Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo - Historical Species List (June 2012)

[Zoofan15]

Not sure now having a board of non animal savvy people is going to help the advancement but seems the woke way to go now to appease everybody despite lack of appropriate knowledge

Jenny Gray is the CEO of Zoos Vic, and she’s all about conservation. I think Zoos Vic have adapted into more of a education and conservation organisation under her leadership. Which, is a good thing, but obviously efforts are more on native, endangered animals rather than the collection and the zoo itself.

I have no position to complain as many people are of the opinion that zoo’s should focus on efforts to support native species, but having grown up in Australasia, the native species (bar pinnipeds) are of little interest to me and from comments I’ve seen online, the general public share this view, favouring exotics.

The international market have a higher interest in Australian natives and may be more appreciative, but given small zoos and reptile parks are widespread throughout Australia, I’d appreciate a greater emphasis placed on exotics.

 

[Swanson02]

Jenny Gray is the CEO of Zoos Vic, and she’s all about conservation. I think Zoos Vic have adapted into more of a education and conservation organisation under her leadership. Which, is a good thing, but obviously efforts are more on native, endangered animals rather than the collection and the zoo itself.

Persian Leopards, Syrian Brown Bear, and Golden lion tamarins are all endangered yet ZoosVic gave up on them. To be honest it sounds like Melbourne zoo is slowly transforming into a conservation themed park where education and environmentalism are the focus and displaying exotics takes a back seat. You can see they are embarrased of some species like their elephants or tapir by barely posting about them on social media.

Melbourne also can't even claim to be prioritising endangered native mammals as evident by @Zoofan15's list where they have taken the biggest hit since 2012.

 

[Zoofan15]

Persian Leopards, Syrian Brown Bear, and Golden lion tamarins are all endangered yet ZoosVic gave up on them. To be honest it sounds like Melbourne zoo is slowly transforming into a conservation themed park where education and environmentalism are the focus and displaying exotics takes a back seat. You can see they are embarrased of some species like their elephants or tapir by barely posting about them on social media.

Melbourne also can't even claim to be prioritising endangered native mammals as evident by @Zoofan15's list where they have taken the biggest hit since 2012.

We can also add Fishing cat to that list given they’re an endangered species. Like the Golden lion tamarin, this species is supported by other zoos in the region, so there were no excuses for phasing them out. The Syrian brown bear and Persian leopard were species the region agreed to phase out, but there’s no reason Melbourne couldn’t have imported similar species in the years that followed - Sri Lankan leopard being a current example.

I too was staggered by their reduction in native species. I’m assuming their goal is for each of Zoos Victoria’s four facilities to specialise in different areas - with Kyabram and Healesville taking the lead in natives; but given Melbourne’s reduction in exotics, it’s hard to tell where they’re going with this. The elephant phase out will be the ultimate test/opportunity and it’ll be interesting to see their plans for this area.

 

[Zorro]

Persian Leopards, Syrian Brown Bear, and Golden lion tamarins are all endangered yet ZoosVic gave up on them. To be honest it sounds like Melbourne zoo is slowly transforming into a conservation themed park where education and environmentalism are the focus and displaying exotics takes a back seat. You can see they are embarrased of some species like their elephants or tapir by barely posting about them on social media.

Melbourne also can't even claim to be prioritising endangered native mammals as evident by @Zoofan15's list where they have taken the biggest hit since 2012.

It almost appears they are seeking to duck under the AR groups radar?
Plus the cost in terms of feeding, housing and perhaps staff.
They gave up with Bongos quite quickly too.

 

[Jambo]

To be honest it sounds like Melbourne zoo is slowly transforming into a conservation themed park where education and environmentalism are the focus and displaying exotics takes a back seat. You can see they are embarrased of some species like their elephants or tapir by barely posting about them on social media.

Melbourne also can't even claim to be prioritising endangered native mammals as evident by @Zoofan15's list where they have taken the biggest hit since 2012.

That's very true, although the region was also behind the phase outs of Persian Leopards and Syrian Brown Bears with the region turning favour towards Sri Lankan Leopards and Sun Bears.

You can see through socials just how much they're focused on conservation and education. Yes, it's a great thing, but it seems like they're prioritising this instead of attempting to maintain their collection. I think collection is important, especially as the animals they have are the lead drivers to people wanting to visit a zoo. Without Giraffes, Lions, Elephants; visitors have less of a reason to visit a zoo that only holds a lesser number of species. Zoo visits at Melbourne now take much less time than they once did; and many visitors have noticed this.

To be fair, they do have a whole facility (Healesville) dedicated to natives. Melbourne's obviously meant to be a mix of Healesville (natives), exotics and open range species (Werribee).

 

[MRJ]

Thanks for the list; where did you get it from?

I didn't know they had species such as Quokka and Greater Bilby, so this is really interesting. It's also really surprising to see how much species have been lost over the last decade; almost a third!

I can remember quokkas at Melbourne Zoo back in the ‘70.s. The bilby was never on display, and was held as something of a whim by the curator who in his words felt it “gave the staff something interesting to work with”.

 

[Zoofan15]

I can remember quokkas at Melbourne Zoo back in the ‘70.s. The bilby was never on display, and was held as something of a whim by the curator who in his words felt it “gave the staff something interesting to work with”.

Thanks for the insight. It’s a shame it was never on display, but I suppose it gave the keepers an chance to learn husbandry skills they wouldn’t have otherwise had an opportunity to learn.

Melbourne Zoo held four male Greater bilby in 2012, who were presumably surplus to the breeding programme.

 

[Jambo]

Thanks for the insight. It’s a shame it was never on display, but I suppose it gave the keepers an chance to learn husbandry skills they wouldn’t have otherwise had an opportunity to learn.

Melbourne Zoo held four male Greater bilby in 2012, who were presumably surplus to the breeding programme.

I believe Healesville breed them, so they were probably surplus from the breeding program there.

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe Healesville breed them, so they were probably surplus from the breeding program there.

That’s what I first assumed, but Healesville held 0.3 in 2012 and had done for at least a year; so it appears they and Melbourne were happy to hold single sex groups at that point in time.

 

[Jambo]

That’s what I first assumed, but Healesville held 0.3 in 2012 and had done for at least a year; so it appears they and Melbourne were happy to hold single sex groups at that point in time.

Yeah, after some research it appears Zoos Vic dosen't breed them; the regions notable breeders of this species being Taronga and Monarto. Zoos Vic just receive surplus from the breeding program, and currently hold some males at Healesville.

 

[Zoofan15]

Yeah, after some research it appears Zoos Vic dosen't breed them; the regions notable breeders of this species being Taronga and Monarto. Zoos Vic just receive surplus from the breeding program, and currently hold some males at Healesville.

Taronga have a large sanctuary at Dubbo, where they read Greater bilby for release, with facilites that act as an intermediate between captivity and the wild.

City zoos like Melbourne are of better use as holding surplus.

 

[Abbey]

I thought that this might be an appropriate thread in which to ask these questions, considering the reflections thus far about changes in species held since 2012. I have recently been reading some of the older threads on the forum, containing discussions about the future of Melbourne Zoo. Well, we're now in the future (woohoo!), or at least, what was the future back in 2006 or so forth.

I feel like I have a gap in my knowledge of the zoo (from around 2012, hence the species list being interesting readings), which also bisects my visits in 2009 and 2017.

Therefore, I have a few questions, which hopefully can be answered by others with a deeper knowledge of the zoo than myself:

- What happened to the old ape grottoes after Motaba and his sons were moved to Werribee? Did this entire area become the lemur exhibits? If so, are they a completely new build, or are some of the features of the original grottoes incorporated?
- Does the rice paddy aviary still exist and, if not, what happened to it?
- Is the current squirrel monkey exhibit (near the elephants) purpose-built for that species and, if not, what is the history of that exhibit?
- What is the current use of the pre-TOTE elephant paddock?
- Was Growing Wild a completely new development? Or did it incorporate structures from the 'mixed bag' of exhibits in that area of the zoo 15 years ago or so?
- Is Melbourne's tree kangaroo currently on display? If not, when was it last on display?

(Also, if this is the wrong thread for such discussion, more than happy to move it elsewhere)

 

[Jambo]

I thought that this might be an appropriate thread in which to ask these questions, considering the reflections thus far about changes in species held since 2012. I have recently been reading some of the older threads on the forum, containing discussions about the future of Melbourne Zoo. Well, we're now in the future (woohoo!), or at least, what was the future back in 2006 or so forth.

I feel like I have a gap in my knowledge of the zoo (from around 2012, hence the species list being interesting readings), which also bisects my visits in 2009 and 2017.

Therefore, I have a few questions, which hopefully can be answered by others with a deeper knowledge of the zoo than myself:

- What happened to the old ape grottoes after Motaba and his sons were moved to Werribee? Did this entire area become the lemur exhibits? If so, are they a completely new build, or are some of the features of the original grottoes incorporated?
- Does the rice paddy aviary still exist and, if not, what happened to it?
- Is the current squirrel monkey exhibit (near the elephants) purpose-built for that species and, if not, what is the history of that exhibit?
- What is the current use of the pre-TOTE elephant paddock?
- Was Growing Wild a completely new development? Or did it incorporate structures from the 'mixed bag' of exhibits in that area of the zoo 15 years ago or so?
- Is Melbourne's tree kangaroo currently on display? If not, when was it last on display?

(Also, if this is the wrong thread for such discussion, more than happy to move it elsewhere)

Being a regular I’ll be happy to answer your queries.

1. Yes, the current Lemur enclosures are on the site of the former Gorilla Grotto. Going back it used to hold Orangutans, and even further back, used to be divided into two for Chimps too. Some initial features do remain; the front of the Ruffed Lemur enclosure has the original grotto wall still present as it’s a grotto style enclosure, although it’s more of a pit now.

2. The rice paddy aviary I think your referring too does still exist. Last visit it had some new bird species in it (after a period of sitting empty); but it’s definitely not as active and popular as it once was.

3. The current squirrel monkey exhibit in Trail of the Elephants was actually a former aviary which used to hold Peacocks a decade back. They then re-did the front of the enclosure to give some shelter for their former pair of Binturongs. After their last Binturong died (circa 2019 I think), they moved the current Squirrel Monkeys into the enclosure. There’s also a pair of Squirrel Monkeys elsewhere (in Keeper Kids).

4. The former elephant paddock still exists and is used for Roar n Snore events afaik.

5. Growing Wild is a completely new development, no previous architecture ect. remains.

6. They have/had a male as of last year. He’s been off display for more than a decade now and I believe is an offspring of Melbourne’s former breeding pair. He lives in the Bong Su Function Room right next to the elephant barn. It’s only used for functions but if you peer through the glass door you may catch a glimpse of him.

If you have any more questions/queries feel free to ask.

 

[Abbey]

Being a regular I’ll be happy to answer your queries.

1. Yes, the current Lemur enclosures are on the site of the former Gorilla Grotto. Going back it used to hold Orangutans, and even further back, used to be divided into two for Chimps too. Some initial features do remain; the front of the Ruffed Lemur enclosure has the original grotto wall still present as it’s a grotto style enclosure, although it’s more of a pit now.

2. The rice paddy aviary I think your referring too does still exist. Last visit it had some new bird species in it (after a period of sitting empty); but it’s definitely not as active and popular as it once was.

3. The current squirrel monkey exhibit in Trail of the Elephants was actually a former aviary which used to hold Peacocks a decade back. They then re-did the front of the enclosure to give some shelter for their former pair of Binturongs. After their last Binturong died (circa 2019 I think), they moved the current Squirrel Monkeys into the enclosure. There’s also a pair of Squirrel Monkeys elsewhere (in Keeper Kids).

4. The former elephant paddock still exists and is used for Roar n Snore events afaik.

5. Growing Wild is a completely new development, no previous architecture ect. remains.

6. They have/had a male as of last year. He’s been off display for more than a decade now and I believe is an offspring of Melbourne’s former breeding pair. He lives in the Bong Su Function Room right next to the elephant barn. It’s only used for functions but if you peer through the glass door you may catch a glimpse of him.

If you have any more questions/queries feel free to ask.

Thank you for your comprehensive answers! It's great to be able to bridge these gaps in my understanding of the zoo's recent history. That makes a lot of sense about the squirrel monkey exhibit, as I figured that it would have been unlikely that they would have purpose-built an exhibit for a South American species in the Asian rainforest.

Hopefully if Perth or Mogo breed (or indeed, Darling Downs or Tasmania Zoo with the purebred program), Melbourne will be able to reacquire Binturong and rehouse the squirrel monkeys in Treetop Monkeys and Apes, considering that you've mentioned elsewhere that the former capuchin exhibit on that trail is empty.

I do have a few more questions:

- What was on the site of the current baboon exhibit prior to its construction? Was this where the bongo exhibit was? If so, what was there before it housed bongo?
- Where is the rice paddy aviary located? I gather that it's in Trail of the Elephants somewhere (although I could be wrong), but it doesn't seem to be on the map.

 

[Jambo]

You're very welcome.

Hopefully if Perth or Mogo breed (or indeed, Darling Downs or Tasmania Zoo with the purebred program), Melbourne will be able to reacquire Binturong and rehouse the squirrel monkeys in Treetop Monkeys and Apes, considering that you've mentioned elsewhere that the former capuchin exhibit on that trail is empty.

I agree, although Melbourne phased Binturong out due to them not fitting into any of their categories; enabling, ark, recovery and ambassador. Binturong are technically endangered though in some countries so could very well be reimported in the future as an ark species. Putting the Squirrel Monkeys in the Treetop Trail makes the most sense as right now, the area is feeling a little empty and Squirrel Monkeys (being an incredibly active and popular species) would be a great addition. They don't receive as much attention in their current enclosure in Trail of the Elephants; often dismissed due to the general design and location of the enclosure.

- What was on the site of the current baboon exhibit prior to its construction? Was this where the bongo exhibit was? If so, what was there before it housed bongo?

It used to be an enclosure for Kangaroo Island Kangaroos; just an empty grassy paddock pretty much. The Bongo enclosure is located just below it; and was partially demolished recently to allow for an extension of the Giraffe/Zebra paddock.

- Where is the rice paddy aviary located? I gather that it's in Trail of the Elephants somewhere (although I could be wrong), but it doesn't seem to be on the map.

It's located to the right of the trail just coming in after the Otters; before going across Tiger bridge to see the Tigers.