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

[Jambo]

This dome could even have walkthrough elements with monkey species(albeit I’m not sure what species would be suitable). Are langurs aggressive species? I’ve always wondered whether one could do a Malayan tapir boardwalk with dusky langur in the trees. Would be awesome imo. Also, how much space would this dome encompass? If it encompassed 1 or 2 of the exhibits then wouldn’t there still be space for leopards and/or bears

Langurs would probably be best; especially if they were Francois and were to aid Taronga's program. Adelaide successfully houses Langurs alongside their Malayan Tapirs.

The dome wouldn't be a large one, so would only occupy one of the enclosures (alongside the nearby plaza). I don't foresee Melbourne constructing something 'massive', and I'd prefer if it was that size to leave at least two of the other exhibits for other species.

 

[Zoofan15]

Langurs would probably be best; especially if they were Francois and were to aid Taronga's program. Adelaide successfully houses Langurs alongside their Malayan Tapirs.

The dome wouldn't be a large one, so would only occupy one of the enclosures (alongside the nearby plaza). I don't foresee Melbourne constructing something 'massive', and I'd prefer if it was that size to leave at least two of the other exhibits for other species.

I’ve seen concepts for biodomes large enough to hold chimpanzees, but with the exception of crocodilians; and conversely, polar bears and snow leopards, there’s few species large enough to need a climate controlled environment in Australia (I note Melbourne’s snow leopards have climate controlled dens). For that reason, I’d agree a smaller dome is better, so as not to detract from outside exhibit space and to reduce costs.

 

[Grant Rhino]

I’ve always wondered whether one could do a Malayan tapir boardwalk with dusky langur in the trees. Would be awesome imo. ]

This is a combo I really, really like: Adelaide Zoo have this exact combination in a beautiful enclosure with a huge Morton Bay fig tree. I'd love to see this in a Bio Dome at MZ! I've even seen the langurs sitting on the tapir's back!

 

[Zorro]

This is a combo I really, really like: Adelaide Zoo have this exact combination in a beautiful enclosure with a huge Morton Bay fig tree. I'd love to see this in a Bio Dome at MZ! I've even seen the langurs sitting on the tapir's back!

Unfortunately the Langurs are a right off at this point.

 

[Grant Rhino]

That would really be a good idea. I think a tropical house on the foundations of the current plaza area and pool enclosure would be the right fit. They could even incorporate the current plaza as 'ruins' inside the dome, if they wished to retain it.

I like this idea of ruins - using a theme that a rainforest can take over a previously human habitated area and let nature return (think Angkor Wat in Cambodia, or Chernobyl after the nuclear reactor blew up).

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

This dome could even have walkthrough elements with monkey species(albeit I’m not sure what species would be suitable). Are langurs aggressive species? I’ve always wondered whether one could do a Malayan tapir boardwalk with dusky langur in the trees. Would be awesome imo. Also, how much space would this dome encompass? If it encompassed 1 or 2 of the exhibits then wouldn’t there still be space for leopards and/or bears

I'd envisage a second tiger exhibit between Man Jai's enclosure and lake, and bears being included on the carnivore trail.

 

[Zoofan15]

I'd envisage a second tiger exhibit between Man Jai's enclosure and lake, and bears being included on the carnivore trail.

Going off your plan for two tiger exhibits, I’d like to see the following combination of exhibits in the Carnivores precinct:

Future Carnivores Precinct:

1. Snow leopard (breeding pair)
2. Asiatic lion (males) - replace African lion
3. Sloth bear - replace tiger
4. Maned wolf - replace dingo
5. Binturong
6. Tasmanian devil

Three continents are represented - with a marsupial, a canid, an ursid and two felids.

 

[Zoofan15]

Unfortunately the Langurs are a right off at this point.

The dusky langurs population have indeed been reduced to a non-breeding sibling group that share an exhibit with Adelaide’s Malayan tapir. I agree with @Grant Rhino its a fantastic mix, but one that may sadly be allowed to die out. The lack of imports and the absence of other holders in the region suggest dusky langurs are no longer a species of interest. Tapir do feature in the masterplan, but Zoos SA have swapped and changed on a regular basis.

I’d really love to see Malayan tapir return to Australia, ideally with a larger founder base than last time.

 

[Zorro]

The dusky langurs population have indeed been reduced to a non-breeding sibling group that share an exhibit with Adelaide’s Malayan tapir. I agree with @Grant Rhino its a fantastic mix, but one that may sadly be allowed to die out. The lack of imports and the absence of other holders in the region suggest dusky langurs are no longer a species of interest. Tapir do feature in the masterplan, but Zoos SA have swapped and changed on a regular basis.

I’d really love to see Malayan tapir return to Australia, ideally with a larger founder base than last time.

I would of liked to see the dusky Langurs re-built again but It certain this really is most unlikely to happen, I believe they should of been sent to another holder overseas to contribute to another group rather than just die off with old age basically kept just as an exhibit.
Unfortunately I believe Malayan Tapirs are just going to be part of zoo history, I hope we can see more interest with the South American Tapirs which may with some luck survive.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Going off your plan for two tiger exhibits, I’d like to see the following combination of exhibits in the Carnivores precinct:

Future Carnivores Precinct:

1. Snow leopard (breeding pair)
2. Asiatic lion (males) - replace African lion
3. Sloth bear - replace tiger
4. Maned wolf - replace dingo
5. Binturong
6. Tasmanian devil

Three continents are represented - with a marsupial, a canid, an ursid and two felids.

If everything went to plan then binturong would be moved back to the Asian trail and Komodo’s would replace Tassie devils imo. More hope now than ever for Komodo’s. Ideal replacement for binturong would be clouded leopard, and the exhibit seems to be big enough

 

[dylan downward]

If everything went to plan then binturong would be moved back to the Asian trail and Komodo’s would replace Tassie devils imo. More hope now than ever for Komodo’s. Ideal replacement for binturong would be clouded leopard, and the exhibit seems to be big enough

Would love to see Komodo’s at Melbourne

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I would of liked to see the dusky Langurs re-built again but It certain this really is most unlikely to happen, I believe they should of been sent to another holder overseas to contribute to another group rather than just die off with old age basically kept just as an exhibit.
Unfortunately I believe Malayan Tapirs are just going to be part of zoo history, I hope we can see more interest with the South American Tapirs which may with some luck survive.

Write it down to optimism on My part but the keepers seemed to think there was a genuine chance of a tapir replacement, and I was also told quite a while ago that an import had been floated featuring multiple individuals. The keepers also displayed affection for her, and are hopeful the zoo will replenish them, so at this stage I’m leaning toward the likelihood they will be at the zoo in the near future

 

[Zorro]

Write it down to optimism on My part but the keepers seemed to think there was a genuine chance of a tapir replacement, and I was also told quite a while ago that an import had been floated featuring multiple individuals. The keepers also displayed affection for her, and are hopeful the zoo will replenish them, so at this stage I’m leaning toward the likelihood they will be at the zoo in the near future

Then I hope you are correct

 

[Zoofan15]

If everything went to plan then binturong would be moved back to the Asian trail and Komodo’s would replace Tassie devils imo. More hope now than ever for Komodo’s. Ideal replacement for binturong would be clouded leopard, and the exhibit seems to be big enough

Would love to see Komodo’s at Melbourne

I’d be thrilled with Komodo dragon and clouded leopard. The renovation of the coati exhibit for binturong doesn’t appear to have been extensive, so they may well be happy to swap them out in the not too distant future.

I’m guessing they’d want to retain at least one Australian species in the Carnivores, so dingo would be my first priority to leave (to free up what was a perfectly serviceable wild dog exhibit for either their return or maned wolf); but Tasmanian devil shifting out too would be nice.

 

[Jambo]

If everything went to plan then binturong would be moved back to the Asian trail and Komodo’s would replace Tassie devils imo. More hope now than ever for Komodo’s. Ideal replacement for binturong would be clouded leopard, and the exhibit seems to be big enough

Komodo's would actually be suitable to the current Tasmanian Devil enclosures. I've long thought they were the initial intended habitatants for that part (same with Sun Bears for Indrah's enclosure). With the Komodo dragon program beginning to expand regionally, Melbourne could acquire a single individual at the very least.

Write it down to optimism on My part but the keepers seemed to think there was a genuine chance of a tapir replacement, and I was also told quite a while ago that an import had been floated featuring multiple individuals. The keepers also displayed affection for her, and are hopeful the zoo will replenish them, so at this stage I’m leaning toward the likelihood they will be at the zoo in the near future

I've similarly heard the same thing regarding Malayan Tapir. Would be a big shame if Semangka would be the last at Melbourne; but I'm hopeful they'll have a future at Melbourne - especially as an elephant replacement.

 

[Zoofan15]

Write it down to optimism on My part but the keepers seemed to think there was a genuine chance of a tapir replacement, and I was also told quite a while ago that an import had been floated featuring multiple individuals. The keepers also displayed affection for her, and are hopeful the zoo will replenish them, so at this stage I’m leaning toward the likelihood they will be at the zoo in the near future

Then I hope you are correct

My assumption when I heard the figure of 10 Malayan tapir was that it would be a mass import on behalf of multiple zoos.

Having multiple exhibits of one species (unless they’re a filer species or Sumatran tigers) is a dedication rarely seen amongst the main zoos these days. I’d assume 2.2 at the most would remain at Melbourne and then the other three pairs go to another 1-3 facilities.

 

[Jambo]

I’d be thrilled with Komodo dragon and clouded leopard. The renovation of the coati exhibit for binturong doesn’t appear to have been extensive, so they may well be happy to swap them out in the not too distant future.

I’m guessing they’d want to retain at least one Australian species in the Carnivores, so dingo would be my first priority to leave (to free up what was a perfectly serviceable wild dog exhibit for either their return or maned wolf); but Tasmanian devil shifting out too would be nice.

The renovations weren't anything major; the sign was just put up to explain the absence of anything in the enclosure - Melbourne do this frequently.

Clouded Leopard would be nice for the enclosure; but obviously would require some modifications to make it suitable for them. Would they do well besides the Snow Leopards?

I actually think Dingo suit that enclosure quite well as it's on the small side and was therefore unsuitable (in my eyes) for African Wild Dogs. They would represent Australia within the precinct and the enclosure fits well for this imo as visitors can view them both when entering the trail, and exiting it.

 

[Zorro]

My assumption when I heard the figure of 10 Malayan tapir was that it would be a mass import on behalf of multiple zoos.

Having multiple exhibits of one species (unless they’re a filer species or Sumatran tigers) is a dedication rarely seen amongst the main zoos these days. I’d assume 2.2 at the most would remain at Melbourne and then the other three pairs go to another 1-3 facilities.

I would be more than happy to see the return of MT but they need to address the eye problem issue first.

 

[Jambo]

I would be more than happy to see the return of MT but they need to address the eye problem issue first.

Inadequate housing was the reason for this; and I believe this can easily be fixed with proper shielding of sunlight (through tarps, ect.). Melbourne already implemented this for Semangka prior to her death, and after spending years off display, they noted she was finally comfortable with venturing outdoors and on display.

 

[Zoofan15]

The renovations weren't anything major; the sign was just put up to explain the absence of anything in the enclosure - Melbourne do this frequently.

Clouded Leopard would be nice for the enclosure; but obviously would require some modifications to make it suitable for them. Would they do well besides the Snow Leopards?

I actually think Dingo suit that enclosure quite well as it's on the small side and was therefore unsuitable (in my eyes) for African Wild Dogs. They would represent Australia within the precinct and the enclosure fits well for this imo as visitors can view them both when entering the trail, and exiting it.

Housing the clouded leopards next to the snow leopards wouldn’t be ideal for breeding, but for a non-breeding pair, it may be feasible. The more vocal lions would probably be more of a detriment. Visual contact would certainly have to be avoided and in any case, clouded leopards prefer to look down on visitors, so the remodelling required may be too extensive for that exhibit.

A single maned wolf may be the happy medium, if African wild dogs are too big for the exhibit; though the smell may be discouraging the zoo from acquiring them again. Their lack of fit with the Zoos Victoria was cited as the reason for their phase out, but there’s otherwise multiple (non pungent) species at Melbourne that remain.