Australia Zoo Australia Zoo News 2024

Zorro said:
There is certainly much they could do to expand their African collection, I believe displaying just 2 Zebra for their African Savanna is not really cutting the mustard. Even without importing, some Baboons could be added in a new rocky exhibit that would be both entertaining and interesting, Both Hyenas and Painted dogs could be obtained without to much trouble as well. I believe having even a trio of Lions would be very popular with the public and also been asked for on the social media.
Some species of antelope could be added to the current Giraffe/Rhino enclosures with out the need to build any new exhibits or even import them, Oryx, Addax and Nyala also Eland could be obtained to add interest and a better display for the public. Even a couple of Ostrich could be added without a major cost they certainly have enough off display room to operate a nice verity if they so wished.
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Absolutely!. Not to mention species like fennec fox, serval, caracal, porcupine are small easily housed species they could display to add variety. Do they even have meerkats ?
The zoo has adequate land, where space is on par with the open range zoos. It seems like a lack of investment into species has occurred. When they have the potential to really out do any other private zoos except Zoos SA.


I have always wondered if the zoo has never progressed much. Due to them not wanting to change it away from how Steve had not before he died. He had big plans and some small changes have occurred. But no real change species wise has occurred. It's like the zoo froze as it was when he passed.
 
Tiger91 said:
Absolutely!. Not to mention species like fennec fox, serval, caracal, porcupine are small easily housed species they could display to add variety. Do they even have meerkats ?
The zoo has adequate land, where space is on par with the open range zoos. It seems like a lack of investment into species has occurred. When they have the potential to really out do any other private zoos except Zoos SA.


I have always wondered if the zoo has never progressed much. Due to them not wanting to change it away from how Steve had not before he died. He had big plans and some small changes have occurred. But no real change species wise has occurred. It's like the zoo froze as it was when he passed.
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Since following the zoo from the very early 1970s when it was a mere small reptile park I have formed the opinion that Steve was very much the driving force behind the zoos progress,Even though the zoo often says its keeping his dream alive I often wonder by how much?, Since as mentioned before what was stated (past zoos website) with future projects such as the world largest Gorilla exhibit.
In the shown zoo map from only a few years ago they even have a European zone mapped out along with its African zone, Asian zone and Australian zone. Then there was a lot of talk about getting a rail line diverted right into the zoo to off load the public right next to a huge 5 star hotel along with several other levels of accommodation.
There seemed to be so many plans for future species and the further 2 stages the future looked good. I believe Steve had visited the Singapore zoo a number of times perhaps to pick up exhibit ideas? Also his visit to the Howletts park zoo in the UK to see the Gorilla troop.

I would say the food court is one of the better ones I have seen in any zoo that I have visited, Also the gardens and plantings are excellent in my view and the place is kept very clean all of which is a bonus.
As for where they go from here is anyones guess they certainly have the potential there, The collection especially the exotic side of things is weak and minimal, I hope one day Robert picks up the reins from where his father left off and takes the zoo to another new level, It can be done if it desired!
 
To be honest I am surprised that Steve and Terri didn't get more crocodilian species given that Steve was world famously known as the Crocodile Hunter. The zoo has three species, Saltwater crocodile, Freshwater crocodile and the American alligator. Import restrictions surely couldn't have been much of an issue since other Australian zoos has/had other crocodilian species in the country like the New Guinea crocodile and the Philippines crocodile. The zoo definitely has the space to hold more species, and climate wise, I think every crocodilian species wouldn't have an issue with the Sunshine Coast climate.
 
Michael Stace said:
To be honest I am surprised that Steve and Terri didn't get more crocodilian species given that Steve was world famously known as the Crocodile Hunter. The zoo has three species, Saltwater crocodile, Freshwater crocodile and the American alligator. Import restrictions surely couldn't have been much of an issue since other Australian zoos has/had other crocodilian species in the country like the New Guinea crocodile and the Philippines crocodile. The zoo definitely has the space to hold more species, and climate wise, I think every crocodilian species wouldn't have an issue with the Sunshine Coast climate.
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Correct, Its likely a lack of interest at the end of the day!
 
Zorro said:
True but unfortunately not going to happen. I believe one of the crocodile parks in the NT has Brown Caiman species!
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You must be thinking of Spectacled caiman. They’re held at Malcolm Douglas Wildlife Park, which is in WA.

These are the crocodile/alligator species we have in the region:

Saltwater crocodile
Freshwater crocodile
Philippines crocodile
New Guinea crocodile
False gharial
American alligator
Spectacled caiman
 
Tiger91 said:
Absolutely!. Not to mention species like fennec fox, serval, caracal, porcupine are small easily housed species they could display to add variety. Do they even have meerkats ?
The zoo has adequate land, where space is on par with the open range zoos. It seems like a lack of investment into species has occurred. When they have the potential to really out do any other private zoos except Zoos SA.


I have always wondered if the zoo has never progressed much. Due to them not wanting to change it away from how Steve had not before he died. He had big plans and some small changes have occurred. But no real change species wise has occurred. It's like the zoo froze as it was when he passed.
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Keep in mind Australia Zoo is a private business. If they are able to achieve satisfactory visitation and profitability with the collection they have, there is no reason for them to expand the collection. Adding more species may only result in a reduced profit. Note: I have no special knowledge of Australia Zoo and it is 20 years since I visited the property, and am only speaking generally.

Re your mention of Zoos SA, I know where you are coming from, however they receive substantial government grants and are situated on land granted by the government. This puts them on a par with the government zoos in other states, and distinct from private zoos generally. By the way, both Zoos Vic and Taronga refer to themselves as "not-for-profit" zoos rather than government zoos in their marketing.
 
MRJ said:
Keep in mind Australia Zoo is a private business. If they are able to achieve satisfactory visitation and profitability with the collection they have, there is no reason for them to expand the collection. Adding more species may only result in a reduced profit. Note: I have no special knowledge of Australia Zoo and it is 20 years since I visited the property, and am only speaking generally.
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Very good points!, while the potential for the property is there. If they are happy with the current state of things then there is no real push to expand.

MRJ said:
Re your mention of Zoos SA, I know where you are coming from, however they receive substantial government grants and are situated on land granted by the government. This puts them on a par with the government zoos in other states, and distinct from private zoos generally. By the way, both Zoos Vic and Taronga refer to themselves as "not-for-profit" zoos rather than government zoos in their marketing.
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Yes that does give them a different footing. I have seen them market themselves as private but never been sure how much the state government hands there way.
I have always wondered if part of tarongas non profit marketing is a ploy to cover up the recent move to try and squeeze as much income out of the place as possible. Instead of running as a state run zoo. If it was private I could understand it. But even zoo SA dont focus on making money of the zoo to the extreme taronga has gone to,
 
Zorro said:
Since following the zoo from the very early 1970s when it was a mere small reptile park I have formed the opinion that Steve was very much the driving force behind the zoos progress,Even though the zoo often says its keeping his dream alive I often wonder by how much?, Since as mentioned before what was stated (past zoos website) with future projects such as the world largest Gorilla exhibit.
In the shown zoo map from only a few years ago they even have a European zone mapped out along with its African zone, Asian zone and Australian zone. Then there was a lot of talk about getting a rail line diverted right into the zoo to off load the public right next to a huge 5 star hotel along with several other levels of accommodation.
There seemed to be so many plans for future species and the further 2 stages the future looked good. I believe Steve had visited the Singapore zoo a number of times perhaps to pick up exhibit ideas? Also his visit to the Howletts park zoo in the UK to see the Gorilla troop.

I would say the food court is one of the better ones I have seen in any zoo that I have visited, Also the gardens and plantings are excellent in my view and the place is kept very clean all of which is a bonus.
As for where they go from here is anyones guess they certainly have the potential there, The collection especially the exotic side of things is weak and minimal, I hope one day Robert picks up the reins from where his father left off and takes the zoo to another new level, It can be done if it desired!
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Yes! I remember the map with those zones.
Hopefully as the kids come into there own we may see more expansion into the new things. I do remember the plans, of memory I think there were news articles where Steve had wanted a build this massive resort where the train line would drop people of at. Which the government had given the green light. I think of memory didn't they even purchase an adjoining property to incorporate more space. Then it seems to have fallen by the way side. If his dreams had be brought into reality I dare say it would have turned into a world class facility rivalling the big overseas zoos,
 
Tiger91 said:
Yes! I remember the map with those zones.
Hopefully as the kids come into there own we may see more expansion into the new things. I do remember the plans, of memory I think there were news articles where Steve had wanted a build this massive resort where the train line would drop people of at. Which the government had given the green light. I think of memory didn't they even purchase an adjoining property to incorporate more space. Then it seems to have fallen by the way side. If his dreams had be brought into reality I dare say it would have turned into a world class facility rivalling the big overseas zoos,
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100% agree, I believe there was some info on the net some time ago that mentioned a land swap with the state government which I believe may of went ahead but it may of been a lack of investors in the project that stop it from going ahead!
 
TheGerenuk said:
The zoo has announced that Irwin's turtles have hatched. This is the first successful hatching of the species worldwide.
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Just a note that their post on socials today references last year’s success in hatching Irwin’s turtles. There’s a video from December 2023 about the science behind incubating the eggs/rearing the hatchlings here:

 
There hasn't really been any news for Australia Zoo in quite a while, so here's a few minor updates I can glean from guest posts in the zoo's Geotag:

-A Cassowary Chick (possibly the one that was raised by the male, Kevin, since the hand-raised chick, Fergo, was previously kept in her own enclosure down the end of the Cassowary area), has been moved to the area up by the Wetlands, by the toilets and the old pony trails, in an exhibit that used to house emu.

-Some new vegetation has been put into the main Elephant enclosure. Some of the wire fencing around the pool area has also been redone, replacing the wooden beams with faux bamboo bundles. All four girls seem active, confident and engaged, and participate in basic training exercises along the front of the exhibit, with the keepers standing on the other side of the fence, where guests are. I've also seen several photos and videos of all four of them having an absolute blast in the pool, which is very nice to see. No evidence, however, of the completion of the extension area to the exhibit.

-I do not know enough about Giraffe's to be super confident, but Sally is certainly looking a noticeably rounder than Penny and Rosie. The two calves are pretty much indistinguishable from their mothers in size, so I would not be surprised to see a new baby born soon.

-The Crocoseum appears to be under construction, they're putting in some new seats. Most of the left side of the stands is blocked off for the new seats atm, with a small section of the new seats put in by the Tail Walk area and under the screen. They're the same style as the old ones, but a mix of 5 colours. (A brighter red/orange, a mustard yellow, two khaki-esque shades of green and grey, and a lighter, almost white grey). Not what I would of spent money on upgrading personally, but far from the worst thing they could of put their cash into I suppose, since I'm pretty sure they're the same seats that were put in when the place was built.

-The 'Wandering Wildlife' returned sometime early this year/late last year after being halted due to Covid. This is the keepers walking around the front section of the zoo with a variety of smaller species for guests to meet and get their photo taken with.

-Oh my god so much new signage and statues and the like. Mostly the standard Irwin-focused stuff and touristy photo ops, but I did find a photo of a rather nice looking sign that's a world map with the global conservation efforts the zoo is involved in highlighted, with info on the IUCN classification on each species being helped by each program. More of that rather than the 23rd shrine to Steve, please.

Overall, after a couple good years with the arrival and display of Sumatran Elephants, the new Crocodile area, mates acquired for their King Cobra and Komodo Dragon for attempted breeding, Cheetah's going on display, upgrades to the Crocoseum show including free-flight training their Jabiru and integrating their Cassowary Chick and Komodo Dragons, adding several new smaller herptile species to their collection, and the renovation of their walk-through aviary, it seems they've fallen back into the slump of focusing on guest amenities and things that appeal to folks interested in the zoos celebrity owners, rather than animal inhabitants. Not a particular surprise for Australia Zoo, given their direction after Steve passed, but they had a good few years going there, which makes the current stagnation - predictable as it was - all the more disappointing.
 
Zorro said:
Who knows perhaps in time this international known zoo might even add a monkey to the collection. ;)
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I think the most we can reasonably hope for from Australia Zoo in terms of new primates are Tamarins or Marmosets.
They're very common in the region, breed readily enough to have a pretty constant stream of cute babies, don't take up too much space but are still pretty decent crowd-pleasers, and, as an added bonus, they're a species that has proven particularly popular in other zoos for paid guest encounters.
 
Always_Amity said:
I think the most we can reasonably hope for from Australia Zoo in terms of new primates are Tamarins or Marmosets.
They're very common in the region, breed readily enough to have a pretty constant stream of cute babies, don't take up too much space but are still pretty decent crowd-pleasers, and, as an added bonus, they're a species that has proven particularly popular in other zoos for paid guest encounters.
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As many would know Primates are very popular among the public in general and yes having them would tend to attract more visitors and breeding them would be very good PR for the zoo so a win win I believe, I assume they would know this but that's about where it stops. I know they do well with some species like White rhino and Giraffes but at the end of the day its a bare minimum collection,
 
Zorro said:
As many would know Primates are very popular among the public in general and yes having them would tend to attract more visitors and breeding them would be very good PR for the zoo so a win win I believe, I assume they would know this but that's about where it stops. I know they do well with some species like White rhino and Giraffes but at the end of the day its a bare minimum collection,
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Australia Zoo is in this weird spot, where they don't have very many notable exotics beyond maybe half a dozen big drawcard species, which is understandable considering they're mainly targeting overseas tourists, but their native collection is also very bare-bones across the board.

Their native Reptile collection doesn't really include anything you wouldn't see at any other zoo, which is especially crazy when you consider the fact that Steve is most closely associated with Reptiles.
Native Inverts and Amphibians get snubbed entirely, beyond some green tree frogs I believe.
The native Birds look slightly better, but even they are lacking, with a huge missed opportunity to display more native parrots imo.
And then their native Mammal collection is just embarrassing. Platypus, Bilby, Numbat, Tree Kangaroos, Quolls, Possums, Gliders, Bettongs, Potoroos, Pademelons, Bandicoots, Dunnarts and Bats get snubbed, all while the zoo has what, four seperate Koala exhibits?

Australia Zoo's animal collection is just in a pretty sorry state all around. At this point I'm just waiting for Robert or whoever is set to take over next to be handed the reins, and praying they care more about animals and conservation than celebrity status and fame.
 
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