Keeping groups / mixed species
Some species live in herds or groups in the wild, and
every effort should be made to provide the same group
dynamic within a zoo exhibit.
Another possibility is to keep several different
species in the same enclosure. This could be a great
way to enrich the animals’ lives, but it also needs
careful planning and monitoring (box 23).
In both cases it is important to closely monitor
the situation within the group or between species to
prevent animals being dominated by other individuals.
Mixing species and keeping groups also means a higher
risk of persistent and unresolved conflict between
group members or the different species in the exhibit;
another reason for monitoring.
Also consider whether the enclosure is suitable
for all the species it houses and whether it is large
enough for the animals to get out of each others way.
Some situations require specially designed barriers
that divide the enclosure for one species but still allow
another species to move from section to section. This
allows the latter species to get out of reach of the
first species. For obvious reasons, do not combine
predator and prey or other combinations in which
one animal may hurt the other.