Donations from private individuals. These are mostly smaller exotic, wild or domestic animals which were bought to be pets, but turned out to have requirements which the owners were not prepared to meet. A great many of these types of animals make very poor pets. The fortunate ones are able to find new homes with zoos or other institutions. This is one of the happiest ways to acquire animals.
Most zoos do everything to encourage the breeding of their desirable animals.
Often animals are sent to one zoos to another loan. Usually the zoo lending the animals will let it stay definitely but will expect some of the offsprings when they are old enough to be on their own. Form expeditions of zoo personal into the wild. This can be very costly and time consuming. Many countries prohibit the removal of animals from their jurisdiction.