Should zoos mix species? Mixed species exhibits explained

Should zoos be mixing species within a single exhibit? Can it work well and is it worth the extra effort?
"Mixed Species Exhibit." Becker1999 (CC by 2.0) from ttps://www.flickr.com/photos/becker271/5728620725
Footage filmed on location
Paradise Wildlife Park: www.pwpark.com/
Colchester Zoo: www.colchester-zoo.com/
Dudley Zoo: www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/

[@matthewzito6130]

The Bronx Zoo used to house Asian Small Clawed Otters with Probascis Monkeys. The combination worked well for years. However, that changed when the zoo replaced the Probascis Monkeys with Ebony Langurs (another monkey species). The Langurs started harassing the Otters, until the Otters eventually retaliated killing one of the Langurs. After that, the zoo seperated the two species, moving the Otters another part of the same building.

[@zooblether]

There’s definitely an inherent risk with mixing species, even mixing individuals of the same species can result in aggression/lower welfare. It’s important to look at the benefits of mixing species, whether for animal welfare or for management/visitor experience. Even if a mix “seems to work” doesn’t mean it’s necessarily beneficial and may in fact have negative impacts too.

[@matthewzito6130]

@@zooblether I think the best combinations often involve two or more species that ignore each other. The animals get more space (one large enclosure instead of smaller separate ones), the zoo gets to make efficient use of space and visitors get a more interesting and immersive experience (especially if the animals originate from the same region).

[@RainWave13]

People forget that “naturally associate in the wild” 1000% does not mean the animals are pals and catch up over the Sunday paper and a coffee. They adjust to living alongside each other in the wild out of necessity but do regulate their space and typically don’t interact except for passively. When you look at those mixed species migrating herds of ungulate in Africa, the zebras and wildebeest and antelope are typically chasing each other off when one gets too close, especially with young around. And they know that other species will consume their same resources or take up space at a watering hole or shady spot. But in the wild with predators around you can never have enough eyes and ears so they do get comfort in numbers- a zebra knows a wildebeest will still signal for danger so that zebra can afford to relax a bit more. Studies have shown they do appreciate having multiple other eyes and ears in captivity even if those aren’t from the same species. And in captivity their needs are being met so their isn’t as much tension to compete for let’s say a spot at the feeder or in the shade. In cases with arboreal and ground dwelling animals, these tend to be more peaceful because- arboreal primates particularly- just don’t care too much about what’s on the ground if they have adequate climbing space. And vice versa. My local zoo houses some gibbons with a male tapir and the gibbons seem to get a lot of enrichment over this- they love to watch the tapir and are quite fascinated with him, and the tapir just doesn’t really care. He’s so large that even when the gibbons like to give him some play smacks or check him out their tiny hands aren’t even felt. Personally, I think multi species exhibits can be important because they’re additionally enriching to guests which is an essential part of a zoo’s purpose, and it is normal for some species to be in a mixed species setting. As long as they’re well managed and animals can get a break from each other or there’s room for them to separate as needed, I think they typically don’t tend to cause as much harm.

[@zooblether]

Yes, love this, many examples as you rightly say of living beside each other but not really together. Extra eyes for predator detection is certainly helpful and some species have been shown to react to the “panic” calls of others living nearby too! But yes, like you say the “pressures” are very different in captivity. Curious individuals will definitely check others out, so it does still need to managed to make sure those “tiny hands” aren’t causing too much of a nuisance!

[@Infernoraptor]

In short, there's a difference between co-existing with a neighbor and being stuck in covid lock down with them. Makes sense

[@sixbirdsinatrenchcoat]

When Copenhagen Zoo was opening their mixed species African Savannah, they were worried that the rhinos might be a problem, so they had a separate/separatable area set aside for them (like in your video obout the designed-for-failure Sun Bear habitat). It turned out that the rhinos were not a problem. The wildebeest, however, were - to quote the keeper - a**holes. The habitat works very well now … without wildebeest.

[@zooblether]

haha its always the ones you don't expect!

[@victzegopterix2victorindem895]

Does English really has a wild beast named "wildebeest"? 💀

[@userequaltoNull]

​@@victzegopterix2victorindem895 Its Dutch, what do you expect?

[@cacogenicist]

Did they have zebras in there? They are definitely assholes.

[@cacogenicist]

​@@victzegopterix2victorindem895- It's from Dutch "wild ox." As I understand it

[@sixbirdsinatrenchcoat]

The wildest example of planned interspecies interaction I know is (again) from Copenhagen Zoo. They had 4 different Nordic predator habitats next to each other: Wolves next to Brown bears, next to Arctic Foxes & Snowy owls, next to Polar Bears. The Fox&Owl exhibit is built in one half of their old Polar bear habitat, while the other half is set aside for separating the female polar bear when she has small cubs. But the interesting thing is the series of tunnels built through all four, or rather five habitats. These are closed off most of the time, but when the brown bears hibernate, the wolves and foxes can be given access to their habitat - one species at a time, of course! That way, they have more space, and they get new experiences, including the scent of each other. The foxes can go into the smaller polar bear habitat as well, when the female isn’t in there. The tunnels even made it possible to let the wolves move all the way to the new polar bear habitat, though I don’t think that was ever done. It was an interesting experiment, but while it wasn’t a failure, it also wasn’t used as much as was initially hoped. Now, there are no more wolves in Copenhagen Zoo, as they couldn’t give them the space they should have. So they moved to Sweden. Instead, the brown bears are getting an expansion. They also don’t have arctic foxes at the moment because the old ones (all males) died, and there aren’t any in other zoos looking for new homes. Side note: They were never worried about the foxes harming the owls. They were, however, keeping an eye out for the owls attacking the foxes.

[@zooblether]

this is a cool example! I actually had a section in this script about "time share" of exhibits, but ultimately cut it and earmarked the content for a part 2. Hoping to visit/film at one and get some insight as to what works and what doesn't. There's a number examples of allowing hoofstock to graze carnivore paddocks, and I've found atleast some research suggesting that it's beneficial for the predator as a form of sensory enrichment, and doesn't appear to induce stress in the prey species either!

[@theimmigrant7953]

My favorite mixed species exhibit is definitely the Houston Zoo’s South America’s Pantanal Grasslands exhibit, featuring: Coscoroba Swan Crested Screamed Greater Rhea Capybara Baird’s Tapir Giant Anteater

[@sharkbait2555]

Holy shit I need to head back to the Houston zoo its been years since I've been, ill have to see this for myself!

[@bird-watcher-91]

You do realize that Baird's tapirs are from Central America and the northwestern edge of South America and not from the Pantanal, right? Last I checked, there are several institutions that have the much more appropriate South American lowland tapir (I believe Brookfield is one). I have quite a few criticisms about their Pantanal exhibit, especially some of the birds they put on display that aren't even native to the Pantanal. I hope, when the Houston Zoo renovates their version of Birds of the World, they'll place those species there.

[@matteld3179]

the mixed species enclosures reminds me of community aquariums there will be fights, or they will simply ignore eachother like you said its very safe if they are known to meet in the wild (in aquariums it could be certian tetra species and small chiclids)

[@bqgin]

I wonder how zoos keep their waterfowl from fighting. I kept ducks and geese and always have to had them seperated because even if I raised them from babies, the bigger would always harass the smaller. When the ducklings were larger they were chasing the geese, when the goslings grew bigger they would harass the ducks. At some point they would just stare them ominously over their neighbour's pen like unrelenting towers of terror.

[@zooblether]

"unrelenting towers of terror" haha

[@cacogenicist]

I've seen geese absolutely kick the hell out of ducks. Quite brutal.

[@MossmanJoeX2]

A mixed species enclosure can be the highlight of a zoo visit if done well, or sour my mood entirely if done poorly. I'm always reminded of the large Proboscis Monkey exhibit at the Batu Secret Zoo, spanning 3 floors, allowing you to look at the monkeys at the top and some large asian megafish species within the water area at the bottom. On the other end of the spectrum, I distinctly remember an orangutan exhibit at a zoo (that thankfully no longer exists), where they had a lone male orangutan and a macaque with a chain on its neck. To this day, I still have no idea what the macaque was for, was it to accompany the orangutan? To make the enclosure more active? Or (in the worst case scenario) as a live food option? I guess I'll never know 😂

[@glarnboudin4462]

I hate that my first thought was “that sounds like a buddy cop movie waiting to happen”

[@tearex2556]

Came back to tell you about my local zoo's very interesting mixed Safari area that's been very successful since the 80's: White Rhino Hippopotamus Plains zebra Thomson's Gazelle Marabou Stork Crowned Crane Ostrich Eland Blue Wildebeest Scimitar Oryx Arabian Oryx Flamingos Pelicans And finally Waterbuck

[@zooblether]

That’s a big mix! Surprised some of those delicate birds work well with the zebra in particular! Zebras can be a bit kicky at times

[@tearex2556]

@@zooblether Rhinos and Eland keep them in check

[@Azureblue25]

I’m surprised that Giraffes aren’t included with them, normally they’re mixed in with some of these species in zoos, and Hippos in particular are a surprising addition to this mixed species exhibit since I’ve never heard of them being incorporated into a mixed species exhibit with all of these other African species because they’re normally placed in their own separate exhibits due to their aggressive tendencies, which zoo are you talking about that has this exhibit?

[@userequaltoNull]

In a rather large and popular zoo in North Carolina, I once saw a variety of lizards cohabitating in a knee-high open-topped glass enclosure. Among others in a single exhibit, there was a North American Collared lizard (and other SW USA agamids) *and* several Uromastyx. Anyone familiar with reptile keeping can see the problem, those two need wildly different heat levels. Like 50-60 degrees F different. Uromastyx need some of the hottest enclosures in reptile keeping, and Agamids some of the mildest. I still dont know how both were alive.

[@Shrew612]

Point Defiance Zoo has a really cool rotational exhibit design with different Southeast Asia species rotating in an out of a selection of 4-5 exhibits. They have Gibbons, Small Clawed Otters, Siamangs, Tapirs, Anoa, Sumatran Tigers and even a Hornbill in this. However I heard a story early on in the exhibits history that the Gibbons and Otters aren’t to be mixed… The otters were carried around by them and I don’t know the outcome of what happened but I’m sure I don’t want to

[@bananaleech2985]

My friends just showed me your channel and I am enjoying it! That striped hyena enclosure seemed familiar until I realized that it is from my sort-of-local zoo (Faruk Yalçın Zoo).

[@zooblether]

That's awesome! I’ll be honest, not a zoo I’ve been to! Couldn’t find anything suitable within my own footage, and managed to source that online! Glad you’re enjoying the channel so far, it’s good to have you!

[@insectilluminatigetshrekt5574]

A handful of soil is already a mixed species exhibit, with mites, springtails, nematodes and others.

[@peterstoric6560]

There is a decent bit of this at the Pittsburgh zoo. Zebras with giraffes, capybaras with anteaters, gazelle with ostrich, and don’t get me started on the primate house

[@Charley_Goji]

Im usually adamantly against cohabitation unless its 100% safe. It just seems like an unnecessary risk.

[@cacogenicist]

Have any thoughts about orangs and gibbons? That seems pretty common

[@johndoherty487]

Melman, Skipper, Kowalski, Rico, and Private.

[@cacogenicist]

Orang-u-tans and gibbons together seems to be very common. I haven't heard of any issues, and I think the gibbons tend to entertain orangs. Big male orangs are too slow to grab a gibbon and throttle them, if they're in a grumpy mood.

[@Eclipsestar150]

A zoo near me had a mixed enclosure of a rhino ostriches giraffes and zebras. The ostriches ended up annoying the rhino and he got so pissed he charged at one and it didn’t end well for the ostrich. The zoo soon got rid of the ostriches.

[@dacisky]

Reptile keepers are even wondering about this...Anyway,I think a AU exhibit with roos,birds and reptiles would be interesting.

[@keyp.5499]

I saw a common marmoset and pied tamarin enclosure in zooave

[@DM-ql6ps]

Keeping mixed species grazing herds seems common (i.e. zebras and giraffes and various antelope). These animals do form mixed herds in the wild and will stay together for protection. They will go off on their own single species herds for breeding and if they are very sure there are no predators in the area. Generally in the wild, the more mixed the herd, the more concered about predators nearby the animals probably are. More eyes and ears = more chances to survive.

[@zooblether]

There’s lots of examples of this, not just grazing herds but also random mixes of species in forests/rainforests. It can also be down to resources not just predators. Even in my garden I see pigeons and squirrels in the same trees when there’s food available!

[@keyp.5499]

Most zoos have a orangutan and gibbon combined exhibits.

[@zooblether]

This isn’t one I’ve seen in person I don’t think, but seems to be quite common!

[@stuartcluff5841]

can gorillas and orangutangs be in the same enclosure?

[@bird-watcher-91]

I'm all for mixed-species exhibits in which the species involved would naturally occur in the wild. I'm not in favor of mixed species mammal exhibits where they come from separate continents or in which their wild range does not overlap, all for the sake of novelty. While, for birds, having a mixed flight of gorgeous birds from across the world is spectacular and eye-catching, I feel the chances of it going terribly wrong increase because said species aren't used to interacting with another species half a world away. This is common in both private collections and major zoos and safari parks, especially in the older institutions. I feel there's a lot of benefits with mixed-species exhibits, especially since zoos are leaning more towards natural displays but naturally you have to account for the individual personality of the species (and within a species) in question, space, sex ratio, things of that nature, along with space to accommodate multiple species, even if it's on a rotation. I've both heard and read, for example, any of the zebra species can make things difficult when displaying a mixed, African savannah exhibit. Fresno Chaffee doesn't have zebras in their collection at the time of posting; San Francisco Zoo had to transfer out their greater kudus because they didn't get along with their zebras, and Grévy's zebras are especially aggressive and need close monitoring when in mixed-species exhibits. Sacramento Zoo currently has three Grévy's zebras mares with two female common ostriches. Hybridization between related species is another problem I've seen. San Francisco Zoo had kept both [American] white ibises with scarlet ibises and have had hybrid offspring (this also occurs in the wild). Ever since genome sequencing revealed giraffes are now four distinct species, many zoos have Rothschild's and reticulated hybrids, both of which are two distinct species. I say go for it but please make it natural and make sense that they'd interact. Zoos are also meant to be educational.

[@zooblether]

I agree with most of what you’ve said. Although I do think some non-natural exhibits can work if educated properly. A good example in Europe atleast is lemurs. They’re often in mixed exhibits, all come from Madagascar, all have similar evolutionary biology and current threats. But I for one thought Madagascar the country was a mix of all species, where actually there are distinct habitats and populations across the length and breadth of the country. It makes sense to put them together at a zoo, although as you say hybridisation is a factor, but more could be done to educate about the scale and range of habitats present.

[@bird-watcher-91]

@@zooblether I'm curious to read, if you'd like to share, the parts you didn't agree with. Madagascar is a great example you bring up. San Francisco Zoo and the small Mickie Grove Zoo feature prominently the wildlife of Madagascar. They have lesser vasa parrots in an aviary with radiated tortoises on the bottom at Mickie Grove and at the zoo entrance of San Francisco, they have "Lemur Island" that features at least five or six lemur species. They have their fossa separated for obvious reasons and they also have their Coquerel's sifakas in a separate enclosure.

[@zooblether]

Hey. I think it’s just a turn of phrase I use. The one I definitely don’t think is clear cut is the non-natural mix, as I said, there’s some “good” examples which do work with enough education to go with it. On an individual animal level there could even be a benefit to having different species in an enclosure, from an enrichment/interest point of view. But again, the education of the public of what they’re really seeing is important. The hybrid point you make is an interesting one. Even down to subspecies level it can be a problem. We had to deal with this once, where “new” subspecies had been recognised formally, and it led to a review of the entire breeding program. The existing breeding program, had individuals with “high” and “low” importance with regards to their genetics which no longer fitted with the new understanding of subspecies. All of a sudden a certain amount were hybrids, possible to trace back through lineages, and the level of importance of each “pure” individual suddenly changed. The “plan” of how to manage the population completely changed overnight.