The Sleepy Hippo
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Do you mean the historic elephant exhibit?
Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)
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PaddyRickMFZ
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Of this could happen it would be amazing. If not, I’d be content with seeing the reptiles and avians held here. The mammals would ofc then be held at WORZ(with some bird species)
Yes he does. I don’t know the dimensions of the old exhibit, but the dimensions of the current complex (2003) were listed by myself yesterday on Post #1652 of this thread.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
I think that the floor could be entirely planted out, with parts sectioned off, and a stream flowing through the area. The public access could be a raised boardwalk, similar to the GFA. Birds could have free access to the whole space, and ground animals could take up the dome floor, sectioned off if necessary. Arboreal animals if able to be free roaming could be, otherwise I could imagine the designers finding a clever solution.
It's a fairly decent sized enclosure. Probably the same size as the current Giraffe enclosure.
The Sleepy Hippo
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I don't think they would put anything in the old enclosure as it is where they camp for the Roar 'n Snore experience
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
It's definitely comparable to the historic giraffe space, but definitely smaller than the current expanded giraffe enclosure.
Yeah, they’ve clearly been content on using it for this purpose for sometime. I’d much prefer to see the Roar n’ Snore experience undertaken at Werribee though. As a Safari style zoo, it’d be perfect.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
That would be really cool. I’m not sure if there would be enough space for Tapir but I’d love to see it. That is kinda what I imagined in my faux precinct that would now be held at WORZ. At WORZ it would be primarily focused on mammals with a variety of birds. Considering space at Wild Sea restraints smaller mammals and a variety of reptiles and birds would be optimal and greatly enjoyed by visitors. Please lmk if I’m misinterpreting you at all. Potentially some mammals could theoretically be housed at both facilities, allowing for easier breeding
Yeah, when the fence is up to separate the Giraffes and Zebras, it's of similar size
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
That’s a fair bit of space then. Is it heritage protected? Surely if it meant new species the roar and snore camp could be held somewhere else. Growing Wild springs to mind immediately
If the South American dome was built on the site of Wild Seas, then it would be a stretch to include larger species like tapir. It would be completely possible within the grounds of the elephant complex, but then again, how big do you wanna build this thing. Import restrictions will always limit South American collections to a predominantly primate and bird based collection. Maned wolf are from the grasslands biome, so wouldn’t suit a dome etc.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
They have their own overnight experience. I don't see MZ stopping their own. They potentially could relocate it. If they were content to take down and reset up the tents,
Roar n' Snore would be alright down near the Dingo enclosure is, but they park inside the zoo boundary right beside the historic enclosure, which is convenient.
Swags n' Snags is held in Growing Wild.
The barn building itself is protected, but that would be the extent of the heritage protection there.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
If not replacing dingo, I think Maned Wolf would be better off at Werribee and Kyabram
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Werribee certainly, especially with a fabled SA precinct. Kyabram though I’m not sure. Probably wouldn’t receive the attention it deserves down there, and wouldn’t necessarily be a draw card. Certainly not a bad idea but if WORZ or MZ are on the table then Kyabram should be overlooked
Maned wolf would be a good addition to Werribee. I really wish they’d accept the necessity of diversifying to other continents rather than a tunnel vision obsession with African species.
Spider monkeys are regionally struggling to breed successfully, with poor maternal behaviour and failure to mate the consequence of small troops, where they lack learning these behaviours by observation. A huge troop could potentially be held at Werribee - continuing the South American theme.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
I would see it as if it goes to WORZ then they should also hold them at Kyabram.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I’m not sure if it would be the right fit for the elephant enclosures anyway. Even if all the mammals I mentioned are included it’s probably not worth the space. Not to mention it just doesn’t fit the geographical area and would take away from the 3 amazing brainstormed concepts
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
That’s certainly a good option. MZ should be the priority replacing dingo, but if that’s not an option and it’s one or the other, it would have to be WORZ everyday. The fact that Kyabram will likely hold rotational exhibits for carnivores does support your concept though
I’d be interested to know if the odour associated with Maned wolf was a contributing factor to their phase out. Officially, the zoo’s species criteria was cited as the reason in an article at the time, but you have to wonder if this was a contributing factor as they’re undoubtedly enabling.
The smell is less detectable at an open range zoo, where they have a larger exhibit and visitors aren’t in close proximity to the exhibit for an extended duration versus a precinct at Melbourne Zoo, where the exhibits are clustered together.
On a personal level, I’d love to see them return to Melbourne Zoo though; and failing that, Werribee or Kyabram.
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