It may be an idea to choose a species from this list: https://cdn.www.gob.pe/uploads/document/file/3574458/Primates_in_Peril_2022_2023.pdf.pdf
Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo News 2023
- Thread starter WhistlingKite24
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There’s species in this list we can only dream of.
Tapanuli orangutans aren’t held in captivity and if we happen to have a Nigeria Cameroon chimpanzee amongst our regional population, I can assure you it’s here by accident. There’s been attempts to breed purebred lines in Europe, but 90% of the population are managed as hybrids and due to the long lifespans and complex hierarchies, it would be a lengthy process to establish a purebred population within the region.
I do see at least of couple phased out species that we’ve held in the past though!
The transfer of the zebra out may have actually been as a result of them not getting along with the Nyala initially. Melbourne may be inclined to acquire a larger group of Nyala (10-15 individuals) rather than retaining a smaller bachelor group of Zebra. So Nyala may very well be the plan going forward if that is the case; grouping them with the Giraffe and Helmeted Guineafowl.
I would be surprised if the Cotton Top Tamarins will be phased out. It would make sense to send all away if that was the plan, and I doubt Melbourne would allow their primate collection to be depleted anymore than it already is. Breeding has likely been halted just due to the fact that their current pair have breed a lot, and it would be good for them to obviously live out there retirement years without the kids; and then import an entirely new pair following their deaths.
That wouldn’t surprise me at all. Aside from doing little to enhance the exhibit, zebras are notoriously aggressive to exhibit mates and with a giraffe calf on the horizon and a placid alternative (nyala), I believe that clinched it.
Lowland nyala might not be the most exciting species in the world, but even city zoos can accomodate decent sized herds and they slot into mixed species exhibits.
Some zoos keep their bull nyala seperate. I anticipate Melbourne will do this in the old bongo exhibit.
Melbourne’s males were notorious for being rather overtly aggressive towards the giraffes. Moving them may also be helping Iris feel more comfortable (as she is a much smaller, placid giraffe) especially if they’re wanting to breed from her soon.
The Bongo exhibit was recently replanted and cleared out a few years ago; I believe it coincided with the ‘planned’ arrival of the Nyala, so it would make sense that Melbourne would hold the bull here.
Zebras have been known to take on rhinos (and lose) so I don’t doubt they’d challenge the giraffes from time to time. A lack of mares may reduce aggression, but even then it’s a needless risk to their exhibit mates and not worth the negative PR that would accompany any incidents.
Since nyala breed readily, the separation of the bull would allow for selective breeding to ensure he didn’t mate with his daughters and limit the number of offspring produced. I see no reason male offspring can’t be castrated as juveniles and retained to build up herd numbers. It’s been done at other zoos with Indian antelope.
Three female Tasmanian Devils have arrived from Healesville Sanctuary.
It appears they are all together in one of the exhibits in the Carnivores trail.
Melbourne now have six Tasmanian Devils (assuming there hasn’t been any recent deaths in the past weeks). Five of which should be in the Carnivores Trail.
It appears they are all together in one of the exhibits in the Carnivores trail.
Melbourne now have six Tasmanian Devils (assuming there hasn’t been any recent deaths in the past weeks). Five of which should be in the Carnivores Trail.
They’re certainly stocking up on devils with you mentioning one also moving into the exhibit in the Australian precinct last month in place of Graham - both indicating an intention to house this species in those precincts for at least the next few years.
They add variety to the Carnivores precinct, but it’s overkill to double up in the native precinct imo. There’s so many other native species they could display - and it’s not like their omission will deprive visitors of a chance to see them at Melbourne Zoo.
I think Melbourne are jumping at the opportunity of holding a group of Tasmanian Devils rather than a single one which would make for a much more intriguing display in the Carnivores precinct.
The doubling up is also something I’ve long thought was a poor idea. I feel like in the case of the exhibit in the Australian precinct; Melbourne are just putting surplus devils in there simply for the sake of having a species there. I’d rather see Melbourne invest in another species for that enclosure; maybe echidnas.
Long term though, I’d expect that area to be redeveloped. An updated nocturnal precinct for Wombats and Platypus would be my guess.
From what I’ve seen, Tasmanian devils are more active when housed in small groups; and in any case, the more you have in one exhibit, the more likely you are to see something.
Melbourne certainly have a habit of filler species outstaying their welcome. It’s understandable they wanna put something in there while they take the time to figure out a replacement, but seven years on and we still have a Southern cassowary in the Mandrill exhibit.
It’d be great to see the Platypus relocate to the Australian precinct. They form a loose waterways link to the seals, which will be redundant if/when they phase out and by transferring to the native precinct, will allow for further redevelopment of the main trail into African species (either a continuation of Savannah species; or the much hoped for shift to Congo species).
Rediscovery of Victorian grassland earless dragon:
Earless dragon rediscovery like finding the Tasmanian tiger
A tiny lizard species described as the "most endangered reptile in the world" has been found in grasslands west of Melbourne in a development that scientists are comparing to rediscovering the Tasmanian tiger.
Researchers won’t reveal the exact location of the lizard population to protect them from the public. But scientists have spent three days a week for the past four months at the mystery grassland where they have collected a total of 16 dragons to be included in a breeding program at Melbourne Zoo in spring.
While it is unlikely the tiny reptile will be on display, experts hope to build up the population and reintroduce them into the wild.
Earless dragon rediscovery like finding the Tasmanian tiger
A tiny lizard species described as the "most endangered reptile in the world" has been found in grasslands west of Melbourne in a development that scientists are comparing to rediscovering the Tasmanian tiger.
Researchers won’t reveal the exact location of the lizard population to protect them from the public. But scientists have spent three days a week for the past four months at the mystery grassland where they have collected a total of 16 dragons to be included in a breeding program at Melbourne Zoo in spring.
While it is unlikely the tiny reptile will be on display, experts hope to build up the population and reintroduce them into the wild.
Brilliant news thanks for sharing
No problem. Though I think we can all agree the rediscovery of the Tasmanian tiger would generate excitement that transcends the zoo and conservation community; finding 16 individuals of a reptile species not seen since 1969 is still indeed hugely exciting news.
Apparently there were people involved that’d been looking for this species for over 30 years, so no wonder it’s been described as the pinnacle of their careers for those involved.
As a keen herpo myself I can say that this rediscovery has been quite the rage across the reptile world. It also is incredibly important for a group of animals that has had minimal funding to date (the Earless Dragon group has multiple endangered species within it). Hopefully it allows those with funds to turn a new leaf and back more conservation efforts other than those that are cute and fluffy. We can dare to dream at the very least.
The Sleepy Hippo
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Not sure if announced earlier.
On Tiger encounter this morning the keepers said Melbourne Zoo has recently acquired 2 male Binturong from Singapore Zoo.
They are off display beside a function room.
They are unsure where their on display exhibit will be. They mused the potential of a home on the Carnivore trail.
On Tiger encounter this morning the keepers said Melbourne Zoo has recently acquired 2 male Binturong from Singapore Zoo.
They are off display beside a function room.
They are unsure where their on display exhibit will be. They mused the potential of a home on the Carnivore trail.
That’s good news. The phase out of coati from Melbourne (and the region) appears inevitable, so Binturong could be a replacement exhibit for them long term.
That sounds like it would be a good fit. I know we've discussed previously how Melbourne phased out Binturong because they didn't mean Zoos Victoria's species requirements, so it would be interesting to know whether or not these are purebred Javan Binturong. If so, Melbourne could potentially participate in breeding down the line if one of the existing pairs produces a daughter.
Sadly, I don’t believe they are the purebred Javan subspecies as with the exception of the Javan imports, the entire regional population is either from Singapore Zoo or descended from those imports (suggesting Singapore don’t hold the purebred Javans).
That said, it’s possible Singapore had a clear out of all non Javan stock (exporting to Australia etc) and have since obtained purebreds, but I can find no record of them doing so.
That's exciting news to hear. Binturong were always quite a popular species and I would've liked to see them on display in their former exhibit (now home to Squirrel Monkeys) to fit with the theming there, but obviously that's not the plan.
The current Coati exhibit will certainly be most suitable but they still have a few females left who could still potentially live another few years. Potentially a temporary exhibit for them in the meantime could be the empty enclosure in the treetop trail, following the Spider Monkeys.
Re. the function room exhibit; I'm wondering if this is the one beside the Elephant Barn which would be suitable for them as it was designed for Tree Kangaroo. Melbourne had a male as of last year, but its possible he's since passed or been sent elsewhere.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
That’s exceptional news. Are Melbourne finally going in the right direction again?
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