Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians Fish Invertebrates Chihuahuan Desert Endangered Species Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians Fish Invertebrates Chihuahuan Desert Endangered Species Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians Fish Invertebrates Chihuahuan Desert Endangered Species Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians Fish Invertebrates Chihuahuan Desert Endangered Species Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians Fish Invertebrates Chihuahuan Desert Endangered Species Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians Fish Invertebrates Chihuahuan Desert Endangered Species Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians Fish Invertebrates Chihuahuan Desert Endangered Species

Asian elephant at the El Paso Zoo The following animal list will give you some idea of the diversity of species that live at the El Paso Zoo. Because our exhibits are always changing, some animals may not be on exhibit when you arrive. If you want to check on the exhibit status of a species you can contact the Education Curator at lobellorl@elpasotexas.gov or call 915-521-1850. Please note that most reptiles and fish on this list are off exhibit while the Zoo completes construction of a new Reptile Exhibit scheduled to open during the spring of 2009. All invertebrates are also off exhibit where they are used exclusively for education programs. Other animals are living off exhibit pending the completion of renovations on the Tropical Pavilion scheduled to re-opens late in 2008.  Designates animals that were on exhibit when this list was updated on July 1, 2008.  Designates exhibit animals living behind the scenes until the remodeled Tropical Pavilion and new Reptile House are completed, and animals used for animal encounter programs at the Zoo and local schools. Endangered Species Many species at the El Paso Zoo are classified by conservation organizations and government agencies as endangered or threatened with extinction. The first part of this list summarizes the latest information on the status of selected species. See below for more information on codes like SSP, PMP etc. Asian Elephant, Endangered, SSP Asian elephants are competing for habitat with 20% of the world's population in Southeast Asia. Conservationists estimate a wild population of only 35,000 animals across the entire range of the species. Amur leopard, Critically Endangered, PMP The Amur leopard is one of the rarest large cats in the world with as few as 30 animals left in the wilds of the Amur River region of Russia and China. Major threats to their survival include depletion of prey, habitat loss, and conflict with humans and the small wild population, which makes them vulnerable to inbreeding, and "catastrophes" like fire and disease. There are only about 200 animals in captivity in some 36 zoos around the world. Five leopard cubs have been born here since 2001. Aruba Island rattlesnake, Critically Endangered, SSP This snake lives on the island of Aruba in the Caribbean and is the rarest rattlesnake in the world. The island is very small and development is destroying most of the snake's habitat. Less than 12 square miles of habitat remains. Bali mynah, Critically Endangered, SSP This bird is endangered because of forest destruction and the pet trade. Due to captive breeding programs, there are more Bali mynahs in zoos and private aviaries than on the island of Bali in Southeast Asia. Our animals are part the SSP program. A release program has been in existence for about 14 years. Captive bred birds have been released with minimal success because people involved with the black market pet bird trade have captured the birds. A new effort to release birds into better-protected habitat on the nearby island of Nusa Penida is currently underway. Bolson tortoise, Vulnerable The Bolson tortoise is the largest land turtle in North America. South of El Paso, in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert, where the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila and Durango intersect, there is a Biosphere Reserve called the Bolson de Mapimi. The last remaining wild population of Bolson tortoises survives in this reserve thanks to the conservation efforts of Mexico. This species is listed as Vulnerable because it has experienced a population decline of up to 50% over the past 3 generations. It faced catastrophic levels of exploitation during the middle of the 20th century, with subsequent lower levels of exploitation. About six separate subpopulations exist, comprising some 7,000 to 10,000 adults, collectively occurring over about 7,000 sq. km. Cotton-top tamarin, SSP These small primates are endangered because of the clearing of their forest habitat and population depletion from the animal trade. Nature reserves have been set up to help protect the species. Only 2-3,000 survive in the wild. Galapagos Tortoise The greatest threats to the tortoises come from introduced nonnative species to the islands, such as rats, dogs, and cats, which eat tortoise eggs and young tortoises. They also must compete for food with goats and cattle, which causes food shortages. At best, there are about 10,000 to 15,000 tortoises living today on the Galapagos Islands. Golden lion tamarin, SSP The golden lion tamarin is one of the world's endangered mammals. It has declined largely because of destruction of its forest habitat for lumber, agriculture, pasture and housing. Over 1000 animals now survive in the wild. Thirty years ago, the population was down to 200. Captive breeding programs from Zoos around the world have successfully added nearly 200 animals to the wild population. Hooded Crane, PMP Listed as endangered by the USFW. World War II devastated hooded crane populations and only 250 were counted at the end of the War. The high density of birds on relatively small wintering grounds in Japan makes them vulnerable to natural or manmade catastrophes. Today the wild population is estimated at 11,500 birds. Malayan tiger, Endangered, SSP An estimated 500 Malayan tigers are left in the wild of Malaysia, which has carrying capacity of 493 to1480 tigers based on available habitat. Lion-tailed macaque, Endangered, SSP, Lion-tailed macaques are the most endangered of the 16 species of macaques. They have a low reproductive rate and seem unable to adapt to human encroachment: clearing of forests for agriculture, construction of dams and roads. Only about 2500 survive in the Ghats Mountains of southwest India. Mauritius pink pigeon, Critically Endangered, SSP There were about 15 Pink Pigeons in the wild in the early 1990s. At present (2002) there are just under 350. Mexican wolf, Critically Endangered, SSP The El Paso Zoo is part of a group of zoos in partnership with a US Fish and Wildlife Service cooperative breeding program to save critically endangered Mexican wolves. The program is designed to breed captive animals in support of a reintroduction project to restore the species to its native habitat in the wilds of Arizona and New Mexico. Approximately 50 animals now roam in the wild because of the effort. Ocelot, SSP Ocelots once lived as far east as Louisiana, but their habitat has been reduced by agriculture. Today only about 100 ocelots live in South Texas. Siamang, SSP Listed as endangered by the USFW. Wild populations are decreasing rapidly because of habitat loss. Sumatran orangutan, Critically Endangered, SSP There are more orangutans in the wild than previously thought because of improved population estimates. In 2004, the total world population for Borneo and Sumatra was 50-60,000. The Sumatra situation is extremely desperate with an estimated population of 7,500. Spider monkey, Endangered Two subspecies from Central America are listed as Endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Most of our spider monkeys are believed to be hybrids. Thick-billed Parrot, SSP High in the slopes of the Sierra Madre Mountains of Central Mexico reside the remaining populations of wild Thick-billed Parrots. Scientists estimate a maximum wild population of 4000 birds. Definitions: Our Source at the El Paso Zoo: Our species status reports on based on the Redlist.org maintained by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at redlist.org. For more information visit the Categories and Criteria section of the website. Endangered: An animal or plant is Endangered when it is not Critically Endangered, but is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. Critically Endangered: An animal or plant is Critically Endangered when it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. Vulnerable – An animal or plant is Vulnerable when it is not Critically Endangered or Endangered but is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future. Lower Risk: An animal or plant is Lower Risk when it has been evaluated, does not satisfy the criteria for any of the categories Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. Hybrid: the offspring of two animals of different species or subspecies such as a mule. For example, there are a number of subspecies (varieties) of spider monkey ranging from Mexico to South America. Some of our spider monkeys are the result of captive breeding between different subspecies. SSP: Species Survival Plan. The Species Survival Plan program began in 1981 as a cooperative population management and conservation program for selected species in zoos and aquariums in North America. Each SSP manages the breeding of a species in order to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable. PMP: Population Management Plans provide basic population management for various captive populations. PMPs are established for studbook populations that do not require the intensive management and conservation action of Species Survival Plans (SSPs). For more information: 915-521-1881 or www.elpasozoo.org Mammals Insectivora African hedgehog, Atelerix albiventris Xenartha Hoffman's sloth, Choloepus hoffmani Tamandua, Tamandua tetradactyla Chiroptera (Bats) Jamaican fruit eating bat, Artibeus jamaicensis Island flying fox, Pteropus hypomelanus Primates Spider monkey, Ateles geoffroyi geoffroyi Cotton-headed tamarin, Saguinus oedipus Golden lion tamarin, Leontopithecus rosalia rosalia Sumatran orangutan, Pongo pygymaeus Lion-tailed macaque, Macaca silenus Siamang, Hylobates syndactylus Pygmy Sow loris, Nycticebus pygmaeus Carnivora Gray wolf (Mexican), Cannis lupus baileyi Malayan sun bear, Helarctos malayanus Andean (Spectacled bear), Tremarctos ornatus Malayan tiger, Panthera tigris jacksoni Amur leopard, Panthera pardus orientialis Ocelot, Felis paradalis European ferret (polecat), Mustela putorius furo Pinnipedia (fin-footed mammals) California Sea Lion, Zalophus c. californianus Proboscidea (Elephants) Asian elephant, Elephas maximus Perissodactyla (Odd-toed ungulates) Malayan tapir, Tapirus indicus Mexican burro, Equus asinus asinus Artiodactyla (Even-toed ungulates) Blackbuck, Antilope cervicapra Guanaco, Lama glama guanicoe Domestic goat, Capra hircus Domestic sheep (Navajo-churro), Ovis aries domestica Domestic sheep (Santa Cruz Island), Ovis aries domestica Nilgai, Boselaphus tragocamelus Pronghorn, Antilocapra Americana Larger malayan chevrotain, Tragulus napu Rodentia Patagonian hare, Dolichotis patagonum Black-tailed prairie dog, Cynomys ludovicianus Guinea pig, Cavia porcellus Acouchi, Myoprocta pratti Prevost's squirrel, Callosciurus prevosti Capybara, Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris Chinchilla, Chinchilla laniger Lagomorpha Desert cottontail rabbit, Sylvilagus audubonii Domestic rabbit, Oryctolagus Birds Struthioniformes (Ratites) Greater rhea, Rhea americana albescens Ciconiiformes (Herons and allies) Scarlet ibis, Eudocimus ruber Cattle egret, Ardeola ibis Falconiformes (Raptors) Western harris hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus superior Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsonii Anseriformes (Waterfowl and screamers) Spotted whistling duck, Dendrocygna guttata Domestic duck, Ana platyrhynchos platyrhynchos Common white-eyed duck, Aythya nyoca Moluccan Radjah Shelduck, Tadorma radja Indian pygmy goose, Nettapus coromandelianus Marbled teal, Marmoronetta angustirostris Black-bellied tree duck, dendrocygna autumnalis Blue winged teal, Anas discors Hooded merganser, Mergus cucullatus Crested screamer, Chauna torquata Galliformes (Gamebirds) Wild turkey, Meleagris gallipavo Gambel's quail, Lophortyx gambelii Crested Wood Partridge, Rollulus roulroul Gruiformes (Cranes and allies) Hooded crane, Grus monacha Common trumpeter, Psophia crepitans Charadriiformes (Shorebirds) Double-striped thick-knee, Burhinus bistriatus Inca tern, Larostrena inca American avocet, Recurvirostra americana Masked plover, Vanellus miles Sanderling, Calidris alba Willet, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus Columbiformes (Sandgrouse and pigeons) Nicobar pigeon, Caloenas nicobarica Pink pigeon, Columba mayeri Bleeding-heart pigeon, Gallicolumba luzonica Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura Psittaciformes (Parrots) African grey parrot, Psittacus eritacus Blue-and-yellow macaw, Ara ararauna Military macaw, Ara militaris Thick-billed parrot, Rhynchopsitta pachyryncha pachyrncha Lilac-crowned Amazon parrot, Amazona finschi Cuculiformes (Cuckoos) Roadrunner, Geococcyx californiana Strigiformes (Owls) Burrowing owl, Speotyto cunicularia Common screech owl, Otus asio Common barn owl, Tyto alba Caprimulgiformes (Frogmouths and nightjars) Tawny frogmouth, Podargus strigoides Coraciformes (Kingfishers, motmots, hornbills) Blue-crowned motmot, Momotus momota White-breasted kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis Rhinocerus hornbill, Buceros rhinoceros silverstris Passeriformes (Songbirds and allies) Azure-winged magpie, Cyanopica cyana Java rice sparrow, Padda oryzivora Yellow-ventured bulbul, Pycononotus goiavier Red-crested cardinal, Paroaria coronata Silver-beaked tanager, Ramphocelus Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos Clay-colored thrush, Turdus grayi Texas green jay, Cyanocorax yncas glaucescans White-throated magpie jay, Calocitta Formosa Plush-crested jay, Cyanocorax chrysops Bali/Rothschild's mynah, Leocopsar rothschildi Evening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus Troupial, Icterus icterus Painted bunting, Passerina ciris White-lined tanager, Tachyphonus rufus Red-rumped cacique, Cacicus haemorrhous Reptiles Testudinata (Turtles and tortoises) Bolson tortoise, Gopherus flavomarginatus Yellow-footed tortoise, Geochelonia denticulate Texas tortoise, Gopherus berlandieri Painted wood turtle, Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima Desert box turtle, Terrapene ornata luteola Desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii Galapagos tortoise, Geochelone elephantopus Big Bend slider, Trachemys scripta galgeae Red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans Mata mata, Chelus fimbriatus Squamata - Suborder Sauria (Lizards) Leopard gecko, Eublepharus macularius Banded Gila monster, Heloderma suspectum cinctum Mexican beaded lizard, Heloderma horridum horridum Rhinocerous iguana, Cyclura c. cornuta Bearded dragon, Pogona vitticeps Western chuckwalla, Sauromalus obesus obesus New Guinea blue-tongued skink, Tiliqua gigas Bengal monitor, Varanus bengalensis Savannah monitor, Varanus exanthematicus Suborder Serpentes (Snakes) Royal/Ball python, Python regius Burmese python, Python molurus bivittatus Yellow anaconda, Eunectes notaeus Emerald tree boa, Corallus caninus Desert kingsnake, Lampropeitis geetulus splendida Desert rosy boa, linchanura trivirgata gracia Bullsnake, Piturphoris melanoleucas sayi Cornsnake, Elaphe guttata guttata Aruba island rattlesnake, Crotalus unicolor Banded rock rattlesnake, Crotalus lepidus klauberi Black-tailed rattlesnake, Crotalus molossus molossus South American (Tropical) rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus Oranate Cantil, Agkistrodon bilineatus bilineatus Hopi rattlesnake, Crotalus virdis nuntius Panamint rattlesnake, Crotalus mitchelli stephensi Pygmy faded rattlesnake, Crotalus virdis concolor Western diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox Desert Massasagua Rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus Bushmaster, Lachesis muta muta Eyelash Palm Pitviper, Bothriechis schlegeli Crocodilia (alligators, crocodiles) American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis Amphibians Order Anura Blue poison dart frog, Dedrobates azureus Yellow and blue poison dart frog, Dendrobates tinctorius Red-eyed frog, Agalychnis callidryas Ramsey Canyon leopard frog, Rana subaquavocalis Order Caudata Black-spotted newts, Notpthalmus meridionalis Axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum Fish Order: Rajiformes (Skates and Rays) Ocellated stingray, Potamotrygon motoro Order: Characiformes Rummy-nosed tetra, Hemigrammus bleheri High-backed headstander, Abramites hypelonotus Order: Cypriniformes Goldfish, Carassius auratus Common carp, Cyprinus carpio Koi (Japanese ornamental carp), Carassius auratus gibelio Order: Siluriformes Plecostomus, Hypostomus plecostomus Black swawtooth catfish, Pseudodoras niger Order: Cyprinodontiformes (Topminnows) Spotted cichlid, Cichlasoma synspilum Four-eyed fish, Anableps anableps Carbonera Pupfish, Cyprinodon fontinalis Order: Percomorphi/ Perciformes Longnose butterfly fish King angelfish Long nose hawkfish Convict cichlid, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum Spotted cichlid, Cichlasoma synspilum Black damselfish, Dasycyllus melanurus Golden damsel fish, Amblyglyphidadon aureus Moon wrasse, Thalassoma lunare Blue tang, Acanthurus coeruleus Porkfish, Anisotremus virginicus Severum cichlid, Cichlascma severum Order: Osteoglossiformes Silver arowana, Osteoglossum bicirrhosum Zebra Moray, Gymnomuraena zebra Invertebrates: Insects Hissing cockroach, Gromhadorhina portentosa Caribbean Giant Cockroach, Blaberus giganteus Ferocious water bug, Belostoma flumineum Arachnids Desert hairy scorpion, Haadruras arizonensis Chilean rose tarantula, Grammostola rosa Costa Rica tarantula, Aphonopelma seemanni