Nine banded armadillos can be imported so they would be a good idea imo; but they are least concern so don't really fit into multiple Zoos Vic categories.
Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)
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Nine banded armadillos can be imported so they would be a good idea imo; but they are least concern so don't really fit into multiple Zoos Vic categories.
PaddyRickMFZ
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The Jaguar phase out genuinely has me stumped. Such a well known and popular species, and like you said, melanistic jaguars or almost on the tier of white tigers, and are undoubtedly revered higher than the snow leopard. Everything else I’ve said in this chat has been very theoretical and unlikely, but Jaguar is something that I can say would boost Zoos Victoria without a shred of doubt
With regards to visitor appeal, I would rank felids as follows:
1. White tiger (generic or Bengal)
2. Black panther (melanistic Jaguar/leopard)
3. Snow leopard
4. White lion
5. All other lions
6. All other tigers
7. Big spotted cat (golden Jaguar, Cheetah, leopard)
I’d love to see more small felids within the region. They’re poorly represented and certainly under appreciated by the general public.
PaddyRickMFZ
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Such as Temminicks, Servals, caracals, ocelots, clouded leopards, African golden etc? If so I agree, as MZ doesn’t have any of those felids. Clouded leopard seems like a possibility, while caracal could be implemented at WORZ, and Ocelot could be great for that South American area(not that there will be anywhere near this many species if something of the sort ever eventuates). I personally think caracals and ocelots could provide great attractions for kids,(mine craft of course, and the caracal would have to be named floppa)
Yes, Melbourne once had an impressive small cat collection including Temminck’s golden cat, Fishing cat, Ocelot, Serval and Leopard cat - but given how elusive most of these cats are, I doubt the visitors were very engaged with these exhibits.
Clouded leopard are no more comfortable around the public, but would be of more interest to the public than a Fishing cat for example. They’re also a species of interest within the region and Melbourne has the space to breed them off display if they wish to.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
It’s such a shame Melbourne cat collection deteriorated so much. I remember loving small cat alley a ton, but there just isn’t enough space anymore for a complex like that anymore, which is annoying. Like someone on this forum suggested, I think it would be a great idea to transform DigestEd into multiple small cat enclosures. Also, does anyone know if something could be made of the space opposite the building, where that sprinkler thing is?
I really enjoyed the Small cat row too. The idea of never knowing what you'll find in which enclosure really intrigued me.
The space in Digest Ed is very limited, especially for multiple small cat enclosures. At the very least one enclosure might be able to be squeezed in there, but then again, I still doubt it would be enough space.
Maybe a similar complex (albeit updated) could be built in a part of the current elephant complex. It could feature overhead walkways, and allow the cats to rotate exhibits. Golden Cat, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat, Sri Lankan Leopards and Clouded Leopards are all options there.
Do you mean the kids water play area?
PaddyRickMFZ
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I do mean the water play area. Where is this proposed complex going to be sorry? Will it take up only one elephant exhibit, plus a little on either side? If so it sounds like a great idea. I could see 3-4 cages fitting one Elephant exhibit, provided the exhibits are quite high and filled with climbing equipment. Having the first 4 cats you mention in that space seems like a good idea, and clouded leopard would be ideal in the coati exhibit, whom I am hoping get moved back to growing wild. Could Banduka be an option if he is ready to transfer by around 2024
The water play area is very small then space wise. It's a good little area for the kids, and does gain a lot of popularity during the warmer months. The space wouldn't be suitable for anything larger than a meerkat though imo.
That complex would probably spread across one of the current elephant enclosures. I think that's reasonable size for four or so enclosures.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
That’s seems like a good idea. I wasn’t specifically referring to the area itself, more the reeds behind it, which I have no idea the extent of. Could you please inform me of how much space is in thereThe water play area is very small then space wise. It's a good little area for the kids, and does gain a lot of popularity during the warmer months. The space wouldn't be suitable for anything larger than a meerkat though imo.
That complex would probably spread across one of the current elephant enclosures. I think that's reasonable size for four or so enclosures.
I like your idea of a felid complex built on the site of the elephant complex. Unfortunately, a rotational concept wouldn’t work well with the small cats (at least not the Temminck’s golden cat, Leopard cat and Fishing cat). They’re highly sensitive and the scent of each other (let alone an apex predator like the Sri Lankan leopard) and they’d refuse to set foot in the exhibit.
Housing them in close proximity to the Sri Lankan leopard would also inhibit breeding, though they could potentially accomodate breeding pairs off display and exhibit non breeding animals in this complex. Auckland Zoo held two adult male Temminck’s golden cats adjacent to their Sumatran tiger exhibit.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
As we know, Melbourne has had great success breeding a variety of species in the past, and if breeding was on the agenda, they ohms very likely be able to hold the breeding pair off display. It would be very interesting to see a variety of Asian Felids in one are, and could be a good replacement for the elephants, especially if they could get their hands on a melanistic one(not as if that could ever happen, or would be needed, but an interesting concept to throw around
Banduka could be transferred out anytime from the second half of 2023. If Melbourne were to go this route, one option could be to exhibit Sri Lankan leopard and Leopard cat to compliment Indian rhinoceros in representing South Asia; with Clouded leopard complimenting Malayan tapir in representing South East Asia.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
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Temminicks golden cat and fishing cat could also help with the Indian theming, both being found in India as well. If Zoos Victoria plan to implement African felids, they have to be held at Werribee ofc, because I would not consider them crazy about cats right now by any means(and please put the serval on display!)
As much as I’d love to see a diverse range of felids exhibited at Melbourne, realistically speaking, the most likely new acquisitions are Sri Lankan leopard, Clouded leopard and Fishing cat - both being species of interest for the region.
Leopard cat aren’t out of the question. They’re can be a CITES II species depending on their range; but Temminck’s golden cat are CITES I and regional support will never be there sadly. They’d also be a challenge to source.
PaddyRickMFZ
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I
wasn’t aware Temminicks were cites I, and I guess they would now be pretty difficult to get, but the Perth exotic mammal chat requests Temminicks coming to Perth, so holders at both zoos would be great.
Australasia phased out the species in 2011, exporting the last 2.2 cats to Europe. North America have also phased them out and the European population has dwindled to single digits. They’re not impossible to breed, but off display exhibits are essential and few zoos were willing to invest in them.
Auckland also had off display exhibits for breeding and along with Melbourne were only the two to breed the species; with Taronga, Hamilton and Adelaide all unsuccessful.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I could be wrong, and I am just spitballing species that would be of interest to the general public, but I believe the Eurasian Lynx also inhabits India. I’m not sure if they can be imported or not, but they are certainly a species that the general public would be aware of, as opposed to Temminicks for example. One of my personal favs as well is the jungle cat, while Bornean Bay cats are interesting but by no means even a potential import
Eurasian lynx are one of the 15 cat species found in India. Personally, I think there’s better species to represent India, but they’d be easier to import than others as they’re CITES II species.
Rusty spotted cat are CITES I, but are held in 21 facilities across Europe. If the ZAA decided to support a regional breeding programme, it wouldn’t be difficult to source them.
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