Something could be setup in Queenscliffe where the Fisheries display as, that would then encompass ZV, Sealife, Fisheries and the existing Deakin Uni Research facility as well, would be an incredible educational opportunity.
Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)
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Something could be setup in Queenscliffe where the Fisheries display as, that would then encompass ZV, Sealife, Fisheries and the existing Deakin Uni Research facility as well, would be an incredible educational opportunity.
PaddyRickMFZ
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Really? I actually meant they should be an outdoor enclosure and a centrepiece, not overshadowed or an accessory where they have been housed previouslyThat was Isobella and she was their adult breeding female!They are a rather small crocodile species. Also, they can be aggressive to one another so it’s better to keep them solitary. Especially if the zoo wishes to breed them.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Is the water treatment plan actually necessary? If so is there any chance they could destroy it
That's a reasonable location but is a fair distance from the city. A facility in and around Geelong though be a good idea. Especially as it would be right next to the actual ocean, not the bay.
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They were one of the main attractions within the Reptile House for a while, and still are to an extent. An outdoor enclosure would be difficult as well, as the Melbourne weathers too cold for them.
It's not necessary but definitely helps the recycling indicatives Zoos Vic has. I doubt they'd remove it unfortunately.
This is exactly what I was going to say unfortunately reptiles are a lot harder to keep outdoors than mammals and birds. Especially reptiles from tropical climates. As previously stated, the only one that can be housed outdoors in Victoria without supplemental/very expensive heating are American Alligators which I can’t see ZV acquiring anytime soon aside from maybe at Kyabram.
Just a side note, I am a private reptile keeper so hence my interest and experience with them.
That's the thing they'd have to assess re. exotic reptiles, the costs of housing them versus the return for the zoo. I for one will be interested to see whether interest is sustained in Auckland Zoo's False gharial, which are housed inside a tropical dome and would be highly expensive to maintain.
Initial interest has been strong, but they've only been on display for four months.
How difficult would it be to import xenarthrans to Australia? As far as tamandua, giant anteaters and two-toed sloths go - IDK about armadillos and whether they'd be of any ecological concern.
There’s currently no IRA, but there’s no particular reason one couldn’t be approved, with these species then added to the live import list. They’d greatly enhance the South American precinct of any zoo.
PaddyRickMFZ
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I’d love to see all those species, and you may have noticed me spreading love for them throughout the chat
. On thing that confuses me though is if we wanted to import Aardvark, would they have to be in a separate IRA to everything else despite being the only member of its family
I’d love to see all those species, and you may have noticed me spreading love for them throughout the chat
Aardvarks aren't from the same family as those aforementioned species.
Also, isn't this thread getting a little too long? I thought there was a rule that mods wanted threads capped at 1000 posts and we've now well exceeded that.
When the original chat reached 1000 replies, I made a seperate chat titled Future of Melbourne Zoo 2. The mods then split the chat into 2022 and 2023, so I’ll let them decide if they want to split the thread again as it continues to grow.
The nonsense thread is 2000 replies and counting, so they may let this thread get a bit bigger before splitting again.
PaddyRickMFZ
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I’m aware. That’s why I stated it’s the only member of its family. My confusion is whether it needs an IRA if it’s one particular species, or if they can just add it to the import list with little issueAardvarks aren't from the same family as those aforementioned species.
Also, isn't this thread getting a little too long? I thought there was a rule that mods wanted threads capped at 1000 posts and we've now well exceeded that.
It would still need an IRA unfortunately.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Bit of a shame because that means they are very unlikely. I doubt the government would conduct an IRA for a singular species
Not unless the zoo particularly pushed for it. Though it’s for a single species, the process could still be complicated as there’s little to no precedence for importing them re. biosecurity.
The Bovid IRA covered a multitude of species, but was regarded as a simple IRA.
Certainly hippopotami and giraffidae IRAs are greater priorities right now.
Thinking more about it, I can imagine Werribee implementing a six year birth interval between the current cohort of calves and the next cohort - with these calves born around 2028.
Under this plan, the youngest females would be six years of age and more of a help than a hindrance in rearing the next cohort of calves, not to mention learning maternal skills in the process; while Roi-Yim, the only bull calf, could transition out of his natal herd at this age (something I wouldn’t recommend for a five year old bull with no peers),
Long term, Werribee may breed the females on rotation - two on, two off; but the next breeding rotation can include a maximum of three cows, so the preferred formula would likely be for all three to breed at once. Dokkoon, then aged 35 years old, would be breeding for the fourth and probably final time.
Potential Succession Plan for Werribee
This is one of many ways they could ensure succession in their herd, optimising social dynamics and allocation of resources; while ensuring the reproductive health of cows in the herd.
Six year gap
2028: Dokkoon (1993), Num-Oi (2001) and Mali (2010)
Three year gap
2031: Num-Oi (2001) and Mali (2010)
Three year gap
2034: Aiyara (2022) and Kati (2023)
Three year gap
2037: Num-Oi (2001) and Mali (2010)
Three year gap
This is one of many ways they could ensure succession in their herd, optimising social dynamics and allocation of resources; while ensuring the reproductive health of cows in the herd.
Six year gap
2028: Dokkoon (1993), Num-Oi (2001) and Mali (2010)
Three year gap
2031: Num-Oi (2001) and Mali (2010)
Three year gap
2034: Aiyara (2022) and Kati (2023)
Three year gap
2037: Num-Oi (2001) and Mali (2010)
Three year gap
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Didn’t want to cloud the Australasian Hyena population thread, but @Swanson02 mentioned Monarto may be importing some Kudu from South Africa. Do you guys think that WORZ, Amon g other zoos would entertain housing them. If Dubbo are making a Serengeti exhibit some woodland antelope could add some much needed variety imo
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