Melbourne Zoo: Phase Outs, Imports and breeding

[Zorro]

I fully agree. Progress can (and should) be progressive, as opposed to re-inventing the wheel. The elephant complex at Werribee is an excellent example - as is the South East Asian precinct at Auckland Zoo.

Zoos SA have excelled at playing to the strengths of their respective facilities, which is hopefully something we'll see at Zoos Victoia long term - as opposed to the open range site merely being a breeding facility for its city counterpart.

While I have seen many good large exhibits in many zoos I am expecting that Monartos new African savannah exhibit to be something in a class of its own. I expect to make a special trip to see both the Adelaide Zoo and Monaro zoo once the exhibit is fully open with the new white rhinos and Hippos.

 

[Zoofan15]

While I have seen many good large exhibits in many zoos I am expecting that Monartos new African savannah exhibit to be something in a class of its own. I expect to make a special trip to see both the Adelaide Zoo and Monaro zoo once the exhibit is fully open with the new white rhinos and Hippos.

Monarto’s African savannah will be spectacular. Aside from space, the most significant aspect of this development is that animals are housed in comparable sized social groups to which they’re seen in the wild. Herds of ungulates numbering 50-60 animals and the region’s largest pride of lions.

The same approach could be undertaken at Zoos Victoria with smaller species and solitary large species (e.g Sumatran tiger) housed at Melbourne and large herds housed at Werribee.

Although they have no plans to do so as evidenced by bringing in a young breeding pair, I’d personally like to see giraffes phased out of Melbourne Zoo. They’re housed 30 minutes away at Werribee and take up a significant amount of space which could be repurposed.

 

[Zorro]

Monarto’s African savannah will be spectacular. Aside from space, the most significant aspect of this development is that animals are housed in comparable sized social groups to which they’re seen in the wild. Herds of ungulates numbering 50-60 animals and the region’s largest pride of lions.

The same approach could be undertaken at Zoos Victoria with smaller species and solitary large species (e.g Sumatran tiger) housed at Melbourne and large herds housed at Werribee.

Although they have no plans to do so as evidenced by bringing in a young breeding pair, I’d personally like to see giraffes phased out of Melbourne Zoo. They’re housed 30 minutes away at Werribee and take up a significant amount of space which could be repurposed.

I do agree I believe both Melbourne and Adelaide zoos would be best to relocate giraffe out to the open range zoos respectively. While Melbourne will relocate it elephants to Werribee not far away I don't really see this as a phase out of the over all collection. Since Adelaides size is so small I believe they would have a better option to lean towards a jersey zoo type of zoo where they can concentrate on the smaller more endangered species both native and exotic.

 

[Zoofan15]

I do agree I believe both Melbourne and Adelaide zoos would be best to relocate giraffe out to the open range zoos respectively. While Melbourne will relocate it elephants to Werribee not far away I don't really see this as a phase out of the over all collection. Since Adelaides size is so small I believe they would have a better option to lean towards a jersey zoo type of zoo where they can concentrate on the smaller more endangered species both native and exotic.

Melbourne Zoo has historically held an extensive bird and reptile collection, which are well suited to display in aviaries and reptile houses. Beyond this, their focus should be on small mammals, primates and solitary carnivores e.g. Sumatran tiger and Snow leopard.

I also hope in the future they’ll add Sri Lankan leopard to their collection.

As for the Indian rhinoceros, I’m divided here. While they’ll be anxious to bring in a replacement for their elephants; in doing they so, they could easily lose focus of the potential for this area. Werribee could easily accomodate an initial breeding herd of 1.2 Indian rhinoceros, which would have the potential to be very successful.

 

[Jambo]

Although they have no plans to do so as evidenced by bringing in a young breeding pair, I’d personally like to see giraffes phased out of Melbourne Zoo. They’re housed 30 minutes away at Werribee and take up a significant amount of space which could be repurposed.

Fully agree here. The Giraffe/Zebra enclosure takes up quite a bit of space; and Werribee's only a small drive from Melbourne, so it's not like they'll be completely inaccessible from Melbournians. It'll also give Werribee an even bigger point of difference from Melbourne; holding Giraffe, rhino, zebras, hippos, cheetahs, painted dogs; all of which aren't found at Melbourne.

Sending the Baboons to Werribee is also something else that should be considered. In theory, they would've been a better fit for Werribee's entrance island which later went to gorillas. Baboons would also help with Werribee's lack of primate species; and Werribee have the space to construct an enclosure on a grand scale, enabling them to breed them more than we'll ever see at Melbourne.

Sending the Giraffes, Zebras and baboons to Werribee; alongside the phase outs of the Malayan Tapir and Peccaries, then leaves that whole row empty, which gives them a lot of space to be repurposed. My preference would be to see this area repurposed into a South American precinct; featuring Melbourne's many South American primates, birds, and other species such as Capybara, and potentially, a drawcard species like Jaguar.

 

[Josh F]

While on the note of sending things to Werribee, it has always confused me why Melbourne have held Kenyan Sand Boa and Royal/Ball Python when they suit the Werribee theme perfectly. I also don’t see why Werribee has not added African bird species particularly parrots which are so common in the region as well.

 

[Zoofan15]

While on the note of sending things to Werribee, it has always confused me why Melbourne have held Kenyan Sand Boa and Royal/Ball Python when they suit the Werribee theme perfectly. I also don’t see why Werribee has not added African bird species particularly parrots which are so common in the region as well.

@Astrobird has previously mentioned Werribee were once considering a walk through African aviary. This would have been a perfect fit for Werribee and could have been constructed on a large scale, holding flocks of African grey parrots, Masked lovebirds etc.

Such an aviary would also allow the zoos to specialise, with all South American and Australian birds held at Melbourne; and all African birds at Werribee.

 

[Zoofan15]

Rotational Exhibits

With zoos in the region like Perth planning to construct rotational exhibits to compensate for the lack of space available in city zoos, it'll be interesting to see if Melbourne undertake this.

The elephant exhibits that will soon be vacated could be remodeled as a shared zone for Sumatran tiger, a second carnivore such as Sri Lankan leopard; and an ungulate primate combination that would rotate use of the exhibit.

Aside from the stimuli this would bring to the species involved, visitors would benefit from seeing something different on every visit.

It would also free up the second Sumatran tiger exhibit in the Carnivores precinct, allowing this to be redeveloped and used for either a new species or to afford an existing species more room.

 

[Jambo]

While on the note of sending things to Werribee, it has always confused me why Melbourne have held Kenyan Sand Boa and Royal/Ball Python when they suit the Werribee theme perfectly. I also don’t see why Werribee has not added African bird species particularly parrots which are so common in the region as well.

Werribee do have some snake species in the Ranger Hut. Not sure which exact subspecies but I believe they may hold Kenyan Sand Boa.

 

[Josh F]

Werribee do have some snake species in the Ranger Hut. Not sure which exact subspecies but I believe they may hold Kenyan Sand Boa.

Dumeril’s Boas are the only snake species at Werribee as far as I’m aware. They were bred at Werribee a number of years ago.

 

[Jambo]

Rotational Exhibits

With zoos in the region like Perth planning to construct rotational exhibits to compensate for the lack of space available in city zoos, it'll be interesting to see if Melbourne undertake this.

The elephant exhibits that will soon be vacated could be remodeled as a shared zone for Sumatran tiger, a second carnivore such as Sri Lankan leopard; and an ungulate primate combination that would rotate use of the exhibit.

Aside from the stimuli this would bring to the species involved, visitors would benefit from seeing something different on every visit.

It would also free up the second Sumatran tiger exhibit in the Carnivores precinct, allowing this to be redeveloped and used for either a new species or to afford an existing species more room.

The Carnivores precinct would’ve been the perfect place to do this IMO. Big cats like Lions, Tigers and Snow Leopards could’ve had an alternating enclosure system, and the same could be said for smaller carnivores like Coati, Red Panda, Otters and Tasmanian Devils. It’s a shame this wasn’t considered, but they do have the opportunity with the departure of their elephants.

I’d also love to see a primate rotational system. The two species of great apes; Gorillas, Orangutans and Saimangs could all rotate enclosures via the use of overhead pathways and passages.

Another idea is revamping the Treetop trial slightly to allow for a rotational system to occur, with the addition of overhead pathways ect.

 

[Jambo]

Dumeril’s Boas are the only snake species at Werribee as far as I’m aware. They were bred at Werribee a number of years ago.

I thought there were multiple species of snakes in the Ranger kids hut? I could be wrong though; it may have changed since I last went in there.

 

[Zoofan15]

I’d also love to see a primate rotational system. The two species of great apes; Gorillas, Orangutans and Saimangs could all rotate enclosures via the use of overhead pathways and passages.

Another idea is revamping the Treetop trial slightly to allow for a rotational system to occur, with the addition of overhead pathways ect.

Considering they’re both arboreal species, a series of exhibits housing Sumatran orangutan and Siamang would be ideal with the option to rotate the apes through different habitats - with an aerial pathway allowing them to traverse the precinct.

What would be ideal in this situation is to have a one way system with circuit breakers, so that different social groupings can pass through the aerial pathway without use of it being restricted to one or two cohabiting individuals. For example, the two groups of orangutans housed separately; or a pair of Siamang, which live separately from the orangutans.

 

[Grant Rhino]

100%. The Lion Park was built in 1967, but it's a complex I'd still consider impressive by today's standards. The overhead bridge gave a walk through vibe to the complex and the space allowed them to manage a sizeable pride.

The construction of the Carnivores precinct not only wiped out this historically significant exhibit for something much lesser; but also complexes like Small Cat Alley and Big Cat Row, which held a diverse range of felids. I acknowledge their accommodation was far from ideal by today"s standards, but nonetheless compounds the loss of the Lion Park.

I also thought that the 1967 built Lion Park was a nicer exhibit than the new one, however there was one very serious issue with it (and this is why it was demolished when it was): The National Trust and heritage listing...

The exhibit was almost 50 years old - hence it was almost old enough to be heritage listed. Once a building (or construction like this) is over 50 years old, then approval from the National Trust is needed for it to be demolished or renovated. This could potentially prove to be a nightmare if the zoo ever wanted to do anything to change it. I can imagine that the bridge over the top would be taken seriously by the National Trust and I doubt they would've allowed the zoo to remove or modify it - particularly considering its historical significance.

In a nutshell, the Lion Park wasn't demolished for "the sake of progress" - it was demolished because the zoo would otherwise have been stuck with it for as long as the National Trust saw fit. The zoo was completely hamstrung: Keep it and be stuck with it, or demolish it and have full autonomy of the area for the next 50 years. It sucks, but they really had no choice...

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

I think Melbourne zoo will keep giraffes and zebra for the next 5 to ten years, with the import of iris it realy seems Melbourne will be breeding giraffe for the next 5 to 10 years. I can see in 10 years or so they might go to Werribee

 

[Josh F]

I thought there were multiple species of snakes in the Ranger kids hut? I could be wrong though; it may have changed since I last went in there.

Multiples of the one as far as I can recall. Possibly a Madagascan Ground Boa as well depending on if Melbourne had excess. But as far as I can recall Kenyan Sand Boas have not been kept at Werribee nor have Ball Python which are both held at Melbourne.

 

[Zoofan15]

I think Melbourne zoo will keep giraffes and zebra for the next 5 to ten years, with the import of iris it realy seems Melbourne will be breeding giraffe for the next 5 to 10 years. I can see in 10 years or so they might go to Werribee

Though I’d rather see giraffes held soley at Werribee and the exhibit at Melbourne repurposed for something more suited to a city zoo, the recent acquisition of the young pair (Klintun and Iris) indicates a long term commitment to this species.

With the giraffe IRA now completed for New Zealand, it’s disappointing more Australasian zoos haven’t taken the opportunity to import from outside the region. Depending on how far away the Australian giraffe IRA is, they could import via New Zealand.

 

[Jambo]

I think Melbourne zoo will keep giraffes and zebra for the next 5 to ten years, with the import of iris it realy seems Melbourne will be breeding giraffe for the next 5 to 10 years. I can see in 10 years or so they might go to Werribee

Sending the giraffes and zebra to Werribee has been on the cards for a while now. I believe management wanted to do this back in the 90’s; but a swift change in management obviously changed that.

Holding the Giraffes at Werribee would allow for a larger, more natural breeding herd but we still have to consider the fact that the region needs a large bachelor facility that can hold a lot of surplus bulls; something only Werribee is theoretically capable of. So for the meantime and the near future too, I think we’ll continue to see Melbourne holding a breeding pair.

Long term though, moving them to Werribee alongside the zebras presents the best option.

 

[Zorro]

Sending the giraffes and zebra to Werribee has been on the cards for a while now. I believe management wanted to do this back in the 90’s; but a swift change in management obviously changed that.

Holding the Giraffes at Werribee would allow for a larger, more natural breeding herd but we still have to consider the fact that the region needs a large bachelor facility that can hold a lot of surplus bulls; something only Werribee is theoretically capable of. So for the meantime and the near future too, I think we’ll continue to see Melbourne holding a breeding pair.

Long term though, moving them to Werribee alongside the zebras presents the best option.

Does not the Western plains zoo have 2 herds of giraffes one breeding herd in a exhibit area and another on their 50 acre savanna display for their spare males, similar could be done at Werribee zoo?.

 

[Zoofan15]

Holding the Giraffes at Werribee would allow for a larger, more natural breeding herd but we still have to consider the fact that the region needs a large bachelor facility that can hold a lot of surplus bulls; something only Werribee is theoretically capable of.

Does not the Western plains zoo have 2 herds of giraffes one breeding herd in a exhibit area and another on their 50 acre savanna display for their spare males, similar could be done at Werribee zoo?.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Monarto Zoo currently hold larger bachelor herds than Werribee Open Range Zoo; and Hamilton Zoo has a capacity to hold up to eight bulls (though they’ve never exceeded six).

Personally, I think the region has enough facilities breeding giraffes. We’ve got to the stage there’s even cows that aren’t being bred from - and new imports from overseas (which we should see within the next five years) will greatly devalue the highly inbred stock we have in the region overnight.