Wishes for Indonesian zoos & aquariums (Fantasy)

[Rizz Carlton]

Only when the dromedary camel enclosure is replaced with a mixed savannah exhibit, where will the dromedary camel be moved to?

Some species I guess can be phased out or at the very least put off-display, sadly. The camel in GLZ is an old, single individual. Like I said, there was a large empty space near the petting zoo that can hopefully be turned into a exhibit in some way, the camel might be able to be moved here.

 

[Enzo]

I would love to see a partnership between Brazilian and Indonesian zoos. I believe both countries would benefit from having close ties, as they're among the most populous countries in the tropics and could become conservation havens if the right things are done.

Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo have held quite a few Indonesian animals in the last fifty years (birds-of-paradise, crowned pigeons, grizzled tree-kangaroos, Malayan tapirs, Sumatran tigers, tomistomas...) and it would be nice seeing them again, especially since my local zoo was amongst the first in the world to breed Dendrolagus inustus.

 

[Jonathan Harry]

I would love to see a partnership between Brazilian and Indonesian zoos. I believe both countries would benefit from having close ties, as they're among the most populous countries in the tropics and could become conservation havens if the right things are done.

Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo have held quite a few Indonesian animals in the last fifty years (birds-of-paradise, crowned pigeons, grizzled tree-kangaroos, Malayan tapirs, Sumatran tigers, tomistomas...) and it would be nice seeing them again, especially since my local zoo was amongst the first in the world to breed Dendrolagus inustus.

Me too. The following are South American exclusive collections that are kept in Indonesian zoos and safari parks:

1. Batu Secret Zoo (Malang): white-headed marmoset (Callithrix geoffroyi), western pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea), Chacoan mara (Pediolagus salinicola), kinkajou (Potos flavus), emerald tree boa (Corallus caninus), Amazon milk frog (Trachycephalus resinifictrix), mata mata (Chelus fimbriata)
2. Gembira Loka Zoo (Yogyakarta) and Suraloka Zoo: black-tufted marmoset (Callithrix penicillata) and white-lipped tamarin (Saguinus labiatus)
3. Faunaland Ancol (Jakarta): silvery marmoset (Mico argentatus)
4. Cisarua Safari Park (Bogor): guanaco (Lama guanicoe)
5. Jasmine Park (Tangerang): big hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) and Brazilian porcupine (Coendou prehensilis)

 

[Enzo]

Me too. The following are South American exclusive collections that are kept in Indonesian zoos and safari parks:

1. Batu Secret Zoo (Malang): white-headed marmoset (Callithrix geoffroyi), western pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea), Chacoan mara (Pediolagus salinicola), kinkajou (Potos flavus), emerald tree boa (Corallus caninus), Amazon milk frog (Trachycephalus resinifictrix), mata mata (Chelus fimbriata)
2. Gembira Loka Zoo (Yogyakarta) and Suraloka Zoo: black-tufted marmoset (Callithrix penicillata) and white-lipped tamarin (Saguinus labiatus)
3. Faunaland Ancol (Jakarta): silvery marmoset (Mico argentatus)
4. Cisarua Safari Park (Bogor): guanaco (Lama guanicoe)
5. Jasmine Park (Tangerang): big hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) and Brazilian porcupine (Coendou prehensilis)

Very interesting collections. I have actually never seen some of these animals, like the Pygmy marmoset, kinkajou, Amazon tree frog and big hairy armadillo.

 

[Rizz Carlton]

I would love to see a partnership between Brazilian and Indonesian zoos. I believe both countries would benefit from having close ties, as they're among the most populous countries in the tropics and could become conservation havens if the right things are done.

Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo have held quite a few Indonesian animals in the last fifty years (birds-of-paradise, crowned pigeons, grizzled tree-kangaroos, Malayan tapirs, Sumatran tigers, tomistomas...) and it would be nice seeing them again, especially since my local zoo was amongst the first in the world to breed Dendrolagus inustus.

Happy to hear about the last part, I have no idea that there are grizzled tree-kangaroo in zoos outside of Indonesia!

Sadly, there's quite a lack of cooperation between Indonesian and Brazilian as well as Latin American zoos and aquarias in general, aside from Batu Secret Zoo's first jaguars from Mexico and the plan to acquire an female giant anteater from Brazil for Batu as well that are still on the way.

I also would love to see some more Brazilian and other South American species to be held here. We never have howler monkey, spider monkey, and jaguarundi, to name a few, here in Indonesian zoos. The species you mentioned are also already quite widespread in Indonesian facilities, so a exchange with Brazilian zoos should be possible.

 

[Mossman Joe]

• There will be Amphibia, a terrarium specifically for amphibians in the arboretum area. So all amphibians that were originally from Reptiles & Amphibians Park will be moved here like the Pacman frog (Ceratophrys cranwelli), green tree frog (Ranoidea caerulea), Javan tree frog (Rhacophorus margaritifer), false toad (Pseudobufo subasper), Borneo eared frog (Polypedates otilophus), African bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus), axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), and greater siren (Siren lacertina). Later there will be additional new collections from Suraloka Zoo (Kaliurang) and some that used to be part of the GLZ collection such as blue poison arrow frog (Dendrobates tinctorius "azureus"), Budgett's frog (Lepidobatrachus laevis), Iberian ribbed newt (Pleurodeles waltl), tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum), northern crested newt (Triturus cristatus), and Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus). Amphibians are given their own zone and separated from the reptile zone because there is a special breeding place for Chinese giant salamanders.

I like this idea a lot, especially if this area is climate controlled or at least sheltered similar to how the aquarium is, making it more comfortable for Axolotls, Dart Frogs and especially the Chinese Giant Salamanders. It would also make it easier for GLZ to house more fragile species such as other dart frogs, Matang frogs (Hylarana signata), Starry night reed frogs (Heterixalus alboguttatus), Golden Bubblenest frogs (Philautus vittiger), Black-spotted Stream frogs (Staurois guttatus), all of which have been available in the market. Most hopefully though, it could be a way to house the critically endangered Bleeding Toad (Leptophryne cruentata), which Batu has a signed enclosure for but does not seem to have any on show.

 

[Enzo]

Happy to hear about the last part, I have no idea that there are grizzled tree-kangaroo in zoos outside of Indonesia!

Sadly, there's quite a lack of cooperation between Indonesian and Brazilian as well as Latin American zoos and aquarias in general, aside from Batu Secret Zoo's first jaguars from Mexico and the plan to acquire an female giant anteater from Brazil for Batu as well that are still on the way.

I also would love to see some more Brazilian and other South American species held here. We never have howler monkey, spider monkey, and jaguarundi, to name a few, here in Indonesian zoos. The species you mentioned are also already quite widespread in Indonesian facilities, so if cooperation between the zoos of these two countries, a exchange between these species would be great.

The tree-kangaroos have sadly been gone for over thirty years now... There's also a lack of cooperation between Brazilian zoos themselves, so cooperation between Brazilian and Indonesian institutions is kind of a dream to me. The exchanges, however, would be excellent if something like this happened.

 

[Jonathan Harry]

Happy to hear about the last part, I have no idea that there are grizzled tree-kangaroo in zoos outside of Indonesia!

Sadly, there's quite a lack of cooperation between Indonesian and Brazilian as well as Latin American zoos and aquarias in general, aside from Batu Secret Zoo's first jaguars from Mexico and the plan to acquire an female giant anteater from Brazil for Batu as well that are still on the way.

I also would love to see some more Brazilian and other South American species to be held here. We never have howler monkey, spider monkey, and jaguarundi, to name a few, here in Indonesian zoos. The species you mentioned are also already quite widespread in Indonesian facilities, so a exchange with Brazilian zoos should be possible.

Avilon Zoo in Philippines have grizzled tree kangaroos

 

[Rizz Carlton]

I like this idea a lot, especially if this area is climate controlled or at least sheltered similar to how the aquarium is, making it more comfortable for Axolotls, Dart Frogs and especially the Chinese Giant Salamanders. It would also make it easier for GLZ to house more fragile species such as other dart frogs, Matang frogs (Hylarana signata), Starry night reed frogs (Heterixalus alboguttatus), Golden Bubblenest frogs (Philautus vittiger), Black-spotted Stream frogs (Staurois guttatus), all of which have been available in the market. Most hopefully though, it could be a way to house the critically endangered Bleeding Toad (Leptophryne cruentata), which Batu has a signed enclosure for but does not seem to have any on show.

The amphibians already have very good shelter to the the extend that you can't barely view them (Especially the kaloula pulchra that I have never seen once). So I'd say GLZ should already have a good experience in amphibian care and exhibit scaping in their portfolio. Though the very small exhibits especially for the bullfrogs and suck toad is a minus for me.

The current Amphibian area in Gembira Loka's Reptile Park is technically its own Amphibian Zone (The whole area being called Reptile and Amphibian zone). Though I agree that we need some extension for more species and better exhibits, demolishing the turtle exhibits in the Amphibian area might be possible to add larger exhibits for the bullfrogs and suck toad.

 

[Jonathan Harry]

I like this idea a lot, especially if this area is climate controlled or at least sheltered similar to how the aquarium is, making it more comfortable for Axolotls, Dart Frogs and especially the Chinese Giant Salamanders. It would also make it easier for GLZ to house more fragile species such as other dart frogs, Matang frogs (Hylarana signata), Starry night reed frogs (Heterixalus alboguttatus), Golden Bubblenest frogs (Philautus vittiger), Black-spotted Stream frogs (Staurois guttatus), all of which have been available in the market. Most hopefully though, it could be a way to house the critically endangered Bleeding Toad (Leptophryne cruentata), which Batu has a signed enclosure for but does not seem to have any on show.

Actually, some of the species of Indonesian frogs that you mentioned are also in Batu Secret Zoo, because in the aquarium there is a new exhibit, namely Indonesian's rare amphibians.

 

[Mossman Joe]

The amphibians already have very good shelter to the the extend that you can't barely view them (Especially the kaloula pulchra that I have never seen once). So I'd say GLZ should already have a good experience in amphibian care and exhibit scaping in their portfolio. Though the very small exhibits especially for the bullfrogs and suck toad is a minus for me.

My main concern was temperature, especially how hot it is now in the country, it could be difficult to house more montane adapted species that are more used to colder temperatures.

From my observations, Kaloula are often kept too fat and full by Indonesian hobbyists and zoological institutions, this makes them more likely to burrow or hide during the daytime, moreso than usual. I'm unsure of how they're kept in GLZ, but enclosure size may also be a factor, this genus is surprisingly more arboreal than what pet shops will lead you to believe.

As for the enclosure designs, I'll take your word for it. Last time I've visited (about two years ago), they were planted quite well but I remember seeing some baffling choices like keeping axolotls in a paludarium. I know the keepers have had at least one enclosure building workshop with a herpetologist, so they might have improved their designs by now.

 

[Mossman Joe]

Actually, some of the species of Indonesian frogs that you mentioned are also in Batu Secret Zoo, because in the aquarium there is a new exhibit, namely Indonesian's rare amphibians.

I actually just visited there last month, unfortunately most of the enclosures were either mislabelled, weren't labelled or had animals missing, with the enclosure for Megophrys specifically being blacked out for renovations.

They had some interesting specimens like Pearly Tree Frog (Nyctixalus margaritifer), Eared Frog (Polypedates otilophus) and what I think is a species of Philautus, but they did not have labels

 

[Caribbean Flamingo]

I would love to see a partnership between Brazilian and Indonesian zoos. I believe both countries would benefit from having close ties, as they're among the most populous countries in the tropics and could become conservation havens if the right things are done.

Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo have held quite a few Indonesian animals in the last fifty years (birds-of-paradise, crowned pigeons, grizzled tree-kangaroos, Malayan tapirs, Sumatran tigers, tomistomas...) and it would be nice seeing them again, especially since my local zoo was amongst the first in the world to breed Dendrolagus inustus.

Well, lots of Indonesian zoos had Brazilian animals such as jaguars, capybaras, and anacondas. Taman Safari Prigen in East Java used to had maned wolves in the past. Also, Batu Secret Zoo had giant anteaters in their collection. I wish Indonesian zoos had red-faced spider monkeys in the future.

 

[Rizz Carlton]

My main concern was temperature, especially how hot it is now in the country, it could be difficult to house more montane adapted species that are more used to colder temperatures.

From my observations, Kaloula are often kept too fat and full by Indonesian hobbyists and zoological institutions, this makes them more likely to burrow or hide during the daytime, moreso than usual. I'm unsure of how they're kept in GLZ, but enclosure size may also be a factor, this genus is surprisingly more arboreal than what pet shops will lead you to believe.

As for the enclosure designs, I'll take your word for it. Last time I've visited (about two years ago), they were planted quite well but I remember seeing some baffling choices like keeping axolotls in a paludarium. I know the keepers have had at least one enclosure building workshop with a herpetologist, so they might have improved their designs by now.

I kind of left the first point out as I mainly talk about on the already current state of Amphibian Zone which I'm not aware have temperature control. Indeed they should need to have this in my mind if they didn't have any, though the amphibians appear to be just fine.

All the exhibits for the amphibians are the same in term of size, including the kaloula pulchra. There's really no branches or other things for the frogs to climb, so the frogs might indeed be burrowing deep in the soil (I did noticed some sign of burrowing in the exhibit).

The axolotl and greater siren in the Amphibian Zone doesn't work well in a small exhibit designed for a terrarium. Should've been exhibited in the Aquarium in my opinion.

 

[Mossman Joe]

I kind of left the first point out as I mainly talk about on the already current state of Amphibian Zone which I'm not aware have temperature control. Indeed they should need to have this in my mind if they didn't have any, though the amphibians appear to be just fine.

I believe this is because the amphibians they have chosen are all hardy species that can withstand warmer temperatures (Except for maybe Rhacophorus), it also helps that the Axolotl and the Siren are in water which may be somewhat cooler than the surrounding area.

 

[Rizz Carlton]

I believe this is because the amphibians they have chosen are all hardy species that can withstand warmer temperatures (Except for maybe Rhacophorus), it also helps that the Axolotl and the Siren are in water which may be somewhat cooler than the surrounding area.

It should be, almost all of the species I've seen since my first time visit in July of 2023 are still here and some are thriving, except for the African bullfrog that was only added this year and the polypedates otilophus.

I'm aware that the park particularly held foreign amphibian in the past, like some species of newts and salamanders. So, I doubt they have experience in keeping the more fragile local species of frogs.

 

[Rizz Carlton]

Time to continue my plan for Taman Safari Bogor.

Asian forest tortoise
This exhibit is part of the Reptile Tunnel which have a group of Asian forest tortoises, as well as even a pair of young saltwater crocodiles in 2021.

I used to consider demolishing the entire exhibit to make way for a entire complex with smaller turtle and tortoise exhibits. But I feel like that wouldn't end well as the turtles and tortoises got smaller exhibits instead at the cost of having "rarer" species, which is a downgrade. I ended up thinking of turning the exhibit instead to house a group of Aldabra giant tortoises as well as the four radiated tortoises that are already present in the park, turning the exhibit into a Indian Ocean island-themed exhibit. If possible, adding Angonoka tortoise might be great as well, as the species have had history in the Indonesian pet trade and in some cases had been confiscated by the Indonesian Quarantine Agency.

Meerkat-Mandrill-Proboscis monkey-Japanese macaque complex
This area and the next one with the Kalimantan house and Japanese macaques are included as part of the Primate Centre by the park. These exhibits aren't old, as I'm aware this entire complex was a thing only by the late 90's and the 2000's. Of course, the inhabitants barely changed at all, but I will add some stuffs.

For the Meerkat-Mandrill complex, which I will rename into African Jungle, will have new species and exhibits.

• There are a second meerkat exhibit that only have like a two to three meerkats, so I feel like this specific exhibit are for quarantine. In my version, this exhibit will house a group of banded mongoose, which are already available in private farms. This would make two very interesting mongoose complex.
• There are two resting shelter that are honestly unappeasing and looks very dirty, with the only interesting thing there is an stuffed warthog (Which could be the park's former inhabitant?). In my pitch, these two shelter are fully revamped into two exhibits, complete with heat lighting and scaping to house reptiles. One exhibit will house savannah monitor, while the second will have the mix of leopard tortoise, Sudan played lizard, and Jackson's chameleon.
• I was thinking of adding red river hog to the mandrill exhibit until I realized that the exhibit is to small for that mix. The exhibit is already very good for a small family of mandrill, so I will leave it as it is.
• In the indoor viewing area for the mandrill, we can add a medium-sized terrarium that will house an Gaboon viper. This species, though not common, are available commercialy in Indonesian trade. If TSI are able to acquire an shingleback and some North American ratsnakes, I don't think they wouldn't have any problem in acquiring and learning to care for this large viper species.

The proboscis monkey exhibit or the Kalimantan Pavilion was built in 2002 in cooperation with the provincial government of South Kalimantan. So, replacing the cultural exhibition inside the Pavilion for some exhibits would be a reputational disaster. Instead, we'll work with the already present proboscis monkey exhibit into a Kalimantan-themed mixed species exhibit, which already have a small underwater view.

• A family of proboscis monkey
• A group of Malayan porcupines
• An Malaysian giant turtle
• An red arowana
• Three datnoides microlepis
• A group of barbonymus schwanenfeldii
• A group of bala sharks
• A group of clown loaches

The only thing I change about the Japanese macaques exhibit is not the species, but the exhibit itself. It was already small for the macaques with limited land area. So instead, it will be turned into a glassed exhibit similar to the macaque exhibit in River Wonders. The kois that are already present in the moat of the current exhibit will inhabit the underwater view. The already pretty Japanese decoration of the exhibit will stay to make it more stand out as its own exhibit.

This should be all for my idea of this complex, which of course aren't big. I'll try to make a bigger pitch and idea regarding the Bird Aviary and the Baby Zoo around next week.

 

[Fargusno]

Time to continue my plan for Taman Safari Bogor.

Asian forest tortoise
This exhibit is part of the Reptile Tunnel which have a group of Asian forest tortoises, as well as even a pair of young saltwater crocodiles in 2021.

I used to consider demolishing the entire exhibit to make way for a entire complex with smaller turtle and tortoise exhibits. But I feel like that wouldn't end well as the turtles and tortoises got smaller exhibits instead at the cost of having "rarer" species, which is a downgrade. I ended up thinking of turning the exhibit instead to house a group of Aldabra giant tortoises as well as the four radiated tortoises that are already present in the park, turning the exhibit into a Indian Ocean island-themed exhibit. If possible, adding Angonoka tortoise might be great as well, as the species have had history in the Indonesian pet trade and in some cases had been confiscated by the Indonesian Quarantine Agency.

Meerkat-Mandrill-Proboscis monkey-Japanese macaque complex
This area and the next one with the Kalimantan house and Japanese macaques are included as part of the Primate Centre by the park. These exhibits aren't old, as I'm aware this entire complex was a thing only by the late 90's and the 2000's. Of course, the inhabitants barely changed at all, but I will add some stuffs.

For the Meerkat-Mandrill complex, which I will rename into African Jungle, will have new species and exhibits.

• There are a second meerkat exhibit that only have like a two to three meerkats, so I feel like this specific exhibit are for quarantine. In my version, this exhibit will house a group of banded mongoose, which are already available in private farms. This would make two very interesting mongoose complex.
• There are two resting shelter that are honestly unappeasing and looks very dirty, with the only interesting thing there is an stuffed warthog (Which could be the park's former inhabitant?). In my pitch, these two shelter are fully revamped into two exhibits, complete with heat lighting and scaping to house reptiles. One exhibit will house savannah monitor, while the second will have the mix of leopard tortoise, Sudan played lizard, and Jackson's chameleon.
• I was thinking of adding red river hog to the mandrill exhibit until I realized that the exhibit is to small for that mix. The exhibit is already very good for a small family of mandrill, so I will leave it as it is.
• In the indoor viewing area for the mandrill, we can add a medium-sized terrarium that will house an Gaboon viper. This species, though not common, are available commercialy in Indonesian trade. If TSI are able to acquire an shingleback and some North American ratsnakes, I don't think they wouldn't have any problem in acquiring and learning to care for this large viper species.

The proboscis monkey exhibit or the Kalimantan Pavilion was built in 2002 in cooperation with the provincial government of South Kalimantan. So, replacing the cultural exhibition inside the Pavilion for some exhibits would be a reputational disaster. Instead, we'll work with the already present proboscis monkey exhibit into a Kalimantan-themed mixed species exhibit, which already have a small underwater view.

• A family of proboscis monkey
• A group of Malayan porcupines
• An Malaysian giant turtle
• An red arowana
• Three datnoides microlepis
• A group of barbonymus schwanenfeldii
• A group of bala sharks
• A group of clown loaches

The only thing I change about the Japanese macaques exhibit is not the species, but the exhibit itself. It was already small for the macaques with limited land area. So instead, it will be turned into a glassed exhibit similar to the macaque exhibit in River Wonders. The kois that are already present in the moat of the current exhibit will inhabit the underwater view. The already pretty Japanese decoration of the exhibit will stay to make it more stand out as its own exhibit.

This should be all for my idea of this complex, which of course aren't big. I'll try to make a bigger pitch and idea regarding the Bird Aviary and the Baby Zoo around next week.

1. The idea of turning the tortoise exhibit into an exhibit for Indian Ocean tortoises is superb, since there haven't been any zoos here that keeps Angonoka tortoise. Aviary Park has a mixed Sulcata, Aldabra and Pardalis exhibit, for reference.
2. The idea for the African jungle are is pretty good. if not savannah monitor, Mali uromastyx/dhabb lizard might work too.

 

[Mossman Joe]

The proboscis monkey exhibit or the Kalimantan Pavilion was built in 2002 in cooperation with the provincial government of South Kalimantan. So, replacing the cultural exhibition inside the Pavilion for some exhibits would be a reputational disaster. Instead, we'll work with the already present proboscis monkey exhibit into a Kalimantan-themed mixed species exhibit, which already have a small underwater view.

• A family of proboscis monkey
• A group of Malayan porcupines
• An Malaysian giant turtle
• An red arowana
• Three datnoides microlepis
• A group of barbonymus schwanenfeldii
• A group of bala sharks
• A group of clown loaches

Has a Proboscis Monkey/Porcupine mix been done in other zoos?
TSI Bogor I think has them together, along with Muntjac, but even then each species is sectioned off.

 

[Rizz Carlton]

Has a Proboscis Monkey/Porcupine mix been done in other zoos?
TSI Bogor I think has them together, along with Muntjac, but even then each species is sectioned off.

Indeed atleast once, Bali Safari have a family of proboscis monkey alongside several Malayan porcupines, which is why I decided to mix these two instead of muntjac (Which realisticly would be the subspecies from Java). The Kalimantan Pavilion is quite big and very well decorated, I feel like it could fit a small group of three porcupines while adding several shelters for them.

I think you mistook that mix with the one in Prigen, which is a mix with a large group of proboscis monkey and a pair of muntjacs I think. The Sunda porcupines were housed next door if I'm correct along with some turtles.