Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2022 (Speculation / Fantasy)

This thread is for the purpose of discussing our thoughts on what we believe the future is for Melbourne Zoo, and what direction the zoo should be heading in.

I'd be interested to see what you guys think Melbourne Zoo should do in regards to improving the zoo (and the collection) from what it currently is.
 
Jambo said:
This thread is for the purpose of discussing our thoughts on what we believe the future is for Melbourne Zoo, and what direction the zoo should be heading in.
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Does this include Werribee since its an off shoot of Melbourne zoo?
 
Zorro said:
Does this include Werribee since its an off shoot of Melbourne zoo?
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Jambo said:
I would say yes, if it can be linked in with improving Melbourne too.
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It’d probably be simpler if we kept it to Melbourne Zoo. There’s more potential for discussion in Melbourne than Werribee given we know Werribee’s masterplan but have comparatively little idea what Melbourne Zoo have in store.

We could however, mention Werribee by extension e.g. what role they’d play in supporting Melbourne’s development - holding surplus, receiving phase outs e.g. elephants.
 
I can see peccaries and tapirs to be gone as tapir is past life expectancy
I would love to see a breeding pare although I believe they are had to breed
 
austrlain zoo gower said:
I can see peccaries and tapirs to be gone as tapir is past life expectancy
I would love to see a breeding pare although I believe they are had to breed
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Peccaries will unfortunately be an inevitable phase out. They’ll be gone within the next few years, and Melbourne are very unlikely to replace them.

Semangka could live another five plus years. Due to health issues, the region has appeared to have given up on Malayan Tapirs, although I’d love to see them give it another shot. Melbourne could integrate a Malayan Tapir enclosure to replace the Elephants.
 
Animals to remain at Melbourne at least past 2025
Gorrila
Pygmy hippo
Cassowary
Asian small clawed otter
Baboons
Tigers
Snow leopard
Lions
Tasmania devil
Giraffe
Zebra
Little Penguin
Seal
Orangutan
Siamang
Meerkat
Giant tortoise
Red panda
Ring tailed lemur
Black and white ruffed lemur
Squirrel monkey
Wild dog
White cheeked gibbon
Black and white coloubus
Cotton top tamarins
Spider monkey
Empouror tamarin

can I get info about how old the following animals are
Wild dogs
Little penguin
Tasmania devil
Coloubus monkey
Empurer tamarin
 
austrlain zoo gower said:
Yes we will do Melbourne zoo and Werribee expansion because it will effect Melbourne
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Keep the discussion centered around Melbourne Zoo as @Jambo outlined in the introduction. It’s a broad enough topic without confusing exhibits and species with what Werribee holds or may hold.

You can still mention Werribee as in what species could be sent to Melbourne or what species could be bred at Werribee in large herds to be kept at Melbourne.

Perhaps a good starting point for this thread would be for each person to outline what they think would be a suitable use for the exhibit space vacated by the Indian elephants in 2024. There are no right or wrong answers here, so contribute whatever opinion you have.
 
In replace of the elephants Melbourne could have
Indian rhino
Malayan tapir
Blackbuk
Water buffalo
Although Malayan tapir, water buffaloes seems unlikey
As there is 3 enclosures free
 
austrlain zoo gower said:
an I get info about how old the following animals are
Wild dogs
Little penguin
Tasmania devil
Coloubus monkey
Empurer tamarin
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-Wild Dog brothers are ten so a little elderly now.
-Little Penguins range in age, the youngest are a few years old.
-Tasmanian Devils (one male one female I believe although I’ll have to check their names later)-!both are around four to five years old
-Colobus pair are in their early to mid teens, birthdates I’m unsure about.
-Emporer Tamarins also completely unsure, but have been around for quite some time (5+ years).
 
Zoofan15 said:
Keep the discussion centered around Melbourne Zoo as @Jambo outlined in the introduction. It’s a broad enough topic without confusing exhibits and species with what Werribee holds or may hold.

You can still mention Werribee as in what species could be sent to Melbourne or what species could be bred at Werribee in large herds to be kept at Melbourne.

Perhaps a good starting point for this thread would be for each person to outline what they think would be a suitable use for the exhibit space vacated by the Indian elephants in 2024. There are no right or wrong answers here, so contribute whatever opinion you have.
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I would propose a pair of Indian rhinoceros held across two of the exhibits with Water buffalo occupying the third; and Indian antelope and Chital integrated between the two larger species via entry points that allow the smaller ungulates to pass through; while restricting the larger species.

Infrastructure such as the elephant barns would require only minor modifications to be repurposed for these species and it would show case a fascinating mixed species exhibit from the Indian subcontinent.

The rhinos would be a dramatic and exciting addition to the zoo, much needed in the wake of the elephant’s departure; while supporting a regional breeding programme for this species which is still very much in the establishing phase.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Perhaps a good starting point for this thread would be for each person to outline what they think would be a suitable use for the exhibit space vacated by the Indian elephants in 2024. There are no right or wrong answers here, so contribute whatever opinion you have
Click to expand...

For me I’d place Malayan Tapir in the first elephant enclosure (waterhole with giant pool). Shade of course would have to be introduced but other than that it’s a pretty suitable enclosure for them.

The next two enclosures would be for Indian Rhino and Blackbuck. One enclosure for the male, the other for the female. Blackbuck will have access to both enclosures through smaller gates, only accessible for Blackbuck, not the larger Indian Rhino.
 
Jambo said:
For me I’d place Malayan Tapir in the first elephant enclosure (waterhole with giant pool). Shade of course would have to be introduced but other than that it’s a pretty suitable enclosure for them.

The next two enclosures would be for Indian Rhino and Blackbuck. One enclosure for the male, the other for the female. Blackbuck will have access to both enclosures through smaller gates.
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I love jam so ideas and some Indian theming could be incorporated in the elephant food area
 
austrlain zoo gower said:
Agree what zoofan15 said
But water buffaloes aren’t very likely in my opinion
Where would you propose to get them from
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Water buffalo are currently held at these facilities: Altina, Caversham, Crocodylus, Halls Gap, Mogo, Oakvale, Shoalhaven, Territory Wildlife Park, Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Wings Wildlife Park.

There’s around 80 in the country.
 
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