Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo News 2022

[Zoofan15]

Sad to see today a sign at the African Wild Dogs enclosure advising that Maana and Duara have been euthanised "due to persistent health complications". It also noted that the species will no longer be held at Melbourne Zoo - I guess Werribee is more suitable for the future. Anyone know what sort of health problems they were having?

That’s a shame. They were 10 years old, which is around the upper limit of their life expectancy. Arthritis is a likely cause as this is age associated and something that could be managed over a long period of time - but no doubt the zoo will release more info in due course.

The news that Melbourne were planning to phase this species out comes as a surprise to me. The exhibit wasn’t huge and indeed Werribee can better cater to this species, but it was at least suitable for a small non breeding pack.

It’ll be interesting to see what replaces them, though obviously it’ll be a carnivore. Though the zoo chose to phase them out a decade ago, Maned wolf would be the most suitable species imo. The exhibit would require minimal modifications for another canid; and anything larger such as hyenas would be too big for the exhibit.

 

[Jambo]

Sad to see today a sign at the African Wild Dogs enclosure advising that Maana and Duara have been euthanised "due to persistent health complications". It also noted that the species will no longer be held at Melbourne Zoo - I guess Werribee is more suitable for the future. Anyone know what sort of health problems they were having?

Quite sad news. I only saw them a fortnight ago, and both were looking rather elderly.

Werribee's always been better suited to this species with much more space; a phase out was always inevitable in my eyes as Melbourne is only really suited to hold two or three African Wild Dogs, which preferably tend to stay in large groups.

Replacement wise i'm thinking maybe Spotted Hyena, considering Werribee plan to hold this species in a few years time too. Melbourne could easily hold a pair of males. I doubt they'd reacquire Maned Wolf; a species which they've already determined dosen't fit into their collection guidelines.

 

[Alby]

Werribee's always been better suited to this species with much more space; a phase out was always inevitable in my eyes as Melbourne is only really suited to hold two or three African Wild Dogs, which preferably tend to stay in large groups.

Thinking back years ago, didn't there used to be a few more, in the days of the old enclosure you viewed from a walkway? Maybe 5 or so?

 

[Zoofan15]

Thinking back years ago, didn't there used to be a few more, in the days of the old enclosure you viewed from a walkway? Maybe 5 or so?

In recent times, Melbourne have held a non breeding pack, with the majority of pups born in the region being at Perth, Dubbo, Hamilton and Monarto.

They initially had four brothers named Saba, Maana, Samawhati and Duara. They were born at Perth Zoo in 2012 and arrived in 2014. Saba died first in 2019, followed by Samawhati in 2020.

Historically, Melbourne have had breeding packs - Wellington Zoo's first dogs came from Melbourne Zoo.

 

[StoppableSan]

Quite sad news. I only saw them a fortnight ago, and both were looking rather elderly.

Werribee's always been better suited to this species with much more space; a phase out was always inevitable in my eyes as Melbourne is only really suited to hold two or three African Wild Dogs, which preferably tend to stay in large groups.

Replacement wise i'm thinking maybe Spotted Hyena, considering Werribee plan to hold this species in a few years time too. Melbourne could easily hold a pair of males. I doubt they'd reacquire Maned Wolf; a species which they've already determined dosen't fit into their collection guidelines.

Would expanding the lion exhibit in the painted dogs' former space be feasible? Genuinely curious given the layout.

 

[Jambo]

Thinking back years ago, didn't there used to be a few more, in the days of the old enclosure you viewed from a walkway? Maybe 5 or so?

Yeah that was Lion Park, which closed in 2014. The Wild Dogs occupied the left side (if you went up the overbridge) - and they had quite a reasonable amount of space (much more than their current enclosure).

In recent times, Melbourne have held a non breeding pack, with the majority of pups born in the region being at Perth, Dubbo, Hamilton and Monarto.

They initially had four brothers named Saba, Maana, Samawhati and Duara. They were born at Perth Zoo in 2012 and arrived in 2014. Saba died first in 2019, followed by Samawhati in 2020.

Historically, Melbourne have had breeding packs - Wellington Zoo's first dogs came from Melbourne Zoo.

Melbourne had a bachelor group too prior to the Perth brothers; they all had rhyming names too, I think they were Harry, Larry, Barry and Gary. Two died prior to the closure of Lion Park in 2013, with the remaining two sent on to Werribee were both have since died. The four brothers arrived in the mid 2000’s I believe, not sure where from though.

 

[Jambo]

Would expanding the lion exhibit in the painted dogs' former space be feasible? Genuinely curious given the layout.

I’ve actually mentioned that idea on here previously. Linking it with an overhead pathway would be phenomenal, and the lions could do with some more space too. There’s space for an overhead pathway for them, but of course the Wild Dog would need to be modified for them (namely higher fences).

 

[Alby]

I think they were Harry, Larry, Barry and Gary

NO!! I guess there's a discussion to be had here about the changing fashions in the naming of zoo animals, but it's probably in an existing thread.

But anyway thanks for the info, and to @Zoofan15 too.

 

[Zoofan15]

Would expanding the lion exhibit in the painted dogs' former space be feasible? Genuinely curious given the layout.

That'd be a great move as it'd allow the zoo to manage a pride of lions. The historic Lion Park was a phenomenonal exhibit for its day and a huge drawcard for the zoo. It was dissapointing to see it demolished in favour of constructing a handful of exhibits geared towards housing species which for the most part can't be bred due to limited space.

 

[Zoofan15]

NO!! I guess there's a discussion to be had here about the changing fashions in the naming of zoo animals, but it's probably in an existing thread.

But anyway thanks for the info, and to @Zoofan15 too.

My favourite naming convention of Melbourne Zoo's has been the inherited initial convention to show lineages in groups where multiple females are breeding.

They've used it with their lions in the past and continue to use it to this day for their great apes and baboons.

 

[Jambo]

That'd be a great move as it'd allow the zoo to manage a pride of lions. The historic Lion Park was a phenomenonal exhibit for its day and a huge drawcard for the zoo. It was dissapointing to see it demolished in favour of constructing a handful of exhibits geared towards housing species which for the most part can't be bred due to limited space.

Although I doubt it’ll enable breeding; at the very least it’ll give their two males more space. Space wise; I don’t think the enclosures combined could hold more than six lions or so, but a group of four brothers or four sisters would be absolutely perfect.

 

[Zoofan15]

Although I doubt it’ll enable breeding; at the very least it’ll give their two males more space. Space wise; I don’t think the enclosures combined could hold more than six lions or so, but a group of four brothers or four sisters would be absolutely perfect.

Expanding the exhibit would certainly allow for breeding - especially if the males were swapped out for a breeding pair; or if breeding was conducted via a small pride with a single lioness breeding.

If there wasn’t room to undertake breeding, there’d be little point in expanding the exhibit as it’s adequate for the two brothers they have and would come at the expense of another species (African wild dog replacements).

Ultimately, I doubt either scenario will eventuate. They have a breeding pride at Werribee, which has long been supported by Melbourne holding non breeding lions.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

The African wild dog exibit is quit small. Melbourne have other areas that should be upgraded. I don’t think Melbourne will move their lion into the wild dog exhibit, althought Melbourne lion exhibit is also quit small. Consider that the lion gorge area is quite new in term of zoo lifespan. I agree maned wolf would be great as Melbourne zoos exibit is basicly ready for a maned wolf, although i think it is unlikely because it doesn’t really meet melbourne animals categorisation thing. Melbourne african wild dog exibit is 600 square metres and for two animals an animal husbandry expert recommends 500 metres so the African wild dog exibit was already quite small. Melbourne might keep the exibit vacant for a couple of month i till they find something. Please tell me what other animals could be suitable

 

[Jambo]

Expanding the exhibit would certainly allow for breeding - especially if the males were swapped out for a breeding pair; or if breeding was conducted via a small pride with a single lioness breeding.

If there wasn’t room to undertake breeding, there’d be little point in expanding the exhibit as it’s adequate for the two brothers they have and would come at the expense of another species (African wild dog replacements).

Ultimately, I doubt either scenario will eventuate. They have a breeding pride at Werribee, which has long been supported by Melbourne holding non breeding lions.

They wouldn't have the space for a breeding pride even if they expanded the lion exhibits. The current exhibit is rather small, so the two brothers could do with an extension. An overpass for their Lions would also be incredibly popular with the public.

The African wild dog exibit is quit small. Melbourne have other areas that should be upgraded. I don’t think Melbourne will move their lion into the wild dog exhibit, althought Melbourne lion exhibit is also quit small. Consider that the lion gorge area is quite new in term of zoo lifespan. I agree maned wolf would be great as Melbourne zoos exibit is basicly ready for a maned wolf, although i think it is unlikely because it doesn’t really meet melbourne animals categorisation thing. Melbourne african wild dog exibit is 600 square metres and for two animals an animal husbandry expert recommends 500 metres so the African wild dog exibit was already quite small. Melbourne might keep the exibit vacant for a couple of month i till they find something. Please tell me what other animals could be suitable

I think Spotted Hyenas may be the best replacement. Werribee plan to hold them (so obviously they fit into Zoos Vic's criteria), and could easily be introduced into the exhibit without the exhibit needing any modifications. To add to that, they'd fit the Carnivores trail theme too, and would slot nicely in right next to the Lions.

I doubt Melbourne would hold a breeding group though; that would probably be Werribee's job. A bachelor group of two males might be best; Monarto could possibly send their two youngest males (Jaali and Majani). That might be the best solution as i'd hate to see the African Wild Dog exhibit sit empty for years (much like other exhibits around the zoo have recently).

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

I agree stripped hyenas would be the easiest to source and melbourne could be a bachellour group and werribee could send member of the clan to in near future, it fits the theam of the carnivores trailer

 

[Jambo]

I agree stripped hyenas would be the easiest to source and melbourne could be a bachellour group and werribee could send member of the clan to in near future, it fits the theam of the carnivores trailer

Spotted Hyenas would be the ideal replacement in my eyes.

Werribee will likely hold a breeding clan; ideally founded by overseas imports. Using Melbourne as a secondary holder in addition to Werribee will also provide Werribee a contingency, in that Melbourne will be able to hold surplus males from Werribee too in the future.

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree stripped hyenas would be the easiest to source and melbourne could be a bachellour group and werribee could send member of the clan to in near future, it fits the theam of the carnivores trailer

Monarto are planning to import hyena in the near future and will also be looking to swap one of these pairs with the males at Sydney Zoo. From here, the remaining pair would be surplus to their breeding programme - with their packs consisting of the current breeding pack and the imported pack.

This would identify either of the following as candidates for Melbourne if they were wanting to acquire this species:

0.1 Kanzi (Piltengi x Thandiwe) 13/09/2017
1.0 Mkoko (Gamba x Forest) 00/07/2015

1.0 Jaali (Piltengi x Thandiwe) 13/09/2017
1.0 Majani (Gamba x Forest) 00/01/2018

If Melbourne didn’t have the room to breed African wild dogs, they certainly won’t have room to breed hyena in great numbers. There’s several facilities in the region holding breeding hyena, so this is no bad thing.

My preference however would be for Melbourne Zoo to hold Maned wolf. Aside from complimenting the collection at Werribee (which will hold African wild dog and Spotted hyena), the Maned wolf and the Coati would add geographical variation to the Carnivores precinct which has several Asian species and African lions.

 

[Jambo]

If Melbourne didn’t have the room to breed African wild dogs, they certainly won’t have room to breed hyena in great numbers. There’s several facilities in the region holding breeding hyena, so this is no bad thing.

The enclosures small; and was even for the four boys altogether at the beginning. Even with two it was still on the small scale; but is of similar size to the Lion enclosure.

Melbourne could still easily house a non breeding pair of Spotted Hyena in that exhibit which would compliment the Lion exhibit next door quite nicely (*cough Lion King cough*)

My preference however would be for Melbourne Zoo to hold Maned wolf. Aside from complimenting the collection at Werribee (which will hold African wild dog and Spotted hyena), the Maned wolf and the Coati would add geographical variation to the Carnivores precinct which has several Asian species and African lions.

Thinking realistically though, there’s a very very slim chance Melbourne will reimport Maned Wolf. They’ve already phased them out as they don’t fit into any of their criteria. Neither do Hyena necessarily (but they can be considered enabling). Heck, I’ve heard visitors call Melbourne’s Wild Dog’s Hyenas many many times before.

 

[steveroberts]

@Jambo

Do you know how many female African Wild Dogs remain at Melbourne Zoo? Wow is there actually signage saying that the zoo plans to phase out AWDs?

 

[Zoofan15]

@Jambo

Do you know how many female African Wild Dogs remain at Melbourne Zoo? Wow is there actually signage saying that the zoo plans to phase out AWDs?

No African wild dogs remain at Melbourne Zoo. They only held males. This update was posted by @Alby:

Sad to see today a sign at the African Wild Dogs enclosure advising that Maana and Duara have been euthanised "due to persistent health complications". It also noted that the species will no longer be held at Melbourne Zoo.