Which animal is the most expensive for Zoos to acquire and to keep?

Question

Is it a coincidence that we don't easily get to see some animals at Zoos?

Answer 1

For the most part aquatics are the most expensive to care for. Stuff like elephants, rhinos, etc do require a great deal of food per year and a large habitat but dime to dollar species that require tanks, fish, manatees, sharks, seals, dolphins, whales, polar bears, etc win the prize. The problem mainly is the pumps and LSS for the exhibits can never stop working, if they breakd down or need replaced they are extremely expensive and even when working they need constant attention even when they are working. On top of that you have filters (sand, sock, etc) that constantly need attention. Also the glass for tanks is horridly expensive. All of that does not even factor in the food, medical, etc stuff that the animal will require on a daily basis.

Overall if you are talking about just the animals your larger species will always win because, well they need more to eat. However if you factor in the animal and exhibit they live in... good size aquatics will always win.

Answer 2

How about the big blue whale? You'll need to have a large enough tank to hold more than one. You'll need at least a team of 12 full time to clean that tank. And you need the budget to feed them (mostly squid and other seafood and it all has to be restaurant quality and tested for toxins).

There is no way somebody can seriously answer this question. The truth is that the larger the animals and more social it is, the harder it is to maintain it in captivity.

and since the topic was brought up, Pandas are actually not hard to maintain in captivity. The problem with Pandas is that individuals born in captivity don't seem to want to mate with other Pandas. There are several possible reasons for this.

Answer 3

i dont think there is a definiate answer to this question.
It varies from institution to instituion.
Some animals are easier and cheaper to maintain then others.
Institutions dont have to pay for many of their animals. This is due to loaning, breeding, or some animals such as bears are taken from the wild if they are too used to animals because they would otherwise get euthanized.
You have to think of where this facility is located as well. Its cheaper to have a polar bear exhibit in the areas where they are native then say somewhere in the south where you would need a chiller for the pool.
Some people are putting examples on here of animals that could never be kept in captivity but Im not sure if thats what you are looking at because its impossible so why would you even think about costs.

Answer 4

Apes and Monkeys are illegal to acquire in North America. Any Zoo that has them, had them before the law was passed, or they are on loan from another Zoo.
If an animal is extremely endangered, it's very rare for them to be on display, as they will most likely be in a private area trying to breed.
China only allows a certain number of Pandas to be loaned out of the country. In the past, they have cost as much as 2 million dollars a year to have them on loan. But recently, the price has dropped to the 100Ks. Any Pandas born outside of China must also return to China within a few years.
And generally, any animal that doesn't survive in captivity will be left alone for the most part.

Answer 5

I don't think there's a simple answer to this. The reason pandas are expensive to acquire is because international law requires that they originate in China, and are returned to China after some years have passed, so there are international legal issues and shipping expenses to consider. Whereas elephants, which certainly have much greater requirements for food and veterinary care (probably the most of any animal, simply due to size), do not necessarily have to be shipped from Africa or Asia. They may even be bred from other zoos, or acquired from American circuses.

Answer 6

Cheetahs are very hard to keep healthy in captivity as well as hard to breed. Pandas as well. Years ago, it was hard to keep Koala Bears alive in zoos, it had something to do with getting them fresh eucalyptus on a daily basis. After time the eucalyptus would become poisonous to them. They are since figured out the problem and have corrected it and now zoos everywhere have Koala Bears.

Answer 7

I have to respond to Caboose. You are quite mistaken on a couple of things about pandas. First, they do not only eat bamboo, it is merely the largest portion of their diet. They actually eat quite a lot of things, but bamboo is the most plentiful substance where they are in the wild and thus makes up most of their diet. Furthermore, bamboo is a VERY hearty plant and many of it can grow practically anywhere so it does not need to be imported.

Answer 8

Great White Sharks, they will not stay alive in captivity, so it would cost a lot of money to buy a huge (few miles wide) cage to put in the ocean to captivate the great white and make it feel at home.

Cheers

Answer 9

Humans. They have to design everything to attract humans to their zoo. They have to provide somewhere to get food and beverages. They have to provide them with nice walkways and safety fences. They have to pay for advertising so that humans will know they are there. They have to provide indoor plumbing for their restrooms because humans are to good to use the bushes like the other animals.
They have to make sure their visit is enjoyable so that they'll keep coming back. Seriously.

Answer 10

Im not an expert on the subject but im willing to bet that it would be pandas. Not only are they endagered, but bringing them to america is really expesive. Plus, they only eat bamboo, which has to be imported.