Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I read the articles that Wes posts on many of the forums. Usually for the ones where some moron accidentally turned their animals loose or something of the sort, you usually get some cocky dork yelling that these animals shouldnt be kept and they should be kept in a zoo setting. Much like the case of the issue where an asian water monitor got loose. They said that the animals require special lighting and heating in order to for the animal to thrive (duh). Is there any difference in the type lighting bulbs and heating elements that are provided in zoos compared to private availability? Do these zoos have special systems set up in each and every vivarium/enclosure that makes their care MUCH more elite? I am just curious as to what zoos have to offer (besides the obvious conservation and education reasons) that the private keepers don't or can't provide? Any ideas or info to help me understand this?

Your ideas and help are much appreciated.

Best Wishes,

Chris

Chris,

This Document may shed some light on the differences.
http://www.wildlifetourism.org.au/ppts/swtc_mallinson_jeremy.pdf
http://www.wildlifetourism.org.au/ppts/swtc_mallinson_jeremy.pdf

John,

Very interesting article indeed, thank you for sharing it.

Best Wishes,

Chris

>>Chris,
>>
>>This Document may shed some light on the differences.
>>http://www.wildlifetourism.org.au/ppts/swtc_mallinson_jeremy.pdf
>>http://www.wildlifetourism.org.au/ppts/swtc_mallinson_jeremy.pdf

As a brief answer to your question, No they do not necessarily have better systems. But what they do typically have is better funding and great construction crews.

Anytime you have work crews and funding that exceeds what the average joe six pack usually has available it creates a more suitable environment.

Having said that there are many private facilities that are very well done. In my view better than many of the zoological facilities I've seen. Thats not a knock on zoos, just a statement that dedicated private keepers can be equally successful. Private keepers must have the resources to do the job correctly and most often need to be in an area where Mother nature can lend a helping hand.

Of course all of this is predicated on finances. If your wealthy you can easily outperform zoos and create a spectacular crocodilian(or any other) facility.
-----
CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'

Nicely said! Also lets not forget that MOST Zoo's start out as Private Non-AZA facilities and then later apply to be AZA acredited facilities.

As a example, just to name a couple of the BIG Croc Places that are excellent now and have been excellent for many many years before being AZA facilities, St. Augustine Alligator Farm & Gatorland Zoo.

There is no "war" or "compitition" and should be none between "private" facilities and "AZA" facilities, its just that AZA facilities have very strict rules and guidlines that they MUST obey to the T, were as the Private keeper does not.

And of course a rare animal such as the Leucistic Alligator is going to be placed with a AZA facility, just the same as any Endangered species that are illegaly brought into the Country would be. This is done because it is the safest thing to do in the eyes of Fish & Wildlife, how would it look it Fish & Wildlife let animals go into private hands then a couple months later these animals are listed on the KS Croc Add board?

Now I think it would be a exception it its a well known facility Private or not .. I could see animals being donated by Fish & Wildlife to Gatorland even if they were not yet a AZA facility, its just a matter of being safe, Most Zoological facilites have VERY STRICT guidlines in regards to buying selling and trading of species, and this is exspecialy the case when it comes to AZA facilities, thats just the way it is and thats the way it should be.

AZA and SOME Private facilities do have good relations, and there would be no hesitation in doing animal trasactions between facilities, its just a matter of playing everything safe and not letting $$$ rule !!