Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A friend and I have been contemplating the ownership of a private zoo. The financial investment would obviously be large. My question is does it sound feasible to any of you?? I've seen zoos like Brookfield and Lincoln Park and I honestly wasn't that impressed with them personally. I like the smaller (not necessarily) private zoos much more. It seems to me that those people take much better care of their animals. I was particularly unimpressed with the reptile house at Brookfield. Its really just a dream of mine and I like discussing it with people. I've drawn the plans for it a thousand times. Tell me what you all think of private zoos.

Bill

I think it's an awesome idea... if you're going to have a bunch of cool snakes, you might as well show them off. Also, you'd probably be exempt from many reptile restrictions in your area.
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

A friend and I had the idea originally. My personal collection consists of mainly reptiles but my interests branch to all animals and even the plant world (bonsai). A new enclosure I am designing, with a profesor, will have both animals and bonsai plants in it. My goal is to achieve my masters in herpetology and attend a specialized school on zoos in FL. My partners main interest is in aquaria and mammals. We would like to combine our interests and biological degrees into an institution. An open air tour for large grazing mammals and outdoor enclosures for large predators will be a large portion of the institution. The indoor portion will include an area for reptiles and an aquaria portion. These will be separated by a commons/store area. Thats probably more info than any of you wanted but its my dream. Thank you.

Bill

OMG, if you want someone to clean out the cages and work with you, call me. I'd do it free of charge. I think everyone who has an interest in animals, etc, has the dream of having a private zoo. I think that's a wonderful dream. I hope you can make it truth someday!!!
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1.1 Ball Python 0.0.1 corn snake 1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.0.2 fish 1.2 cats 3.1 kids 1.0 husband and now...
0.0.1 Pink Zebra Beauty Tarantula

I had the idea for the open field viewing of the large grazers after watching a safari on TV. Walking around zoos takes entirely too long. I like the idea of taking people out on tours of a field to have photo sessions of large grazers and to see them interact with one another. Our plan is to open this place in TX so that the open field idea can become a reality. Ah, to have dreams.

Bill

That would be cool. At the zoo here in RI, Roger Williams Park & Zoo, I watched an Elk deliver a baby there one day, in a field of grass.
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1.1 Ball Python 0.0.1 corn snake 1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.0.2 fish 1.2 cats 3.1 kids 1.0 husband and now...
0.0.1 Pink Zebra Beauty Tarantula

Thats exactly what I'm trying to get at. Seeing animals in as close to natural settings as we can recreate. I'm fine tuning my plans now and getting into the grittier portions...employee numbers, spacial issues, patron amenities. Its coming along nicely though. I'll keep rambling as my dream develops. Thanks for your interest.

Bill