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

[Zoofan15]

Yeah I think sister zoos should compliment yet contrast each other at the same time, not just "this is where we have the rly big boys"

Exactly.

Lion and Lions or Lions and Leopards:

Why would visitors want to see a pair of bachelor male lions at the city zoo, when they can see a large multigenerational pride at the open range zoo, less than an hour away. They’d much rather see leopards in the city that aren’t already held at the open range zoo.

Giraffe and Giraffe or Giraffe and Okapi:

Why would visitors want to see two or three adult giraffe in an adequate sized exhibit in the city zoo, when they can see a large herd - including multiple calves at the open range zoo (in a field that stretches as far as the eye can see). Give them Okapi to see at the city zoo, which would be poorly suited to an open range environment.

Hippopotamus:

They’ve got in right with hippos. Taronga, Adelaide and Melbourne all have Pygmy hippopotamus; while Werribee, Dubbo and Monarto have/will soon have Common hippopotamus.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

So how hard is it to get to the open sister zoos from the city itself for Sydney and Melbourne?

As StoppableSan and Zoofan15 said, Werribee is within the Melbourne Urban boundary, where as Dubbo is regional

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Long term, Adelaide could become a very tame, scaled back version of Monarto.

Albeit a far more attractive zoo than Monarto.

 

[Zoofan15]

Long term, Adelaide could become a very tame, scaled back version of Monarto.

Albeit a far more attractive zoo than Monarto.

That will always be the challenge of the open range zoo.

Small exhibits with a city zoo are easily able to be planted up to create a lush, green aesthetic; while architecture with an open range zoo is virtually non existent, when the exhibits consist of open fields.

Monarto’s visual appeal comes from the sheer volume of animals. Their lion exhibit is reminiscent of the photos I’ve seen of lion parks in the 70’s and 80’s - a field stretching as far as the eye can see, with large numbers of lions. That in itself is an attractive exhibit imo and far more exciting than a small, well landscaped exhibit in a city zoo holding a pair of male lions.

 

[tigris115]

Exactly.

Lion and Lions or Lions and Leopards:

Why would visitors want to see a pair of bachelor male lions at the city zoo, when they can see a large multigenerational pride at the open range zoo, less than an hour away. They’d much rather see leopards in the city that aren’t already held at the open range zoo.

Giraffe and Giraffe or Giraffe and Okapi:

Why would visitors want to see two or three adult giraffe in an adequate sized exhibit in the city zoo, when they can see a large herd - including multiple calves at the open range zoo (in a field that stretches as far as the eye can see). Give them Okapi to see at the city zoo, which would be poorly suited to an open range environment.

Hippopotamus:

They’ve got in right with hippos. Taronga, Adelaide and Melbourne all have Pygmy hippopotamus; while Werribee, Dubbo and Monarto have/will soon have Common hippopotamus.

This setup is legit brilliant. Play on the strengths of each site and give people a better experience

 

[Zoofan15]

This setup is legit brilliant. Play on the strengths of each site and give people a better experience

People often get caught up in the notion that open range zoos and city zoo support each other by holding the same species e.g. a breeding group held at the open range zoo, with surplus bachelor males at the city zoo. In reality, the open range zoo *could* hold both (with the bachelor group off display).

The main reason behind this is because the off display animals aren’t earning their keep so to speak. They still need feeding, caring for etc.

Whether this outweighs the profits of displaying a point of difference species in place of the bachelor group would be difficult to assess.

 

[tigris115]

People often get caught up in the notion that open range zoos and city zoo support each other by holding the same species e.g. a breeding group held at the open range zoo, with surplus bachelor males at the city zoo. In reality, the open range zoo *could* hold both (with the bachelor group off display).

The main reason behind this is because the off display animals aren’t earning their keep so to speak. They still need feeding, caring for etc.

Whether this outweighs the profits of displaying a point of difference species in place of the bachelor group would be difficult to assess.

I think it's more that people really want certain animals at their local zoo. IMO, this should be a non-issue as long as the two zoos are decently close.

For example, I think the breeding/bachelor setup works for Taronga/Dubbo because they're so damned far

 

[Zoofan15]

I think it's more that people really want certain animals at their local zoo. IMO, this should be a non-issue as long as the two zoos are decently close.

For example, I think the breeding/bachelor setup works for Taronga/Dubbo because they're so damned far

That may be the case for Taronga/Dubbo, but there’s no reason people in Victoria and South Australia can’t visit both zoos.

Zoos Victoria really need to stop with the double ups across their zoos. They already have an entire facility (Healesville) dedicated to natives. I appreciate they want to cater to international tourists at Melbourne, but they only make up 10% of their visitors and can see these species at Healesville. There may be regional competitors, but Healesville is one of the best daytime native species facilities in Victoria and shouldn’t have a problem attracting visitors.

 

[tigris115]

I agree completely

 

[Zoofan15]

Analysis of 2006 Phase Out Predictions (Primates)

Thanks to @Abbey for her assistance in reviewing this:

Exotic extinction looms in zoos

The articles states: The alarming change it shows includes the loss of 30 out of the 46 different primates - monkeys and their relatives.

——————————————————————

In 2006:

The 46 species of primates held in the region in 2006 were as follows:

Sunda Slow Loris (Nycticebus coucang)
Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta)
Black And White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata)
Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)
Emperor Tamarin (Saguinus imperator)
Cottontop Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus)
Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
Pigmy Marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea)
Bolivian Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri boliviensis)
Black-capped Capuchin (Sapajus (Cebus) apella)
Colombian White-fronted Capuchin (Cebus versicolor)
Geoffroy's (Black-handed) Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi)
Black And White Colobus (Colobus guereza)
Vervet (Chlorocebus sp.)
Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx)
Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas)
Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)
Crab-eating Macaque (Macaca fascicularis)
Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta)
Sulawesi Black Macaque (Macaca nigra)
Dusky Langur (Trachypithecus obscurus)
Francois' Langur (Trachypithecus francoisi)
Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus)
White-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys)
White-handed (Lar) Gibbon (Hylobates lar)
Silvery (Javan) Gibbon (Hylobates moloch)
Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus)
Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii)
Hybrid Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus X Pongo abelii)
Common Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
Variegated (Brown) Spider Monkey (Ateles hybridus)
Hybrid Spider Monkey (Ateles)
Bengal Slow Loris (Nycticebus bengalensis)
White-fronted Lemur (Eulemur albifrons)
Black (Golden-rumped) Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus)
Common Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri sciureus)
Ebony (Javan) Langur (Trachypithecus auratus)
De Brazza's Monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus)
Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus)
Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata)
Tonkean Macaque (Macaca tonkeana)
Muller's (Bornean) Gibbon (Hylobates muelleri)
White-bellied Spider Monkey (Ateles belzebuth)
Southern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina)
Chacma Baboon (Papio ursinus)

16 species were identified to be continued with in 2006:

After much discussion, @Abbey and myself agreed these were the 16 most likely candidates:

Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta)
Black And White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata)
Emperor Tamarin (Saguinus imperator)
Cottontop Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus)
Pigmy Marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea)
Black-capped Capuchin (Sapajus (Cebus) apella)
Geoffroy's (Black-handed) Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi)
Black And White Colobus (Colobus guereza)
Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx)
Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas)
Francois' Langur (Trachypithecus francoisi)
Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus)
White-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys)
Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii)
Common Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

——————————————————————

In 2009:

We then came across this interesting thread: Management of Primates Within ARAZPA

In 2009, the plan was to continue with 21 species:

Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta)
Black And White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata)
Emperor Tamarin (Saguinus imperator)
Cottontop Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus)
Pigmy Marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea)
Black-capped Capuchin (Sapajus (Cebus) apella)
Geoffroy's (Black-handed) Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi)
Black And White Colobus (Colobus guereza)
Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx)
Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas)
Francois' Langur (Trachypithecus francoisi)
Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus)
White-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys)
Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii)
Common Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)
Silvery (Javan) Gibbon (Hylobates moloch)
Vervet (Chlorocebus sp.)
Bolivian Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri boliviensis)
Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

——————————————————————

In 2023:

We currently have 33 primate species in the region:

Sunda Slow Loris (Nycticebus coucang)
Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta)
Black And White Ruffed Lemur
Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)
Emperor Tamarin (Saguinus imperator)
Cottontop Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus)
Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
Pigmy Marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea)
Bolivian Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri boliviensis)
Black-capped Capuchin (Sapajus (Cebus) apella)
Colombian White-fronted Capuchin (Cebus versicolor)
Geoffroy's (Black-handed) Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi)
Black And White Colobus (Colobus guereza)
Vervet (Chlorocebus sp.)
Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx)
Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas)
Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)
Crab-eating Macaque (Macaca fascicularis)
Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta)
Sulawesi Black Macaque (Macaca nigra)
Dusky Langur (Trachypithecus obscurus)
Francois' Langur (Trachypithecus francoisi)
Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus)
White-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys)
White-handed (Lar) Gibbon (Hylobates lar)
Silvery (Javan) Gibbon (Hylobates moloch)
Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus)
Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii)
Hybrid Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus X Pongo abelii)
Common Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
Variegated (Brown) Spider Monkey (Ateles hybridus)
Hybrid Spider Monkey (Ateles)

——————————————————————

Lost Species:

The following primates have been lost since 2006:

Bengal Slow Loris (Nycticebus bengalensis)
White-fronted Lemur (Eulemur albifrons)
Black (Golden-rumped) Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus)
Common Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri sciureus)
Ebony (Javan) Langur (Trachypithecus auratus)
De Brazza's Monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus)
Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus)
Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata)
Tonkean Macaque (Macaca tonkeana)
Muller's (Bornean) Gibbon (Hylobates muelleri)
White-bellied Spider Monkey (Ateles belzebuth)
Southern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina)
Chacma Baboon (Papio ursinus)

——————————————————————

Discussion:

As with the carnivores, the number of primate species have decreased (from 46 to 33); however considering the plan in 2006 was to phase out all but 16, we have double what we anticipated.

The most monumental change has been the decision to reverse the phase out of Bornean orangutans. Around 2004/2005, Auckland Zoo made the decision to switch to Sumatran orangutans. As noted in the 2009 report, this was to be a long term phase out with six of the zoo’s colony exported between 2009-2015; and no plans to acquire Sumatran orangutans until the opening of the new exhibit in 2020. During this timeframe, Bornean orangutans were upgraded to critically endangered and Auckland Zoo plan to continue with them long term.

Some of the phase outs (or intended phase outs) were/are predictable and included species where only one or two elderly individuals remained (Muellers gibbon); are hybrids (orangutans and spider monkeys); or species that aren’t endangered (macaques).

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Since the Asian elephants are going to be ambassadors for their African counterparts, it’d be great to see Hamadryas baboon share their exhibit.

This combination is seen at Beekse Bergen, but imagine how many baboons Werribee’s exhibit could accomodate?

They could have filter gates between the six paddocks (some occupying elephants) to allow the baboons choices of where to go.

View attachment 623099
Photo by @MagpieGoose

*Thought I would move my speculations away from the news thread *
It would be amazing to see a large troop of Baboon, and I do realise that their intention it to have the Asian elephant stand in for the African elephant, but long term, I'd like the Waterhole area and Elephant enclosure to become an Indian/ South Asia themed precinct, with species you would find in the sub-continent.

Also longterm I'd love for WORZ to acquire the massive paddock/fields to the west of the safari area and build an equally sized (or larger) exhibit for African Elephant.

 

[Zoofan15]

*Thought I would move my speculations away from the news thread *
It would be amazing to see a large troop of Baboon, and I do realise that their intention it to have the Asian elephant stand in for the African elephant, but long term, I'd like the Waterhole area and Elephant enclosure to become an Indian/ South Asia themed precinct, with species you would find in the sub-continent.

Also longterm I'd love for WORZ to acquire the massive paddock/fields to the west of the safari area and build an equally sized (or larger) exhibit for African Elephant.

That’s certainly the ambition/creativity we’d like to see from Zoos Victoria.

There’s so much potential for a night safari at Werribee, which would work so much better with the inclusion of South Asian and South East Asian species.

If Monarto are also open to holding African elephants, then that’d be the most realistic chance of securing regional support. Even then, I’d say we’d be looking at a long term plan of 15-20 years away; and I’m not sure how interested Zoos Victoria would be when they’d have a well established breeding herd of Asian elephants on site.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Wrote this in the news thread and then stopped myself and brought my speculations here:

Managed to get to Melbourne today, and have some updates to share:

• Cotton Top Tamarins - Melbourne do indeed only have their former breeding pair. The offspring have all been dispatched to other facilities regionally (not sure which).
• Melbourne only has five otters now. Not sure what's happened to one of them; they had six as of a few months ago.
• Transport crates have been installed for the Asian Elephants to allow training to begin. The plan is to send the herd over to Werribee in different trips sometime this time next year.
• Melbourne currently have four male Squirrel Monkeys in the TOTE exhibit. These males were initially from Taronga.
• Kemala and Batak have been successfully introduced and were in the Saimang exhibit in Orangutan Sanctuary. The pair kept their distance from what I saw but this is obviously expected with a newly bonded pair. Kemala's parents, Sampit and Isidor have moved back to the Japanese Island.
• There seems to be new plantings on the island opposite Orangutan Sanctuary. Wouldn't be surprised if this is for a potential Orangutan expansion; as it doesn't otherwise make sense why they would demolish a previously lush island, to then replant it again?
• A new Tasmanian Devil is in Graham's former enclosure. Not sure where they are from or when they arrived, but I would assume they arrived from Healesville sometime earlier this year.
• New kangaroo exhibit looks good. Huge and very well planted. Unfortunately I was told Emus would not be returning though.
• Baboons - Chad has settled in well, and the group is still altogether. The keeper said the plan is to keep the other males in the troop long term, as this is usually the case with troops in the wild, with males running their own sub-troops (harems).
• Snow Leopards - At the moment, there aren't any plans to breed Kang Ju and Miska this breeding season. She mentioned there would need to be regional facilities that have dedicated to holding potential cubs before a breeding recommendation can be made; and this isn't the case at the moment.
• And finally, the big news, Melbourne no longer have Zebra. Not sure when this occurred, but it's very recent. They had four males, so my assumption is all or some of the males have been sent to Werribee. I'll have to enquire about this, but it seems to be a permanent move. This is the first time Melbourne are without Zebra in 15 years, and this might be the first time in a very long time that they will be without Zebra permanently.

I'm curious if the giraffe will follow suit?
The plan might be to introduce a new exciting exhibit (Okapi anyone?) in that location to help soften the loss of elephants next year. If the giraffe leave in the next 3-6 months, that would give 6-9 months to reconfigure that exhibit to suit replacement species, in order to be up in action by the time the Elephants have departed.
This would make sense in conjunction with an orangutan expansion to the island (hopefully only a partial expansion with more to come).
When the Elephants go that section of TOTE will be pretty much entirely out of action from Butterfly House onwards.

 

[Zoofan15]

Wrote this in the news thread and then stopped myself and brought my speculations here:

I'm curious if the giraffe will follow suit?
The plan might be to introduce a new exciting exhibit (Okapi anyone?) in that location to help soften the loss of elephants next year. If the giraffe leave in the next 3-6 months, that would give 6-9 months to reconfigure that exhibit to suit replacement species, in order to be up in action by the time the Elephants have departed.
This would make sense in conjunction with an orangutan expansion to the island (hopefully only a partial expansion with more to come).
When the Elephants go that section of TOTE will be pretty much entirely out of action from Butterfly House onwards.

I’m thrilled to see Melbourne Zoo phase out zebra and hope that it’s a permanent move. There’s a slim chance they’re replacing them with mares, but ideally they’ve seen sense and realise the space could be better allocated to something else.

We can rule out Okapi due to the lack of an IRA for Australia. They haven’t even got the Hippopotamus IRA sorted; and I can’t see Okapi being quarantined in New Zealand for 12 months.

I fear the phase out of zebra is to enable more amenable species to share the Savannah - especially ahead of the giraffes breeding. This would be an underwhelming but predictable scenario imo.

Optimistically, I’m hopeful it could indicate plans to import the critically endangered Eastern bongo in place of the giraffes/zebras. Though second to Okapi, this would still be a progressive and exciting development.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I’m thrilled to see Melbourne Zoo phase out zebra and hope that it’s a permanent move. There’s a slim chance they’re replacing them with mares, but ideally they’ve seen sense and realise the space could be better allocated to something else.

We can rule out Okapi due to the lack of an IRA for Australia. They haven’t even got the Hippopotamus IRA sorted; and I can’t see Okapi being quarantined in New Zealand for 12 months.

I fear the phase out of zebra is to enable more amenable species to share the Savannah - especially ahead of the giraffes breeding. This would be an underwhelming but predictable scenario imo.

Optimistically, I’m hopeful it could indicate plans to import the critically endangered Eastern bongo in place of the giraffes/zebras. Though second to Okapi, this would still be a progressive and exciting development.

My mistake. I had thought a giraffe IRA was in effect, as Taronga are planning to import some aren't they? But then I have no idea of their timeline.

 

[Zoofan15]

My mistake. I had thought a giraffe IRA was in effect, as Taronga are planning to import some aren't they? But then I have no idea of their timeline.

Only one IRA is developed at a time and the Hippopotamus IRA is the one currently in progress. Though the Giraffe/Okapi IRA is widely predicted to be next, there’s no official confirmation of that.

Taronga are still planning to import them, though it doesn’t appear they’ll be able to do so ahead of the opening of the Congo precinct, which should only be 2-3 years away.

New Zealand’s Giraffe/Okapi was completed two years ago and there’s been zero initiative from the four main zoos to import new bloodlines, which is disappointing. Thinking about it, I suppose it’s possible one of them could act as a quarantine facility for two pairs of Okapi for the 12 months required - with these sent on to Taronga and Melbourne.

Taronga have reportedly offered to take in Burma. If her export went ahead, Auckland Zoo could quarantine Okapi in her exhibit with a few modifications. Not only would it give the staff husbandry experience, but it could strengthen the case for them to receive a pair themselves in the future. They were after all debating an African forest precinct on the site of the existing elephant exhibit.

 

[Jambo]

Wrote this in the news thread and then stopped myself and brought my speculations here:

I'm curious if the giraffe will follow suit?
The plan might be to introduce a new exciting exhibit (Okapi anyone?) in that location to help soften the loss of elephants next year. If the giraffe leave in the next 3-6 months, that would give 6-9 months to reconfigure that exhibit to suit replacement species, in order to be up in action by the time the Elephants have departed.
This would make sense in conjunction with an orangutan expansion to the island (hopefully only a partial expansion with more to come).
When the Elephants go that section of TOTE will be pretty much entirely out of action from Butterfly House onwards.

That’s a strong possibility, but my understanding from talking to a keeper last year was that the Giraffes will be there to stay for at least the meantime (with Klintun and Iris to breed), but this could’ve easily changed recently.

They could easily move down to Werribee down the line, maybe to be apart of Werribee’s upcoming waterhole precinct which I’d imagine *may* contain a second savannah.

In saying that, it wouldn’t make sense to send the zebras to Werribee if they didn’t want them at Melbourne. Yes, maybe one two died but they still would’ve had at least two or so unless three or all of them died which I find highly unlikely. So it’s also a possibility that this was a planned move. The Giraffes had access to the back half during my visit, so hopefully this move isn’t just to give the Giraffe more space going forward.

 

[Zoofan15]

That’s a strong possibility, but my understanding from talking to a keeper last year was that the Giraffes will be there to stay for at least the meantime (with Klintun and Iris to breed), but this could’ve easily changed recently.

They could easily move down to Werribee down the line, maybe to be apart of Werribee’s upcoming waterhole precinct which I’d imagine *may* contain a second savannah.

In saying that, it wouldn’t make sense to send the zebras to Werribee if they didn’t want them at Melbourne. Yes, maybe one two died but they still would’ve had at least two or so unless three or all of them died which I find highly unlikely. So it’s also a possibility that this was a planned move. The Giraffes had access to the back half during my visit, so hopefully this move isn’t just to give the Giraffe more space going forward.

As much as I wish all natives would be transferred to Healesville (with Melbourne focussing on exotics); I can accept they’re there to satisfy the 10% of visitors that come from overseas expecting to see Australian animals at one of Australia’s main zoos.

What I resent even more is when city zoos dedicate a significant amount of space to a species that can be seen less than an hour away at their open range sister zoo.

Giraffes aren’t an endangered species (and our region’s giraffes are so inbred it’s not even funny) yet Adelaide and Melbourne insist on exhibiting them in an exhibit a fraction of the size of what can be seen at Monarto and Werribee. If Taronga want to exhibit them fair enough, Dubbo is hours away; but there’s no justification for keeping them at Melbourne.

The space the giraffes occupy could be better utilised for so many endangered exotic species.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

As much as I wish all natives would be transferred to Healesville (with Melbourne focussing on exotics); I can accept they’re there to satisfy the 10% of visitors that come from overseas expecting to see Australian animals at one of Australia’s main zoos.

What I resent even more is when city zoos dedicate a significant amount of space to a species that can be seen less than an hour away at their open range sister zoo.

Giraffes aren’t an endangered species (and our region’s giraffes are so inbred it’s not even funny) yet Adelaide and Melbourne insist on exhibiting them in an exhibit a fraction of the size of what can be seen at Monarto and Werribee. If Taronga want to exhibit them fair enough, Dubbo is hours away; but there’s no justification for keeping them at Melbourne.

The space the giraffes occupy could be better utilised for so many endangered exotic species.

If the potential of Okapi is several years away, and *if* MZ do intend to acquire a breeding pair, I guess it does make sense to maintain an active breeding pair of giraffe up until time comes to renovate for Okapi, as giraffe are still popular, and new borns particularly.
I am confident that within the next 10 years we won't have giraffe at MZ.

I do hope that they don't put giraffe at the waterhole precinct. I'm optimistic it will be occupied by its own unique (to the rest of the zoo) set of species. Might just be wishful thinking though...

 

[Jambo]

If the potential of Okapi is several years away, and *if* MZ do intend to acquire a breeding pair, I guess it does make sense to maintain an active breeding pair of giraffe up until time comes to renovate for Okapi, as giraffe are still popular, and new borns particularly.
I am confident that within the next 10 years we won't have giraffe at MZ.

I do hope that they don't put giraffe at the waterhole precinct. I'm optimistic it will be occupied by its own unique (to the rest of the zoo) set of species. Might just be wishful thinking though...

I agree, Giraffes will likely be gone soon. I assume Klintun and Iris will be their last breeding pair. Iris should be ready to have her first calf within the next one or two years, so we could excitedly have Melbourne's first calf in 15 or so years.

Like you said, a giraffe calf would be extremely popular with the public and Melbourne would definitely want to have some other attractions with the elephants leaving soon.

The suggestion re. the waterhole precinct was just because Werribee already have a bachelor herd on savannah, so if they wanted a breeding herd, they'd need to be housed elsewhere. Possibly the new waterhole precinct, although the current waterhole drivethrough section is also another possibility for a small breeding group (1 bull, 2/3 females plus offspring).