ANIMALS 'R' US

Zoo

                                                                                                                                                             Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) - Giant Pandas are on the Endangered Species list.  They can be found in the wild in the Mountains and Forest regions of Tibet and Southwestern China.  1200 Million Dong are required to start a panda population at a zoo. 20 Million dong are required to maintain these creatures annually.  Their ability to mate in captivity is Poor - Fair.  Scientists have Fair amounts of knowledge on these animals and how they live and interact in the wild.  5 different places in the world keep these animals in captivity.  These Giant Pandas have only fair re-admittance in to the wild.                                          

 Western Lowlands Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) - The Western Lowlands Gorillas are on the endangered species list.  To start a population of these animals within a zoo costs 450 Million dong.  After purchase it will cost 70 Million Dong annually to maintain the population.  These gorillas can be found in Cameroon, Congo and Gabon while in the wild.  The capability to reproduce while in captivity is good.  Our knowedge of their Behavior and ecology is fair - good.  In the world today you can find 97 different places where these animals are being held in captivity.  When these animals are re-released into the wild these chances of survival are poor - fair.

Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) -  Ring Tailed Lemurs (rock!) are not on the endangered species list but they are vulnerable of becoming part of the list.  For the Zoo to buy a starting population of these lemurs it will cost 300 Million Dong, with an annual cost of 15 million.  You can find these lemurs on the island of Madagascar in the wild.  This type of lemur is the only species in its genus.  The ability for this animal to reproduce while in captivity is fair - good.  The knowledge known about these animals and thier behavior in the wild is fair -good.  180 different places around the world keep these lemurs in captivity.  When these are re-introducted into the wild their survival rate is fair.

Borneo Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) - The Borneo Orangutan are not considered Endangered at the moment, but they are merely vunerable.  It costs 300 Million Dong to start a population of these Orangutans at a zoo.  To keep them alive each year the cost is 60 million Dong.  These Orangutans reside in Borneo (hence the name).  They have a good probability of creating off spring in captivity.  The information on these animals and their behavior in the wild is fair.  Around there are 56 groups of these Orangutans in captivity.  The survival rate of these animals when they are reintroduced into the wild is fair. Recently genetic fingerprinting has shown that there are 2 different species of Orangutans that diverged 1.5 million years ago.

Black Tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) - These prairie dogs do not seem to be endangered at all because they are not listed on any list found.  For a zoo to start a population of prairie dogs it will cost them 75 million Dong.  After that yearly maintenance is 2 million Dong.  These "dogs" are found in the Rocky Mountains to the prairies of North America.  The ability of the animals to procreate in captivity is good.  From studying these animals we have gained much knowledge on how they interact in the wild with each other.  77 groups of these prairie dogs are held in captivity in different zoos around the world.  The re-introduction of the Black Tailed Prairie dog into the wild is fair.  To Establish a new prairie dog population you need 60 or more of these animals. 

Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) -  The lovely long necked creatures are at lower risk of becoming endangered.  Although they are not rare, the numbers are declining as habitat is turned to agriculture.  900 million Dong are required to start a population, and each year 70 million Dong are required to keep them going.  They live in Africa. (how exciting)  There reproduction rate while in captivity is good.  Studies done on this animal have proven to be informative in learning all about their behavioral and ecological habits.  Giraffes can be found in 74 different captive locations around the world.  When biologist re-introduce them into the world the outcome is fair.  These Giraffes are the only species in their genus.

Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) -  The Red Panda (who looks like a fox to Pfoto)  is on the Endangered Species list.  A starting population of Red Pandas cost 150 million Dong.  After initial costs 10 million Dong are required to maintain them yearly.  You find these animals from Nepal to South-western China in the wild.  Husbandry while in captivity is Good.  Ecology and behavior is fair.  21 groups of Red Pandas are found through out the world while in captivity.  When re-introducing them into the wild survival rates are only fair.  These animals are the only ones in their genus. Also they are nocturnal and can live alone, in pairs or in family groups.

Common Boa (Boa constrictor) -  These snakes are not slithering onto the Endangered species list anytime soon.  To start a population of these snakes costs a zoo 100 million dong.  To keep them happy on a yearly basis 5 million Dong are required.  You can find these guys squeezing their way through South and Central America.  These snakes can occupy a variety of habitats including heavily disturbed ones. (like your backyard)  While in captivity these Boas have no problem reproducing.  Information on the ecological and behavioral patterns of these animals is in great abundance.  There are a 123 different groups of boas in captivity.  People really seem to love these snakes.  Introducing back into the wild has only fair results.

Asiatic Cobra (Naja naja) -  This snake is not listed on the Endangered species list but it is listed on the CITES Appendix 2.  Each year this veminous foe kills several thousand people because it visits houses late at night to catch a midnight snack.  You can find this cobra striking in India (except Assam), Pakistan (except most of Baluchistan), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal.  They do a fair job of reproducing while in the captivity.  Biologist are well versed in there ecological and behavioral patterns in the wild.  Only 6 groups of these snakes are found in captivity through out the world.  After studying the snake when they are introducing back into the wild the survival rate is fair. 

Common Chameleon (Chamaeleo camaeleon) -  This master or disguise is not listed on the Endangered species list.  This colorful creature hangs out in the trees of North Africa, Southern Europe and India.  To have these lizards crawling in the trees at your zoo it will take an initial cost of 50 million Dong and an annual 10 million to keep them going.  These animals are a good investment because they have a good reproductive rate while in captivity.  Over the years studies have been good at gaining information about there ecological and behavioral nature.  Across the world only 5 are kept in captivity and when re-introducing them to the wild is a fair process. 

Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates tricolor) -  This beautifully colored frog is not list as an endangered species.  This could be partly because it is toxic to many birds and small animals.  To start a population of this crowd pleasing amphibian a mere 70 million Dong are required, and only 0.5 million are needed on a yearly basis.  You can find these brilliant looking creatures are found hopping around Ecuador.  These little guys have a good reproductive rate while in captivity.  Also the learned knowledge about their ecological and behavioral habits are good.  Even though they are a crowd pleaser there are only 4 groups living in captivity.  They have a fair re-introduction rate into the wild. 

Links :
           Melbourne Australia Zoo
           Baltimore Zoo
           Bronx Zoo
           San Diego Zoo
           Tokyo Zoo, Japan        Translator site for Japanese => Systrans