PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Would love to see that in action. Is there any way in which a BTS tour puts you on level w it b the orangutans? That would certainly be worth it
Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)
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That could potentially be something they could explore as well.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
They also take you behind that enclosure in the Wild Tales Walking Tour (did that one in January as well).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.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
I think an additional Orangutan/Siamang enclosure at the fig tree would be really cool, and great for them, but if they were to go as far as to net-dome over the fig tree, I think it would be worthwhile to also extend said dome over a couple of the trees to the left of the fig tree (when viewed from the path) including the palm and a few around that.
And while they are at it, extend the Spider monkey enclosure to incorporate the Jacarandah to its left.
And while they are at it, extend the Spider monkey enclosure to incorporate the Jacarandah to its left.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
If an enclosure was built at the figtree, on the existing island, the Macaw Aviary, and the Japanese island, and the existing Orangutan/gibbon enclosure complex, I think the lake would not need extending, and a second gorilla exhibit could be built encompassing Man Jai's enclosure, potentially going right up to the lake's shore.
Leaving the Barn and other two elephant paddocks for something else... maybe a planting of Sitka spruce, red cedar, western hemlock, and Pacific silver fir for two Spirit Bears to feel more at home on in the Pacific Northwest...
Leaving the Barn and other two elephant paddocks for something else... maybe a planting of Sitka spruce, red cedar, western hemlock, and Pacific silver fir for two Spirit Bears to feel more at home on in the Pacific Northwest...
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
Treetop viewing. Hmmm. I do think the Carousel could do with having a Ferris Wheel returned by it's side. That would give a "treetop" view of the said figtree enclosure
To the left of that tree is that area I mentioned earlier where the small forested duck pond is. It's a nice little area and although it could be incorporated, I honestly don't think they will demolish that area. It has a lot of older trees there that would need replanting.
Which Spider Monkey enclosure are you referring to?
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
Squirrel Monkey sorry. Expand the Squirrel Monkey enclosure to incorporate the jacarandah tree to the left.
And as for the duck ponds, I had thought there as a little more distance between that path and the fig tree. I hadn't realised just how close they were to each other. I agree that that would be a shame to lose, so retract my thought of a wider dome.
One issue they could potentially have with the fig tree is getting them out again. Fig trees are regarded as an all in one food stop for orangutans - fruits, leaves, and cambium are all edible.
If multiple groupings were held, the aim would be orangutans won’t loiter at any stage to allow progression through the stages; but in this case, they’d have to resign themselves to the orangutans allowed access to the tree remaining there at least for the day.
My assumption is they’ll have two groupings long term. 2-3 adult females across two groups; with the male rotating between them.
Not sure whereabouts the jacaranda tree is you mention? If your looking into the Squirrel Monkey enclosure the fig tree is directly to the left?
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
My memory was that there was (what I think is) a jacarandah right up abutting the Squirrel monkey enclosure. There is also a lot of foliage around the enclosure. It is no where near as large as the fig tree.
Don't think it's there anymore. Maybe it's within the enclosure? I must say I never really pay attention to that enclosure as there's only two males who live there and they're rarely active.
Orangutan Import
On the subject of orangutan imports, I’m of the opinion Melbourne Zoo will undertake this in one of three ways:
Import a single female in her early teens. Recommendation is to first breed females in their mid teens, so this will strike the balance of importing a female young enough to have her reproductive lifespan ahead of her; and time enough to observed the raising of a sibling.
Import a mother and juvenile daughter. The pre-reproductive daughter would similarly have her entire reproductive lifespan ahead of her; and observe her mother raising her sibling. The bond between mother and daughter may remain into adulthood.
Import two juvenile females. Juvenile orangutans are social and genuinely enjoy each other’s company; with males clashing upon reaching puberty. A pair of juvenile females at Auckland Zoo remained close into adulthood; but a second pair clashed as adults, so it’s an unknown and purely dependent on the personalities involved.
On the subject of orangutan imports, I’m of the opinion Melbourne Zoo will undertake this in one of three ways:
Import a single female in her early teens. Recommendation is to first breed females in their mid teens, so this will strike the balance of importing a female young enough to have her reproductive lifespan ahead of her; and time enough to observed the raising of a sibling.
Import a mother and juvenile daughter. The pre-reproductive daughter would similarly have her entire reproductive lifespan ahead of her; and observe her mother raising her sibling. The bond between mother and daughter may remain into adulthood.
Import two juvenile females. Juvenile orangutans are social and genuinely enjoy each other’s company; with males clashing upon reaching puberty. A pair of juvenile females at Auckland Zoo remained close into adulthood; but a second pair clashed as adults, so it’s an unknown and purely dependent on the personalities involved.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
The spirit bear may well have been satire, albeit it would be amazing. Isn’t there only one in captivity though? My personal preference would not be another gorilla enclosure, as the existing one is big enough. The only way I see a new gorilla exhibit being of benefit is if the original one is repurposed, potentially for mandrill? That is extremely unlikely though and the current exhibit is an architectural masterpiece, and the elephant paddocks would require colossal renovation, hence the suggestion of other pachyderms and megafauna that share similar environment(aside from Sri Lankan leopard).
Kamloops BC Wildlife Park claims to have the only Spirit bear in captivity (named Clover).
I too am mystified why they would need a larger gorilla exhibit but assume purpose built facilities would allow them to better manage a bachelor troop. Gorillas are breeding so readily, zoos are struggling to place offspring (even females); and so Australasian zoos will likely be required to accomodate their own bachelor males long term.
If the transition to a new exhibit freed up the old exhibit for Mandrill, I’ll be happy; but if they’re gonna stuff it full of lemurs or colobus, then it’s a waste of time imo. Wellington Zoo phased out a 20 strong Hamadryas baboon troop to make a huge lemur exhibit and it doesn’t attract a fraction of the interest (predictably).
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
No satire! If I'm not getting a Syrian Brown, I want a magnificent beast from the Pacific Northwest!
Plus I'd love to see the Elephant paddocks planted out, and think a recreating of the temperate rainforests of British Columbia would be amazing! Especially seeing as several of their supertall trees from the American West Coast have proved really successful in Melbourne's climate before, they will probably flourish and grow at a faster rate here than their native locale, just like the Californian Redwoods do.
I really like the idea of amalgamating both the GR, TOTE, and GFA into one Rainforests of the World walk, and do think a bear, and North American representation would be fully justified. If need be I'd say both MZ and Werribee should house them to start establishing a regional population. I am sure one of the other major zoos in the region could be talked into jumping in with us. (In reality I don't see it as happening - but you have convinced me from a previous post that Spirit Bears would be an amazing addition!)
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I honestly think Syrian brown have been thrown up. Honey and her mate were immensely popular from what I saw, and with the departure of elephants, I don’t see a scenario in which they don’t consider it. Spirit bear would obviously be extremely difficult, but would rival the attraction of elephants if commercialised imo. I’m dearly hoping for the rejuvenation of tapir(any pachyderm really), a feline and a bear as the basis for replacement. If they are chopped and changed to include more of the other etc. I certainly wouldn’t mind.
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PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
@Zoofan15
I assume you are aware of my obsession with tapirs, and I think I have a concept into how they could be integrated into sloth bear mountain. Say 3/4 of the inside is obstructed by false gharial and a variety of reptiles and fish, that could leave 1/4 for an indoor Malayan tapir exhibit. Theoretically, if the rest of the species are on terraces that increase progressively on, say, the left side, that would leave the vertical right side that may be able to house a singular outshoot for Malayan tapir in the event it wishes to go outside(ofc it would only be allowed in low light and would have shade sails)
I assume you are aware of my obsession with tapirs, and I think I have a concept into how they could be integrated into sloth bear mountain. Say 3/4 of the inside is obstructed by false gharial and a variety of reptiles and fish, that could leave 1/4 for an indoor Malayan tapir exhibit. Theoretically, if the rest of the species are on terraces that increase progressively on, say, the left side, that would leave the vertical right side that may be able to house a singular outshoot for Malayan tapir in the event it wishes to go outside(ofc it would only be allowed in low light and would have shade sails)
I really like Syrian bears (and Persian leopards) and consider both a great loss to the region.
I was under the impression mainstream zoos throughout Europe have long lost interest in this species; but I see there are 20 European holders. The majority are pretty abstract zoos admitted but there’s some we’ve exchanged with in the past including Lisbon Zoo, Ramat Gan Zoo, Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, Hamerton Zoo and Heidelberg Zoo
A bear is the obvious replacements for elephants. Anything else comparable is either unfeasible or already housed at Melbourne (Western lowland gorilla, Snow leopard etc).
I would intend for the entirety of the middle terrace of Sloth Bear Mountain to be taken up by the two Sloth bear exhibits and the Sri Lankan leopard exhibit.
Potentially the Dhole exhibit, which would comprise the lower terrace, could be reduced to allow a Malayan tapir to be exhibited. It could potentially have a pit style exhibit (on a level with the Dhole burrow) to further reduce sunlight; though I’m unsure how much effort Zoos Victoria are willing to go to for this species.
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