Australia Zoo australia zoo growing pains

[Zorro]

I used to hope for cheetahs, but it's been so long now, and when I inquired about it to a keeper they said any plans are gone and they're just trying to offload them for breeding. I'll only really believe Australia Zoo is doing something once I see it in the flesh.

I remember some year’s ago all the things that were stated on their then website was that was going to be incorporated in the zoos future works including the worlds largest gorilla exhibit, it all sounded rather impressive at the time but just a pipe dream unfortunately. They have the space and the climate to do great things but something is missing

 

[Zoofan15]

I remember some year’s ago all the things that were stated on their then website was that was going to be incorporated in the zoos future works including the worlds largest gorilla exhibit, it all sounded rather impressive at the time but just a pipe dream unfortunately. They have the space and the climate to do great things but something is missing

Steve was a great loss - not just to the world and conservation; but to the direction of the zoo. The current zoo is a shadow of what it could have been. Terri is a highly accomplished business mind no doubt; but her partnership with Steve was what once made Australia Zoo great. They complimented each other perfectly.

 

[Zorro]

Steve was a great loss - not just to the world and conservation; but to the direction of the zoo. The current zoo is a shadow of what it could have been. Terri is a highly accomplished business mind no doubt; but her partnership with Steve was what once made Australia Zoo great. They complimented each other perfectly.

True. I am hoping when young Robert is a few years older that he may take the bull by the horns and take the zoo to another level. He may finish what Steve set out to do originally

 

[Zoofan15]

True. I am hoping when young Robert is a few years older that he may take the bull by the horns and take the zoo to another level. He may finish what Steve set out to do originally

Robert is apparently very interested in Science like his father, who published several research papers. Robert shares the same passion for conservation and will hopefully do great things. To date, he mostly seems to be focussed on his photography.

 

[Zorro]

Robert is apparently very interested in Science like his father, who published several research papers. Robert shares the same passion for conservation and will hopefully do great things. To date, he mostly seems to be focussed on his photography.

I hope the new hotel works for the zoo and glad they canned the glamping. I would like to see Robert take more control as he matures and steer the direction more to being a zoological collection than a theme park.

 

[Zorro]

Yes, I was a little confused as they've has star tortoises for quite some time now.

Still, some Radiated tortoises being the biggest import of the last few years which demonstrates the declining progress of Australia zoo in recent years.

It appears to be a steady decline apart from the elephant import, when they talk about the African plains exhibit of giraffe and rhino with three zebra how hard would it be to add a couple of Nyala or even a couple of ostrich to add a bit of diversity and interest?

 

[Zoofan15]

It appears to be a steady decline apart from the elephant import, when they talk about the African plains exhibit of giraffe and rhino with three zebra how hard would it be to add a couple of Nyala or even a couple of ostrich to add a bit of diversity and interest?

The Savannah precinct was a huge disappointment to me considering the diversity of species I'd imagined when discussions began around it.

It's severely lacking in carnivores with the Cheetah not receiving their own exhibit the biggest let down. African lion and African wild dog are simple yet charismatic additions; while itd be nice to see small cats like Serval and Caracal too.

 

[Zorro]

The Savannah precinct was a huge disappointment to me considering the diversity of species I'd imagined when discussions began around it.

It's severely lacking in carnivores with the Cheetah not receiving their own exhibit the biggest let down. African lion and African wild dog are simple yet charismatic additions; while itd be nice to see small cats like Serval and Caracal too.

I agree it’s very basic at best

 

[Jambo]

I agree it’s very basic at best

Definitely dosen't acclimate to standards such a well known zoo should have. I've got to say, i'm extremely disappointed by Australia's progress in recent years. With a lot of amazing projects in the early 2000's and even plans for gorillas, orangutans ect., which would've been great if carried out. In the past decade projects such as a Savannah consisting of mainly Giraffes and Rhinos, and Bindi's island, i'm afraid Australia is leaning towards the show side of things rather than developing their collection.

 

[Zoofan15]

List of Exotic Mammals Australia Zoo could Easily Acquire

I thought it’d be insightful to compile a list of exotic mammal species Australia Zoo could easily acquire based on availability.

To qualify, the species must be bred at multiple Australian facilities with enough surplus to supply Australia Zoo. Surplus may include theoretical e.g. there are currently no surplus Snow leopards, but Melbourne could easily breed some.

The list includes several species which are inexpensive to house and maintain (small monkeys) as well as several deer etc. which would require comparatively simple exhibits compared to a Snow leopard (temperate controlled) or Western lowland gorilla.

With a couple of exceptions (e.g. Snow leopard), most are suitable for the Queensland climate.

List of Exotic Mammal Species:

Przewalski's horse
Black rhinoceros
Dromedary camel
Rusa
Red deer
Fallow deer
Hog deer
Banteng
Water buffalo
American bison
Barbary sheep
Indian antelope
Eland
Nyala
Common waterbuck
Addax
Scimitar-horned oryx
Black and white ruffed lemur
Golden lion tamarin
Emperor tamarin
Cotton top tamarin
Common marmoset
Pygmy marmoset
Bolivian squirrel monkey
Black-capped capuchin
Black-handed spider monkey
Hamadryas baboon
Siamang
Sumatran orangutan
Common chimpanzee
Western lowland gorilla
African lion
Snow leopard
Sri Lankan leopard
Caracal
Serval
African wild dog
Maned wolf
Fennec fox
Spotted hyena
South African created porcupine
Capybara

I’m seeing a lot of potential for a South American precinct in this list (Maned wolf, Capybara and South American monkeys; combined with various bird species).
Aaaaa

 

[Jambo]

List of Exotic Mammals Australia Zoo could Easily Acquire

I thought it’d be insightful to compile a list of exotic mammal species Australia Zoo could easily acquire based on availability.

To qualify, the species must be bred at multiple Australian facilities with enough surplus to supply Australia Zoo. Surplus may include theoretical e.g. there are currently no surplus Snow leopards, but Melbourne could easily breed some.

The list includes several species which are inexpensive to house and maintain (small monkeys) as well as several deer etc. which would require comparatively simple exhibits compared to a Snow leopard (temperate controlled) or Western lowland gorilla.

With a couple of exceptions (e.g. Snow leopard), most are suitable for the Queensland climate.

List of Exotic Mammal Species:

Przewalski's horse
Black rhinoceros
Dromedary camel
Rusa
Red deer
Fallow deer
Hog deer
Banteng
Water buffalo
American bison
Barbary sheep
Indian antelope
Eland
Nyala
Common waterbuck
Addax
Scimitar-horned oryx
Black and white ruffed lemur
Golden lion tamarin
Emperor tamarin
Cotton top tamarin
Common marmoset
Pygmy marmoset
Bolivian squirrel monkey
Black-capped capuchin
Black-handed spider monkey
Hamadryas baboon
Siamang
Sumatran orangutan
Common chimpanzee
Western lowland gorilla
African lion
Snow leopard
Sri Lankan leopard
Caracal
Serval
African wild dog
Maned wolf
Fennec fox
Spotted hyena
South African created porcupine
Capybara

I’m seeing a lot of potential for a South American precinct in this list (Maned wolf, Capybara and South American monkeys; combined with various bird species).
Aaaaa

We should somehow get this list to the Irwins.

They have Dromedary Camels don't they? Also, would there be the space for large hoofstock species such as Bison, Black Rhinos ect.?

 

[Zoofan15]

We should somehow get this list to the Irwins.

They have Dromedary Camels don't they? Also, would there be the space for large hoofstock species such as Bison, Black Rhinos ect.?

They’re too busy counting their cryptocurrency!

Dromedary camel are no longer listed on their website or in the Australian exotic mammals list, so I believe they’ve phased them out. They previously enjoyed a brief but memorable stint in the elephant exhibit.

There is room to expand, but a more sensible approach would probably be to focus on the array of monkeys listed and other small or medium sized animals which require exhibits rather than paddocks.

 

[Zorro]

Definitely dosen't acclimate to standards such a well known zoo should have. I've got to say, i'm extremely disappointed by Australia's progress in recent years. With a lot of amazing projects in the early 2000's and even plans for gorillas, orangutans ect., which would've been great if carried out. In the past decade projects such as a Savannah consisting of mainly Giraffes and Rhinos, and Bindi's island, i'm afraid Australia is leaning towards the show side of things rather than developing their collection.

Considering a few years ago it was stated that AZ was to become a must go to see place for visitors from worldwide, not even having a couple of ostrich in the exhibit does not cut the mustard, many zoos exhibits worldwide would leave what they have in the dust. Not a single monkey nor even one antelope lives at the zoo, I have seen comments on their Facebook page with the public asking why there are no lions on display, it lacks in so many areas.

 

[Zoofan15]

Considering a few years ago it was stated that AZ was to become a must go to see place for visitors from worldwide, not even having a couple of ostrich in the exhibit does not cut the mustard, many zoos exhibits worldwide would leave what they have in the dust. Not a single monkey nor even one antelope lives at the zoo, I have seen comments on their Facebook page with the public asking why there are no lions on display, it lacks in so many areas.

Lion are big crowd pullers. They’re one the favourite species of the general public at any zoo and a decent exhibit for them could easily be built; offering a compliment to the ungulates species that graze the Savannah (all three of them).

It’d be interesting to see a masterplan for Australia Zoo to get a sense of what direction they intend to head in over the next decade.

 

[Zorro]

Lion are big crowd pullers. They’re one the favourite species of the general public at any zoo and a decent exhibit for them could easily be built; offering a compliment to the ungulates species that graze the Savannah (all three of them).

It’d be interesting to see a masterplan for Australia Zoo to get a sense of what direction they intend to head in over the next decade.

I believe the direction might be the same as the once announced gorilla exhibit

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe the direction might be the same as the once announced gorilla exhibit

In terms of a complex, I can’t imagine anything worse than Bindi’s Island; but perhaps I shouldn’t tempt fate.

Alternatively, it’d be really nice to be surprised with a small mammals house or a great ape complex. Either one of these would be a step in the right direction to taking the zoo back to its former glory.

 

[Dassie rat]

It frustrates me when so much effort is dedicated to these extra-curricular projects. Perhaps they’re needed to support the upkeep of the zoo, but it’d be good to see it reinvested back into the zoo through regular imports and new exhibits - something that’s been lacking over the last 10-15 years.

This may be due to the fact that Steve Irwin died in 2006.

 

[Zoofan15]

This may be due to the fact that Steve Irwin died in 2006.

There’s no may about it.

Terri’s business sense was essential in transforming the zoo from a relatively unknown reptile park into an internationally recognised zoo; but it was complimented by Steve’s passion and knowledge of Zoology, which contributed to the direction of the zoo.

Steve was excited to bring in elephants and tigers; and was keen to receive gorillas after visiting them at Howletts. Steve also designed the Crocoseum, with its ingenious design featuring multiple channels leading to the crocodiles used in the show.

There’s really no limit to what progression we would have seen if Steve was around today.

 

[Zorro]

There’s no may about it.

Terri’s business sense was essential in transforming the zoo from a relatively unknown reptile park into an internationally recognised zoo; but it was complimented by Steve’s passion and knowledge of Zoology, which contributed to the direction of the zoo.

Steve was excited to bring in elephants and tigers; and was keen to receive gorillas after visiting them at Howletts. Steve also designed the Crocoseum, with its ingenious design featuring multiple channels leading to the crocodiles used in the show.

There’s really no limit to what progression we would have seen if Steve was around today.

I remember seeing steve on tv in the passed mentioning that he wanted to make a huge tiger breeding complex housing each sub species also having a collection of a number of different lemur’s

 

[Zoofan15]

I remember seeing steve on tv in the passed mentioning that he wanted to make a huge tiger breeding complex housing each sub species also having a collection of a number of different lemur’s

That would have been phenomenal. At the time of his death, he'd already acquired Sumatran and generic tigers (advertised as Bengal); and both Malayan and Siberian would have eventually been within his reach - even if the latter was far from suitable for the Queensland climate. I have no doubt he would have been a founder of the Sri Lankan leopard breeding programme, alongside the National Zoo and Darling Downs Zoo.