Kouprey

Kouprey
Game	Zoo Tycoon DS
Favorite Foliage	Foxtail Palm Tree
Unlock	Win campaigns
Cost	$7,000
Extra Information
Initial Happiness	54
Diet	Hay
Shelters	Lean-to, Concrete Shelter, Wood Shelter
Min Animals	1
Life History Traits
Lifespan	4 years
Number of Offspring	1

The Kouprey is a large, forest-dwelling species of forest cattle. It is only available in Zoo Tycoon DS.

Description

The Kouprey can weigh from 680-900kg (1,500 to 2,010 lb); has a length of 2.1 to 2.3 m (6.9 to 7.5 ft), from head to torso, and has a shoulder height of 1.7–1.9 m (5.6–6.2 ft). It is the national animal of Cambodia and was first identified by a French Zoologist at the Vincennes Zoo (now known as Paris Zoological Park) in Paris when a male was shipped to the facility from Cambodia by explorers.

The Kouprey was once found extensively in South-East Asia, including countries such as Laos and Vietnam. However, in recent history, the species its thought to reside only in Cambodia due to over-hunting. They tend to live in smaller herds than other bovine, with no more than 20 members seen together.

Koupreys mainly feed on grasses, bamboo, ploong, and koom. They also frequent salt licks to encompass important minerals into their diet.

It's estimated that fewer than 250 Kouprey exist in the entire world, a devastatingly low population that marks the species is critically endangered. The last known sighting of the Kouprey was in 1983, making it very possible that the species has gone extinct.

In-Game

In Zoo Tycoon DS, the Kouprey resides in the Southeast Asian Rainforests and its favorite plant is the Foxtail Palm Tree. They can be adopted for $7,000 and prefer smaller social groups of about 4-5 animals per exhibit. Although most of their preferred exhibit consists of the Rainforest biome, they also like a small amount of Grassland, Dirt and Freshwater terrain as well as some rocks and foliage.

Collection Card Information

The kouprey is considered to be one of the world's most endangered animals. It is also one of the world's most peculiar animals. In fact, it has hardly even been seen. The current estimated number of kouprey is said to be 250 and declining. It was not discovered by science until 1937 in the forests of Cambodia. Although the animal has existed for a very long time, there are only four countries this animal can be found in. The kouprey inhabits four Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Among all animals discovered after the twentieth century, the kouprey was the largest.The height from the ground to the animal's shoulder when it is walking on all fours is around 150-190 cm.It can weigh 600 - 900 kg. The kouprey is a species of wild cattle and is related to the yak. Both male and female kouprey possess long horns that will grow up to 80 centimeters. The male will use its horns to dig in the ground for salt, or rub them against a tree trunk. So, the tips of the horns will often be split. The body of the animal is a gray olive shiny color. The lower legs are white. The hanging skin from the chin to chest is a special characteristic of the animal. Just like the elephant's skin and ears of a rabbit, it is said that this skin is helpful for keeping a lower body temperature. The kouprey prefers to live in groups of 20. But, there are some males that can stay alone. The male or elderly female will become a leader in the group. Kouprey often spend the daytime grazing in the open grassy area. At night, the animal will enter the forest in order to rest and seek protection from predators. When the animal was discovered in 1937, there were believed to be 2000 kouprey remaining. The number further decreased until there were approximately 20 in Vietnam and 100 in Laos in protected preserves. Just what caused this decline? Hunting was one of the main causes. Humans used the animal for food and sold its horns for money. Human encroachment also led to a reduction in habitat. Still, there was another cause. War. The Vietnam War continued for over 10 years. After intense bombing and chemical deforestation, the forest that provided the kouprey with its habitat was decimated. After the Vietnam War ended, civil war continued. Soldiers hunted large animals such as the kouprey as a source of food. When war occurs, many people are injured, die, or lose their homes. Animals also face the same fate. War affects all living creatures where it occurs. There are no kouprey currently in captivity. Scientists haven't even observed this animal since 1957! In order to protect this animal, it will be necessary to further our knowledge about its lifestyle. Unfortunately, it is uncertain even as to whether this animal still exists. Conservationists have a plan to increase it's numbers by catching and raising it in captivity. However, catching it remains a very difficult challenge. Even if it is caught, there is very little research data available for scientists to use as a reference on how to properly care for this animal.

Trivia

• The kouprey and the onager are the only animals in Zoo Tycoon DS that were not originally present in the original PC game.
• The kouprey reuses sounds from the common wildebeest.

Gallery

Zoo Tycoon DS

An example of a Kouprey exhibit

The Kouprey's icon in the Animal Adoption Menu