PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
H
as anyone looked at the old coati exhibit? It’s possible they could be held there currently
Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)
- Thread starter Jambo
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I believe somebody was advised over email that they’re now off display to live out their retirement years. If they were to remain on display, it’d make more sense to renovate their old exhibit for Binturong.
No, it’s behind a roped barrier, so would be hard to view.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
The coati exhibit isn’t mapped, an often times ‘off display’ animals can actually be seen, such as Sundah the snow leopard
Well it’s possible, but housing them completely off display makes more sense. Sadly, they won’t be around much longer. It’s good to know the zoo hasn’t ruled out importing them in the future. Hopefully this wasn’t just a throwaway comment.
Isn’t mapped because it’s meant to be an off display enclosure.
I’m intrigued as to where you were able to see Sundah from?
Melbourne Zoo’s Gorilla Troop
Following the unfortunate passing of the juvenile gorilla, Fikiri, at Taronga Zoo; and the uncertainty around the future of gorillas at Taronga, it’s at least a possibility their troop could be disbanded. This would of course provide the ideal opportunity for Melbourne Zoo to acquire two females - Frala and Mbeli.
I feel like these females would be a great fit for Melbourne’s troop. They’re both mother raised females and best of all, Kimya grew up with them at Taronga. Their acquisition would give Melbourne the following:
1.0 Otana (28/01/2001) Imported 2013
0.1 Frala (14/06/1981) Imported 1996
0.1 Mbeli (05/02/2003) Kibabu x Mouila
0.1 Kimya (12/01/2005) Kibabu x Kriba
0.1 Kanzi (14/03/2015) Otana x Kimya
Mbeli would provide Melbourne with a sure fire breeding female. We can’t discount Frala being given the opportunity to breed, as attempts were made with her half-sister at Mogo at this age. She’s also the most genetically valuable female in this grouping.
Kanzi would likely remain in the troop, at least until her mother breeds again. Long term, I anticipate she may join Mogo’s troop. Kriba’s passing would otherwise leave Kipenzi alone, which is far from ideal.
Following the unfortunate passing of the juvenile gorilla, Fikiri, at Taronga Zoo; and the uncertainty around the future of gorillas at Taronga, it’s at least a possibility their troop could be disbanded. This would of course provide the ideal opportunity for Melbourne Zoo to acquire two females - Frala and Mbeli.
I feel like these females would be a great fit for Melbourne’s troop. They’re both mother raised females and best of all, Kimya grew up with them at Taronga. Their acquisition would give Melbourne the following:
1.0 Otana (28/01/2001) Imported 2013
0.1 Frala (14/06/1981) Imported 1996
0.1 Mbeli (05/02/2003) Kibabu x Mouila
0.1 Kimya (12/01/2005) Kibabu x Kriba
0.1 Kanzi (14/03/2015) Otana x Kimya
Mbeli would provide Melbourne with a sure fire breeding female. We can’t discount Frala being given the opportunity to breed, as attempts were made with her half-sister at Mogo at this age. She’s also the most genetically valuable female in this grouping.
Kanzi would likely remain in the troop, at least until her mother breeds again. Long term, I anticipate she may join Mogo’s troop. Kriba’s passing would otherwise leave Kipenzi alone, which is far from ideal.
So Is this just speculation that Taronga might be phasing out their Gorillas?, I just find it surprising that the once thriving troop dwindling down to a mere handful just to be broken up and waved goodbye?. We know Gorillas are a crowd puller and we know the history behind this group as they were shipped out from Holland as a full Gorilla troop something not done to often.
Somebody was advised on their visit that the future of gorillas at Taronga is uncertain; but to answer your question, there’s been no official confirmation. It’s just speculation at this point.
The outcome could even be Taronga maintaining a bachelor troop (Kibale and his sons), as opposed to a full blown phase out. It’s their point of difference over Sydney Zoo, who have no gorillas.
Taronga’s current troop is essentially a 1.1 breeding pair depending on whether Frala can/will breed again.
I 100% agree with this plan; and if the rumors about Taronga's troop are true, than this would certainly be most likely.
Kimya's familiarity with the two Taronga girls would certainly help as she'd finally be comforted by two individuals who she's previously known. Mbeli and Frala are also mother raised females, and so would finally be great additions to Melbourne's troop dynamics.
The region is in desperate need of gorilla offspring at the moment, and so this move would definitely help support this.
It’d be fascinating to see how troop dynamics would play out. Mbeli is a prime aged, socially savy female that has firmly cemented her position in Taronga’s troop as Kibale’s favourite female. Frala is less extroverted; and combined with the distance between Otana and Kimya, it’s not difficult to see Mbeli establish herself as Otana’s favourite female, especially when she produces an infant.
With this in mind, it’s probably advisable to allow Frala to breed (if she can conceive still). With Mbeli as the favourite female; and Kimya and Kanzi sharing a mother and daughter bond, she could otherwise end up on the periphery of the troop. That was her situation in Kibabu’s troop, but her offspring at least gave her a focus and some level of status within the troop.
I find it quite interesting how until recently there were only the 2 groups in the country, Melbourne send two young breeding age females to the EEP who are full to capacity with them as they are with Malayan Tapir and Indian rhinos while we have the bare minimum or on the brink of losing these species!
I agree imports would be beneficial for genetic reasons.
Taronga sent four females to Europe:
0.1 Shinda (1991) Kibabu x Frala
0.1 Kijivu (1993) Kibabu x Kriba
0.1 Anguka (1994) Kibabu x Frala
0.1 Safiri (1996) Kibabu x Kriba
Since they were all Apenheul born, I’d assume they had pre-determined placements already arranged when they were imported in 1996. Their import into Australia was soley for the purpose of growing up in their family troop (with the infants dependent on their mothers).
Though we haven’t received females in their place, we now have four Australian bred females (Johari, Mbeli, Kimya and Kipenzi) from Melbourne and Taronga’s troops; one of which now has a daughter of her own.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
The space beside the GFA along the path, opposite the lower giraffe enclosure is at least 20x50m. Not particularly small.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
TOTE and GR don't have playgrounds but both are littered with children interactives to which is all you really need.
Thinking about it, interactives do everybody a favour. They engage the children; while redirecting their attention away from the viewing windows, where they’d otherwise be under the feet of those doing what they’re there to do (see animals).
The alternatives (playgrounds) serve to make the kids wish they were somewhere else when they’re stood in any part of the zoo that’s not the playground, gift shop or cafe (i.e. the exhibits). That’s when they become a nuisance to everyone around them.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Didn’t know where else to say this, but what other zoos could you see mouse deer? I feel like they’d suit the new elephant trail at MZ, potentially sharing exhibit with any of the gibbons, siamang, orangutan etc.
I feel like Melbourne, Taronga, Adelaide and Perth would be the most likely to acquire mouse deer. They’d be difficult to see from the Altina tour and not really a species for open range zoos.
It appears Wellington may be importing them and I see no reason Auckland wouldn’t be interested.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
You *can* look at it. As Jambo said it is roped off, but a few months ago, before I moved, I chose to step around the rope and walk up to see the exhibit. This was before the Coati moved out for the binturong, and it was empty at the time BUT they could be there now.
I have previously done the same.
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