Melbourne Zoo The Future of Zoos Victoria 2025 (Speculation/Fantasy)

[Zoofan15]

That would be an amazing exhibit. And while we do love a good precinct here in our zoos. We don't seem to like multispecies cohab exhibits. Which is can see being a reason thay they wouldn't do this. Plus if they can't fit a cafe in there is it really worth doing

The beauty of the Treetops space is that it’s already home to multiple small exhibits that could be renovated for use by sloths etc. without issue.

The mixed species concept could then come into player in larger exhibits, with spider monkey and tapir cohabiting. I’m of the opinion baboons will one day go to Werribee, with spider monkey being the obvious choice for their exhibit - why not add a tapir at this point!

 

[Jambo]

That would be an amazing exhibit. And while we do love a good precinct here in our zoos. We don't seem to like multispecies cohab exhibits. Which is can see being a reason thay they wouldn't do this. Plus if they can't fit a cafe in there is it really worth doing

The beauty of the Treetops space is that it’s already home to multiple small exhibits that could be renovated for use by sloths etc. without issue.

The mixed species concept could then come into player in larger exhibits, with spider monkey and tapir cohabiting. I’m of the opinion baboons will one day go to Werribee, with spider monkey being the obvious choice for their exhibit - why not add a tapir at this point!

Worst comes to worst they could just add the species into the current set up. There's a multitude of free exhibits available for the likes of Sloths and even then, species like Anteater could easily slot into the larger exhibits mixed with the monkeys.

The elephant replacement will be the priority for the second half of this decade but following that it's likely the treetop trail and the rest of the Gorilla Rainforest will be the next main focus. So look forward to seeing what they'll end up doing here (both short term and long term).

 

[ReturnOfPaddyRick]

The beauty of the Treetops space is that it’s already home to multiple small exhibits that could be renovated for use by sloths etc. without issue.

The mixed species concept could then come into player in larger exhibits, with spider monkey and tapir cohabiting. I’m of the opinion baboons will one day go to Werribee, with spider monkey being the obvious choice for their exhibit - why not add a tapir at this point!

How certain is Melbourne’s interest in Brazilian Tapirs?

 

[Jambo]

How certain is Melbourne’s interest in Brazilian Tapirs?

It's only been mentioned on here by other members via conversations with keepers I believe.

I personally haven't heard anything concrete on it yet but I'd love to be surprised. New Brazilian Tapir would be welcomed considering our current regional population currently stands at just a single pair at Adelaide.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

With Adelaide zoo wanting to continue with the species, we can assume they would want to get other facilities on board.
Melbourne seems like an obvious facility, depending ont the timing and paths the elephant trail is going to take, as this is still unknown!
Nothing is really concretely confirmed when speaking to the keepers, as much of the information they share never actually eventuates

 

[Zoofan15]

It's only been mentioned on here by other members via conversations with keepers I believe.

I personally haven't heard anything concrete on it yet but I'd love to be surprised. New Brazilian Tapir would be welcomed considering our current regional population currently stands at just a single pair at Adelaide.

With Adelaide zoo wanting to continue with the species, we can assume they would want to get other facilities on board.
Melbourne seems like an obvious facility, depending ont the timing and paths the elephant trail is going to take, as this is still unknown!
Nothing is really concretely confirmed when speaking to the keepers, as much of the information they share never actually eventuates

It was reported on here that Melbourne, Adelaide and Darling Downs Zoo all plan to import Brazilian tapir, which will hopefully ensure a reasonable founder base and perhaps up to three breeding pairs.

They can potentially breed into their early 20’s (it appears long birth intervals are detrimental), so an import of 3.3 reproductive aged animals could sustain the region for decades.

 

[Zorro]

@Jambo Would any of the now former elephant exhibit be in close proximity to the Gorilla exhibit if they wanted to expand the footprint of the Gorilla area?

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

@Zorro , this idea whilst cool would nearly be impossible. The Elephant enclosure closest which has the biggest pool is around 150m away from the gorilla enclosure, you would have to get through or over the tiger and butterfly house, so the cost would be ludicrously expensive.

I can't see the enclosure at Melbourne being expanded,, there is really nowhere to do in, unless in the future they demolished Tree Top Apes and Monkey. then it could possibly be expanded but it would be expensive for little gain. The current enclosures looks great today, they could do some minor renovations. The current enclosure is a great size for housing anywhere from 2 - 6 individuals

 

[Zorro]

@Zorro , this idea whilst cool would nearly be impossible. The Elephant enclosure closest which has the biggest pool is around 150m away from the gorilla enclosure, you would have to get through or over the tiger and butterfly house, so the cost would be ludicrously expensive.

I can't see the enclosure at Melbourne being expanded,, there is really nowhere to do in, unless in the future they demolished Tree Top Apes and Monkey. then it could possibly be expanded but it would be expensive for little gain. The current enclosures looks great today, they could do some minor renovations. The current enclosure is a great size for housing anywhere from 2 - 6 individuals

I was unaware of the distance that's why I was asking. I had thought that if Melbourne had wanted to rebuild its Gorilla group it might have wanted to add more area if they wanted to expand to a larger group into the future.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Yes, it would be great to see Melbourne zoo gorilla troop be rejuvenated and there enclosures expanded, but with the tight budget and space restrictions of the facility it seems unlikely for the time being

 

[Zoofan15]

Yes, it would be great to see Melbourne zoo gorilla troop be rejuvenated and there enclosures expanded, but with the tight budget and space restrictions of the facility it seems unlikely for the time being

You’re correct. It’s a non-starter from the outset when you consider the costs involved. Zoos Victoria have had the massive outlay of the elephant complex at Werribee; and while redevelopment will now occur at Melbourne Zoo, it will surely be as cost effective as possible.

Gorilla Rainforest is fully operational in its current state and there appears to be no plans to expand the troop to numbers warranting a significant extension. Combine this with the fact that the elephant paddocks (which is there current state could easily be redeveloped for a range of ungulates) would need a total remodelling for gorillas. At most, I’d consider an expansion of the orangutan exhibit (via aerial lines) into this area a possibility; but not for a long time yet.

The common consensus amongst us seems to be Brazilian tapir being the strongest candidate (for the bull paddock at least).

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

@Jambo Would any of the now former elephant exhibit be in close proximity to the Gorilla exhibit if they wanted to expand the footprint of the Gorilla area?

They definitely could. Would be more like building a second enclosure, and could easily be connected with an aerial path. There is a path behind the scenes that runs between Gorillas and elephants (nearly directly). It starts from where the Treetops ends, and down the far side of the tiger BoH.
Not sure though if it would be the best move. The existing enclosure is great, and other than a new BoH with more indoor space that @Jambo has suggested, is fit for purpose.
I would suggest a Gorilla expansion (if needed) would be better off at Werribee.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Personally, it would be way too expensive to do this. As @Zoofan15 mentioned, they would first have to completely redevelop the elephant enclosure, which would be timely and costly, to things the zoo would be trying to avoid, right now.
A pathway for gorillas, aerial or not would have to be large and could possibly be dangerous for both the visitors and gorillas. It would require more work from the zookeeper ensuring the gorillas location. For such a large, and possibly dangerous species, I think it would be highly unlikely that this would eventuate.

However ,I could in visage an aerial pathways for some of the zoos other primate species!
Such as an expansion to the orang-utan sanctuary for the Siamangs and Orangutang. Possibly even for some of the current animals in ttaam, including the 3 colobus monkeys at the zoo, possibly into the vacant mandrill enclosure and pygmy hippos. This could be a cool design similar to Adelaide zoos tamarins and colobus!

IMO - The enclosures that MZ are taking priority to.

The vacant elephant enclosures and area
Other vacant enclosures throughout Gorilla Rainforest and the zoo - ( Mandrill/Cassowary and some in TTAAM)
Enclosures looking dated - orangutang sanctuary

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I believe they are most likely redeveloping a lot of the elephants area anyway from the sounds of it, so probably not so cost prohibitive compared to current plans anyway. New fencing, planting and an aerial path.

Again - I don't think it is the best move anyway. With Melbourne's lack of space overall, any planned expansion of Gorillas at Zoos Vic would be better off at Werribee. I'd love to see Baboons moved to current Gorilla enclosure (edit: at WORZ), and Gorillas moved to a new enclosure down in the wooded area beside the river (I doubt this will happen as I am sure Zoos Vic want this to remain a native nature walk). But I would love to see the Gorillas in a forest, potentially with an aerial path for the public to view them in the space.

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe they are most likely redeveloping a lot of the elephants area anyway from the sounds of it, so probably not so cost prohibitive compared to current plans anyway. New fencing, planting and an aerial path.

Again - I don't think it is the best move anyway. With Melbourne's lack of space overall, any planned expansion of Gorillas at Zoos Vic would be better off at Werribee. I'd love to see Baboons moved to current Gorilla enclosure, and Gorillas moved to a new enclosure down in the wooded area beside the river (I doubt this will happen as I am sure Zoos Vic want this to remain a native nature walk). But I would love to see the Gorillas in a forest, potentially with an aerial path for the public to view them in the space.

It would be great to see Hamadryas baboon in the Werribee gorilla exhibit, which could accomodate a huge troop comparable in numbers to zoos like Singapore and Emmen.

The Melbourne Zoo baboon exhibit, while a vast improvement on the old cage block, would struggle to hold the 40 baboons it was initially reported to be able to hold. Once breeding kick-started in the mid-2010’s, it was mentioned the plan was for each of the females to have four offspring; but not all the females reached this number and with a number of deaths of older females, the troop soon fell to 15 baboons (with one female joining the troop in the past couple of months). A population in the mid-20’s would be appropriate for the exhibit in the current state imo.

Long term, the obvious species for this exhibit would be spider monkey, who have one of the most outdated exhibits for this species in the region within the Treetops sub-precinct.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Spider monkeys have been observed to live in troops up to 100 in the wild!

Whilst this would not be practical in a zoo, I could see this area the baboon enclosure being turned into an almost South America enclosure. Possibly with capybara, spider monkey, even a Brazilian tapir, if they were imported and then bred, offspring could be held in this enclosure. They could also incorporate the peccary and nyala enclosure

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Spider monkeys have been observed to live in troops up to 100 in the wild!

Whilst this would not be practical in a zoo, I could see this area the baboon enclosure being turned into an almost South America enclosure. Possibly with capybara, spider monkey, even a Brazilian tapir, if they were imported and then bred, offspring could be held in this enclosure. They could also incorporate the peccary and nyala enclosure

minus the capybara, as I believe they are "banned" in Victoria.

 

[Zoofan15]

Spider monkeys have been observed to live in troops up to 100 in the wild!

Whilst this would not be practical in a zoo, I could see this area the baboon enclosure being turned into an almost South America enclosure. Possibly with capybara, spider monkey, even a Brazilian tapir, if they were imported and then bred, offspring could be held in this enclosure. They could also incorporate the peccary and nyala enclosure

minus the capybara, as I believe they are "banned" in Victoria.

Yes, Capybara are prohibited in Victoria; but tapir would be a great addition to this exhibit. The zoo will presumably hold tapir over at least two exhibits (possibly three if offspring are retained into adulthood).

Brazilian tapir and spider monkey cohabited without issue at Hamilton Zoo.

 

[Swanson02]

It's only been mentioned on here by other members via conversations with keepers I believe.

I personally haven't heard anything concrete on it yet but I'd love to be surprised. New Brazilian Tapir would be welcomed considering our current regional population currently stands at just a single pair at Adelaide.

I received info that Adelaide have already locked down a male from Europe and are searching for a female. To potentially pair with Arturo as a 2.1 set.

He also confirmed Melbourne planned on acquiring a breeding group too. (No confirmation on Melbourne's numbers/configuration). Didn't hear if any other zoos were involved in this import

I was also told Arturo could be sent elsewhere. He will be our only current Australian Tapir contributing to the new breeding program.

 

[Zoofan15]

I received info that Adelaide have already locked down a male from Europe and are searching for a female. To potentially pair with Arturo as a 2.1 set.

He also confirmed Melbourne planned on acquiring a breeding group too. (No confirmation on Melbourne's numbers/configuration). Didn't hear if any other zoos were involved in this import

I was also told Arturo could be sent elsewhere. He will be our only current Australian Tapir contributing to the new breeding program.

With Melbourne and reportedly Darling Downs also receiving tapir, then it’s possible that one of those two could import 1.1; and the other a female to then pair with Arturo. It absolutely makes sense to make use of Arturo if he’s the last reproductive member of the Australasian population rather than allow the current population to completely die out and start afresh.

It’s also not beyond the realms to consider Melbourne Zoo could acquire 1.2 tapir. It would stand them in the best stead for breeding, with artificial birth intervals limiting breeding if the interest from other potential holders isn’t there; while supporting genetic diversity via an additional founder than the 1.1 which would otherwise achieve adequate production of young (assuming compatible and fertile).