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

[Zoofan15]

I’m hoping the hippo IRA shouldn’t be too far away from finishing, meanwhile with NZ’s research the giraffe IRA shouldn’t take too long. Xenarthra I’m hoping will follow, with nothing else really on the horizon afaik. If the giraffe IRA doesn’t get completed, there’s always NZ as the middleman. A couple month quarantine with the individuals spread between the facilities would no doubt attract a lot of visitors with the fear of missing out. What if instead of the insect house being there, it’s in the Aussie section where all the kids will be, if not next to the butterfly house. This means the exhibit could be expanded to potentially hold bonobo, with mandrill hopefully next to duiker(species idk). That strip of the Congo would include the African Dwarf Crocodile, Okapi, Bongo, Yellow-Backed/Blue/Zebra Duiker and mandrill. The gorilla rainforest would have Ring Tailed Lemur, Black and White Ruffed Lemur, Red Ruffed Lemur, Western Lowland Gorilla, Pygmy Hippo, Bonobo, Black and White Colobus (exhibit also home to Pygmy hippo).

Just a note that the quarantine period required for the giraffes in a third party would be 12 months, but Hamilton Zoo have the space to accomodate them and could facilitate this potentially. It’s worth considering if Australia want to prioritise other species for an IRA.

That all sounds good, but I’m of the opinion Melbourne Zoo will likely j hold either Black and white ruffed lemur or Red ruffed lemur (not both). They’d ideally need two exhibits if they wanted to breed either as females have to be transferred out if males are in the exhibit as they fight with their mother. Socially, they’re very different from the gregarious Ring-tailed.

 

[Zoofan15]

For the they would need to house crocodiles too.

Agreed. Saltwater crocodiles are a glaring omission (along with Perentie). And they’d surely benefit from reinstating the bird show sooner rather than later.

Healesville have loose theming, but it’d be so much better if it was divided into geographic zones: Tropical North Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania etc.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

The tapir section of their plan is already in existence. Their Malayan tapir was out basking in the sun all day, while the Brazillian tapir was resting in its house.

Sorry what do you mean?

 

[Zoofan15]

Sorry what do you mean?

I believe he was referring to both tapir species being at the zoo (i.e. the masterplan indicated they’d be retained rather than acquired); while pointing out the irony of the Malayan tapir basking in the sun all day while the Brazilian tapir was inside. Tbf, the Malayan tapir is already blind, so has got nothing to lose at this point.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I believe he was referring to both tapir species being at the zoo (i.e. the masterplan indicated they’d be retained rather than acquired); while pointing out the irony of the Malayan tapir basking in the sun all day while the Brazilian tapir was inside. Tbf, the Malayan tapir is already blind, so has got nothing to lose at this point.

Oh lol. In the first edition it was stated malayans were unlikely to be replaced, but that seems to have changed with this plan, hence the enthusiasm from both of us. That actually hilarious that the Malayan was in the sun all day but fair point, nothing to lose

 

[Zoofan15]

Oh lol. In the first edition it was stated malayans were unlikely to be replaced, but that seems to have changed with this plan, hence the enthusiasm from both of us. That actually hilarious that the Malayan was in the sun all day but fair point, nothing to lose

Yes, it one of the few decent revisions to an otherwise disappointing masterplan. It gave me hope reports Melbourne plan to import them will be followed through on as I don’t believe they would without support from other facilities.

Melbourne doesn’t have the space to accomodate a viable regional population by itself and I can’t see them justifying holding them across multiple exhibits.

The Malayan tapir in the sun reminded me of this fable about a canary that was caught because it was heard singing. It never sang again until a passing cobra advised it that might as well sing all it liked, because it’s already been caught.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Yes, it one of the few decent revisions to an otherwise disappointing masterplan. It gave me hope reports Melbourne plan to import them will be followed through on as I don’t believe they would without support from other facilities.

Melbourne doesn’t have the space to accomodate a viable regional population by itself and I can’t see them justifying holding them across multiple exhibits.

The Malayan tapir in the sun reminded me of this fable about a canary that was caught because it was heard singing. It never sang again until a passing cobra advised it that might as well sing all it liked, because it’s already been caught.

Thanks for the anecdote… in fairness even I wouldn’t justify holding them across multiple exhibit. potentially 2 exhibits could be held in the barn and adjacent space. Combining them with dusky langur is a great idea tbf, and I wish we’d had the chance to do that. Potentially if Himalayan tahr is implemented the langur could travel through, from the barn to the other exhibit. The jungle journey from Adelaide is Ana amazing idea that MZ should definitely strive to achieve, even if it’s primarily smaller mammals within the aviary, followed by the larger animals, such as tapirs and bears(and bush dogs) outside. Also provided a great opportunity for MZ to breed the peccaries and retain coatis, outside of the predator precinct

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks for the anecdote… in fairness even I wouldn’t justify holding them across multiple exhibit. potentially 2 exhibits could be held in the barn and adjacent space. Combining them with dusky langur is a great idea tbf, and I wish we’d had the chance to do that. Potentially if Himalayan tahr is implemented the langur could travel through, from the barn to the other exhibit. The jungle journey from Adelaide is Ana amazing idea that MZ should definitely strive to achieve, even if it’s primarily smaller mammals within the aviary, followed by the larger animals, such as tapirs and bears(and bush dogs) outside. Also provided a great opportunity for MZ to breed the peccaries and retain coatis, outside of the predator precinct

Both Malayan and Brazilian tapir lend themselves to a multiple species exhibit, which is a great way to justify two tapir exhibits. The latter could be held with Black-handed monkey in one exhibit; and Bolivian squirrel monkeys in another.

Hamilton Zoo (which housed the last Brazilian tapir in New Zealand) housed their’s with spider monkeys, but removed the male and reintroduced him periodically to the female to see if it’d stimulate mating (it didn’t). Pairs either seem to breed or they don’t, so having two pairs (or at least 1.2) gives tapirs options.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Both Malayan and Brazilian tapir lend themselves to a multiple species exhibit, which is a great way to justify two tapir exhibits. The latter could be held with Black-handed monkey in one exhibit; and Bolivian squirrel monkeys in another.

Hamilton Zoo (which housed the last Brazilian tapir in New Zealand) housed their’s with spider monkeys, but removed the male and reintroduced him periodically to the female to see if it’d stimulate mating (it didn’t). Pairs either seem to breed or they don’t, so having two pairs (or at least 1.2) gives tapirs options.

Maybe the tapirs would be better suited to the aviary. They do cohabit with all the rodents L, birds and arboreal mammals

 

[Zoofan15]

Maybe the tapirs would be better suited to the aviary. They do cohabit with all the rodents L, birds and arboreal mammals

They could potentially do two South American aviaries:

Aviary One:

Brazilian tapir
Macaws
Pygmy marmoset

Aviary Two:

Brazilian tapir
Bolivian squirrel monkey

Black-handed spider monkeys are best housed in a larger troop than what Melbourne currently holds. They don’t appear to have a future at Werribee, but are a species Melbourne needs to consider creating an expanded exhibit for if they want to remain at Melbourne. Raising of offspring has been hit and miss and females aren’t observing young being raised as they do in larger troops. New Zealand’s four main zoos all hold them - but exhibit them in large exhibits.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Is this

They could potentially do two South American aviaries:

Aviary One:

Brazilian tapir
Macaws
Pygmy marmoset

Aviary Two:

Brazilian tapir
Bolivian squirrel monkey

Black-handed spider monkeys are best housed in a larger troop than what Melbourne currently holds. They don’t appear to have a future at Werribee, but are a species Melbourne needs to consider creating an expanded exhibit for if they want to remain at Melbourne. Raising of offspring has been hit and miss and females aren’t observing young being raised as they do in larger troops. New Zealand’s four main zoos all hold them - but exhibit them in large exhibits.

Is this the entire species list or some examples? I feel like spider monkey could do well in this aviary, along with 3 species of tamarin, giant anteater, capybara, Mara, tamandua, 2 toed sloth, conures, armadillo, collared peccary*, common marmoset, capuchin, pudu*, silky anteater*, red rumped agouti, coati, white faced Saki,
Also if Jaguar are not an option, ocelot would be a great stand in, potentially even jaguarundi. Another species that would have to be individually housed is the kinkajou, one of only two carnivores with prehensile tails interestingly

 

[Zoofan15]

Is this


Is this the entire species list or some examples? I feel like spider monkey could do well in this aviary, along with 3 species of tamarin, giant anteater, capybara, Mara, tamandua, 2 toed sloth, conures, armadillo, collared peccary*, common marmoset, capuchin, pudu*, silky anteater*, red rumped agouti, coati, white faced Saki,
Also if Jaguar are not an option, ocelot would be a great stand in, potentially even jaguarundi. Another species that would have to be individually housed is the kinkajou, one of only two carnivores with prehensile tails interestingly

Just examples based on species we currently hold in the region. Tamarins are extremely territorial, so you wouldn’t be able to hold multiple species in one exhibit. They can also hybridise - with each other and with marmosets. I’ve also never seen spider monkey housed with small monkey species either - only tapir.

I’d love to see Kinkajou - perhaps in a nocturnal house; along with Ocelot etc. Ocelots like most small felids are adept at hiding and wouldn’t otherwise make the best display animals. Jaguar would be the undisputed star of this precinct though.

 

[Jambo]

They could potentially do two South American aviaries:

Aviary One:

Brazilian tapir
Macaws
Pygmy marmoset

Aviary Two:

Brazilian tapir
Bolivian squirrel monkey

Black-handed spider monkeys are best housed in a larger troop than what Melbourne currently holds. They don’t appear to have a future at Werribee, but are a species Melbourne needs to consider creating an expanded exhibit for if they want to remain at Melbourne. Raising of offspring has been hit and miss and females aren’t observing young being raised as they do in larger troops. New Zealand’s four main zoos all hold them - but exhibit them in large exhibits.

I feel like it might be best if Melbourne consider moving the Spider Monkeys to a bigger enclosure which would help provide room for further additions to an already somewhat small troop. A suitable location for them would be the Japanese Island imo.

The GFA is certainly enough space for Brazilian Tapir if they were to hold a small handful of individuals.

Considering the boardwalk is broken up into three parts there would be three sort of zones, two of which could house the tapir with a run connecting the two enclosures that goes alongside the aviary.

The first section- the 'woodlands', is the biggest in land space and so would hold the female plus any offspring. They could share the treetops above them with the Cotton Top Tamarins and Pygmy Marmosets.

Capybara would then inhabit the second part, alongside egrets and spoonbills apart of the 'wetland' section.

The third and final section, the 'forest' would then be the second enclosure for the male Brazilian Tapir and the enclosure could be shared with the Squirrel Monkeys and Agouti.

And we can't forget the Macaws and co. all sharing the entirety of the GFA.

I feel like this an easy solution to improve the GFA. They already have most of the species, and the addition of Brazilian Tapir would give the GFA a massive boost.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Do tou

I feel like it might be best if Melbourne consider moving the Spider Monkeys to a bigger enclosure which would help provide room for further additions to an already somewhat small troop. A suitable location for them would be the Japanese Island imo.

The GFA is certainly enough space for Brazilian Tapir if they were to hold a small handful of individuals.

Considering the boardwalk is broken up into three parts there would be three sort of zones, two of which could house the tapir with a run connecting the two enclosures that goes alongside the aviary.

The first section- the 'woodlands', is the biggest in land space and so would hold the female plus any offspring. They could share the treetops above them with the Cotton Top Tamarins and Pygmy Marmosets.

Capybara would then inhabit the second part, alongside egrets and spoonbills apart of the 'wetland' section.

The third and final section, the 'forest' would then be the second enclosure for the male Brazilian Tapir and the enclosure could be shared with the Squirrel Monkeys and Agouti.

And we can't forget the Macaws and co. all sharing the entirety of the GFA.

I feel like this an easy solution to improve the GFA. They already have most of the species, and the addition of Brazilian Tapir would give the GFA a massive boost.

Do you think any of the other species I mentioned could fit? Agoutis, Mara, anteaters should all be able to cohabit in the capybara wetlands. Worst case the GA could just be moved. Sloths could go anywhere without tamarins, and there could potentially be one section for cotton tops, one for emperors and one for marmosets. Could the capuchin effectively cohabitate anywhere? Same goes for armadillos. Would the sun conures be separate from the macaws or can they cohabit. I assume the peccaries, bush dogs, spectacled bears and maned wolves would be just outside of the aviary, occupying the rest of the precinct, on top of the nocturnal house. I’d love to see a caiman of some sort if that’s possible. Tbf there’s quite a lot of space. Potentially eh maned wolves wouldn’t even be in that precinct

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Sorry what do you mean?

Adelaide Zoo's Malayan Tapir exhibit is fully operational. They have an enclosure with a monkey species (night monkey maybe, can't remember) opposite their Siamang enclosures treetop walk.

They also have Brazilian tapir in a different enclosure nearby.

 

[Zoofan15]

Adelaide Zoo's Malayan Tapir exhibit is fully operational. They have an enclosure with a monkey species (night monkey maybe, can't remember) opposite their Siamang enclosures treetop walk.

They also have Brazilian tapir in a different enclosure nearby.

Thats the Dusky langur. They’re a great species to combine with Malayan tapir - with Dusky langurs being from the Malaysian peninsula; and both being vibrant species.

 

[Jambo]

Do tou

Do you think any of the other species I mentioned could fit? Agoutis, Mara, anteaters should all be able to cohabit in the capybara wetlands. Worst case the GA could just be moved. Sloths could go anywhere without tamarins, and there could potentially be one section for cotton tops, one for emperors and one for marmosets. Could the capuchin effectively cohabitate anywhere? Same goes for armadillos. Would the sun conures be separate from the macaws or can they cohabit. I assume the peccaries, bush dogs, spectacled bears and maned wolves would be just outside of the aviary, occupying the rest of the precinct, on top of the nocturnal house. I’d love to see a caiman of some sort if that’s possible. Tbf there’s quite a lot of space. Potentially eh maned wolves wouldn’t even be in that precinct

I did mention Agoutis, and the Mara and Giant Anteaters could go in either the first or third section (it doesn't really matter imo) it'll just come down to compatibility with other species I guess. The middle section wouldn't have the land space for most of those species though but considering there are small islands scattered here and there, they might be suitable for Pygmy Marmoset or Golden Lion Tamarin.

Regarding the Sloths, I think the former Koala enclosure right before the GFA might be the best space for them. They don't need an entirety of space and that enclosure would fit them perfectly. Armadillos could then share the enclosure with them and take up the floor space there.

Melbourne phased out their Capuchins so that's why I didn't include them. Don't really want to overdo the whole aviary with too many monkey species that can potentially won't get along.

And sun conures can cohabit with macaws. I believe there might have been some in the Amazon Aviary with the Macaws there not long ago.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Adelaide Zoo's Malayan Tapir exhibit is fully operational. They have an enclosure with a monkey species (night monkey maybe, can't remember) opposite their Siamang enclosures treetop walk.

They also have Brazilian tapir in a different enclosure nearby.

You misinterpreted me. The amendments to the master plan for 2035 includes Malayan tapir, which means the species is not being abandoned, strengthening the chance of a MZ import

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

You misinterpreted me. The amendments to the master plan for 2035 includes Malayan tapir, which means the species is not being abandoned, strengthening the chance of a MZ import

Yeah I realised a little later

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I think I’ve brought this up before and This is pretty random but I was looking at some North American zoos of similar sizes to MZ and they are all far more biodiverse, while having similar sized exhibits. Why is this? I was also noticing that Melbourne’s exhibits are infinitely more attractive, and I find it weird that they can’t make exhibits look good with all the wildlife they have