The Future of Zoos Victoria 2024 (Speculation/Fantasy)

[Zoofan15]

I like the idea of having the Spider Monkeys in the former baboon enclosure; it would be even better if they could share the enclosure with a species like Mara who could make use of the ground area. Or even an extension of the Tapir complex if they wish to have more space.

The combination of Brazilian tapir, Black-handed spider monkey (and a Cape Barron goose that believed he was a tapir) always worked well at Hamilton Zoo.

The baboon exhibit would allow for a large spider monkey troop to be held, with regular breeding so females can learn maternal behaviour by observation. It’d be a shame to loose them from the zoo altogether, though a redevelopment of Treetops is needed and it’s a good opportunity to redevelop it for an African species to achieve a greater sense of geographic theming for this precinct (with gorillas being the main attraction). The Rail Gate end of the zoo would then have the foundations of a South American zone. It wouldn’t be hard to add a couple of tamarin exhibits to this area.

 

[Jambo]

The combination of Brazilian tapir, Black-handed spider monkey (and a Cape Barron goose that believed he was a tapir) always worked well at Hamilton Zoo.

The baboon exhibit would allow for a large spider monkey troop to be held, with regular breeding so females can learn maternal behaviour by observation. It’d be a shame to loose them from the zoo altogether, though a redevelopment of Treetops is needed and it’s a good opportunity to redevelop it for an African species to achieve a greater sense of geographic theming for this precinct (with gorillas being the main attraction). The Rail Gate end of the zoo would then have the foundations of a South American zone. It wouldn’t be hard to add a couple of tamarin exhibits to this area.

Hypothetically, if they elect to utilise the current Baboon exhibit for Brazilian Tapirs as well, they could easily construct an enclosure for Tamarins where the Peccaries currently are. This could be for the Emperor Tamarins if they elect to keep the Cotton Tops in Keeper kids.

Anyhow, a nice easy idea for Melbourne to replicate to form a small, decent South American section utilising what will soon be mostly vacant enclosures.

 

[Zoofan15]

Hypothetically, if they elect to utilise the current Baboon exhibit for Brazilian Tapirs as well, they could easily construct an enclosure for Tamarins where the Peccaries currently are. This could be for the Emperor Tamarins if they elect to keep the Cotton Tops in Keeper kids.

Anyhow, a nice easy idea for Melbourne to replicate to form a small, decent South American section utilising what will soon be mostly vacant enclosures.

I actually wouldn’t be surprised if they phased Emperor tamarin out. They’re Least Concern and don’t really qualify as enabling compared to other primates.

Golden lion tamarin (Endangered) and Cotton-top tamarin (Critically Endangered) are both strong candidates, with the possibility of holding two groups.

 

[dylan downward]

I was thinking the island in the middle where the tigers are for tote would be a good spot for a world class gibbon exhibit it would fit in perfect for the Asian theme which would then make room for tree top monkey upgrades

 

[Jambo]

I was thinking the island in the middle where the tigers are for tote would be a good spot for a world class gibbon exhibit it would fit in perfect for the Asian theme which would then make room for tree top monkey upgrades

I wouldn't mind that. If there was to be an orangutan expansion, I always thought that island opposite was the perfect to start. It would a nice facilitating enclosure for a surrounding aerial pathway (similar to Auckland's).

But with the elephants going they potentially have the space to do more. The White Cheeked Gibbons could have that aforementioned island with the Orangutans getting an enclosure somewhere in the current elephant complex creating a connected system allowing for rotation of each species across exhibits.

 

[dylan downward]

I wouldn't mind that. If there was to be an orangutan expansion, I always thought that island opposite was the perfect to start. It would a nice facilitating enclosure for a surrounding aerial pathway (similar to Auckland's).

But with the elephants going they potentially have the space to do more. The White Cheeked Gibbons could have that aforementioned island with the Orangutans getting an enclosure somewhere in the current elephant complex creating a connected system allowing for rotation of each species across exhibits.

This would be a great idea I also overheard from a keeper in my last trip there are plans to expand the butterfly house to

 

[Jambo]

This would be a great idea I also overheard from a keeper in my last trip there are plans to expand the butterfly house to

Interesting but understandable considering the Butterfly Houses age and size. It could do with an upgrade and I wouldn't be disappointed if we got a new Butterfly Tropical House apart of the elephant replacement.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I was thinking the island in the middle where the tigers are for tote would be a good spot for a world class gibbon exhibit it would fit in perfect for the Asian theme which would then make room for tree top monkey upgrades

Singapore have Gibbons sharing the Orangutan island exhibit. If Orangutan expand onto the island on TOTE it would be awesome if they shared it with Gibbons.

 

[dylan downward]

Interesting but understandable considering the Butterfly Houses age and size. It could do with an upgrade and I wouldn't be disappointed if we got a new Butterfly Tropical House apart of the elephant replacement.

This would be even better if they to mix other species into it eg like a crocodile species

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

This would be even better if they to mix other species into it eg like a crocodile species

Could be a chance to build a bigger, better Phillipines Crocodile enclosure.

 

[dylan downward]

Could be a chance to build a bigger, better Phillipines Crocodile enclosure.

This or bring in the saltwater crocodile

 

[Jambo]

This would be even better if they to mix other species into it eg like a crocodile species

I agree, after visiting Auckland's Tropical Dome it would be nice if something on this scale was built at Melbourne with Philippine Crocodiles, species of fish and of course free ranging butterflies.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

This or bring in the saltwater crocodile

Phillipines Crocodile would fit better with the Asian theming.

 

[dylan downward]

Phillipines Crocodile would fit better with the Asian theming.

I do agree but if Phillipines crocs not on the plan saltwater croc would be a good replacement

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Lucky we already have a Phillipines Crocodile

 

[dylan downward]

Lucky we already have a Phillipines Crocodile

I would love to see a breeding pair

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I would like to see a second Tiger enclosure on the Western side of the lake - between the 1st (deep pool) Elephant enclosure and the lake (no more short cut path).

Expanded Orangutan/Siamang enclosures with the island, and part of Luk Chai's paddock used. I would add Gibbon into their rotation, being able to cohabit with Orangutan. I still think that the island and a fair portion of the lake could be used for a larger Otter colony.

Expand the Butterfly House with a Tropical Dome with fish, Phillipines crocodile and Sunda Gharial over the food court area. Potentially some birds or monkey soecies in the dome too.

I agree with @ReturnOfPaddyRick from way back that the Elephant Barn could/should be redeveloped for a completely indoor Malayan Tappir enclosure. The main elephant paddock and deep pool paddock can be used to house Sun bear or Sloth Bear, along with a new treetop monkeys in a redeveloped deep pool enclosure leading to the existing Orangutan/Siamang enlosures. The enclosure at the end that holds spider monkey (?) could be a Binturong enclosure, or the Binturong could be a part of the new treetops section.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I would love to see a breeding pair

Me too!

 

[Zoofan15]

Could be a chance to build a bigger, better Phillipines Crocodile enclosure.

I agree, after visiting Auckland's Tropical Dome it would be nice if something on this scale was built at Melbourne with Philippine Crocodiles, species of fish and of course free ranging butterflies.

This would be great to see, though if going to the effort of building a tropical dome at Melbourne Zoo, it’d be nice to see more reptiles included as was the initial intention of Auckland Zoo’s tropical dome.

As much as I like the False gharial at Auckland Zoo and am grateful for the opportunity to see a unique species, I feel it would have been beneficial to have imported a regional focus species like Phillipine crocodile. Auckland Zoo have no intention to breed False gharial; but had they imported Phillipine crocodile (a critically endangered species), could be contributing to a regional breeding programme - with the support of Melbourne and Taronga.

 

[Zoofan15]

I was thinking the island in the middle where the tigers are for tote would be a good spot for a world class gibbon exhibit it would fit in perfect for the Asian theme which would then make room for tree top monkey upgrades

I wouldn't mind that. If there was to be an orangutan expansion, I always thought that island opposite was the perfect to start. It would a nice facilitating enclosure for a surrounding aerial pathway (similar to Auckland's).

But with the elephants going they potentially have the space to do more. The White Cheeked Gibbons could have that aforementioned island with the Orangutans getting an enclosure somewhere in the current elephant complex creating a connected system allowing for rotation of each species across exhibits.

This would be great to see. Due to the territorial nature of gibbons, it would be preferable not to keep two pairs in the same house (i.e. the ape house housing Sumatran orangutan and Siamang).

Utilising the island space and building an additional housing unit for gibbon would enable the white-cheeked gibbon to be housed in reasonable proximity; as well as allowing for interesting compare/contrast between the gibbons.