Which North American Zoos Have Wombats? Only Two

Wombats are Australian marsupials rarely held outside Australia. Only two zoos in North America currently exhibit them:

1. Calgary Zoo (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)

• Species: Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons).
• Part of Australasia section.
• Successful breeding program.

2. San Diego Zoo (San Diego, California, USA)

• Species: Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat.
• Long history with wombats (since 1970s).
• Also at San Diego Zoo Safari Park (occasionally).

Why So Few?

• Export restrictions: Australia bans commercial export; only loan/government-to-government.
• Specialized care: Nocturnal, burrowing, specific diet (native grasses), temperature-sensitive.
• Low reproductive rate: 1 joey every 2 years; difficult to establish populations.
• Biosecurity: Strict quarantine, disease screening.

Other Australian Mammals in NA Zoos

More common: Koalas (10+ zoos), Kangaroos/Wallabies (many), Tasmanian Devils (several), Platypus (only at San Diego Zoo Safari Park).

If you want to see a wombat in North America, book Calgary or San Diego. Otherwise, it's a flight to Australia.