The Future of Zoos Victoria 2024 (Speculation/Fantasy)

[Jambo]

@Zoofan15 Really like your ideas there man

will be interesting to see what MZ has planned next for the Nyala and Peccary exhibits if say the Nyala move over to the former Bongo exhibit eventually? (the reason the adjoining area not circled as additional exhibit space is because it seems Melbourne has a native garden or perhaps plant growing garden area in the adjoining space):

(source Google Earth/Maps)

That said space is actually a Water Recyling Plant, it appears they grow some food for the zoos herbivore residents here too (utilisng the recycled water). Before this was built around fifteen years ago, it was also a paddock (like the Tapirs next door). Believe it held Bison for a while.

I definitely feel like the Lowland nyala are a temporary addition as there’s no better place in the zoo for Brazilian tapir. Though the Treetops could well eventuate as a South America trail, it would remain an array of aboreal species rather than terrestrial in my opinion - with sloths being an ideal accompaniment to the array of South American monkeys.

On that note, I feel like there’s two options for their spider monkey troop - either phase the species out; or transfer the Hamadryas baboon troop to a larger exhibit at Werribee and house a spider monkey troop in their exhibit. The latter idea would pair nicely with Brazilian tapir further up the trail; and enable to the zoo to hold a larger troop of spider monkey, which has numerous benefits to their welfare - namely allowing the maintenance of a regularly breeding troop.

I did notice Armadillos and Anteaters were also on the import list.

Maybe another variation of this idea would be to house Brazilian Tapir in the former Bongo exhibit and then house them next door too (in the former Baboon exhibit, mixed with the Spider Monkeys). The current baboon exhibit is incredibly large and I feel would be under utilised by a group of Spider Monkeys. Sharing the space with the Brazilian Tapir would be a far better use of space imo.

That would then leave the two north exhibits vacant and would tie in with the two aforementioned species; Armadillos and Anteaters. Melbourne could hold Anteater in the current Nyala enclosure, its a great sized enclosure for them and Armadillos would also be perfect for the current Peccary enclosure. Capybaras could be mixed into an exhibit here too if desired. As such, we've formed a smaller themed South American area - maybe with a 'Pantanal' theme. The Treetop Monkey trail would then be the South American 'Rainforest' area.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Realistically Melbourne Zoo would currently probably be hesitant to spend money on any other areas. Maybe moving some animals here and there could be on the cards however the main priority should be the replacement for the elephants. The way I see it will be a temporary replacement for the first year or 2 and then a redevelopment once the weribee project is complete and proving successful. Melbourne zoo attracts the most amount of visitor out of all the zoos vic property’s appealing to no just Victorians but international visitors.
Gorilla Rainforest
Adding the extras Lemurs to the walkthrough will proved some new life.
Gorillas are to remain unchanged
Likewise the Pygmy hippo would also be the same, possibly an import soon
The mandrill exhibit could remain empty but putting colobus ( if they are still living as were removed from website and map ) However a single individual is not ideals should have just kept Cassie’s in there.
Treetop apes and monkeys looks old and could do with a renovations or knocking down, however this is more likely in 5 plus years
Lion gorge, Australian bush and wild seas will be unchanged for the next 5 to 10 years.
Growing wild now has Komodo dragons which is great, as it is a new precincts it will be unchanged
The Main trail and TOTE are the biggest messes
Frankly with the departure of zebras I feel that the giraffe exibit is lacking life and substance, hopefully nyala could be incorporated maybe with night housing in the bongo exhibit. They probably could not just be housed in the exhibit as it is to small. The nyala don’t fit the old tapir exhibit. Peccaries will likely die out in the next couple of years leaving this areas for redevelopment
Maybe something more African to compliment
The baboons. Maybe cape porcupine or fennec fox or heck the zoo may just add more meerkat exhibits. They could also possible combine the exhibits and throw something in there for a quick fix.
In terms of TOTE. The Asian otters and tiger will stay. I can’t see there being any development or new species in the areas until possibly mid next year. Will probably close it off and just have the path to the orangutans. The cheapest fix would be to possibly add some blackbuck from weribee. Or another antelop species. They could also extend the orangutans and siamsng exhibits. Maybe a tapirs complex in the future.
In conclusion with the tight budget and loads of money being spent at weribee it is unlikely that we will see any major renovations or developments at MZ for a few years probably just more something exciting is coming soon signs. The end excibit in the tree top trail which use to house tree shrew had had it for year. It is a shame though because on my last visit there were so many exhibits without animals and were boarded up.
Current vacant exhibits ( may be more )
Bongo
Mandrill/cassowary
2 or 3 in the treetop trails
Elephant

 

[Zoofan15]

Realistically Melbourne Zoo would currently probably be hesitant to spend money on any other areas. Maybe moving some animals here and there could be on the cards however the main priority should be the replacement for the elephants. The way I see it will be a temporary replacement for the first year or 2 and then a redevelopment once the weribee project is complete and proving successful. Melbourne zoo attracts the most amount of visitor out of all the zoos vic property’s appealing to no just Victorians but international visitors.
Gorilla Rainforest
Adding the extras Lemurs to the walkthrough will proved some new life.
Gorillas are to remain unchanged
Likewise the Pygmy hippo would also be the same, possibly an import soon
The mandrill exhibit could remain empty but putting colobus ( if they are still living as were removed from website and map ) However a single individual is not ideals should have just kept Cassie’s in there.
Treetop apes and monkeys looks old and could do with a renovations or knocking down, however this is more likely in 5 plus years
Lion gorge, Australian bush and wild seas will be unchanged for the next 5 to 10 years.
Growing wild now has Komodo dragons which is great, as it is a new precincts it will be unchanged
The Main trail and TOTE are the biggest messes
Frankly with the departure of zebras I feel that the giraffe exibit is lacking life and substance, hopefully nyala could be incorporated maybe with night housing in the bongo exhibit. They probably could not just be housed in the exhibit as it is to small. The nyala don’t fit the old tapir exhibit. Peccaries will likely die out in the next couple of years leaving this areas for redevelopment
Maybe something more African to compliment
The baboons. Maybe cape porcupine or fennec fox or heck the zoo may just add more meerkat exhibits. They could also possible combine the exhibits and throw something in there for a quick fix.
In terms of TOTE. The Asian otters and tiger will stay. I can’t see there being any development or new species in the areas until possibly mid next year. Will probably close it off and just have the path to the orangutans. The cheapest fix would be to possibly add some blackbuck from weribee. Or another antelop species. They could also extend the orangutans and siamsng exhibits. Maybe a tapirs complex in the future.
In conclusion with the tight budget and loads of money being spent at weribee it is unlikely that we will see any major renovations or developments at MZ for a few years probably just more something exciting is coming soon signs. The end excibit in the tree top trail which use to house tree shrew had had it for year. It is a shame though because on my last visit there were so many exhibits without animals and were boarded up.
Current vacant exhibits ( may be more )
Bongo
Mandrill/cassowary
2 or 3 in the treetop trails
Elephant

That all sounds likely. A few things I’d mention:

If Lowland nyala were to cohabit with the giraffe, the Eastern bongo exhibit could still play an integral role in holding a breeding bull nyala (with the females and calves integrated with the giraffes).

Given we know the Xenarthra IRA is now in progress, I’m optimistic we’ll see this tie in with the renewal of the Treetops sub-precinct. Minor changes will surely occur in the interim - small monkeys occupying exhibits etc.

As per the above, I believe it’s probably Black and white colobus would move into the Mandrill exhibit; thus allowing Treetops to streamline into a South American sub-precinct.

The Pygmy hippopotamus set up is adequate in the current state to receive a female and breed. I don’t envisage a complete overhaul (or even construction of a third exhibit in support of the other two) when there are so many greater priorities.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

It may require some boundary renovation (maybe) but could they not keep Black and White Colobus in the Gorilla enclosure? They do this in Prague Zoo (and several other).

This could free the Mandrill enclosure to be a third Pygmy Hippo enclosure. Or something else. I would like to see a renovated tree top Monkeys include some ground dwelling species. This could include a third Pygmy Hippo enclosure, as there would be 2 enclosures already where they are more easily seen. Ground dwelling species here would be better if enclosures for additional specimens, rather than being the sole enclosure.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

I like this idea, however it seems unlikely that they would add another pygmy hippo exhibit when the species is a solitary animal. It would costly and require a major rework, I just don't think with the current financial pressures along with the ever important development of the 'forest of wonders' and the important need for a replacmnet for Melbourne Zoo arguably biggest attraction. The idea to mix colobus with gorilla is great, it would provide new life to the exhibit which currently feels a bit quite with only 3 gorillas, colobus could swing through the trees with gorillas below. My only concern would be if the gorillas could get along as they could possibly be aggressive

 

[Jambo]

It may require some boundary renovation (maybe) but could they not keep Black and White Colobus in the Gorilla enclosure? They do this in Prague Zoo (and several other).

This could free the Mandrill enclosure to be a third Pygmy Hippo enclosure. Or something else. I would like to see a renovated tree top Monkeys include some ground dwelling species. This could include a third Pygmy Hippo enclosure, as there would be 2 enclosures already where they are more easily seen. Ground dwelling species here would be better if enclosures for additional specimens, rather than being the sole enclosure.

It would all come down to compatibility really - whether the gorillas and colobus get along. Melbourne trialed mixing Mangeby's with their gorillas over twenty years ago and it initially showed positive results but that didn't last long. Motoba killed one of them and that experiment ended soon after.

Imo the Colubus would be better off mixed in with the Pygmy Hippos in the current Mandrill exhibit in your hypothetical scenario. Or even in the current Ruffed Lemur exhibit, with the Ruffed Lemurs moving into the Walkthrough as I've previously suggested.

 

[Jambo]

I like this idea, however it seems unlikely that they would add another pygmy hippo exhibit when the species is a solitary animal. It would costly and require a major rework, I just don't think with the current financial pressures along with the ever important development of the 'forest of wonders' and the important need for a replacmnet for Melbourne Zoo arguably biggest attraction. The idea to mix colobus with gorilla is great, it would provide new life to the exhibit which currently feels a bit quite with only 3 gorillas, colobus could swing through the trees with gorillas below. My only concern would be if the gorillas could get along as they could possibly be aggressive

The current Pygmy Hippo exhibits are in need of an expansion so expanding the second exhibit into the former Mandrill exhibit would be beneficial to maintaining the current complex and not having to entirely rebuild a new complex.

Expansion would also facilitate new breeding; Melbourne have never been previously able to keep more than two hippos in the current complex so a larger second exhibit which could perhaps be split into two if required could accommodate this.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

I agree with this, however would not be happening any time in the next 5 years as there priority would be a replacement for elephants.

 

[Jambo]

I agree with this, however would not be happening any time in the next 5 years as there priority would be a replacement for elephants.

Certainly agree. I feel as if there was an obvious replacement for the enclosure it would've been filled ages back.

It's now been six years since its sat empty and Melbourne seem content with it remaining that way until they can afford to refurbish the whole area.

Using it to expand the current Pygmy Hippo complex seems to be the obvious route.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

personally I don't understand why they didn't keep zillie the cassowary in there, she isn't that important in the great flight. I would argue that most people would not notice her or even know she was there. The only reasons I can think of is that she preferred the great flight and they moved her because of her welfare

 

[Zoofan15]

personally I don't understand why they didn't keep zillie the cassowary in there, she isn't that important in the great flight. I would argue that most people would not notice her or even know she was there. The only reasons I can think of is that she preferred the great flight and they moved her because of her welfare

The glass frontage to the old Mandrill exhibit may have been the issue. Every cassowary exhibit I’ve seen has a clearly defined visual barrier that seems, which is known to lessen the chance of a cassowary feeling threatened enough to attack.

While Zillie is a female (males are more notorious for their aggression), perhaps the invisible barrier (glass) made her feel threatened/crowded?

 

[Zoofan15]

It would all come down to compatibility really - whether the gorillas and colobus get along. Melbourne trialed mixing Mangeby's with their gorillas over twenty years ago and it initially showed positive results but that didn't last long. Motoba killed one of them and that experiment ended soon after.

Imo the Colubus would be better off mixed in with the Pygmy Hippos in the current Mandrill exhibit in your hypothetical scenario. Or even in the current Ruffed Lemur exhibit, with the Ruffed Lemurs moving into the Walkthrough as I've previously suggested.

I think the transition of black and white colobus out of Treetops is inevitable. Replacing Vervet monkey with Black and white colobus appears the obvious move as something will need to replace the former in the coming years and they complainant the adjacent gorillas nicely.

Black-handed spider monkey are also strong candidates for phase out. Their exhibit in Treetops doesn’t support holding a larger troop and unless they’re to move to Werribee; or take the place of Melbourne’s baboons (possibly integrated with Brazilian tapir) - with the baboons moving to Werribee, it seems inevitable.

 

[Zoofan15]

It may require some boundary renovation (maybe) but could they not keep Black and White Colobus in the Gorilla enclosure? They do this in Prague Zoo (and several other).

This could free the Mandrill enclosure to be a third Pygmy Hippo enclosure. Or something else. I would like to see a renovated tree top Monkeys include some ground dwelling species. This could include a third Pygmy Hippo enclosure, as there would be 2 enclosures already where they are more easily seen. Ground dwelling species here would be better if enclosures for additional specimens, rather than being the sole enclosure.

I like this idea, however it seems unlikely that they would add another pygmy hippo exhibit when the species is a solitary animal. It would costly and require a major rework, I just don't think with the current financial pressures along with the ever important development of the 'forest of wonders' and the important need for a replacmnet for Melbourne Zoo arguably biggest attraction. The idea to mix colobus with gorilla is great, it would provide new life to the exhibit which currently feels a bit quite with only 3 gorillas, colobus could swing through the trees with gorillas below. My only concern would be if the gorillas could get along as they could possibly be aggressive

The Pygmy hippopotamus facilities comprise two exhibits, three stall and two outdoor yards (BOH) comprising a total space of 1/6 of either of the exhibits. This suggests an adequate capacity to breed and transfer out; but not retain offspring.

Melbourne will presumably still be looking to acquire a female Pygmy hippopotamus; but if they can factor in they may need to retain the second or third offspring bred into adulthood, then this would be advantageous. They’re a solitary species and I don’t anticipate demand for calves being high beyond the first 2-3 bred in the region.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Melbourne zoos spider monkey are always a crowd favourite, with guest loving seeing them swinging around, it would be disappointing to see them being phased out, there exhibit is far to small. An open air South American exhibit could take place in this areas. Imagine capybaras or Brazilian tapirs ( possibly both ) along with slide monkey swinging in the trees. This could take place in the previous elephant exhibits. The treetops could either be renovated however it seems more likely for them to be demolished. It envisaged a small South American area either there or at the elephants. As TOTE has been renamed to forest of wonders, this could mean that it is no longer limited to just Asian species. there could be 2 exhibits for this South American areas and then the last one an extension of the Siamang and orangutan sanctuary which is started to look quite dated and barren with only 2 orangutans

 

[Zoofan15]

Melbourne zoos spider monkey are always a crowd favourite, with guest loving seeing them swinging around, it would be disappointing to see them being phased out, there exhibit is far to small. An open air South American exhibit could take place in this areas. Imagine capybaras or Brazilian tapirs ( possibly both ) along with slide monkey swinging in the trees. This could take place in the previous elephant exhibits. The treetops could either be renovated however it seems more likely for them to be demolished. It envisaged a small South American area either there or at the elephants. As TOTE has been renamed to forest of wonders, this could mean that it is no longer limited to just Asian species. there could be 2 exhibits for this South American areas and then the last one an extension of the Siamang and orangutan sanctuary which is started to look quite dated and barren with only 2 orangutans

It would be costly to renovate the elephant exhibit for spider monkeys as the fencing is inadequate to contain them. It really seems a no brainer to house rhinoceros in this exhibit, though they’re predominantly a grasslands species, which doesn’t vibe with the forest them.

I definitely agree there’s potential for a Brazilian tapir/spider monkey exhibit though given the former are reportedly going to be imported by Melbourne Zoo in the near future. Many zoos that hold (or previously held) this species have two exhibits (Adelaide, Hamilton), so it seems reasonable to assume Melbourne would factor this in to their plans; bearing in mind they also have the old bongo exhibit and the old tapir exhibit (currently housing nyala) to work with.

 

[Jambo]

The Pygmy hippopotamus facilities comprise two exhibits, three stall and two outdoor yards (BOH) comprising a total space of 1/6 of either of the exhibits. This suggests an adequate capacity to breed and transfer out; but not retain offspring.

The facilities are tiny! The yards are only around three by three metres and just used to hold the animals for health checks ect and transfer the animals between exhibits and the indoor area. The indoor stalls are also not much bigger too. A specific expansion of the back of house area would be preferable, and perhaps this could be done on the site of the former Mandrill BOH area.

More specifically an expansion of the current exhibits which are beginning to look small by today's standards would be a priority. Felix currently has run of both exhibits giving him more space.

 

[Tiger91]

The facilities are tiny! The yards are only around three by three metres and just used to hold the animals for health checks ect and transfer the animals between exhibits and the indoor area. The indoor stalls are also not much bigger too. A specific expansion of the back of house area would be preferable, and perhaps this could be done on the site of the former Mandrill BOH area.

More specifically an expansion of the current exhibits which are beginning to look small by today's standards would be a priority. Felix currently has run of both exhibits giving him more space.

It would be great to see our zoos multi species habitats for pygmy hippos!. Im hoping that when taronga and hopefully melbourne start redoing there exhibits they will do this. If you create exhibits that are designed for both pygmy hippo and say a monkey species. Which i think are done overseas. It would really up the anti on how our precincts look. Create better collection planning and space saving, while just enhancing visitor experiences. Colobus are an easy species but there are plenty they could use.
One thing is for sure, now the IRA has gone through. It's about time our pygmy hippos get some purpose built exhibits.

 

[Jambo]

It would be great to see our zoos multi species habitats for pygmy hippos!. Im hoping that when taronga and hopefully melbourne start redoing there exhibits they will do this. If you create exhibits that are designed for both pygmy hippo and say a monkey species. Which i think are done overseas. It would really up the anti on how our precincts look. Create better collection planning and space saving, while just enhancing visitor experiences. Colobus are an easy species but there are plenty they could use.
One thing is for sure, now the IRA has gone through. It's about time our pygmy hippos get some purpose built exhibits.

Certainly agree and it's a more efficient use of space too overall.

The colobus are obviously in need of a new home, and the Pygmy Hippos need an extension so why not combine the two ideas into one utilising the currently empty former Mandrill exhibit. It would also be a far more cost effective maneuver renovating that exhibit for two species who could easily coexist without much issue imo.

Alongside this, the Colubus would also utilise the canopy space and the land area of that exhibit far better than the Pygmy Hippos ever would, making it a far more engaging exhibit.

 

[Zoofan15]

It would be great to see our zoos multi species habitats for pygmy hippos!. Im hoping that when taronga and hopefully melbourne start redoing there exhibits they will do this. If you create exhibits that are designed for both pygmy hippo and say a monkey species. Which i think are done overseas. It would really up the anti on how our precincts look. Create better collection planning and space saving, while just enhancing visitor experiences. Colobus are an easy species but there are plenty they could use.
One thing is for sure, now the IRA has gone through. It's about time our pygmy hippos get some purpose built exhibits.

Fully agree. Many South American species lend themselves to mixed species exhibits as well as African species e.g. Brazilian tapir and Black-handed spider monkey; and Capybara and Bolivian squirrel monkey. Spider monkeys are a medium sized territorial monkey, so pairing them with something robust like a tapir is ideal.

At the John Ball Zoo, a Pygmy hippopotamus killed a Sitatunga that it cohabited with, but combining them with primates is a safer option; the monkeys being arboreal.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

It would be great to see our zoos multi species habitats for pygmy hippos!. Im hoping that when taronga and hopefully melbourne start redoing there exhibits they will do this. If you create exhibits that are designed for both pygmy hippo and say a monkey species. Which i think are done overseas. It would really up the anti on how our precincts look. Create better collection planning and space saving, while just enhancing visitor experiences. Colobus are an easy species but there are plenty they could use.
One thing is for sure, now the IRA has gone through. It's about time our pygmy hippos get some purpose built exhibits.

Let's go further - Pygmy Hippo, Colobus and Grey parrots (enclose the enclosure)

Certainly agree and it's a more efficient use of space too overall.

The colobus are obviously in need of a new home, and the Pygmy Hippos need an extension so why not combine the two ideas into one utilising the currently empty former Mandrill exhibit. It would also be a far more cost effective maneuver renovating that exhibit for two species who could easily coexist without much issue imo.

Alongside this, the Colubus would also utilise the canopy space and the land area of that exhibit far better than the Pygmy Hippos ever would, making it a far more engaging exhibit.

And Pygmy Hippos spend far more time out of the water than their Nile Hippo counterparts, so if the second enclosure were merged with the Mandril enclosure, they wouldn't need to build another pool. At least not initially. If it were designed that they could be divided, then this would call for a third pool be built, but that could be a down the track renovation.