I would of hoped that one of Western Australias billionaires would of stepped forward donating money for the people of the state theres enough of them
Perth Zoo New exotic mamal species for Perth Zoo? (Speculation)
- Thread starter steveroberts
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In this day and age, this is what it’d take. When a zoo for Darwin was discussed decades ago, they said it wasn’t financially feasible to build a zoo equivalent to Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth etc. because of the cost involved. Case in point, all zoos since then have started small and built up with the exception of Sydney Zoo.
I agree and this is probably why Brisbane has no zoo
A good move would be if they could try and secure the land first, I know they had a place chosen and when funds are available in the future start to expand from there a bit like Monarto Zoo did, a slow process to what it has become today or Perth will be quite limited to what they have now.
Thank you for solving the mystery regarding Perth's Fishing cat! Great also to have more names/DOBs for FCs within the region's history. Are there any fishing cats still unaccounted for, or have you found out the details of all of the cats outlined in the CKD thesis as being in the region in recent decades?
Like some others, I enjoy the recent addition of Sri Lankan Leopards to the region as they represent a leopard species suitable to warm climates, and having seen them at the NZA today, they are absolutely beautiful cats which represent something different to other species in the region.
@Abbey Have they still got the cubs there or have they moved on to another zoo?
I managed to find out one other. Berenang, who was the male born at Taronga Zoo in 2002, was sent to facility in Queensland. I wasn’t told which one. He and his littermate, Cantik, were the only Fishing cats born at Taronga.
It’d be interesting to know more about the Melbourne kittens, but we know of at least two litters born 24/11/1997 (containing 1.0 Jharna and 1.0 Wayan) and 22/10/1998 (containing 0.1 Imphal).
As far as I'm aware, they still do (or at least one of them), although I'm not the best at identifying animals to be perfectly honest.
It’ll be interesting to see if one of them is paired with the young female from Darling Downs Zoo at another facility. Alternatively, the breeding pair could transfer to a third facility to breed; with their sons remaining at the National Zoo as non breeding animals.
Any other zoos wanting them will need to be part of the EEP program to receive them
Just did a bit of distance estimation on google maps/earth, and the driving distance between Perth Zoo and RRZACP (Peel Zoo) is the same distance that Adelaide Zoo and Monarto SP have between them.
I don’t know a lot about Peel Zoo, but looked it up and see it’s 2.8ha in size, so there goes my hopes of an open range zoo for Perth.
I see from this species list, they have an impressive birth and native collection, so no doubt the two zoos do work together a fair bit.
Peel Zoo On Show Species List, July 2016 [Peel Zoo]
I don’t know a lot about Peel Zoo, but looked it up and see it’s 2.8ha in size, so there goes my hopes of an open range zoo for Perth.
I see from this species list, they have an impressive birth and native collection, so no doubt the two zoos do work together a fair bit.
Peel Zoo On Show Species List, July 2016 [Peel Zoo]
There's a wildlife park that's flagship species has been Koalas (both southern and northern subspecies) since 1982 Cohunu Koala Park but open since 1975 first as Cohunu Wildlife Sanctuary. It's had the same owners Lucille & Nardino Sorbello (the latter a talented landscape artist who's painting sales apparently funded the purchasing of the parks original site in 1972 but I digress).
It relocated to Byford a southern outskirts suburb of Perth in 2008. To put it mildly it's very rundown, Caversham WP reigns supreme in terms of native wildlife parks/fills that 'niche' in the greater Perth area (albeit Cohunu has existed longer). What Cohunu does have is a fair amount of space including neighbouring properties.
Have wondered if one day that site could be used for a potential secondary zoo for Perth (ironically I believe Perth Zoo/Zoological Board or WA may have sold that Byford property to Mr & Mrs Sorbello around 2008 as saw mention that Perth Zoo once had an off site property at Byford that can't remember if it was for extended holdings for their marsupials or was a place to grow crops to feed the animals at the zoo).
That’s interesting. I would assume it was used as a plantation for browse. Auckland Zoo have access to multiple plantations (most of which are council owned) to supply the zoo; with the rest comprised of browse sourced from private gardens.
It would be useful for Perth to have a satellite site - even if it was an off display holding facility for surplus ungulates etc. as has been the case for other open range zoos in their beginnings.
Personally I'd love to see species like Banded Linsang, Owston's Palm civets or other small carnivores.These are fascinating species and quite unique, many of which are in desperate need of being included in breeding programs. Considering their size, the space factor wouldn't be such an issue.
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I've been to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which I consider to be a zoo.
Have Cohunu moved from their original site? Thought they were in nearby Armadale (virtually opposite Armadale Reptile Centre).
If I remember correctly PZ was given the Byford site on a long lease and was used specifically for eucalyptus plantation, storage and rearing mice for food. There were also some cashmere goats which may have had a connection to the previous owner/tenant? Zoo never really knew how to best use it, nor the money to spend on it. Could have been used for the Rare species breeding program/natives, but not certain about that (probably an idea at the time).
@tetrapod
The Byford location Cohunu moved to around '08/'09 is close to the reptile centre at Armadale but not opposite. I saw mention of Perth having a Byford site at least previously and wondered if the Sorbellos the owners of Cohunu took the lease over about 15 years ago (wonder if having eucalyptus trees there was a catalyst for the Sorbellos choosing that site?).
@Goura
Agree with you about the species you mentioned. Since Perth have had one Sumatran Tiger for a few years now have thought a Clouded Leopard or a pair would be an interesting addition even temporarily for the two east/south most of the four neighbouring exhibits in that complex at the zoo.
The Byford location Cohunu moved to around '08/'09 is close to the reptile centre at Armadale but not opposite. I saw mention of Perth having a Byford site at least previously and wondered if the Sorbellos the owners of Cohunu took the lease over about 15 years ago (wonder if having eucalyptus trees there was a catalyst for the Sorbellos choosing that site?).
@Goura
Agree with you about the species you mentioned. Since Perth have had one Sumatran Tiger for a few years now have thought a Clouded Leopard or a pair would be an interesting addition even temporarily for the two east/south most of the four neighbouring exhibits in that complex at the zoo.
Though Perth doesn’t have the luxury of an open range sister zoo, I agree they need to be realistic with what species they can hold. The days of elephants have been numbered for a long time and we’ll likely see Putra Mas and Permai depart within the next couple of years.
From there, I think Perth need to be realistic about which large species bring in the crowds. Southern white rhinoceros should go in my opinion. Two decades on from the two rhinos calves, they have two bachelor bulls - which I doubt bring in the crowds.
The orangutans have long been the stars of Perth Zoo and are indeed their only great ape species. Part of their appeal has come from Perth housing a colony and so they really should consider accomodating a large number into the future. Downsizing the colony will reduce the impact they have and reduce breeding recommendations.
In short, Perth need to identify the money spinners and invest in them; while making practical decisions on species that optimise use of floor space.
Couldn't agree more - however, with the amazing success they've had with the Sumatran species, I wonder why they don't consider entering into a program for the Bornean species to extend their expertise.