald Tree Boa (E) (Frog out)

Australia
I understand inclusion of Dingo for simplicity sake, but again, it a much more noticeable on an empty Australian roster. So in this pack Wombat would take its place. I actually love Cassowary inclusion instead of Emu, as I can see latter having much easier time in possible later inclusions. Lizard's fine.

-Red Kangaroo
-Koala
-Cassowary
-Wombat
(Dingo out)
-Blue Tongued Lizard (E)

Aquatic

This pack is perfect. One of few ones actually. Would only, maybe swap Caiman species.

-King Penguin
-Grey Seal
-Giant Otter
-Spectacled Caiman
(Dwarf one out)
-Diamondback Terrapin (E)

South East Asia

If we're sticking to the format and this remains an animal pack I would swap out Dhole and Proboscis Monkey. Siamang is still my favorite Gibbon species, so he would simply take one place and we would get ASC Otter sooner.

-Clouded Leopard
-Sun Bear
-Babirusa
-Binturong
-Malayan Tapir
-Siamang
(Proboscis Monkey out)
-Asian Small Clawed Otter (Dhole out)
-Malayan Leaf Insect (E)

Africa

Perfect line up for its format. Would only change Exhibit species.

-White Rhino
-Fennec Fox
-Meerkat
-African Penguin
-Panther Chameleon (E
) (Scarab out)

North America
Now that I took out Arctic Fox from this pack, I would change it with a Dall Sheep replacement - Bighorn, that would be absent from the first DLC in this format. Also Alligator would wait his turn untill Wetlands.

-Beaver
-Moose
-Sea Lion
-Prairie Dog
-Cougar
-Bighorn
(Arctic Fox out)
-Raccoon (Alligator out)
-Horny Toad (E)

Europe

Second perfect line up. Nothing more to say.

-Eurasian Lynx
-Fallow Deer
-European Badger
-Alpine Ibex
-Fire Salamander (E)

Wetlands

I didn't take Capybara to SA, as I think this pack still needs strong headliner. Other than that this pack would see most changes. Two more birds plus a Red Hog.

-Capybara
-Platypus
-Japanese Red Crowned Crane
-American Alligator
(Caiman out)
-Red River Hog (Otter out)
-Shoebill (Lechwe out)
-Dalmatian Pelican (Buffalo out)
-Danubian Newt (E)

Conservation

Only one change since Siamang is out. But it would be a deserving one.

-Przewalski Horse
-Amur Leopard
-Scimitar Oryx
-Tasmanian Devil
(Siamang out)
-Axolotl (E)

Nocturnal

I mentioned it again, but I really love the lineup we got. Now that we have Raccoon and Wombat out, Porcupine and Kinkajou would take their places

-Red Fox
-Striped Skunk
-Crested Porcupine
(Wombat out)
-Kinkajou (Raccoon out)
-Egyptian Fruit Bat (E)
 
Last edited:
Here is my list - any changes are Italicized.
Arctic Pack:
  • Arctic Fox
  • Musk Ox
  • Reindeer
  • Polar Bear
South America Pack:
  • Jaguar
  • Giant Anteater
  • Red Howler Monkey
  • South American Coati
  • Red-Eyed Tree Frog
Australia Pack:
  • Red Kangaroo
  • Emu
  • Hairy-nosed Wombat
  • Dingo
  • Bearded Dragon
Aquatic Pack:
  • Grey Seal
  • King Penguin
  • Sea Otter
  • Spectacled Caiman
  • Snapping Turtle
Southeast Asia Animal Pack:
  • Asian Small-Clawed Otter
  • Babirusa
  • Binturong
  • Clouded Leopard
  • Lar Gibbon
  • Northern Cassowary
  • Malayan Tapir
  • Giant Malaysian Leaf Insect
Africa Pack:
  • Southern White Rhino
  • African Penguin
  • Olive Baboon
  • Secretary Bird
  • Panther Chameleon
North America Animal Pack:
  • Roosevelt Elk
  • North American Porcupine
  • Prairie Dog
  • California Sea Lion
  • Beaver
  • Cougar
  • Roadrunner
  • American Bullfrog
Europe Pack:
  • Fallow Deer
  • Ibex
  • Pine Marten
  • Eurasian Lynx
  • Fire Salamander
Wetlands Animal Pack:
  • Moose
  • Wild Water Buffalo
  • Capybara
  • Red Crowned Crane
  • American Alligator
  • Red River Hog
  • Marsh Deer
  • Cottonmouth Water Moccasin
Conservation Pack:
  • Iberian Lynx
  • Scimitar-Horned Oryx
  • Przewalski's Horse
  • Golden Lion Tamarin
  • Tokay Gecko
Twilight Pack:
  • Tasmanian Devil
  • Raccoon
  • Ocelot
  • Aye-Aye
  • Egyptian Fruit Bat
 
- Deluxe:
1.Komodo Dragon
2.Pygmy Hippo
3.Llama

- Arctic Pack:
1.Arctic Wolf
2.Reindeer
3.Musk Ox
4.Grey Seal

- South America Pack:
1.Jaguar
2.Capybara
3.Giant Anteater
4.Black Howler Monkey
5.Emerald Tree Boa

- Australia Pack:
1.Dingo
2.Red Kangaroo
3.Emu
4.Koala
5.Eastern Blue Tongued Lizard

- Aquatic Pack:
1.Giant Otter
2.King Penguin
3.California Sea Lion
4.Cuvier’s Dwarft Caiman
5.Diamondback Terrapin

- Southeast Asia Pack:
1.Clouded Leopard
2.Dhole
3.Sun Bear
4.Siamang
5.Binturong
6.North Sulawesi Babirusa
7.Malayan Tapir
8.Giant Malaysian Leaf Insect

- Africa Pack:
Nothing to change

- North America Pack:
1.Cougar
2.American Alligator
3.Racoon
4.Moose
5.North American Beaver
6.Bighorn Sheep
7.Black-Tailed Praire Dog
8.American Bullfrog

- Europe Pack:
1.Eurasian Lynx
2.European Badger
3.European Fallow Deer
4.Western Capercaillie
5.Fire Salamander

- Wetlands Pack:
1.Spectacled Caiman
2.Asian Small-Clawed Otter
3.Red River Hog
4.Platypus
5.Red-Crowned Crane
6.Wild Water Buffalo
7.Nile Lechwe
8.Danube Crested Newt

- Conservation Pack:
1.Amur Leopard
2.Przewalski’s Horse
3.Golden Lion Tamarin
4.Scimitar-Horned Oryx
5.Axolotl

- Twilight Pack:
1.Red Fox
2.Tasmanian Devil
3.Crested Porcupine
4.Striped Skunk
5.Egyptian Fruit Bat
 
My Turn! I’ve thought about this quite a bit over the years.

I would have gone:

Arctic Pack:
  • Polar Bear (Must Have)
  • Reindeer (Staple of Zoos)
  • Musk Ox (More Unique and Iconic than the Dall Sheep)
  • Arctic Fox (The Arctic Wolf was, let’s face it, included out of laziness and rushing on Frontiers part for a Christmas DLC).
  • Snowy Owl Exhibit (Now we have walkthroughs I’d make the Snowy Owl an after-the-fact addition to the Arctic DLC).

South America Pack:
  • Jaguar (Most Iconic South American Animal)
  • Black-Capped Capuchin (Much more prominent than the white-fronted capuchin in captivity)
  • Giant Anteater (a must have given it’s uniqueness)
  • Greater Rhea (I think it’s fair to say birds are much needed in the game and the Greater Rhea is very common in captivity).
  • Emerald Tree Boa (somehow we haven’t had a DLC snake yet?! This species is a very iconic one.)

Australia Pack:
  • Red Kangaroo (I think this is a must have rivalled only by the Grey Kangaroo)
  • Koala (again one of the most iconic Australian mammals)
  • Emu (by far more popular in captivity and well known than the cassowary, an Australian Icon).
  • Tasmanian Devil (This game has too many canids and not enough marsupials, choosing the dingo over the Tassie was absurd.
  • Eastern Blue-Tongue Skink (very close with the Bearded Dragon though).

Aquatic Pack:
  • King Penguin (I think this is a must keep for this pack).
  • Asian Short-Clawed Otter (I would introduce this as the first otter given their commonness in zoos)
  • Pacific Walrus (Seems like the best pack to include it an a highly popular choice)
  • Spectacled Caiman (I think this is by far and away the most important caiman for the game given it’s popularity in captivity)
  • Red-Eared Slider (A much more common terrapin for the game)

Southeast Asia Animal Pack:
  • Clouded Leopard (Beautiful felid from Southeast Asia and first DLC felid since the SA DLC)
  • Sun Bear (Again, one of the most iconic and unique bears, a must for this pack)
  • Malayan Tapir (But done properly, not a drab reskin of the Bairds)
  • North Sulawesi Babirusa (one of the most unique animals from this region of the world)
  • Binturong (This game needs more small mammals and the Binturong is very popular in captivity)
  • Southern Cassowary (Keeping up the trend of a bird in every pack and allows both the Emu and Cassowary in game)
  • Lar Gibbon (I think this is the most iconic Southeast Asian primate that is common in captivity, therefore it deserves the spot).
  • Roti Island Snake-Necked Turtle (Starting to become more common in captivity and very endangered turtle from SEA).

Africa Pack:
  • Southern White Rhino (a must)
  • Meerkat (a must)
  • African Penguin (a most welcome addition)
  • Fennec Fox (a small desert canid for the game and the first since the Arctic Fox in the Arctic DLC)
  • Jackson’s Chameleon (Chameleons should be in this game)

North America Animal Pack:
  • Cougar (iconic NA felid)
  • American Black Bear (Rounds of the NA bear trifecta)
  • Moose (Another must in this pack
  • Black-Tailed Prairie Dog (small mammals are always fun)
  • California Sea Lion (again, one of the most iconic animals in a zoo)
  • North American Porcupine (a small arboreal mammal for the pack)
  • Sea Otter (Another cute aquatic mammal that’s very unique)
  • Green Anole (Fairly common in captivity and cool sexual dimorphism)

Europe Pack:
  • Eurasian Lynx (poster child of the pack and need more small cats)
  • European Fallow Deer (very common in captivity)
  • Alpine Ibex (Alps icon and ZT2 legacy animal)
  • Eurasian Beaver (more of a staple in captivity than the European Badger)
  • Fire Salamander (a solid choice of a limited pool of European herptiles)

Wetlands Pack:
  • Capybara (very popular South American Animal)
  • Giant Otter (Moved from the South America pack but still very iconic)
  • American Alligator (moved from the NA pack but still a must have and synonymous with swamps)
  • Red-Crowned Crane (some much needed central Asian bird representation)
  • Scarlet Ibis (some Amazonian bird representation and a staple species in captivity, plus making up for lack of birds in prior DLCs)
  • Domestic Water Buffalo (swapped to domestic as found in captivity but still some nice ungulate representation
  • Platypus (may not be super common in captivity but some much need monotreme and Australian representation in game and to this pack)
  • Axolotl (this one’s a wetlands must have)

Conservation Pack:
- Przewalski’s Wild Horse (first DLC squid and highly popular)
- Amur Leopard (a must for any zoo game)
- Scimitar-Horner Oryx (THE conservation success story)
- Sulawesi Black-Crested Macaque (a critically endangered unique species of monkey common in zoos)
- Crested Gecko (a choice that may seem odd in the surface but has a greater conservation success story)

Twilight Pack:
- Common Raccoon
(a staple in European Zoos and very charismatic)
- Striped Skunk (another European staple and small mammals always welcome)
- Aye-Aye (the last obvious Malagasy primate omission and a wacky-looking one at that!)
- Cape Porcupine (what’s better for a spooky pack than a spiky black and white rodent?
- Rodriguez Flying Fox (the walkthrough exhibit species, but a slightly more unique one!)
 
I'm trying to maintain the order of updates that we revived, so I won't put any aquatic species prior to the Aquatic Pack, as an example.

Arctic Pack
  • Polar bear
  • Reindeer
  • Musk ox
  • Arctic fox

South America Pack
  • Jaguar
  • Giant Anteater
  • Bolivian squirrel monkey
  • Capybara
  • Caiman Lizard

Australia Pack
  • Red Kangaroo
  • Koala
  • Wombat
  • Emu
  • Frill necked lizard

Aquatic Pack
  • Harbor seal
  • King penguin
  • Black caiman
  • Small clawed otter
  • Diamondback terrapin

Southeast Asia Animal Pack
  • Sun bear
  • Binturong
  • Tomistoma
  • Southern cassowary (probably a bit controversial)
  • North Sulawesi babirusa
  • Crested macaque
  • Clouded leopard
  • King cobra

Africa Pack
  • African penguin
  • Meerkat
  • White rhino
  • Colobus monkey
  • Panther chameleon

North America Pack
  • Puma
  • Black tailed prairie dog
  • American beaver
  • California sea lion
  • Moose
  • Mountain goat
  • Racoon
  • Axolotl

Europe Pack
  • Eurasian lynx
  • Alpine ibex
  • Red deer
  • Wolverine
  • Fire salamander

Wetlands pack
  • Giant otter
  • Red crowned crane
  • Père David's deer
  • Great white pelican
  • Nile lechwe
  • Platypus
  • American alligator
  • Green anaconda

Conservation Pack
  • Siamang
  • Przewalski's horse
  • Amur leopard
  • Secretary bird
  • Pancake tortoise

Twilight pack
  • Maned wolf
  • Striped skunk
  • Indian crested porcupine
  • Tasmanian devil
  • Egyptian fruit bat
 
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