Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)

[PaddyRickMFZ]

It’s difficult to say. I imagine it’ll depend on when the Malayan tapir passes. The peccaries are getting on in years and if the tapir lives another two or three years, they may decide to leave it empty - which will make it simpler to renovate the entire area when the peccaries pass on.

If they don’t want an empty exhibit for a year or more, they may find a stop-gap species, but I imagine it’d be one that could be taken out at a moment’s notice to allow for the remodelling of the exhibits.

Alternatively, they may choose to relocate the peccaries to Werribee or Kyabram when the tapir passes. This would allow immediate renovations to take place - with the simultaneous phase out of both species.

Considering Semangka has no chronic health issues(other than blindness) and tapirs can easily live another 10 years, I didn’t see much happening for a while. I’d love to see semangka moved as I’ve stated, and then potentially capybaras as a replacement would tie in with the peccaries next door. The peccaries can also live for another decade, and I know we all want them to be bred. If they are sent away from MZ which is my subtle preference, I’d prefer them go to WORZ, as opposed to Kyabram whom people are rarely able to visit

 

[Zoofan15]

Considering Semangka has no chronic health issues(other than blindness) and tapirs can easily live another 10 years, I didn’t see much happening for a while. I’d love to see semangka moved as I’ve stated, and then potentially capybaras as a replacement would tie in with the peccaries next door. The peccaries can also live for another decade, and I know we all want them to be bred. If they are sent away from MZ which is my subtle preference, I’d prefer them go to WORZ, as opposed to Kyabram whom people are rarely able to visit

Melbourne Zoo may well be hopeful their peccaries and tapir live another five years or so as it will mean they can focus on other areas. The elephants leaving will leave a huge gap that the public will expect filled. Funding isn’t infinite and concentrating their efforts on the elephant complex space will be the priority.

Once the elephant complex has been redeveloped, they can then consider remodelling other areas. I would assume if replacements are needed in the interim, then stop-gap species are likely. Species like Tasmanian devil that can easily be rehoused within Melbourne Zoo - or one of their sister zoos.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Melbourne Zoo may well be hopeful their peccaries and tapir live another five years or so as it will mean they can focus on other areas. The elephants leaving will leave a huge gap that the public will expect filled. Funding isn’t infinite and concentrating their efforts on the elephant complex space will be the priority.

Once the elephant complex has been redeveloped, they can then consider remodelling other areas. I would assume if replacements are needed in the interim, then stop-gap species are likely. Species like Tasmanian devil that can easily be rehoused within Melbourne Zoo - or one of their sister zoos.

Maybe if semangka and the peccaries are moved following the elephants considering they may well live another decade, then the dingos can move over there with the devils. Maybe our fabled maned wolf could replace the dingos, and Komodo’s the devil, that way everyone’s happy

 

[Zoofan15]

Maybe if semangka and the peccaries are moved following the elephants considering they may well live another decade, then the dingos can move over there with the devils. Maybe our fabled maned wolf could replace the dingos, and Komodo’s the devil, that way everyone’s happy

I would definitely like to see the return of Maned wolf and that would be a good way to link to the Australian precinct. I appreciate Melbourne like to represent multiple continents within the Predator precinct, but they have natives just about everywhere else, so I’d appreciate seeing more exotics.

I’m hopeful Melbourne will consider Komodo dragons, with this species becoming widespread (and breeding) in Australian zoos.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I would definitely like to see the return of Maned wolf and that would be a good way to link to the Australian precinct. I appreciate Melbourne like to represent multiple continents within the Predator precinct, but they have natives just about everywhere else, so I’d appreciate seeing more exotics.

I’m hopeful Melbourne will consider Komodo dragons, with this species becoming widespread (and breeding) in Australian zoos.

In an ideal world that section of the zoo houses smaller African species and The Australian species are housed entirely in the Australian section, but obviously that’s not likely at the present

 

[AreOhAreWhy]

I would definitely like to see the return of Maned wolf and that would be a good way to link to the Australian precinct. I appreciate Melbourne like to represent multiple continents within the Predator precinct, but they have natives just about everywhere else, so I’d appreciate seeing more exotics.

I’m hopeful Melbourne will consider Komodo dragons, with this species becoming widespread (and breeding) in Australian zoos.

If Shoalhaven ever decide to give up Maned Wolf they could go to Melbourne? Highly unlikely but something to consider for Shoalhaven. I've been there a handful amount of times and have never seen them. Could be good for them to go to Melbourne if they get a bigger area

 

[Zoofan15]

If Shoalhaven ever decide to give up Maned Wolf they could go to Melbourne? Highly unlikely but something to consider for Shoalhaven. I've been there a handful amount of times and have never seen them. Could be good for them to go to Melbourne if they get a bigger area

Melbourne could potentially hold a pair (either breeding or non breeding); but long term, Werribee are an option. The space they have available would enable them to hold multiple wolves like Altina; while adding diversity to Werribee’s African centric collection.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Ubfort

Melbourne could potentially hold a pair (either breeding or non breeding); but long term, Werribee are an option. The space they have available would enable them to hold multiple wolves like Altina; while adding diversity to Werribee’s African centric collection.

Unfortunately from my recent visit it was indicated that diversifying was not on their agenda. I just don’t understand, you have a great opportunity to expand your collection with the Asian elephant, yet they choose to make them an ambassador for African elephants…

 

[AreOhAreWhy]

Melbourne could potentially hold a pair (either breeding or non breeding); but long term, Werribee are an option. The space they have available would enable them to hold multiple wolves like Altina; while adding diversity to Werribee’s African centric collection.

Didn't Altina give Shoalhaven theirs? Or did they get a new group

Edit: Altina gave theirs to Shoalhaven in 2016 so they must've got a new group

 

[Zoofan15]

Unfortunately from my recent visit it was indicated that diversifying was not on their agenda. I just don’t understand, you have a great opportunity to expand your collection with the Asian elephant, yet they choose to make them an ambassador for African elephants…

If they’re not careful, they’ll lag behind Monarto and Dubbo long term. The latter have made several efforts to diversify over the years.

Didn't Altina give Shoalhaven theirs? Or did they get a new group

Edit: Altina gave theirs to Shoalhaven in 2016 so they must've got a new group

I believe Shoalhaven have these two males, unless things have changed:

1.0 Atreo (Senna x Olinta) 01/08/2012
1.0 Chiko (Senna x Olinta) 00/08/2013

I don’t really follow Shoalhaven tbh.

Altina hold multiple breeding pairs and have imported several wolves.

 

[AreOhAreWhy]

If they’re not careful, they’ll lag behind Monarto and Dubbo long term. The latter have made several efforts to diversify over the years.


I believe Shoalhaven have these two males, unless things have changed:

1.0 Atreo (Senna x Olinta) 01/08/2012
1.0 Chiko (Senna x Olinta) 00/08/2013

I don’t really follow Shoalhaven tbh.

Altina hold multiple breeding pairs and have imported several wolves.

Don't follow Shoalhaven. Many animals there are malnourished and get no enrichment. Lions rib cages are showing too much then they normally should. They had plans to remove Water buffalo for giraffe in 2021 but it fell through thank god.

They use massive sticks and knock koalas off of "trees" for them to be used for photos, and the birds have no where to fly.

Lions have no room to move especially with how many there are, I believe 4. But in such a small area.

Meerkats came up to us begging for food one time.

I feel bad every time I go there

 

[Jambo]

If Shoalhaven ever decide to give up Maned Wolf they could go to Melbourne? Highly unlikely but something to consider for Shoalhaven. I've been there a handful amount of times and have never seen them. Could be good for them to go to Melbourne if they get a bigger area

Melbourne could potentially hold a pair (either breeding or non breeding); but long term, Werribee are an option. The space they have available would enable them to hold multiple wolves like Altina; while adding diversity to Werribee’s African centric collection.

We have to remember Melbourne (and the region) phased out Maned Wolves though. Only Altina have remained dedicated to them (alongside a handful of smaller zoos and Adelaide too).

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

We have to remember Melbourne (and the region) phased out Maned Wolves though. Only Altina have remained dedicated to them (alongside a handful of smaller zoos and Adelaide too).

I believe all the wolves in the country were held at Altina not long ago right? Since Altina kept them, many facilities have become interested and they are now a popular species among guests as long as they can see them

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe all the wolves in the country were held at Altina not long ago right? Since Altina kept them, many facilities have become interested and they are now a popular species among guests as long as they can see them

That’s correct, with Altina picking them up and importing more to create a thriving regional population after the region’s main zoos lost interest in them. Adelaide have since gone back into them and Darling Downs Zoo and Hunter Valley have bred them.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

That’s correct, with Altina picking them up and importing more to create a thriving regional population after the region’s main zoos lost interest in them. Adelaide have since gone back into them and Darling Downs Zoo and Hunter Valley have bred them.

Would love to see them in the dingo enclosure, as they’re certainly more likely than dholes, which would be my second preference. In any case, with a perfectly good Australian section I hope dingos do not occupy their enclosure long term

 

[Jambo]

Would love to see them in the dingo enclosure, as they’re certainly more likely than dholes, which would be my second preference. In any case, with a perfectly good Australian section I hope dingos do not occupy their enclosure long term

I'd actually say Dholes would probably be more likely. They're an endangered species, and so would fit multiple of Zoos Vic's categories. They've previously been held at Taronga before (and breed there) but eventually died out there due to lack of imports and support regionally.

 

[Zoofan15]

I'd actually say Dholes would probably be more likely. They're an endangered species, and so would fit multiple of Zoos Vic's categories. They've previously been held at Taronga before (and breed there) but eventually died out there due to lack of imports and support regionally.

Dholes would be a great addition to Melbourne Zoo. I’m thinking Maned wolf would gain favour for exhibition in the Predator Precinct by virtue of being a South American species however. With the probable phase out of the coati, this continent will soon be unrepresented - while they have Sumatran tiger, Snow leopard etc. representing Asia.

Maned wolf were previously phased out of Melbourne Zoo’s collection, but you have to wonder how seriously they take this species criteria when they still have Slender-tailed meerkats, who are enabling, that’s it; Plains zebra, who I wouldn’t even consider enabling when there’s no foals in the herd; and were recently considering exhibiting Lowland nyala, which again aren’t enabling.

 

[Zoofan15]

I'd actually say Dholes would probably be more likely. They're an endangered species, and so would fit multiple of Zoos Vic's categories. They've previously been held at Taronga before (and breed there) but eventually died out there due to lack of imports and support regionally.

Where I’d prefer to see Dhole is Sloth Bear Mountain. I’ve given a lot of thought to what South Asian ungulate species could inhabit the lower terraces and bearing in mind space limitations, there’s few species that would inspire the visitors - with all being better suited to open range zoos.

What does fit the bill however is Dhole. They make for a lively exhibit on the lower terrace and as a species that lives in burrows, a large cavernous burrow could be built into the exhibit - viewable from within the mountain, who’s hollow interior will also hold the aquarium.

The only downsize is that it’d reduce the number of ungulate species in favour of carnivores, but it’s hard to imagine any visitors objecting to that.

Sloth Bear Mountain

Upper Terraces: Himalayan tahr and Hanuman langur

Middle Terraces: Sloth bear and Sri Lankan leopard

Lower Terraces: Dhole

Inside Mountain (Upper): Aquarium

Inside Mountain (Lower): Dhole burrows
Aaa

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Where I’d prefer to see Dhole is Sloth Bear Mountain. I’ve given a lot of thought to what South Asian ungulate species could inhabit the lower terraces and bearing in mind space limitations, there’s few species that would inspire the visitors - with all being better suited to open range zoos.

What does fit the bill however is Dhole. They make for a lively exhibit on the lower terrace and as a species that lives in burrows, a large cavernous burrow could be built into the exhibit - viewable from within the mountain, who’s hollow interior will also hold the aquarium.

The only downsize is that it’d reduce the number of ungulate species in favour of carnivores, but it’s hard to imagine any visitors objecting to that.

Sloth Bear Mountain

Upper Terraces: Himalayan tahr and Hanuman langur

Middle Terraces: Sloth bear and Sri Lankan leopard

Lower Terraces: Dhole

Inside Mountain (Upper): Aquarium

Inside Mountain (Lower): Dhole burrows
Aaa

I certainly don’t see anyone objecting to that. You’ve probably realised that I’m a big ungulates fan, but seeing a blackbuck is certainly not on my list of priorities. If Nilgai were in Victoria, I’d prefer than at WORZ anyway, and I doubt visitors would see them as an adequate replacement for elephants. With a bit of education on how dholes often kill tigers, who knows, just maybe they’ll be very popular. Also, when you said they snide mountain, were you saying there would be viewing windows inside to observe the sleeping quarters of the dholes? Last thing, what would this aquarium entail

 

[Zoofan15]

I certainly don’t see anyone objecting to that. You’ve probably realised that I’m a big ungulates fan, but seeing a blackbuck is certainly not on my list of priorities. If Nilgai were in Victoria, I’d prefer than at WORZ anyway, and I doubt visitors would see them as an adequate replacement for elephants. With a bit of education on how dholes often kill tigers, who knows, just maybe they’ll be very popular. Also, when you said they snide mountain, were you saying there would be viewing windows inside to observe the sleeping quarters of the dholes? Last thing, what would this aquarium entail

Yes, the burrow would be under the Dhole exhibit and a window would allow visitors to see into it from inside the mountain.

Tbh I’m not hugely knowledgeable about fish (mammals are more my thing), but basically any fish species from South Asia. They’d be easy to acquire through the aquarium trade. Potentially, reptile species could be added as well - but an aquarium would be preferable since Melbourne already has an impressive reptile collection and fish would be a point of difference.

Here’s a few with Indian origin: 5 Alluring Aquarium Fishes With Indian Origin - Creature Companions | Magazine