Mixed Species Resources
Space constraints are one of the biggest issues facing population sustainability in modern zoos. Housing multiple compatible taxa together in one enclosure can help maximize space use and increase holding capacity without changing holding space. And mixed-species exhibits don't just help improve sustainability: they also provide enrichment for the animals and a more dynamic guest experience!
The TAGs encourage zoos to "think outside the box" when looking at exhibits for ungulates. Are there existing exhibits which could house a species of ungulate? Are there existing ungulate exhibits which could also house another taxon? What creative solutions have you found?
The following resources share information on mixed-species experiences across ungulate taxa and member institutions. Please note that these practices are constantly evolving, and these documents may not reflect recent advancements in husbandry knowledge or current best practices.
2017 AZA Ungulate TAGs Mixed-Species Manual
In August 2015, the AZA Ungulate TAGs launched a mixed-species survey in order to document the innovative mixes that have occurred with ungulates over the past several decades. The TAGs, in partnership with Disney’s Animal Kingdom, are now proud to present the 2017 AZA Ungulate TAGs Mixed-Species Manual.
This manual contains information from over 650 mixed-species ungulate exhibits at 131 institutions, including current successful exhibits, historical successful exhibits, and unsuccessful attempts at creating mixed species combinations. In addition to exhibits containing only ungulate species, we’ve also included information about non-ungulate species mixed with ungulates.
Information was submitted by all levels of staff at participating institutions, who helped us to collect details on the animals, exhibit design, and management of current and historical exhibits, as well as changes over time of currently existing mixes. We hope this manual will be a useful guide for setting up successful ungulate mixes in dynamic new exhibits, improving existing exhibits by adding new species, managing animal mixes appropriately and successfully given specific exhibit characteristics, and avoiding mixes or situations that might not be as successful.
(10.6 Mb, 1031 pages)
Former surveys (all of which have been compiled into the above manual) are available below:
Pig, Peccary, and Hippo Mixed-Species Exhibits
Compiled by Jim Haigwood, 2005
Cervid TAG Successful Mixed Species Exhibits
From the 2014 Cervid TAG RCP
Mixed Antelope Species Exhibits
Compiled by Anita Schanberger, 1998
The Antelope Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) distributed surveys requesting information regarding mixed species antelope management to AZA institutions in the Spring of 1997. The summary data is displayed within table format, broken down by antelope subgroups, independent AZA institutional information, bachelor herd data, and finally known interspecies hybrids.
Survey Results by Subgroups
Survey by Other Groupings
Support Material