u/Reintroductionplans

I know it's a little unrealistic, but I tried my best

Assuming that this clip from the wildlife reserve focus is a North America reserve, it means basically every animal from it has been kept from us. This is very exciting as it means a good number of animals could still be coming, so let's go over some species that could live here.

So, the reserve appears to be in the Rocky Mountains based on the trees and landscape, so that's the region whose wildlife we'll focus on. To start we have the animals already confirmed for the game that would certainly live in the reserve, being the grey wolf, grizzly bear, and the golden eagle. There is no way that these animals wouldn't be in a reserve like this, so there isn't really a need to talk about them.

Then we have the animals that were in the original game who will probably return. We have seen from Sumatra that most animals in the original game will return if they have a corresponding wildlife reserve, with animals like the sun bear and wild boar showing that them being base game or DLC does not matter. Keeping that in mind PZ1 animals that could return for the reserve include North American beaver, cougar, red fox, coyote, wolverine, striped skunk, moose, reindeer, pronghorn, American bison, and bighorn sheep. While some of these like the bison and beaver seem a bit repetitive since we have their Eurasian counterparts, if we can get two giraffes and two brown bear subspecies we can get them too, especially with how notable they are to the environment.

Now, onto completely new species we have the wapiti, also known as the elk. The wapiti is a classic North American animal and is very common across the Rocky Mountains. They were highly requested in the first game, so I could definitely see them being added. The species is also pretty common in captivity, being found in hundreds of collections worldwide. I can't really picture a North American reserve without this species, especially since they wouldn't be too technically difficult since we already have the red deer.

Next is the American black bear. Like the wapiti this is a heavily requested species that could easily make it into the base game of planet zoo 2. The species is found in over 200 collections and is widespread across the continent. While we already know of at least 4 other bears in the game, I honestly think we still could get more, including this species. While I could see it not being included alongside the grizzly, I still think it's different enough.

Next is a small one and that is the North American porcupine. While not a showstopper it is an easily recognizable species of the ecosystem that would be perfect for filling out small gaps in your zoos. It's also surprisingly common in captivity with nearly 200 collections having them, mostly in Europe and North America. They could also take advantage of the games improved climbing mechanics which could be cool.

Moving on to birds, besides the basically confirmed bald eagle there are a few more species I could see coming. First is the Canada goose. One of the most recognizable waterfowl species on earth it is an icon of North American landscapes. While not typically seen as a zoo animal its actually very common being found in nearly 300 zoos. It is the perfect animal for free roaming around a zoo, or for wetland aviaries that would simply add a bit of life to a collection.

Next, we have the osprey. While not super common in captivity, only being in about 20 collections, it is an iconic species with a worldwide distribution that would fit in both in a Rocky Mountains reserve but also in Scotland. It is simply an iconic species that would be great to include in aviaries.

Continuing with aviary species we have the common raven. While not the flashiest species, it is an icon of the American west and would be perfect circling above the reserve. It also has a wide range well into Eurasia so it could work in Scotland. The species is found in hundreds of collections and would simply be an interesting aviary species to include, especially given its unique vocalizations and intelligence.

Finishing birds we have the wild turkey. This species is a true conservation success story, which feels like something Frontier would want to include. They are a true American icon that could work as both an aviary species or just a basic aviary animal. Roughly 50 zoos hold the species, which is more than species like the Eurasian bittern so it could easily be included.

Finally, we reach the fish, first is the sockeye salmon which is already kind of confirmed by some signs. It is possibly the most iconic fish of the continent, and it's unique spawning behaviors could be really interesting to see in the wild.

The other fish I could see being included is the northern pike. A very widespread species it would be the perfect aquatic predator for the reserve. Its large size and distinct pattering would make it a very unique freshwater fish to add to any aquarium. Its also somewhat common in captivity.

Ultimately there is a lot of potential for a North American reserve, and I really hope we get most of these animals in Planet Zoo 2, if not all of them.

After today's reveal of the Sunda pangolin, I think a true Sumatran wildlife reserve is all but guaranteed. Given that the wildlife reserves are the big focus of the game, I think it's quite likely that we are going to get more species from the region, so let's go over some possibilities.

First, we have the animals already announced who will definitely be in a reserve like this. These are the pangolin, Malayan tapir, great hornbill, clown loach, Saltwater crocodile, and the Sumatran tiger.

Next, we should go over the animals already in the first game who could return in the sequel for the reserve, those are the siamang, lar gibbon, binturong, sun bear, dhole, wild boar, and Asian water monitor.

Now onto animals that would be completely new to the franchise, and first is the Sumatran elephant. This subspecies of Asian elephant is not extremely rare in captivity, being found in around 20 zoos worldwide, but is still not a common zoo animal, especially compared to other Asian elephant subspecies. I honestly don't see them choosing this species, so the most likely choice would just be a default Asian elephant for the entire species, as opposed to a specific subspecies like in the first game.

Next is the Sumatran Orangutan. I think this species is basically guaranteed if we get a reserve, as it would just be a simple replacement of the Bornean orangutan. Given species like the European Bison and Eurasian beaver replacing the first games North American versions, so replacing the orangutan just makes sense. It is a critically endangered species that would be perfect for a wildlife reserve, and I really think it will be included.

Now is an interesting one and that is otters. While the obvious choice for Sumatra is the Asian small-clawed otter, a very common zoo animal that was in the first game, I do think there is another option, the Eurasian otter. The species is also very common in zoos, found in over 150 worldwide, and has a few reasons that would make it species compared to the small-clawed otter. The species is very endangered in Sumatra, so it would work very well in a wildlife reserve whose whole focus is helping populations of threatened species. Secondly, the species has a very wide range, and is also native to Scotland, so it could fit there as well, filling out rosters of two reserves as opposed to only one. Now I do think that if we do get an otter in the base game, it will be the Asian small-clawed otter, I do think there is a chance we get the Eurasian species.

Now is a very unlikely species, but one I still had to include and that is the Sumatran rhinoceros. The species is critically endangered so it would fit very well into a reserve thematically, it's just the realism that is unlikely. The species was once found in zoos, most famously the Cincinnati Zoo, but is now only found in a specialized breeding program in Indonesia. It's just so rare in captivity that I struggle to see it being included, but that never stopped frontier with the saiga so I can't rule it out.

Finishing the mammals we have the sambar deer. While I don't know how likely we are to get another deer in the base game after the red deer, but I can't rule it out. The species is somewhat common in Asian collections, so it would make sense in captivity. They are also a vulnerable species so they would fit the conservation theme. Also, if predation is actually included, it could serve as the reserve's main food source for the tiger. Now while I think it does fit well, I also just don't think it's a special enough animal to be included. If they want to include a second deer after the red deer native to Asia, I think they would just do the Pere David's deer, not the sambar.

Moving to birds, we have the crested partridge. The species is very common in captivity, being found in over 250 zoos, and are a classic aviary species that would be a perfect fit alongside the hornbill. They are also a vulnerable species so they would fit the conservation theme quite well. While it's not the most special animal on this list, I still think it would be very fitting in the base game.

Moving to fish, we have the Asian arowana. This is one of the most requested freshwater fish for the game, so I definitely see it being included. They are a classic species of southeast Asia, and the species is very endangered in Sumatra, so they would fit well into the conservation theme.

Finally, we have the tiger barb. This is one of the most common freshwater aquarium fish period, so I definitely see it being included. It would fit perfectly in tanks next to the similarly patterned clown loach.

So, what do you think? Will we get these species

In today's feature focus, we get our first view of the in game zoopedia, specifically the page for the toco toucan. Here we can see something very very interesting, it says that the toco toucan has a release area, which practically confirms a South American wildlife reserve. Now, given the species range there are two main areas I think this reserve could be located in. The first and the one I have seen the most is the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, which would make sense given we also have the golden lion tamarin from that ecosystem; however, I think there is another option which is more likely, and that is the Pantanal. The Pantanal is very well known and has a lot of very unique wildlife that makes it seem at least to me like a very likely choice for the reserve. If it is the Pantanal, it could confirm a good number of species as coming to the game simply based on what's common there, so let's go over some of them.

To start with the species, I see as near guarantees, I have basically every animal already in Planet Zoo 1, those being the giant anteater, nine-banded armadillo (although likely renamed as the species has been split), maned wolf, bush dog, ocelot, cougar, jaguar, giant otter, collared peccary, capybara, and greater rhea. While I don't necessarily see all of these species returning, them already being in the original game makes it seem much more likely that they will return in the sequel, especially the newer ones like bush dogs and ocelot whose models are basically already good enough for the game. I think that if it is a Pantanal reserve, giant otter, jaguar, giant anteater, and capybara are basically guaranteed as they are by far the most well-known animals from the ecosystem, and the others are still very likely.

Now onto new stuff, we can start with a highly requested animal in the southern tamandua. The southern tamandua was one of the most asked for species in the first game that we never got, and given the tree kangaroo and secretarybird, it seems Frontier is adding a lot of the most wanted animals into the base game of Planet Zoo 2. Southern tamandua are very common zoo animals and are found in the ecosystem, so they feel like a very likely species to be included.

Similarly, our next animal the black howler was also a highly requested animal in the first game I could see them giving us in the base game now. They are another very common species in both zoos and the Pantanal, making them seem like a logical choice. They are found in over 100 zoos worldwide, so it would feel odd to leave them out again.

Next is an animal I see as less likely but not impossible, the South American tapir. While we also got the Malayan tapir confirmed today, we are getting two giraffes so who's to say we can't also get two tapirs in the base game, especially when the species is found in 200 zoos globally. I do think they are less likely as the other two as we already have a tapir confirmed, and even if we got another one it would likely be the Baird's tapir again, but it is a classic South American and Pantanal species that would fit right in.

Next is another unlikely species and that is the marsh deer. While the species is very common in the Pantanal and would fit right in, they are only found in 10 zoos in South America, although they were once found in some European zoos. While this rarity makes them definitely seem like an unlikely inclusion, it doesn't rule it out, Afterall the giant slippery frog is only found (to my knowledge) in a single collection worldwide. However, we also already have red deer confirmed, so it is less likely to get a second deer in the base game, but not impossible since once again we are getting two giraffes.

Next is the yacare caiman, which I think is a real possibility. It would only need to be a reskin of the spectacled caiman and could easily just take its spot in the game, like how we are getting a Sumatran tiger instead of a Bengal. You can't do the Pantanal without caiman, so if it is the Pantanal they have to be there.

Moving onto birds we can start with the jabiru. The jabiru is a very common bird in the Pantanal and is one of the most impressive species on the planet. It would fit in perfectly with the new aviary feature, being one of the largest flying birds on the planet and would fit in perfectly in South American exhibits.

Next is the Hyacinth macaw. Macaws are some of the most recognizable birds on the planet, and we are almost certainly getting at least one, if not multiple species in the base game. The hyacinth macaw specifically is instantly recognizable and would be a perfect bird for the new aviary system. They are also a classic animal for the Pantanal, making them perfect. They are also a threatened species that could fit in well with the overall conservation theme of the game and wildlife reserves in general. Plus, they could use the new nest boxes revealed today.

Finally for birds we have the roseate spoonbill. They are a stunning and very recognizable bird that is a staple in zoos and the Pantanal. I think even if we don't get a Pantanal reserve, there is a good chance we get this species regardless.

Moving to fish, we have two very recognizable species in the golden dorado and the red-bellied piranha. Two of the most famous fish from the region, both of them would be amazing for freshwater tanks.

So, what do you think? Will we get a Pantanal reserve, or will it actually be the Atlantic Forest?

Brown trout and the fusilier are both included under the exhibit tab of the zoopedia. This seems to hint at an exhibit overhall where animals can be in both habitats and exhibits and the trout and fusilier are also aquarium species.

Hopefully we get more species announced next week. We know about the wolves but besides that I think this is everything we currently know.

In the game trailer we got a few weeks ago, we get a globe with a few different icons representing different wildlife reserves we will likely get in Planet Zoo 2, and I think it's a good way to predict possible base game species in the game, so let's go over some possible species for the reserve that seems to take place in Ukraine.

If I was to guess, this reserve will be based on the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone as it is by far the largest rewilding project in Ukraine and could make for a really unique reserve with the remains of buildings, so I'll be basing the species on what lives in the zone or around it.

First, we can talk about species which are basically confirmed as they are already in the game. We have already gotten gray wolves, Eurasian beavers, European bison, red deer, and white-tailed sea eagles. All of these animals are already in the game and live in the area, so I don't see a world where they don't live in the reserve.

Now, let's try and predict what is going to come in order to fill out the reserve. Starting with animals in the original Planet Zoo, we have red fox, European badger, Eurasian lynx, Przewalski's horse, moose, and wild boar. All of these species are found in the Chornobyl area and were in the original, so I could definitely see them returning in the sequel. I especially see the moose and Przewalski's horse coming back in the base game, but I could definitely see some of the others also returning since they could work on the Scottish reserve as well.

Now for completely new species, we can start with Eurasian Brown Bear. Now in the original game, we started with 2 subspecies of brown bear, the grizzly bear and Himalayan brown bear. Now I think they could just give us a default brown bear without subspecies, like how they are doing the gray wolf, but I could still see them splitting it by subspecies. I think there are two possibilities. There is a world where we only get the Eurasian brown bear, but I can't see us not getting a grizzly bear, so we could get both, with the Eurasian brown bear just replacing the Himalayan brown bear. While it would be a little weird to have the brown bear fill up two slots again, it makes sense.

Now a species I think is less likely is the roe deer simply because we already have the red deer, but we could still get them, as they would also fit in Scotland.

Ok, now we can move onto the birds, where there are three main species I could see coming. First, we have the white and black storks. These are species we had been asking for in the original, so I definitely see us getting one of them. Black storks are more common in the area, but white storks are just the more popular animal so I could definitely see it coming too. Finally, we have the Common kestrel, which is widespread in Africa and Eurasia and is a pretty famous bird, so I could definitely see it coming in the game.

So, what do you guys think, could we get these species in the Planet Zoo 2 base game.

I just realized that the Scottish Highlands Reserve has a unique icon, different from the eastern European one that seems to be the taiga. Does this mean that we are actually getting a distinct mountain biome as opposed to mountains being lumped in with taiga and tundra?

Roots, hatted Ralsei, and a cowboy in one image

My second ever great one! Jaguars are almost certainly the easiest great one ever added, and I am ready to get another. I'm over 5,000 kills into my pheasant grind so it feels good to get a quick Great One. Also, does anyone know if there is a jaguar multimount I can put this guy in?

Why on earth are the Black and Caspian seas connected lol

Of the 14 species we know are coming to Peru, we have already seen 11 of them, those being...

Jaguar (new)

Vicuna (new)

Black Caiman (new)

Capybara (new)

Taruca (new)

Spectacled Bear (new)

South American Coati (new)

Puma

Whitetail deer

Collared Peccary

Cinnamon Teal

That leaves us with 3 species left, and since we know there are 10 new species, all three have to be completely new to the game. Personally, I think there are a lot of species like tapir, Andean goose, culpeo, ocelot, giant anteater, Andean Mountain cat, white-lipped peccary, northern pudu, and brocket who could be great as those last 3, but what do you think?

So far, we have only seen aviaries, aquariums, and regular habitats being treated as separate, but do you think this is the case? Many zoos in real life mix species together, such as cichlids in hippo ponds, sloths and duiker in aviaries, sea otters and rock fish in the same tank, etc. I feel like it would be a major missed opportunity otherwise. If not, how will semi aquatic animals or sometimes flighted bird's work. Would sea lions be treated as habitat or aquarium animals? Would flamingos be flighted in aviaries or flightless in habitats? How do you think this will be delt with in PZ2?

Ever since the announcement of aquariums in planet zoo two, I can't help but wonder how they are going to implement largely or completely stationary marine invertebrates. For example, sea stars and urchins. These are animals that do move, just very slowly. I struggle to see them as an actual animal you would put in a tank, like at the same level as a blacktip shark or blue tang, but I also can't really see them as scenery. For more stationary animals like corals, anemones, clams, oysters, barnacles, and mussels I could see them being scenery, but it would still feel a bit off since they are animals, and many of them have parts that do move during feeding. I can't see them not including these species, as no aquarium is complete without them, I just don't really know how they will implement them, neither option really feels right. Maybe they could have a special scenery tab, similar to the plant tab, but for like "stationary invertebrates", where they count as their own option, and can have some animations while still being items instead of animals, but that still feels a bit off. What do y'all think?