Australia Zoo australia zoo growing pains

Yassa said:
Jelle, I never said that zoos (neither in Australia nor Europe) should focus on endangered native species only. I think it is very important that people can see exotic species which they will never see in their wild habitat at a zoo, and I fully agree with you that zoos can do very important work with (critically) endangered exotic species. The european breeding programs for roloway monkeys, white-crowned and red-capped mangabeys, phillipine spotted deer, visayan wart hogs, eastern black rhinos and many more are just a few examples. Which doesn`t mean that I think that zoos (in both europe and Australia) are doing enough to keep and breed critically endangered species, are doing enough to support in-situ programs for these species, or doing enough to save endangered native species. Zoos should and could do a LOT more!!

Just elephants are a really bad example for "conservation" though captive keeping and breeding because they are a) thankfully still far from being critically endangered and b) the cost of importing them and keeping them in captivtiy is so incredibly high that it stands in no relationship to the benefit for the species. So if zoos like Taronga and the Australia Zoo want to keep elephants, I have no problems with it (if they give them decent enclosures, but that is a different topic) but they shall NOT lie to people and tell them that it is "conservation" to bring elephants to Australian zoos.
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Hi Yassa,

This is fast going off track here and only partially relates to Australia Zoo. I will pm you on the subject and take it on from there.

We will continue the Asian eles debate here and talk about the rest in pm.

Fingers xxx, :rolleyes:

Jelle
 
Irwin's zoo plan irritates locals | The Australian
THE widow of naturalist Steve Irwin has fallen out with her neighbours and local conservationists.

The owners of properties abutting Australia Zoo on Queensland's Sunshine Coast complain that their lives have been made a misery as local and state governments accommodate a $100 million expansion plan for the zoo.

Terri Irwin has spent more than $11 million buying out her neighbours to make way for the expansion.

Neighbour Jim McNamara said the closure of a road in the area by the local council at the zoo's request had caused inconvenience, requiring longer drives for residents and concentrating zoo traffic on once quiet roads.

Mr McNamara said the state Government had gifted a large area of state forest to the zoo to accommodate the expansion. "You've got to wonder how the zoo gets all this special treatment," he said.

He said relations with the zoo had deteriorated since Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray in 2006.

The zoo no longer gave out free passes to locals and had cancelled regular neighbourhood morning teas.

"Steve was a top bloke," Mr McNamara said. "He would come around with Bindi on the back of his bike and have a yarn with everyone, but it's different with Terri in charge."

Another neighbour, Ken Smith, said zoo traffic passing his home had become intolerably heavy. "At times you've got buses going backwards and forwards all day and it doesn't let up," he said.

Sunshine Coast Environment Centre manager Narelle McCarthy said the zoo had turned down approaches from the centre to adopt environmentally friendly practices. "On a beautiful sunny day there'll be banks of fluoro lights lit up all over the zoo," Ms McCarthy said.

"They go through hundreds of polystyrene cups a day. It's not a good look when Terri Irwin is always going on about wildlife conservation."

Ms Irwin said she believed she had good relations with her neighbours. "I've bought most of them so that's been helpful," she said. "The neighbours have been very supportive. They think it's kind of cool living next to a zoo."

Ms Irwin said she allowed the former owners of some homes she had purchased to continue living in them. "I let them stay until retirement because I can't develop everything in a year."

She said the zoo was governed by environmentally sensitive guidelines. Expansion plans on 130ha include an open-range safari experience, with visitors driving through fenced woodland containing exotic animals.
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Found this old thread, Interesting in regards to growing pains, Since the zoo stated back in 2006 that they had a ten year plan to complete the zoo in 3 stages. At this stage in 2018 still only completed stage one. I saw some years ago on their website they wanted to build the world biggest Gorillas exhibit which appears to have been deleted so I am just wondering if and when further stages will ever be built? Any ideas with members what may happen in the future?
 
Zorro said:
Found this old thread, Interesting in regards to growing pains, Since the zoo stated back in 2006 that they had a ten year plan to complete the zoo in 3 stages. At this stage in 2018 still only completed stage one. I saw some years ago on their website they wanted to build the world biggest Gorillas exhibit which appears to have been deleted so I am just wondering if and when further stages will ever be built? Any ideas with members what may happen in the future?
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From a recent article here, (Australia Zoo to build water park)
Apparently a mini animal themed waterpark is coming in the future alongside some new accomodation for the zoo. Nothing big happening though.

I would say that the next step would be to expand their African area. African carnivores, African species of antelope, African birds and African elephants would be a good way to go in the future.

You know, Steve Irwin always dreamed of having a massive African savvanah. So why not fufill his dream further than they’ve done already.:cool:
 
Perhaps they should leave the water park to Wet and Wild. I would agree about the next step about expanding the African area but I really don't believe its going to happen any time soon. Antelopes at Aust zoo cant see it, also African elephants are never going to happen!
 
Jambo said:
From a recent article here, (Australia Zoo to build water park)
Apparently a mini animal themed waterpark is coming in the future alongside some new accomodation for the zoo. Nothing big happening though.

I would say that the next step would be to expand their African area. African carnivores, African species of antelope, African birds and African elephants would be a good way to go in the future.

You know, Steve Irwin always dreamed of having a massive African savvanah. So why not fufill his dream further than they’ve done already.:cool:
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I think Australia Zoo is more theme park than zoo IMO these days...
There was a water park area already constructed when I went to Australia Zoo in June for my first (and probably only) visit. They are probably expanding it... wouldn’t surprise me at all.
I could go on and on about improvements/ opinions about Australia Zoo, as it seems to unfortunately fill the role as Queensland’s “major” zoo and is often justified as to why Brisbane has no major zoo. Their collection is at its bare minimum, and significant gaps include lions, antelopes, hippos, apes nor monkeys ( both Darling Downs Zoo and Wildlife HQ put Australia Zoo to shame as they both hold 10 primate species), elephants, exotic birds etc.
The former elephant paddock would suit a very impressive breeding herd and their subtropical climate would be perfect. However it currently holds nothing but segways...
“Bindi’s Island” is a haphazard mix of species and has no flow nor overall message to tie in this particular area.
I agree with the comments above about expanding the Africa section, however this seems unlikely. Meerkats have been the only new additions since its opening.
Another issue is that their animals are quite scattered, for example their Southeast Asian section currently comprises of only Red Pandas and Tigers. Their otters, binturongs and Komodo dragons are scattered amongst their natives.
The most frustrating thing is that they have the space, influence and money (trust me I paid that admission fee!), yet they chose to opt for quick cash grabs such as water parks, dinosaurs and free caravan giveways instead of using their powerful platform and voice for more meaningful awareness and conservation. I know they do some conservation efforts outside of the zoo, but it would be good to see some local conservation efforts/ breeding programs, a higher diversity of species and a shift away from the imitation and mimicking of Steve Irwin to his actual legacy and infectious passion for wildlife and conservation.
It’s just not reaching its potential :( and apologies for my rant.
 
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This place suffers a major case of lack of vision and direction these days.

Alas, our dear departed Steve Irwin was from another planet altogether and his dad has been so spot on the state of affairs about Australia Zoo and opted out … quite publicly and with free and fair feedback.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
This place suffers a major case of lack of vision and direction these days.

Alas, our dear departed Steve Irwin was from another planet altogether and his dad has been so spot on the state of affairs about Australia Zoo and opted out … quite publicly and with free and fair feedback.
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Would have to agree, Their Website says the zoo" Is going full steam ahead" but very little appears to be happening which is such a shame I wonder what Steve would think if he knew little has happened in resent times?. There was some talk a couple of years ago that the zoo was keen on obtaining Orangs but again nothing appears of happened here to date. I just wonder if the problem could be a money problem?, It just seems odd that the TEN year plan to build the zoo and they are still only at Stage 1.

I tend to agree with what Whistling Kite 24 has said above they have the "Bare minimum". No Antelopes. no Lions, no Monkeys and many other species missing from the collection BUT as they say they are running at "full steam ahead".
 
I find some of the comments on their Facebook site from overseas visitors amusing when they want to visit Australia zoo and see its wonderful collection?, I just wonder if/when these people who do travel from the UK Europe and the USA which have many outstanding collections think/see once they get here and see the lack of species and as Whistling Kite 24 said the "Bare minimum", I believe the Hype may over whelm them?

I notice the content on their "Media Centre" website has been changed with a lot of its plans and appears to of been cut back to the bone.
 
Zorro said:
I find some of the comments on their Facebook site from overseas visitors amusing when they want to visit Australia zoo and see its wonderful collection?, I just wonder if/when these people who do travel from the UK Europe and the USA which have many outstanding collections think/see once they get here and see the lack of species and as Whistling Kite 24 said the "Bare minimum", I believe the Hype may over whelm them?

I notice the content on their "Media Centre" website has been changed with a lot of its plans and appears to of been cut back to the bone.
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I looked on their website and counted about five(?) major mammal species; Tiger, Cheetah, White Rhino, Giraffe, Zebra. Large mammals are usually what a zoo collection is built around and I think UK/European and USA visitors who are familar with zoos in their own countries with much greater range of large species would be a tad disappointed. They would however be more impressed by the 'native' animals which are much less commonly seen in Europe. Possibly enough to make them overlook the paucity of large exotics.
 
Pertinax said:
I looked on their website and counted about five(?) major mammal species; Tiger, Cheetah, White Rhino, Giraffe, Zebra. Large mammals are usually what a zoo collection is built around and I think UK/European and USA visitors who are familar with zoos in their own countries with much greater range of large species would be a tad disappointed.
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I would like to point out that the Cheetah have no on display enclosure and are only sometimes brought out for visitors on a lead.
However if visitors want to see a cheetah they can cough up $150 AUD for a 20 minute encounter!:eek:
Things To Do On The Sunshine Coast
 
Pertinax said:
I looked on their website and counted about five(?) major mammal species; Tiger, Cheetah, White Rhino, Giraffe, Zebra. Large mammals are usually what a zoo collection is built around and I think UK/European and USA visitors who are familar with zoos in their own countries with much greater range of large species would be a tad disappointed. They would however be more impressed by the 'native' animals which are much less commonly seen in Europe. Possibly enough to make them overlook the paucity of large exotics.
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I agree with you but their collection of "natives" is some what poor as well, I would guess some overseas visitors would expect to see Platypus or tree Kangaroos here or more but again there's not that much to see.

Also there is no exhibit for Cheetah at the zoo that I know of!
 
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Zorro said:
I agree with you but their collection of "natives" is some what poor as well, I would guess some overseas visitors would expect to see Platypus or tree Kangaroos here or more but again there's not that much to see.
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These were the native mammal species on display as of June 2018;
Short-beaked Echidna, Tasmanian Devil, Common Wombat, Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, Koala, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Red Kangaroo, Red-necked Wallaby, Dingo.
This is a pretty ordinary range for an Australian zoo, but I guess it still fufills the average tourist expectations.
 
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WhistlingKite24 said:
These were the native mammal species on display as of June 2018;
Short-beaked Echidna, Tasmanian Devil, Common Wombat, Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, Koala, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Red Kangaroo, Red-necked Wallaby, Dingo.
This is a pretty ordinary range for an Australian zoo, but I guess it still fufills the average tourist expectations.
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I agree mostly Roos and Koalas, as you say its "pretty ordinary". I believe one of the Tree roo rescue centres were asking Qld zoos/ animal parks a little while ago if they wanted to take some of the rescued TR, so Austzoo could have added these without to much trouble.Dreamworld have taken some and now breed them. entry price $59 for adults and $35 for kids!
 
No echidnas or tree kangaroos?! I'm very disappointed to hear that... seems they do a great job of hiding things on the new tv show.
 
Pretty sure they still have lemurs, binturongs, red pandas, otters & meerkats. And lets not forget the extensive exotic and native reptile collection including crocodiles (their main attraction) and plenty of birds.
 
toothlessjaws said:
Pretty sure they still have lemurs, binturongs, red pandas, otters & meerkats. And lets not forget the extensive exotic and native reptile collection including crocodiles (their main attraction) and plenty of birds.
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I believe the above comments were regarding its native animal collection
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
These were the native mammal species on display as of June 2018;
Short-beaked Echidna, Tasmanian Devil, Common Wombat, Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, Koala, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Red Kangaroo, Red-necked Wallaby, Dingo.
This is a pretty ordinary range for an Australian zoo, but I guess it still fufills the average tourist expectations.
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That would probably be enough 'unusual' species of Australian natives for foreign visitors. Only Platypus is missing from this list really for non-specialists.
 
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