Rehome or keep in zoo to live out last days?

[iloveyourzoos]

I'm curious if anyone has taken a look at the benefits or drawbacks of rehoming elderly animals, versus allowing them to live out their days at the zoo.

I'm grateful that it keeps them off the market place (since I sometimes forget to check fertility ages!). And can definitely see that from an roleplaying perspective many players prefer a gentle rehome to the emotionally jarring "animal died" notification. Or alternatively, want to "be there" for the final breath of an animal you have taken such good care of and grown attached to for so long. I'm cool with all that.

But in terms of game mechanics, and in-game costs and benefits, I'm wondering how you think about the balance. For example;

Do in-game guests react negatively to an animal dying of old age in front of them? Or to a long-time animal being removed (rehomed)?

For animals with strong social bondings (mates, packs, or groups), do the remaining animals react differently to a rehome than an in-zoo death, in terms of stress levels, mourning, etc.?

Thinking through costs: If they stay you feed them and have to dispatch a vet to pick them up when they pass. If you rehome you pay a small fee, and potentially see less donations for the lowered appeal (at least in my zoos, the older animals often have a higher appeal rating and more stars than the middle-aged adults).

I can see how breeding would matter (making room for a new alpha, keeping males focused on fertile females instead of mating with the infertile ones, or even just increasing the breeding aged animals overall more quickly). But for those of us who have multiple habitats for males only, females only, and breeding, is there any in-game benefits/downside to letting the old folks live out their days in one of those other habitats?

For those who rehome, do you also watch for animals approaching that age, and try to trade them before you lose the option? If so, how closely do you track that?

Any other areas or tips that I should be thinking about as well? Thanks!

[XrystalBelle]

I try to trade out after they have had at least 4 babies but less than 10 babies, so that I have less issues with inbreeding. I check their ages and either trade to other players if good breeding stock or ideal for a first time breeder ( cheaper due to lower stats ), release to the wild if too old to trade for breeding but still breedable, rehome or sell for cash. The latter only if there is no alternative or cash flow is low.