See title. I'm working to assemble a list of PZ animals rare in captivity (either in general or outside of their native range), since the recent pack had several. Please propose edits/additions if you can! Currently organized into general rarity and rarity in the most commonly discussed and heavily zoo'd regions of the world: Europe, the U.S., and Australia. Will gladly add info about other countries (ie, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore), however!
Less than 10 Holders Outside Native Range:
Honorary Mentions:
Less than 10 Holders Outside Native Range:
- Platypus - Only found in San Diego Safari Park outside of Australia; even in Australia it's fairly uncommon. None in Europe.
- Wild Water Buffalo - Only found in a single zoo (Katmandu zoo in Nepal). All others in captivity belong to domestic species. None in Europe, Australia or US.
- Proboscis Monkey - Only found in zoos within its native range (and possibly in China and Japan?) due to specialized diet. None in Europe, Australia or US.
- Chinese Pangolin - Found in one European zoo and two Chinese zoos. Incredibly rare in captivity and the wild. None in Australia or US.
- Himalayan Brown Bear - again, almost non existent in zoos. My research indicates around 10 holders, most of which are in China or Central Asia. None in Australia or US.
- Lehmann’s Poison Frog — non existent in EAZA, may (?) exist in a few US facilities (Dallas World Aquarium), but seems to be non-existent other than a zoo in Colombia. None in Europe, Australia or (probably) US.
- Purebred Bengal Tigers - All or most bengal tigers in zoos outside of India have a mix of genes from various populations. None in Europe, Australia or US.
- Formosan Black Bear — generic asiatic black bears far more common. None or few in Europe and US, none in Australia.
- West African Lion — more common in zoos, especially in Europe, are other subspecies or generic lion mixes.
- Giant Pandas -- More than 15 (approx 16) holders, but spread across about as many countries, leading to low density of zoos holding them. 4 in U.S., 1 in Australia, a few in Europe.
- Titan Beetle — NEVER kept in captivity.
- Nile Lechwe - Arguable, may remove. Found in ten US zoos, which I would argue makes them rare in the states. Very common in European zoos.
- Gemsbok - only 8 US holders. Not nearly so rare in Europe, though.
- Cape Buffalo - only 6 holders in US. More common but still rare in Europe.
- Bonobo - only 8 US holders. More common but still rare in Europe.
- Dhole - found in only a few (5) US zoos but I believe the number of holders is increasing. Additionally, more common in Europe and Asia.
- Pronghorn — Not found in any European zoos; even in the US it’s quite rare
- Baird’s Tapir — common in US, not in Europe (around 2 holders).
- Thomson’s Gazelle and Springbok— uncommon in EAZA zoos.
- Babirusa -- Actually pretty common in American zoos from my experience, but held at under 15 European zoos.
- Common Death Adder, American Bullfrog, Diamondback Terrapin, Eastern Brown Snake -- All four species are held at less than ten European zoos.
- Every Bear species -- Sun Bear is held in 4 zoos, Polar in 1, Panda in 1. Others are absent.
- Indian Rhino, Spectacled Caiman, Yellow Anaconda -- 1 holder.
- Clouded Leopard -- 1 holder, which is as-of-yet unopened.
- Malayan Tapir, Hippopotamus, Nyala, Mandrill, Japanese Macaque, Orangutan (hybrid), California Sea Lion, Western Diamondback Rattlesnake -- 2 holders.
- Nyala, Galapagos Giant Tortoise, King Penguin -- 3 holders.
- Pygmy Hippo, Gorilla (Western Lowland), Chimpanzee, Snow Leopard -- 4 holders.
- Fennec Fox, Spotted Hyena-- 5 holders.
- Asian Elephant -- 6 holders.
- American Bison -- 7 holders.
- Binturong -- 8 holders.
- BW-Ruffed Lemur -- 9 holders.
- White Rhino, African Wild Dog -- 10 holders.
- African Elephant, Gemsbok, Jaguar, Dhole, European Badger, American Beaver, Baird's Tapir, Moose, Reindeer, Alpine Ibex, Dall Sheep, Cape Buffalo, Sable Antelope, Nile Lechwe, Red-Ruffed Lemur, CWFCapuchin, Timber Wolf, Arctic Wolf, Arctic Fox, Eurasian Lynx, Cougar, Giant Otter, Grey Seal, Prairie Dog, Aardvark, Giant Anteater, Every Amphibian, Dwarf Caiman, Gharial, Diamondback Terrapin, most Exhibit Reptiles, Nile Monitor, African Penguin, Greater Flamingo, possibly several Exhibit Insects -- No holders. Not sure about these ones but it's what one ZooChat thread claims.
- All unlisted species -- 11+ holders OR could not find source either way.
- Asian Elephant, Springbok, Bornean Orangutan, Gorilla, Sun Bear, Dingo, Galapagos Giant Tortoise, Saltwater Crocodile, King Penguin, Greater Flamingo -- 1 holder.
- American Bison, Chimpanzee, Tiger (generic), African Wild Dog -- 2 holders.
- White Rhino, Red Panda, American Alligator -- 3 holders.
- Capybara -- 4 holders.
- Plains Zebra, Giraffe (generic), Nyala, Ring-Tailed Lemur, BW-Ruffed Lemur, Cheetah -- 5 holders.
- Lion (generic), ASCOtter, Green Iguana -- 6 holders.
- Meerkat -- 7 holders.
- Llama, Fallow Deer, Eastern Blue-Tongued Skink, Common Ostrich, Indian Peafowl -- 10+ holders.
- All unlisted species -- Absent from New Zealand entirely.
- Special mention: Snakes -- all snakes are banned from being imported to New Zealand (though rescued sea snakes are very occasionally displayed)
Honorary Mentions:
- Every Europe pack habitat animal except the deer, in the US. All three species are very rare in American zoos, likely due to both lack of interest and similarities with easier to obtain American Badgers, Bighorn Sheep, and Canada Lynx. Fallow Deer are also not very common in many high-budget zoos. North American animals are also often rare in European zoos— most notably the grizzly and Dall sheep.
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