Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo Review 2025 (20/1/25)

[austrlain zoo gower]

I visited Melbourne Zoo on the 18th of January and again on the 20th. My last visit to Melbourne Zoo was in May 2024. This review will draw inspiration from @Zoofan15 and @akasha amazing review. In this series I will talk about my opinions, criticism along with what I think the Zoo should do into the future. I will also attempt to ask as many questions to the team at MZ about from myself and any others that people would like me to ask.

My objectives of my 2 visits:

See Khan the new Komodo dragon
Farewell the Asian Elephant family
Hopefully finally spot the binturong ( one of my favourite animals )
Spend some time with the Peccaries ( last remaining in Australia )
And most importantly answers some questions!

I hope everybody enjoys these review. The first part will be up on Monday evening.
There is also a poll for you to vote on which trail you would like me to cover first

Note: All photos are mine, or else will be otherwise specified.

 

[Zoofan15]

I visited Melbourne Zoo on the 18th of January and again on the 20th. My last visit to Melbourne Zoo was in May 2024. This review will draw inspiration from @Zoofan15 and @akasha amazing review. In this series I will talk about my opinions, criticism along with what I think the Zoo should do into the future. I will also attempt to ask as many questions to the team at MZ about from myself and any others that people would like me to ask.

My objectives of my 2 visits:

See Khan the new Komodo dragon
Farewell the Asian Elephant family
Hopefully finally spot the binturong ( one of my favourite animals )
Spend some time with the Peccaries ( last remaining in Australia )
And most importantly answers some questions!

I hope everybody enjoys these review. The first part will be up on Monday evening.
There is also a poll for you to vote on which trail you would like me to cover first

Note: All photos are mine, or else will be otherwise specified.

Looking forward to your review.

My vote is to start with Gorilla Rainforest as that’s what I began with - both on my first visit and in my review.

If entering through the Main Entrance, as I did on my first visit, then the Gorilla Rainforest is the natural starting point. On my three subsequent visits, I entered through the Rail Gate entrance and on at least two of those visits began with the adjacent Lion Gorge precinct.

I’m sure regular visitors prioritise some precincts over others and even skip some (as I sometimes do at Auckland Zoo); but as a first time visitor I wanted to see everything and in any case it’s essential to writing a balanced review.

 

[Steve Robinson]

I visited Melbourne Zoo on the 18th of January and again on the 20th

How did you manage that? It's only the 19th today.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

My mistake, I used the wrong tense. I visited on the 18th and am visiting again in the 20th

 

[Zoofan15]

My mistake, I used the wrong tense. I visited on the 18th and am visiting again in the 20th

No harm done. Gutted you’re not a time traveller though.

I’m sure we’d all have some advice for the zoos of yesteryear; and appreciate knowing what’s gonna be in Melbourne’s elephant paddocks (among other great mysteries in life).

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Introduction -

I visited Melbourne Zoo on the 18th of January and again on the 20th. I outlined in my first posts some of my goals of these visits. In the Melbourne Zoo News 2025, thread, there is also a post about some information a found out. Tomorrow I will post again with any updates.

The reviews will be done based on the different trails, there will be detailed opinions on all the habitats, along with a rating out of 10. I will also state what, I love about the exhibit along with what could be improved. At the end of the review I will also provided my overall opinion and species list with populations. Due to the limit of 10 photos per post, there will be multiple posts for each trail

Part 1 - Gorilla Rainforest


As request by the community I am starting my series of review with Gorilla Rainforest. Most people start with the precinct as it is closest to the Main Gate


Gorilla Rainforest is one of my favourite precincts at MZ. Gorilla Rainforest is almost divided into 3 mini sections

Madagascar ( Lemurs )

Congo ( Western Lowland exhibit )

Monkeys and apes ( A variety of monkeys from, Asia, Africa and South America. )

Exhibit 1 - Lemur Island

Opened in 2014, the Lemur island enclosures are no doubt some of my favourites. The first habitat is for a Bachelor group of ring tailed Lemurs. It is a mix of older males which have been housed at the exhibits from 2014 along with some new arrivals. I was told there are currently 10 on display. The enclosure is generously planted with a small creek the flows through. It is fully netted, with many foraging and climbing opportunities. On my visits the Lemurs were very active leaping from tree to tree, one nearly jumped up on me! The exhibits is very modern and looks great.


Ring Tailed Lemur Enclosure

Ring Tailed Lemur



Moments Before the Lemur jumped on me!


The second part of Lemur island is an exhibit for 2 female Black and white ruffed lemurs, Mari and Setra. During my visit they were very vocal. The habitat is dug down a bit in the terrain. Guest almost look down on them. Taking centre stage it a beautiful deciduous tree. The exhibit is the perfect size for the 2 females. It was quite warm on my visits they were under the thatched viewing areas.


Black and White Ruffed Lemur Enclosure


Black and White ruffed Lemur

Ranking
8/10

What I love :

1. The modern feel
2. Many different vantage points for the lemurs and visitors
3. Immersive Feel
4. Beautiful tree that takes centre stage in B and W lemur enclosure
5. A cohesion with all parts of Lemur island

What could be improved :

1. Adding a species of bird or reptile

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Western Lowland Gorillas

One of the most famous exhibits at the zoo, along with star residents, the Gorillas enclosure ( opened in 1990 ), looks fabulous. Hats of to the design team, for creating such a timeless exhibits, that no matter the weather or amount of gorillas, shows them off well. There are many different vantage points. The gorillas uses every inch of the enclosure. There are 3 key viewing areas. Firstly a raised area that has a small fence that is open air where guest can view the left side of the habitat. Second is a glass viewing area, which provides a shady closer up experience. One part is black from a smashed glass panel. Thirdly is a lesser known area which is connected by a small path and some glass. This is where is saw Otana the resident silverback gorilla. The exhibits features a small raised sections with dense foliage in the middle of the habitat along with some climbing frames ( added in 2022 ), and a cave. Overall the highlight of the precinct. It also houses Kimya and Kanzi the females gorillas. On my 2nd visit the gorillas were not viewable, no reasons was provided.

Gorilla Viewing Areas along with Otana





Ranking
9/10

What I love:

1. The timelessness of the enclosure
2. The many different areas that the gorillas use
3. Always new areas to explore


What could be improved :

1. Not much, maybe the import of 2 gorillas, the habitat was designed for around a family of 10, I think around 6 - 8 is a good number.

Pygmy Hippo

Opened around a similar time to the Gorillas enclosure the Pygmy Hippo enclosure is quite interesting. There are 2 exhibits, Felix the male appears to have access to both of them, However during both my visits he was in the larger of the 2. I was excited to see him, as on one of my visits he swan underwater, proving an amazing close up of him. The right enclosure is well planted with a decent sized swimming area. The left enclosure in contrast looks quite bland and almost unfinished, it lacks foliage and the rock walls are exposed. During my 2nd visit, the pool was drained. The exhibits are on the smaller size, this area could do with a renovations, hopefully with the pending arrival of a female.
Pygmy Hippo Enclosure left and right

Felix Underwater and Playing with enrichment



Rating
6.5/10

What I love:

1. Whilst crowded and hot the underwater viewing provides a great up close viewing experience

2. Ties well with the gorillas

What could be improved

1. I think here should only be 1 underwater viewing and more spaces for the guest to view the hippo above ground
2. One of the exhibits looks unfinished and bare
3. Looking quite small and on the dated side

Mandrill/Cassowary Vacant Enclosure #1

Once visiting the Pygmy Hippo, this leads you on to the old Mandrill enclosure, they used to have a troop of 3, however all specimens died at around 2017 - 2018. It was left bare until in 2020, Zillie the cassowary moved from the great flight aviary. She remained there for probably about a year and a half. However she then came back for about 6 - 9 months. The exhibits has been vacant since about the end of 2023. Currently is has promotions for some of the zoos conservations programs blocking the visitors views, hopefully we can get an update on what is happening with the enclosure

Old Mandrill Enclosure, some water has been drained

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Tree top Apes and Monkeys

One of the most entertaining areas of the zoo, the tree top apes and monkeys is a crowd pleasing area. There are 8 enclosure, all are fully enclosures with mesh, this does make them feel, on the cramped side and a bit enclosed.

The first exhibits used to house Cotton Top Tamarins. The last time a saw them was about 4 visits ago in 2021, at the time that had a growing troup with offspring. In my opinion this exhibits is a large size for the animals and is the best looking in the TTAAM. It used to house Tiu, now deceased white cheeked gibbon. It is currently boarded up with marketing and animals species sign blacked. It says that there are 4 individuals on the Inventory report, and when looking in the enclosures from the size, there is still enrichment. Will email for an update.

Signage on Vacant enclosures


The next 2 enclosure are home to a family of Black Handed Spider Monkeys. These exhibits feel old and cramped, however there was plenty of enrichment items. I counted 5 individuals. The last birth I believe was in 2020. They were making use of all areas of the enclosure.
First and Second spider monkey Enclosure, they are connected

Black Handed Spider Monkey


Next were 2 enclosures for the Black and White colobus monkeys. The black privacy glass, made it hard to get a good view of the animals, meaning most people skip them, a saw 3 animals, one of which was a new male and female from Adelaide zoo. There was signage about the new arrivals along with a fence around the enclosure meaning visitors could not get as close.
New colobus



Next is an enclosure for a pair of emperor tamarin. It is of a good size, there is one large tree, making it quite hard to see the individuals as they are very small. However I managed to get a great view of them.

Emperor Tamarin Enclosure and individual


The 2nd last exhibit was for a pair of white cheeked gibbons. This enclosure whilst the largest of tree top apes, feels on the smaller side for such active monkeys. I spoke to a volunteer for a while and they do intend to breed the pair.
Li-lian the white cheeked gibbon


There is one small enclosures that is vacant and has been for many years. It used to house tree shrew and concur birds. It has long had a sign saying ‘ we are renovating this exhibit for a new animal’, maybe they forgot about it? However on my second visits it had a wallpaper up taking about the arm span of Gibbons!

Rating -
6/10

What I love

1. Variety of Monkey species
The zoo is importing more individuals of colobus

What could be improved

1. The size of the Spider Monkey, Colobus and Gibbon enclosures

2. Whilst animals welfare comes first, possibly using one way glass for some enclosures so guest and see the animals properly

3. The wooden design makes the look dated

4.Empty enclosures

Gorillas rainforest final ranking and conclusion

Overall Gorilla Rainforest has quite a few very high quality exhibits. The rainforest feel hits you the minute you enter and creates the illusion you are in the Congo. The Pygmy Hippo and Tree Top Apes ares could do with a renovations though.


How to improve

Utilise the Mandrill enclosure, either expand the Pygmy Hippo enclosure or preferably, a small renovations for the colobus monkeys.

Renovating or demolishing Tree Top apes and monkeys, I would relocated the White Cheeked gibbon to forest of wonder. They could redevelop this area as a South American Primates, Possibly a boardwalk for Tapir, Monkeys and capybara.


Final Ranking

29.5/40

Highlight of the Precinct

Gorilla and Ring tailed Lemur enclosures


Low of the Precinct


3 empty enclosures along with cramped enclosures in the Tree Top apes and Monkeys


Animals of Gorilla Rainforest


Ring Tailed Lemur - 10.0

Black and White ruffed lemur - 0.2

Westen lowland Gorilla - 1.2

Pygmy Hippo - 1.0

Cotton Top Tamarin - 3.1 ( not viewable for some reasons )

Black Handed Spider Monkey - 2.3

Black and White colobus monkey - 1.2

Emperor Tamarin - 1.1

White cheeked Gibbon - 1.1


Vacant Exhibits

Cassowary/Mandrill

2x in Tree Top Apes on Monkeys

 

[Zoofan15]

Western Lowland Gorillas

One of the most famous exhibits at the zoo, along with star residents, the Gorillas enclosure ( opened in 1992 ), looks fabulous. Hats of to the design team, for creating such a timeless exhibits, that no matter the weather or amount of gorillas, shows them off well. There are many different vantage points. The gorillas uses every inch of the enclosure. There are 3 key viewing areas. Firstly a raised area that has a small fence that is open air where guest can view the left side of the habitat. Second is a glass viewing area, which provides a shady closer up experience. One part is black from a smashed glass panel. Thirdly is a lesser known area which is connected by a small path and some glass. This is where is saw Otana the resident silverback gorilla. The exhibits features a small raised sections with dense foliage in the middle of the habitat along with some climbing frames ( added in 2022 ), and a cave. Overall the highlight of the precinct. It also houses Kimya and Kanzi the females gorillas. On my 2nd visit the gorillas were not viewable, no reasons was provided.

Gorilla Viewing Areas along with Otana
View attachment 765539
View attachment 765541
View attachment 765540
View attachment 765542

Ranking
9/10

What I love:

1. The timelessness of the enclosure
2. The many different areas that the gorillas use
3. Always new areas to explore


What could be improved :

1. Not much, maybe the import of 2 gorillas, the habitat was designed for around a family of 10, I think around 6 - 8 is a good number.

Pygmy Hippo

Opened around a similar time to the Gorillas enclosure the Pygmy Hippo enclosure is quite interesting. There are 2 exhibits, Felix the male appears to have access to both of them, However during both my visits he was in the larger of the 2. I was excited to see him, as on one of my visits he swan underwater, proving an amazing close up of him. The right enclosure is well planted with a decent sized swimming area. The left enclosure in contrast looks quite bland and almost unfinished, it lacks foliage and the rock walls are exposed. During my 2nd visit, the pool was drained. The exhibits are on the smaller size, this area could do with a renovations, hopefully with the pending arrival of a female.
Pygmy Hippo Enclosure left and right
View attachment 765545 View attachment 765546
Felix Underwater and Playing with enrichment
View attachment 765543 View attachment 765547 View attachment 765544


Rating
6.5/10

What I love:

1. Whilst crowded and hot the underwater viewing provides a great up close viewing experience

2. Ties well with the gorillas

What could be improved

1. I think here should only be 1 underwater viewing and more spaces for the guest to view the hippo above ground
2. One of the exhibits looks unfinished and bare
3. Looking quite small and on the dated side

Mandrill/Cassowary Vacant Enclosure #1

Once visiting the Pygmy Hippo, this leads you on to the old Mandrill enclosure, they used to have a troop of 3, however all specimens died at around 2017 - 2018. It was left bare until in 2020, Zillie the cassowary moved from the great flight aviary. She remained there for probably about a year and a half. However she then came back for about 6 - 9 months. The exhibits has been vacant since about the end of 2023. Currently is has promotions for some of the zoos conservations programs blocking the visitors views, hopefully we can get an update on what is happening with the enclosure
View attachment 765548
Old Mandrill Enclosure, some water has been drained

Great review so far!

Just a few bits of additional information:

The Western lowland gorilla complex opened in 1990; it was the Mandrill/Pygmy hippopotamus exhibits that opened in 1992.

In 1993, Melbourne Zoo had a troop of eight Mandrill, which were discovered to be hybrids. A purebred troop was later established around a mother and daughter named Louise (1986) and Timbiri (1994); and an unrelated male named Yonaton (1994). This trio produced 2.1 offspring - Lara (2002), Tabah (2005) and Leroy (2007).

The last Mandrill at Melbourne Zoo died in 2017 - Yonaton in July; Louise and Timbiri in September.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Thanks for the additional information!
Do you mean Melbourne Zoo not Adelaide Zoo?

Forest of Wonder is coming tomorrow, also I posted an update on the Melbourne Zoo news thread, I was devastated I did not see Khan

 

[steveroberts]

@austrlain zoo gower great photos too man

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

@austrlain zoo gower great photos too man

Thanks

 

[Zorro]

Excellent review!

 

[Jambo]

Great Review @austrlain zoo gower. And lovely photos too. Very excited to see the rest.

A few notes;

Interesting to hear there are only ten lemurs on display. Melbourne had nine male lemurs previously, before the arrival of eight new males from Monarto (a father and his seven sons). Perhaps all individuals haven't been integrated yet - it would be nice if we could get confirmation on this.

On the Gorilla Enclosure, I've always appreciated the way it's designed, allowing for multiple views of the troop. They certainly do utilise almost every inch of it, and it's design also allows them to get away from the public eye as they desire. The small viewing window you mention, is almost always empty. I've always made the effort to pop down and spend some time there. Often just with myself and the gorillas. I have noticed Otana spends a fair amount of time there on that hillside and I fondly remember an interaction I (and a few lucky others) had with Yuska and Kanzi who came right up to the glass and interacted for ages! Something I'd never seen either do before.

Melbourne also do have five Spider Monkeys at the moment; Oren, Estella, Isobella, Elena and Izumi.

It's also great to hear Melbourne still plan to breed their Gibbons. Li Lian isn't old by any means, but she hasn't bred with two mates now so I wouldn't hold my breath on her tbh. Let's hope for a surprise offspring however!

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Great Review @austrlain zoo gower. And lovely photos too. Very excited to see the rest.

A few notes;

Interesting to hear there are only ten lemurs on display. Melbourne had nine male lemurs previously, before the arrival of eight new males from Monarto (a father and his seven sons). Perhaps all individuals haven't been integrated yet - it would be nice if we could get confirmation on this.

On the Gorilla Enclosure, I've always appreciated the way it's designed, allowing for multiple views of the troop. They certainly do utilise almost every inch of it, and it's design also allows them to get away from the public eye as they desire. The small viewing window you mention, is almost always empty. I've always made the effort to pop down and spend some time there. Often just with myself and the gorillas. I have noticed Otana spends a fair amount of time there on that hillside and I fondly remember an interaction I (and a few lucky others) had with Yuska and Kanzi who came right up to the glass and interacted for ages! Something I'd never seen either do before.

Melbourne also do have five Spider Monkeys at the moment; Oren, Estella, Isobella, Elena and Izumi.

It's also great to hear Melbourne still plan to breed their Gibbons. Li Lian isn't old by any means, but she hasn't bred with two mates now so I wouldn't hold my breath on her tbh. Let's hope for a surprise offspring however!

It may have been a mistake by the keeper, it was quite a hot day and the lemurs were all hanging out under a tree. I was told more were at the back of house. There were 10 males on display.
Before the new individuals were imported, there were 7 remaining I few did die off. So there should be about 15 individuals, will confirm soon

 

[Zoofan15]

Interesting to hear there are only ten lemurs on display. Melbourne had nine male lemurs previously, before the arrival of eight new males from Monarto (a father and his seven sons). Perhaps all individuals haven't been integrated yet - it would be nice if we could get confirmation on this.

It may have been a mistake by the keeper, it was quite a hot day and the lemurs were all hanging out under a tree. I was told more were at the back of house. There were 10 males on display.
Before the new individuals were imported, there were 7 remaining I few did die off. So there should be about 15 individuals, will confirm soon

It sounds like the lemurs are being introduced and establishing a hierarchy before they’re let out on display, where fighting could be taken out of context by the customers and tensions could rise with crowds of people surrounding them.

Although Ring-tailed lemurs have a female dominated hierarchy, males do have a seperate dominance hierarchy. While females remain in their natal troop, males disperse to join other troops, so it’s absolutely achievable to form a cohesive group from these related males. They may be introducing the subordinates from the Monarto troop to the resident Melbourne males as a starting point, weakening the status of the dominant Monarto male (presumably the father), who would otherwise be the most challenging to introduce.

 

[Jambo]

It may have been a mistake by the keeper, it was quite a hot day and the lemurs were all hanging out under a tree. I was told more were at the back of house. There were 10 males on display.
Before the new individuals were imported, there were 7 remaining I few did die off. So there should be about 15 individuals, will confirm soon

Yeah, that would make sense then if they were referring to the lemurs out, on view. Melbourne do give their Lemurs access on the days when the weather can be quite extreme. I've visited often and only seen a few Lemurs out so it really depends.

That's also a shame to hear a few have passed in the last year or so. Considering Melbourne had eleven initially (when the exhibit first opened back in 2013), they did well to retain most of their group for so long. They were made up of surplus bachelor males (of all ages) from an array of breeding facilities around the region.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Part 2 - Forest of Wonder

After visiting Gorilla Rainforest I took 2 visits the the ‘ Forest of Wonder ‘. Previously called Trail of the Elephants, it is the zoos Asian Jungle Precinct. I was unnecessary excited as this would be my last time seeing the zoos herd of Elephants. Melbourne Zoos has had Elephants for over 141 Years, and now with them moving to the incredible new 21 hectare site at Werribee it was time to bid them farewell.

Asian Small Clawed Otters

As you Enter the forest of wonder, you are greeted by high bamboo, that makes it look like you are in a rainforest.The first enclosures is for a family of Asian Small Clawed Otter. The group consists Paula and Odie, a breeding pair, and 3 of there offspring ( Squid , Gunther, Rodney and Murphy, not sure which one left ). There were four males born in 2020, one departed in 2023. The exhibit is a great size for the otter, it has a river flowing though that leads to a good sized underwater viewing area. This underwater viewing area was a renovation done in around 2019. The first viewing areas allows you to look down at the otters, then once you take the path if slopes down to meet with the water. The exhibits has exposed rock walls and a limited amount of foliage. Overall it is quite realistic to a river bank in Asia. I saw all the otters on my visit, including at feeding time where they were swimming for fish.

Asian Small Clawed Otter Enclosure and specimen

Ranking

9/10

What I love -

1. A very generous size

2. Realistic to natural environment

3. Great underwater viewing

4. Different Enrichment items

What could be improved -

1. Not much, maybe the additional colourful plant to add some life and colour.


On the way to the Sumatran Tiger habitat, there is a small aviary for the Black - winged stilt, it break the area up, it is nicely planted with a small water area, a great enclosures. I would be cool to se however, as I reported the Cotton Top Tamarin are not on display, maybe they could go in this exhibit?


Stilt Aviary

Sumatran Tiger

The Sumatran Tiger exhibit at Forest of wonder is beautiful. It opened in 1992, and has generally housed 2 tigers before another habitat was opened in 2018 at Lion Gorge. It previously housed Binjai and Hutan and Indrah. Binjai the mother to these 2 tiger passed away in 2021. It is now home to just Hutan, who was born in 2010. I have previously done the tiger behind the scenes , and can appreciate the large back of house facilities that allow there to be 2 tigers rotating the habitats. There are 2 viewing areas. The first is glass and looks at to a grassy areas, where you can see and wooden shelter that Hutan is often sleeping in. The second is a large raised open air viewing area, this gets quite crowded when he is out. The enclosure looks like a dense rainforest. It also has a small waterfall and river, that on hot days, hutan occasionally swims in. On my visits he was getting his morning feed. I think the exhibit is of a reasonably good size. The exhibit is nothing ground breaking or special, but it does the job.


Sumatran Tiger Enclosure

Hutan Up close

Ranking -

7/10

What I love -

1. The river that Hutan uses

2. It looks like a rainforest

3. A number of enrichment such as balls and meet tied to trees

What could be improved -

1. Does not have a defining factor, looks like anything could be living in there.

2. Starting to look at little dated

Once walking from the Tigers, there is another small aviary that houses Eclectus Parrots alongside, Noisy Pitta birds. The aviary feels a bit cramped for a species of parrot.


Butterfly House

Next up is one of the Melbourne Zoo most famous attractions the Butterfly house. With the new found bugs of Forest of Wonder it is sure to become the precincts main attraction until a replacement for the elephants is decided. Opened in 1985, it has essentially been unchanged throughout most of its history. As soon as you enter the temperature and humidity hits you. It is well planted, with many different species of butterfly of all sizes and colours. It is fully glassed so this allows lots of natural light through. The butterfly house is a great place to take photos, I got a snap of 2 butterfly’s mating. There is also a small area where you can see the butterfly’s life cycle including them hatching, which was a nice addition.

Butterfly House along with Monarch and Orchid Swallowtail Butterfly



Ranking -

9/10

What I love -

1. Well planted

2. A variety of butterfly

3. Glass allows lots of light

What could be improved -

1. Not much.

To be Continued ...

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Extra Photo - Butterflies Mating and Asian Small Clawed Otter showing teeth

 

[Zoofan15]

Part 2 - Forest of Wonder

After visiting Gorilla Rainforest I took 2 visits the the ‘ Forest of Wonder ‘. Previously called Trail of the Elephants, it is the zoos Asian Jungle Precinct. I was unnecessary excited as this would be my last time seeing the zoos herd of Elephants. Melbourne Zoos has had Elephants for over 141 Years, and now with them moving to the incredible new 21 hectare site at Werribee it was time to bid them farewell.

Asian Small Clawed Otters

As you Enter the forest of wonder, you are greeted by high bamboo, that makes it look like you are in a rainforest.The first enclosures is for a family of Asian Small Clawed Otter. The group consists Paula and Odie, a breeding pair, and 3 of there offspring ( Squid , Gunther, Rodney and Murphy, not sure which one left ). There were four males born in 2020, one departed in 2023. The exhibit is a great size for the otter, it has a river flowing though that leads to a good sized underwater viewing area. This underwater viewing area was a renovation done in around 2019. The first viewing areas allows you to look down at the otters, then once you take the path if slopes down to meet with the water. The exhibits has exposed rock walls and a limited amount of foliage. Overall it is quite realistic to a river bank in Asia. I saw all the otters on my visit, including at feeding time where they were swimming for fish.
View attachment 765631
Asian Small Clawed Otter Enclosure and specimen
View attachment 765635
Ranking

9/10

What I love -

1. A very generous size

2. Realistic to natural environment

3. Great underwater viewing

4. Different Enrichment items

What could be improved -

1. Not much, maybe the additional colourful plant to add some life and colour.


On the way to the Sumatran Tiger habitat, there is a small aviary for the Black - winged stilt, it break the area up, it is nicely planted with a small water area, a great enclosures. I would be cool to se however, as I reported the Cotton Top Tamarin are not on display, maybe they could go in this exhibit?

View attachment 765632
Stilt Aviary

Sumatran Tiger

The Sumatran Tiger exhibit at Forest of wonder is beautiful. It opened in 1992, and has generally housed 2 tigers before another habitat was opened in 2018 at Lion Gorge. It previously housed Binjai and Hutan and Indrah. Binjai the mother to these 2 tiger passed away in 2021. It is now home to just Hutan, who was born in 2010. I have previously done the tiger behind the scenes , and can appreciate the large back of house facilities that allow there to be 2 tigers rotating the habitats. There are 2 viewing areas. The first is glass and looks at to a grassy areas, where you can see and wooden shelter that Hutan is often sleeping in. The second is a large raised open air viewing area, this gets quite crowded when he is out. The enclosure looks like a dense rainforest. It also has a small waterfall and river, that on hot days, hutan occasionally swims in. On my visits he was getting his morning feed. I think the exhibit is of a reasonably good size. The exhibit is nothing ground breaking or special, but it does the job.

View attachment 765633
Sumatran Tiger Enclosure
View attachment 765636
Hutan Up close

Ranking -

7/10

What I love -

1. The river that Hutan uses

2. It looks like a rainforest

3. A number of enrichment such as balls and meet tied to trees

What could be improved -

1. Does not have a defining factor, looks like anything could be living in there.

2. Starting to look at little dated

Once walking from the Tigers, there is another small aviary that houses Eclectus Parrots alongside, Noisy Pitta birds. The aviary feels a bit cramped for a species of parrot.
View attachment 765637

Butterfly House

Next up is one of the Melbourne Zoo most famous attractions the Butterfly house. With the new found bugs of Forest of Wonder it is sure to become the precincts main attraction until a replacement for the elephants is decided. Opened in 1985, it has essentially been unchanged throughout most of its history. As soon as you enter the temperature and humidity hits you. It is well planted, with many different species of butterfly of all sizes and colours. It is fully glassed so this allows lots of natural light through. The butterfly house is a great place to take photos, I got a snap of 2 butterfly’s mating. There is also a small area where you can see the butterfly’s life cycle including them hatching, which was a nice addition.

Butterfly House along with Monarch and Orchid Swallowtail Butterfly
View attachment 765640
View attachment 765638 View attachment 765639

Ranking -

9/10

What I love -

1. Well planted

2. A variety of butterfly

3. Glass allows lots of light

What could be improved -

1. Not much.

To be Continued ...

Looking good so far. Great close up photography - especially of the Sumatran tiger.

The Asian small-clawed otter litter born 2020 was actually 3.1 - Squid was the female pup and is now at Perth Zoo.

The BOH facilities to the tiger exhibit are certainly impressive and greatly increase the holding capacity of what is otherwise a single on display exhibit. African lions Tonyi and Tombo lived BOH at Melbourne Zoo from 2003-2004 following their import from Auckland Zoo. Binjai the female Sumatran tiger was imported in 2004, producing two litters of cubs in 2006 and 2010.