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

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Zoofan15 said:
With that in mind, it surprises me Adelaide have continued this long with their Giant panda. They would have for the most part exhausted the regional market in terms of visitation; but perhaps are hoping for a post-Covid boom as travel resumes.
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I certainly am considering an Adelaide trip this Easter. Take in both their zoos for free :D
 
Jambo said:
It's definitely:

  1. Elephants,
  2. Great Apes (Chimps, Orangs, Gorillas)
  3. Lions, Tigers, Bears
  4. Leopards, Hippos, Rhinos
  5. Giraffe + Zebra

Realistically, it's hard to replace elephants, as, as you say they're really in their own tier. Asking for the same amount of popularity is merely not feasible. I guess Melbourne will just have to attempt to do the best they can.:D
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I’m not sure if zebras without foals really warrant a spot on the list, they’re just striped donkeys. I will say, there is an observable discrepancy between orangutans and gorillas in terms of popularity. Gorillas are certainly more popular, but I would say orangutans and chimps are more or less on par
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
With this expansion, surely there is no way it would encompass 2.5 ha, that just seems over the top. Even if one acre was designated to bears, which would be the draw card they desperately need, there would be more than enough space for a world class facility. Bears would get them in the door, orangutans would keep them coming. Something to consider, I did only join this year;)
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The orangutan expansion could potentially take up half the complex space (just over 1ha); with the remainder dedicated to bears. They’re an endangered species and Melbourne would likely import them with the intention of breeding, so space would need to be allocated for that - cubbing dens, maternity annex etc.
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
With this expansion, surely there is no way it would encompass 2.5 ha, that just seems over the top. Even if one acre was designated to bears, which would be the draw card they desperately need, there would be more than enough space for a world class facility. Bears would get them in the door, orangutans would keep them coming. Something to consider, I did only join this year;)
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A decent expansion would be the current island, plus two more imo. That would encompass two of the elephant paddocks if they're done to the right standard. That would leave one elephant paddock, which could certainly accommodate Sun/Sloth Bears if there's the chance. I was just assuming a tropical dome or the sort could potentially go there.

Dosen't mean you haven't just become a zoo fanatic.:p
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
I’m not sure if zebras without foals really warrant a spot on the list, they’re just striped donkeys. I will say, there is an observable discrepancy between orangutans and gorillas in terms of popularity. Gorillas are certainly more popular, but I would say orangutans and chimps are more or less on par
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Zebras are still an ABC species, and popular to the public.

I'd agree on that Great Ape take. Orangutans and chimps would still rank higher than the next tier though (Bears, Lions, Tigers).
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
I know this is a MZ thread, but would you consider asking if Monarto have any imports planned. I believe one of the people with ‘swan’ in their name heard impala and kudu are on the cards, would be nice to get confirmation. If you do visit, make sure to enjoy it:D
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That would be @Swanson02 who visits occasionally. You could ask them as I believe @The Sleepy Hippo's located in Melbourne.
 
Jambo said:
Zebras are still an ABC species, and popular to the public.

I'd agree on that Great Ape take. Orangutans and chimps would still rank higher than the next tier though (Bears, Lions, Tigers).
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Certainly the big cats and bears are more popular than the lesser great apes, not to say they’re not popular. Even with the 2 exhibits there is still space in between yes? Of 2.5 ha 1 could be for orangutan, one for bears and the other .5 for the dome. I’d still prefer sloth bear mountain and the accompanying species, but this would certainly appease me more than before
 
Can confirm after asking around, baloo supersedes ranga monke. Nobody likes striped donkey. Giraffe way more popular than I thought, like, way more popular than I thought.
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
I’m not sure if zebras without foals really warrant a spot on the list, they’re just striped donkeys. I will say, there is an observable discrepancy between orangutans and gorillas in terms of popularity. Gorillas are certainly more popular, but I would say orangutans and chimps are more or less on par
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They are striped donkeys BUT they are immensely popular with the public, especially amongst children. They are common in ABC books and charts, in children's stories. They definitely should be on that list.
I would put bears higher, as I believe everyone here has :)
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
Can confirm after asking around, baloo supersedes ranga monke. Nobody likes striped donkey. Giraffe way more popular than I thought, like, way more popular than I thought.
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I’m always amazed at how popular giraffe are - especially since they’re not as prevalent in pop culture as species from Lion King and Jungle Book are.

Zebras attract little interest from what I’ve seen and populate the savannahs by virtue of being something that can supplement giraffe. I don’t dislike “striped donkeys” by any means but hate that talking donkey from Shrek with a passion.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I’m always amazed at how popular giraffe are - especially since they’re not as prevalent in pop culture as species from Lion King and Jungle Book are.

Zebras attract little interest from what I’ve seen and populate the savannahs by virtue of being something that can supplement giraffe. I don’t dislike “striped donkeys” by any means but hate that talking donkey from Shrek with a passion.
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Similar to Zebra, the popularity of these animals goes to before children become aware of the Lion King, Jungle Book or Madagascar.

Books for children 4 (like ABC books) have Giraffes, Lions, Elephants, Zebra etc. They have exciting patterns and unique body features. They are easily identifiable. I think their ongoing popularity goes back to formative years.
Childrens toys - like plastic/ rubber animals will often include each of these species.

It comes from the same place as bears - just bears are even more abundant in childhood.
 
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The Sleepy Hippo said:
They are striped donkeys BUT they are immensely popular with the public, especially amongst children. They are common in ABC books and charts, in children's stories. They definitely should be on that list.
I would put bears higher, as I believe everyone here has :)
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Thats quite strange. After talking to some of my younger brothers both of them don’t like zebras, and people on my safari bus rarely marvel at them, but flex that they know of their existence
 
The Sleepy Hippo said:
Similar to Zebra, the popularity of these animals goes to before children become aware of the Lion King, Jungle Book or Madagascar.

Books for children 4 (like ABC books) have Giraffes, Lions, Elephants, Zebra etc. They have exciting patterns and unique body features. They are easily identifiable. I think their ongoing popularity goes back to formative years.
Childrens toys - like plastic/ rubber animals will often include each of these species.

It comes from the same place as bears - just bears are even more abundant in childhood.
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Can't forget, when kids are taught ABC's they learn Z for Zebra. So I'd be willing to say that most of the population is aware of what a zebra is, and that's what makes them such a popular and iconic species.
 
The Sleepy Hippo said:
Something I would love to see, and I feel it would be a good WORZ exhibit, would be a New Zealand aviary and reptile house. NZ have many amazing and unique birds and reptiles and I think such an exhibit would be a point of difference. Of course, I have no idea which of the NZ bird species are already present in Australia, so unsure how feasible it is with import restrictions on birds.
But what would also be amazing (and probably impossible) would be a PNG themed aviary! A bird of paradise species would be icing on a cake!!!
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I've thought the same over the years the only issue is that importing certain 'well-known' species from NZ is near on impossible due to various factors including red-tape and Indigenous people's connection to species.
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
Once visitors are in the door, I have no doubt that if pulled off well they will be satisfied. The problem is an actual draw card. Upon moving to WORZ, the elephants will be extremely popular. When the general public realise the only new species replacing the elephants is a Komodo dragon, not that they aren’t very popular, I’m not sure they would see it worth it. The real issue with this is not satisfying the visitors, but giving them a reason to come in the doors instead of WORZ. With only an expansion and Komodo’s, I just don’t see how it works, albeit I’m very optimistic
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I think you are drastically understating the allure and excitement surrounding Komodo Dragons perhaps a slight mammal bias is what I am seeing here hahaha. They always pull a massive crowd. Especially if MZ was to join the regional breeding program having both adults and juveniles which looks like two completely different animals on display is a major draw card just ask the Australian Reptile Park!
 
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