The Sleepy Hippo
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Why are they banned?
Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)
- Thread starter Jambo
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Ibex are a caprine species and therefore banned. The import of sheep and goats into Australia has been banned from all countries except New Zealand since 1952. New Zealand in turn can’t import them except from Australia (and doesn’t have Ibex), so it’s a dead end.
The reason is because of the risk of disease to the agricultural industry.
That sounds like a really good idea. The Macaw Aviary was actually initially designed for monkeys, and used to hold them so it would be a genius idea for it to be renovated to be a sort of stop over for the Orangutans and Saimangs whilst travelling across from the Orangutan Sanctuary to the Japanese Island. It's large enough to be a suitable exhibit, and does have the additional potential of being a sort of 'day room' for them.
To those who aren't familiar, here's a photo:
Would be amazing if Melbourne could manage to do something like that and use the Macaw Aviary as a stop over enclosure.
That sounds like a really good idea. The Macaw Aviary was actually initially designed for monkeys, and used to hold them so it would be a genius idea for it to be renovated to be a sort of stop over for the Orangutans and Saimangs whilst travelling across from the Orangutan Sanctuary to the Japanese Island. It's large enough to be a suitable exhibit, and does have the additional potential of being a sort of 'day room' for them.
To those who aren't familiar, here's a photo:
Would be amazing if Melbourne could manage to do something like that and use the Macaw Aviary as a stop over enclosure.
I’d very much be in favour of this. Auckland Zoo have resting spots in three of the towers on their aerial pathway and the orangutans regard them as an escape from the sun. This building would serve a similar purpose.
The building is heritage listed, but can be adapted for future use. It’d surely be possible to do this without significantly altering the building as all that’d be required is an access point:
https://heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Royal-Melbourne-Zoo-amend.pdf
Under the Heritage Act 1995 a person must not remove or demolish, damage or despoil, develop or alter or excavate, relocate or disturb the position of any part of a registered place or object without approval. It is acknowledged, however, that alterations and other works may be required to keep places and objects in good repair and adapt them for use into the future.
If a person wishes to undertake works or activities in relation to a registered place or registered object, they must apply to the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria for a permit.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
I feel that the removal of one/part of one of the wire sections to allow an access path in would work. Surely considering the wire would need replacement, as part of wear-and-tear, the permanent removal of one sheet for an external add-on would sit fine with heritage rules.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
And for those who had not seen it, this is what I was imagining a tropical dome over the Wild Seas area should look like/ be inspired by, but larger.That sounds like a really good idea. The Macaw Aviary was actually initially designed for monkeys, and used to hold them so it would be a genius idea for it to be renovated to be a sort of stop over for the Orangutans and Saimangs whilst travelling across from the Orangutan Sanctuary to the Japanese Island. It's large enough to be a suitable exhibit, and does have the additional potential of being a sort of 'day room' for them.
To those who aren't familiar, here's a photo:
Would be amazing if Melbourne could manage to do something like that and use the Macaw Aviary as a stop over enclosure.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
It had also crossed my mind that the historic enclosure that once held Molly (?) the orangutan could also be converted to a stop off point along the way between the Japanese Garden and Orangutan House.
It also held a male orangutan and according to the heritage document, Mandrills at some stage.
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PaddyRickMFZ
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Is this the tiny little cage that has a sign for chimps on it, and reflects past enclosures? I could be confusing it but that would be a good enclosure for a small animal anyway
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
I think so. I have felt despite the fact they like to promote the enclosure as empty to demonstrate progress, that it is still an attractive enclosure (outside wise) that they could potentially fix up the interior to be appropriate for a smaller species, like a small money or other that the size is appropriate for, and utilise it. It is fairly prominent on the Main Drive and always feels under utilised considering the zoo's size.
They could still have a display to show how it was used in the past, thus showing how it is far more appropriately used now.
I just don't see an appropriate adaptation occurring considering the staff mindset about that particular enclosure (and the other idential one to the right of it hiding behind the bamboo)...
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Sure
Surely just combine them and include the space in the middle. You said there was bamboo, so I’d be happy to jam in a giant panda where it has terrible health and is completely bored. All in the name of progress of course
I agree. I've visited London Zoo where they have a plethora of heritage listed buildings and exhibits. Some are uninhabitable e.g. the penguin pool is unsuitable for anything bar Harry Styles; but most have been repurposed e.g. Mappin's Terraces or remain in use e.g. the Giraffe House.
Melbourne similarly should be looking at repurposing these fully functional exhibits like they have with the macaw aviary.
There’s two of those historic cages, one of which is on display (the other off display just after the orangutans concealed by the baboon).
Unless it was heavily renovated (and height added) I’d say they would be far too small for a stop over enclosure.
I think the Amazon Aviary would be a good stopover but if they wanted to have a loop, they could potentially have another one where that giant Fig Tree is at the moment right next to Keeper Kids. It would be awesome if they could incorporate some sort of stopover there.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Is keeper kids at growing wild? If so then I second that, would definitely be a reason to go there. Using a variety of stopover enclosures instead of converting the elephant precinct allows for more diversity and just as much, if not more, visitor engagement and animal enrichment
If the bars were done up and changed to glass they could easily use the enclosure as a flexible enclosures. Tamarins, Koalas, Birds and the like could all fit in such enclosure.
They actually take you behind the enclosure during the Orangutan BTS enclosure and I was surprised to see the lack of BTS facilities. It’s just the cage itself with two tiny tiny rooms behind it. Obviously Zoos Vic are proud to demonstrate this is what we had and this is what we have now.
Keeper Kids isn’t apart of Growing Wild, it’s just before it. If you go to the other side of it and continue past the Squirrel Monkey enclosure adjacent to it, you’ll come across a giant fig tree to your right that’s humongous and has been there for many many years. Kids (and adults too!) actually climb it often.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Would the fog tree be part of the orangutan enclosure or would it provide a treetop viewing platformKeeper Kids isn’t apart of Growing Wild, it’s just before it. If you go to the other side of it and continue past the Squirrel Monkey enclosure adjacent to it, you’ll come across a giant fig tree to your right that’s humongous and has been there for many many years. Kids (and adults too!) actually climb it often.
If the bars were done up and changed to glass they could easily use the enclosure as a flexible enclosures. Tamarins, Koalas, Birds and the like could all fit in such enclosure.
They actually take you behind the enclosure during the Orangutan BTS enclosure and I was surprised to see the lack of BTS facilities. It’s just the cage itself with two tiny tiny rooms behind it. Obviously Zoos Vic are proud to demonstrate this is what we had and this is what we have now.
Auckland similarly had the old chimpanzee cages until the last tea party chimp died in 2013. I hoped it'd be rennovated into an aviary as the one at Wellington Zoo was, but they regarded it as an embrassment and wanted the space for other things.
Any mention of it in their TV show etc was always accompanied by lengthy explanations of how the animals don't live like this anymore which became quite tedious but was obviously needed to prempt welfare complaints.
Keeper Kids isn’t apart of Growing Wild, it’s just before it. If you go to the other side of it and continue past the Squirrel Monkey enclosure adjacent to it, you’ll come across a giant fig tree to your right that’s humongous and has been there for many many years. Kids (and adults too!) actually climb it often.
The orangutans at Perth Zoo have been provided access to a fig tree in the past and found it hugely enriching.
Health and Safety concerns would probably preclude it from hosting a visitor platform (people might climb off the platform into the tree etc); but if they could integrate it as a stop off on the aerial pathway, that'd be hugely enriching for the apes.
I had planned for it to be apart of the enclosure, as it would provide them an actual large tree for them to have access to. It’s a decent amount of space, and they could possibly surround the enclosure with a large dome (I’d add it would need to be quite tall though).
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