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

[Zoofan15]

Since I’m visiting the zoo in the next week or two and have no self respect, does anyone have any questions they want me to ask?

- Gorilla breeding: Is Kimya pregnant? If not, why not? And are there any plans for imports?
- White Cheeked Gibbons: Are they a breeding pair?
- Orangutans: Is an expansion being considered? And also are there plans to import a female?
- Saimangs: When will Kemala's mate arrive and where from (if he hasn't already)?
- Baboons: Will the males be moved elsewhere? If so, where to?
- Snow Leopards: Is there any plans to re-pair them again (should be)?

And of course the question we'll keep on asking until we get the answer! What will be replacing the elephants!

The destination of the male baboons would be my priority question; or whether they’re going to attempt introducing any of them to Chad (the new male).

What female baboons have been identified for breeding with Chad (I’m guessing one from each female line - so probably Gana, Hudson, Makali and Quilton). Perhaps show them this list and they can tell you which ones (in case they can’t recall the names on the spot):

0.1 Juju (2015) Jabari x Huddo
0.1 Gana (2017) Unknown x Grace
0.1 Hudson (2018) Unknown x Huddo
0.1 Makali (2019) Unknown x Macey
0.1 Quilton (2020) Unknown x Qetesh
0.1 Muna (2020) Unknown x Macey
0.1 Mei (2021) Unknown x Macey

Any updates on tapir for Melbourne - confirmation of Malayan tapir rumours/interest in importing Brazilian tapir.

If there’s any interest in importing a female Pygmy hippopotamus with the IRA now in progress.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

- Gorilla breeding: Is Kimya pregnant? If not, why not? And are there any plans for imports?
- White Cheeked Gibbons: Are they a breeding pair?
- Orangutans: Is an expansion being considered? And also are there plans to import a female?
- Saimangs: When will Kemala's mate arrive and where from (if he hasn't already)?
- Baboons: Will the males be moved elsewhere? If so, where to?
- Snow Leopards: Is there any plans to re-pair them again (should be)?

And of course the question we'll keep on asking until we get the answer! What will be replacing the elephants!

Will do. FYI last time I spoke to someone they said orangutan expansions were more than possibilities. They even mentioned potentially gorilla but I’m sceptical of that tbh.
My list as it stands, some take more priority over others:
MZ

Any new species

Elephant replacements

Peccary

Malayan Tapir and Brazilian Tapir

Bongo

Mandrill/Long term Zillie replacement

Growing Wild

Gibbon breeding

Gorilla breeding

Baboon males getting moved

When will the siamang mate arrive?

Snow leopard re pairing

Female Pygmy hippo

 

[Zoofan15]

Will do. FYI last time I spoke to someone they said orangutan expansions were more than possibilities. They even mentioned potentially gorilla but I’m sceptical of that tbh.
My list as it stands, some take more priority over others:
MZ

Any new species

Elephant replacements

Peccary

Malayan Tapir and Brazilian Tapir

Bongo

Mandrill/Long term Zillie replacement

Growing Wild

Gibbon breeding

Gorilla breeding

Baboon males getting moved

When will the siamang mate arrive?

Snow leopard re pairing

Female Pygmy hippo

I’m confident we’ll see an expansion of the orangutan facilities. They’re beginning to look very dated and if the intention is to import more orangutans, changes will need to be made to reflect their natural social order as a solitary/semi-social species.

I can’t see any point in expanding their gorilla facilities. They have a large exhibit, which the capacity to hold a troop of up to 10 gorillas. Their priority should be importing two young females and breeding from there. An expanded exhibit would do little to enhance the troop or increase visitation. There’s also the issue of how they’d expand from the current point.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I’m confident we’ll see an expansion of the orangutan facilities. They’re beginning to look very dated and if the intention is to import more orangutans, changes will need to be made to reflect their natural social order as a solitary/semi-social species.

I can’t see any point in expanding their gorilla facilities. They have a large exhibit, which the capacity to hold a troop of up to 10 gorillas. Their priority should be importing two young females and breeding from there. An expanded exhibit would do little to enhance the troop or increase visitation. There’s also the issue of how they’d expand from the current point.

Precisely. Hence the scepticism. Doesn’t seem plausible or beneficial

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

- Gorilla breeding: Is Kimya pregnant? If not, why not? And are there any plans for imports?
- White Cheeked Gibbons: Are they a breeding pair?
- Orangutans: Is an expansion being considered? And also are there plans to import a female?
- Saimangs: When will Kemala's mate arrive and where from (if he hasn't already)?
- Baboons: Will the males be moved elsewhere? If so, where to?
- Snow Leopards: Is there any plans to re-pair them again (should be)?

And of course the question we'll keep on asking until we get the answer! What will be replacing the elephants!

I do know as of early February when I did a Gorilla encounter at MZ, that Kimya is not currently pregnant. I believe from the way the keepers were talking is that the intention is to start breeding again, as they did discuss growing the group back to 5+.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I imagine the Gorilla expansion was probably originally meaning in troop numbers, but thats just my guess.

 

[Zoofan15]

I do know as of early February when I did a Gorilla encounter at MZ, that Kimya is not currently pregnant. I believe from the way the keepers were talking is that the intention is to start breeding again, as they did discuss growing the group back to 5+.

They’ve been hoping Kimya will conceive for at least a year and half now and nothing is happening.

Poor to non existent breeding results are seen in pairs (females feel more secure with female company). My guess is even when Yuska was alive, because she was on the fringes of the troop, Kimya didn’t regard her as a fully integrated troop member who would provide her with support.

Kimya in turn likely doesnt recognise her adolescent daughter as another female in the troop. This may change as Kanzi enters adulthood, but in any case, new females are needed.

Importing two young females is the way to go. That way they’d have each other for support and wouldn’t be excluded from the central clique, which is the mother-daughter dyad of Kimya and Kanzi.

I imagine the Gorilla expansion was probably originally meaning in troop numbers, but thats just my guess.

That seems likely. A larger troop will be beneficial to the gorillas and the visitors with regards to engagement.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I imagine the Gorilla expansion was probably originally meaning in troop numbers, but thats just my guess.

That seems logical, but they did state it was a replacement for the elephants. I’m assuming that one got lost in Chinese whispers

 

[Zoofan15]

That seems logical, but they did state it was a replacement for the elephants. I’m assuming that one got lost in Chinese whispers

Interesting! I suppose it would be an opportunity to showcase Melbourne's biggest attraction on a scale never seen before. It'd also be a way to work in the rumoured Eastern bongo.

Mansrill could then be housed in the old gorilla complex, which could accomodate a large troop.

 

[Jambo]

I’m confident we’ll see an expansion of the orangutan facilities. They’re beginning to look very dated and if the intention is to import more orangutans, changes will need to be made to reflect their natural social order as a solitary/semi-social species.

I can’t see any point in expanding their gorilla facilities. They have a large exhibit, which the capacity to hold a troop of up to 10 gorillas. Their priority should be importing two young females and breeding from there. An expanded exhibit would do little to enhance the troop or increase visitation. There’s also the issue of how they’d expand from the current point.

I agree an Orangutan expansion is very likely. I’m confident it’ll take up at least part of the elephant replacement if not all.

The orangutans no longer have access to the netted enclosure (due to Mali’s continuous escapes) so currently only have access to two enclosures (one of which is the indoor one which is definitely showing its age.

An expansion to the opposite island makes the most sense; but I’d argue they would benefit from doing more than that, and possibly adding another island (or two) alongside that where they could hold more Orangutans and could also add White Cheeked Gibbons into the mix as well.

 

[Jambo]

They’ve been hoping Kimya will conceive for at least a year and half now and nothing is happening.

Poor to non existent breeding results are seen in pairs (females feel more secure with female company). My guess is even when Yuska was alive, because she was on the fringes of the troop, Kimya didn’t regard her as a fully integrated troop member who would provide her with support.

Kimya in turn likely doesnt recognise her adolescent daughter as another female in the troop. This may change as Kanzi enters adulthood, but in any case, new females are needed.

Importing two young females is the way to go. That way they’d have each other for support and wouldn’t be excluded from the central clique, which is the mother-daughter dyad of Kimya and Kanzi.


That seems likely. A larger troop will be beneficial to the gorillas and the visitors with regards to engagement.

It’s been longer than a year and a half, I think it’s at least been 2-3 years now, possibly even longer.

Covid has probably delayed imports to this point in time, but Melbourne will likely need to get something going soon. Keeping their gorillas in the current trio they’re in is not really the best socially.

It’s quite concerning to see Kimya hasn’t given birth in eight years now (and still isn’t pregnant). Hopefully Melbourne keepers have something on the cards. They are quite a notable holder of gorillas so getting back to holding even 10+ gorillas will hopefully be the goal going forward.

 

[Zoofan15]

It’s been longer than a year and a half, I think it’s at least been 2-3 years now, possibly even longer.

Covid has probably delayed imports to this point in time, but Melbourne will likely need to get something going soon. Keeping their gorillas in the current trio they’re in is not really the best socially.

It’s quite concerning to see Kimya hasn’t given birth in eight years now (and still isn’t pregnant). Hopefully Melbourne keepers have something on the cards. They are quite a notable holder of gorillas so getting back to holding even 10+ gorillas will hopefully be the goal going forward.

If Kimya was on te three year implant, this was probably applied late 2017 as she entered the post-partum conception period after Kanzi's birth. This would mean she's been trying to conceive for 2.5 years without success.

We previously saw Kimya paired with Kibali at Taronga in a 1.1 pair but she similarly didn't conceive.

Given Otana's intolerance of socially deficit females, I'm confident the imported females will be young, mother raised females that will easily assimilate into the troop.

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree an Orangutan expansion is very likely. I’m confident it’ll take up at least part of the elephant replacement if not all.

The orangutans no longer have access to the netted enclosure (due to Mali’s continuous escapes) so currently only have access to two enclosures (one of which is the indoor one which is definitely showing its age.

An expansion to the opposite island makes the most sense; but I’d argue they would benefit from doing more than that, and possibly adding another island (or two) alongside that where they could hold more Orangutans and could also add White Cheeked Gibbons into the mix as well.

I was amazed when I learnt the orangtuan complex opened as recently as 2006. The high concrete walls and platforms very much remind me of Auckland Zoo’s Orangutan Park (1987-2017), which was considered state of the art when it opened, but was looking equally dated by the end of its lifespan.

I hope when Melbourne expand the current complex, they make provisions for housing multiple orangutans. Many zoos in the region have reacted to the revelation orangutans don’t live in groups by downsizing their colonies to a pair or trio. It’d be nice to see several orangutans accommodated at Melbourne.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

A larger troop will be beneficial to the gorillas and the visitors with regards to engagement.

A larger troop would be more engaging, but then on Sunday morning the three were really active and putting on a show for the big crowd, kanzi donning a big branch as a hat/cape and running around the enclosure, and the other two constantly on the move. Seemed to be having a gay old time!

 

[Jambo]

A larger troop would be more engaging, but then on Sunday morning the three were really active and putting on a show for the big crowd, kanzi donning a big branch as a hat/cape and running around the enclosure, and the other two constantly on the move. Seemed to be having a gay old time!

An even larger troop would be even more active though.

Having seen Taronga’s troop with all the juveniles over there, they just dosen’t really compare in terms of engagement and excitement. Imagine if Kanzi had a sibling or two; how much fun they would be.

Melbourne haven’t had a troop like that in three decades, so it would be very exciting if they could manage to acquire some new females and potentially expand to a larger troop with multiple babies.

 

[Zoofan15]

A larger troop would be more engaging, but then on Sunday morning the three were really active and putting on a show for the big crowd, kanzi donning a big branch as a hat/cape and running around the enclosure, and the other two constantly on the move. Seemed to be having a gay old time!

The trio they have are surely an attraction, but nothing can compare to Taronga’s troop.

Over the years, Taronga’s troop has numbered up to 11 gorillas and with multiple infants and juveniles in the troop, there’s always lots of activity.

Aside from the obvious benefit of social interaction and enrichment young gorillas get from their peers, it teaches juvenile and adolescent females parenting skills from observing mothers with infants - which is essential to their social development.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

As stated, a larger troop would be more engaging

We potentially might see the Gorillas moved to a new enclosure/s on TOTE, and the Orangutan expanded with that loop being focused on both great ape species, with space for the gibbons as well. Potentially with a couple of other smaller animals in there too.

Gorilla exhibit as stated, could become a space for another species.

 

[Zoofan15]

As stated, a larger troop would be more engaging

We potentially might see the Gorillas moved to a new enclosure/s on TOTE, and the Orangutan expanded with that loop being focused on both great ape species, with space for the gibbons as well. Potentially with a couple of other smaller animals in there too.

Gorilla exhibit as stated, could become a space for another species.

Exhibiting gorillas on the site of the site old elephant complex would not only allow them space to hold a large troop; but allow them to manage a decent sized bachelor troop. This means more breeding opportunities for Zoos Victoria as they can accomodate their only surplus males. It appears this requirement is becoming increasingly common with both Taronga and Adelaide planning for it.

It also means that the zoo’s two great ape species would be housed next to each other; while freeing up the old complex (still in perfect working order) for a high profile species i.e. Mandrill that will require minimal modifications to the complex.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Mandrill could work... or a small troop of Bonobo...

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Well here's my list - been working on it over the last 3 days, and I'm sure it would probably change week to week but this is it as of this afternoon. BUT would probably change with the just started discussion of a potential moving of Gorilla to TOTE...

Spoiler: My List of animals...

Congo (Gorilla) Rainforest:

2028:

Red ruffed lemur
Ring-tailed lemur and
Black and White ruffed lemur


Pygmy hippopotamus
Western lowland gorilla
Mandrill (replaces cassowary)
Bonobo (Weatherboard house can be moved either to somewhere else behind the scenes or off site if need be – the space it occupies plus some addition space around it would be converted to a Bonobo enclosure)

Black and White Colobus Monkey
Inoko (Dryas monkey)
Kipunji
Vervet Monkey


Okapi, Yellow-backed Duiker and Bongo (Tiger enclosure would be reversed to face Gorilla Rainforest and repurposed for these species.)

Orangutan Rainforest (formerly Trail of the Elephants):

2028:
Asian small-clawed otter

Convert old binturong enclosure space into a Fishing Cat enclosure. Otter enclosure’s creek would continue, running under path into the Fishing Cat enclosure. This stream would continue down to the lake.

Sumatran orangutan – expanded onto the island by aerial bridge. Lake extended into Man Jai’s enclosure with a second island. Current orangutan enclosure is connected to both islands.
Luk Chai’s enclosure would be an extended Gibbon enclosure. The Gibbon enclosures would be connected to each other and the second lake island.

Bon Su Room and café courtyard redeveloped into an Insectarium housing Lord Howe Island Stick Insects, and specialising in giant insect species. New Café and events room built on outside of Nocturnal House, on part of Man Jai’s enclosure, overlooking the lake.

Barn and matriarchal herd paddock developed into a Nocturnal House:

Aardwolf
Bearcat/ binturong
West African Potto
Vampire bat
Giant fruit bat
Greater bushbaby,
Aardvark
Southern brazilian ocelot
Black-footed cat
Southern three-banded armadillo
Sand cat
Large-spotted genet
Fennec fox
African Civet
Southern brazilian ocelot
Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus)
Clouded leopard


Central Trail:

2028:

Siamang in Japanese Gardens, bridge to additional enclosure built around the tree opposite the Macaw Aviary, against the bakery.
Nepalese red panda
Southern River Otters in new enclosure on the small path opposite Red panda. (Originally had an additional Pygmy Hippopotamus enclosure, and would potentially revert to that - mind always changes)
Japanese Macaque (to replace Spider Monkey)

Roundabout -
Fairy Penguin (they will always be fairies to me whatever MZ etc mislabel them as ) (beside platypus),
Koala and echidna(in segment closest to Giraffe Lookout),
Tree-kangaroo (one in each segment on Wild Seas/Growing Wild side).


Platypus
Giraffe and Zebra and Blue wildebeest (maybe)
Hamadryas baboon

Komodo Dragon replaces Malayan Tapir, and has a second enclosure opposite, occupying the lawn behind the Reptile House.
Cape porcupine (replaces peccaries)
Slender-tailed meerkat (replaces peccaries)



Daintree Rainforest (formerly Australian Bush):
(contains Great Flight Aviary and a return path. Wombats remain where they are as a side shoot)
2028:

Koala at entrance again

GFA:
Tree-kangaroo
Cassowary (return)

Return path:
Southern hairy-nosed wombat,



The majority of Australian Bush will be split between:
Syrian Brown Bear,
Sumatran Tiger, second enclosure (replacing the one lost in TOTE.


Amazonian Tropical Dome (formerly Wild Sea):

2028:

Capybara
Sloth
Collared-Peccaries
Brazilian Tapir

Coati

Golden Lion Tamarin
Cotton-top Tamarin
Emperor Tamarin
Howler Monkey
Capuchin


Caiman
Macaws

Lion Gorge:

2028:

African lion
Sumatran Tiger
Snow leopard
Maned wolf
Coati
Dholes (replacing Tasmanian devil with enclosure upgrades where necessary)

Fighting Extinction (formerly Growing Wild):

2028:
Quokka replace Meerkat near entrance
Fighting Extinction exhibit starts from “Growing Wild Classroom onwards.
Enclosures that contain the Local threatened species (that are not displayed elsewhere in the zoo), including aviaries, and small reptile house

Tasmanian devil
Brushtailed Rock Wallabies
Eastern barred bandicoot
Leadbeaters possum
Mountain pygmy possum
Pookilla
Smoky Mouse