That's a good idea but I can't see Zoosvic putting in the effort to import a pair also I believe Taronga would be more than reluctant to let go of the one up mans ship of having this species to themselves unfortunately!
Melbourne Zoo The Future of Zoos Victoria 2025 (Speculation/Fantasy)
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
It’s a shame as a second founder pair would be invaluable, enabling pairing of first generation offspring; as opposed to the import of a single founder to pair with Taronga’s first generation bull. The latter seems an inevitability given the capacity of their exhibit (two paddocks plus the large barn).
It’s clear Melbourne won’t be acquiring Indian rhinoceros and they’re not in Werribee’s masterplan, so sadly it doesn’t appear it’ll be happening any time soon.
Plans can and do change at the drop of a hat when wanted as we saw at Monarto zoo recently!
It was all we talked about for years and years!
I agree with you that rhinoceros would be an excellent fit for Melbourne’s elephant exhibit (and has been a popular progress globally); but information we’ve had from members of late suggests other things are in the works.
Within Australasia, Perth intend to expand their rhinoceros exhibit into one of their elephant paddocks; and Auckland Zoo are building a new rhinoceros exhibit on the site of their elephant exhibit. Taronga are replacing their elephants with an Indian rhinoceros.
Realistically though - there are limited options as to what rhinos will specifically come to Melbourne.
Indian Rhinos can be ruled out due to the size of the regional population - unless Melbourne imports a pair. And I don't see either of the African sub species being acquired too due to the general theming of the area (and the zoo as a whole), and the fact that Werribee already has a successful breeding group there.
The re-branding of the precinct as ‘Forests of Wonder’ suggest there’s no intention of acquiring rhinoceros. Indian rhinoceros are predominantly a floodplains or grasslands species; and the African species are grasslands and savannah; so like you say, fit neither the continent or the biome theming of ‘Forests of Wonder’.
Indian rhinoceros (the armoured tank) would have been popular with the general public; while I believe black rhinoceros would be the least popular. They lack the ‘armour’ of the Indian rhinoceros and don’t lend themselves to being housed in groups like the white rhinoceros. A single ‘non-armoured’ rhino in a paddock would be a poor replacement for a multigenerational herd of elephants.
Since when have they worried about theming when Dubbo and Werribee run Indian Blackbuck in their African Savannahs?
To be fair - Werribee has their blackbuck in their 'Woodland' habitat, not their actual 'African Savannah'.Since when have they worried about theming when Dubbo and Werribee run Indian Blackbuck in their African Savannahs?
Ok then the African section, lol
I remember Werribee did have a bachelor herd of males down on the African Savannah but this was only for a few years. Dubbo on the other hand - still does.Ok then the African section, lol
austrlain zoo gower
Well-Known Member
You could argue the point that putting Indian Rhinos in the elephant enclosures would be a little hypocritical, the main reason that elephants were moved was because of the space and welfare. Indian rhinos would certainly be better suited for Werribee, whilst they would be a quick alternative to the elephants, it seems unlikely they would import them.
I believe the most likely alternative would be for the Brazilian Tapir and a few other species. Tapir roam the deep forest whilst I would ideally like the Malayan Species, the Brazilian seems more likely. The tapir could possibly be combined with a new species of primate
I don’t think Melbourne is going to care to much about the theming, as with prevous precincts they haven’t cared to much.
Gorilla Rainforest, mostly the African Rainforest houses primates from Asia
TOTE houses squirrels monkeys from South America
I would love to see there be 3 new precincts with Gorilla Rainforest and Forest of Wonder
Congo/Madagascar - Lemurs, Gorilla, Pygmy Hippo, colobus ( in vacant mandrill enclosure )
South East Asia - Small clawed otter, Sumatran tiger, siamang, white checked gibbon, orangutan, Komodo Dragon
South America - Spider Monkey, Bairds Tapir, possibly sloth or anteater if the ira is competed. A sloth enclosure in the elephant barn would be called.
Butterfly’s and insects obviously included in all
They trail could be interconnect well showcasing the differences in the continents rainforest and biodiversity
I believe the most likely alternative would be for the Brazilian Tapir and a few other species. Tapir roam the deep forest whilst I would ideally like the Malayan Species, the Brazilian seems more likely. The tapir could possibly be combined with a new species of primate
I don’t think Melbourne is going to care to much about the theming, as with prevous precincts they haven’t cared to much.
Gorilla Rainforest, mostly the African Rainforest houses primates from Asia
TOTE houses squirrels monkeys from South America
I would love to see there be 3 new precincts with Gorilla Rainforest and Forest of Wonder
Congo/Madagascar - Lemurs, Gorilla, Pygmy Hippo, colobus ( in vacant mandrill enclosure )
South East Asia - Small clawed otter, Sumatran tiger, siamang, white checked gibbon, orangutan, Komodo Dragon
South America - Spider Monkey, Bairds Tapir, possibly sloth or anteater if the ira is competed. A sloth enclosure in the elephant barn would be called.
Butterfly’s and insects obviously included in all
They trail could be interconnect well showcasing the differences in the continents rainforest and biodiversity
You could argue the point that putting Indian Rhinos in the elephant enclosures would be a little hypocritical, the main reason that elephants were moved was because of the space and welfare. Indian rhinos would certainly be better suited for Werribee, whilst they would be a quick alternative to the elephants, it seems unlikely they would import them.
I believe the most likely alternative would be for the Brazilian Tapir and a few other species. Tapir roam the deep forest whilst I would ideally like the Malayan Species, the Brazilian seems more likely. The tapir could possibly be combined with a new species of primate
I don’t think Melbourne is going to care to much about the theming, as with prevous precincts they haven’t cared to much.
Gorilla Rainforest, mostly the African Rainforest houses primates from Asia
TOTE houses squirrels monkeys from South America
I would love to see there be 3 new precincts with Gorilla Rainforest and Forest of Wonder
Congo/Madagascar - Lemurs, Gorilla, Pygmy Hippo, colobus ( in vacant mandrill enclosure )
South East Asia - Small clawed otter, Sumatran tiger, siamang, white checked gibbon, orangutan, Komodo Dragon
South America - Spider Monkey, Bairds Tapir, possibly sloth or anteater if the ira is competed. A sloth enclosure in the elephant barn would be called.
Butterfly’s and insects obviously included in all
They trail could be interconnect well showcasing the differences in the continents rainforest and biodiversity
While I agree Indian rhinoceros would be better accommodated at Werribee, Trail of the Elephants is entirely suitable space wise for this species. The rationale behind the phase out of elephants was that as a city zoo, Melbourne didn’t have the space to accomodate a multigenerational herd. That same complex (consisting of three paddocks) is more than big enough to house a pair of Indian rhinoceros (and facilitate breeding).
However, I agree accomodating multiple species in this area would better serve Melbourne Zoo. There’s the opportunity to build a world class Komodo dragon facility; as well as the opportunity to expand the Sumatran orangutan facilities.
Melbourne Zoo reportedly plan to import tapir, but this will be the Brazilian species (not Bairds) as this is the regional focus species.
It’d require a significant reshuffle, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Melbourne Zoo managed all their gorillas on one site at Melbourne Zoo. Their bachelor males are redundant as crowd-pullers at Werribee now the elephant herd is on site; while in contrast, gorillas are never more important to Melbourne Zoo in the wake of the elephants departure.
There’s enough room to develop a bachelor exhibit to accomodate the males at Werribee; with long term plans to accomodate male infants bred in the current troop on site.
The best use for the gorilla exhibit at Werribee is of course a large Hamadryas baboon troop to support more regular breeding than what can be managed at Melbourne Zoo.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
Develop a new Treetop monkeys (with mixed exhibits - ground dwellers sharing with arboreal) in Forest of Wonders, and convert Treetop Monkeys into a second Gorilla exhibit, and build a new BoH between the two exhibits. This could include an indoor viewing for the public. The old BoH for Gorilla could then be developed into another smaller Congo/Madagascar related enclosure.
Colobus could have the old Mandil enclosure/ coexist with Pygmy Hippo.
Colobus could have the old Mandil enclosure/ coexist with Pygmy Hippo.
That’s a great idea. Gorilla Rainforest is a magnificent exhibit, but it really only lends itself to the display of a single group now access to the Grotto exhibit has been closed off (with that exhibit now occupied by Ruffed lemur). Building a second gorilla exhibit and an additional BOH (I’d also retain the current one) would serve them extremely well.
The current situation (zoos having limited options of where to shift surplus males) isn’t changing anytime soon and this way, Zoos Victoria can resume breeding and manage their own surplus.
I do like this idea - and in this instance the new Treetop Trail in Forest of Wonders could compliment an expansion of the Orangutan complex quite well. Although in this situation, the only space available for this would be the former elephant complex and would require a relatively heavy redevelopment of the area.
Despite what it appears, the current Treetops trail is on the smaller side, so at most perhaps a secondary exhibit (perhaps a large netted enclosure that has an indoor portion) would be suitable.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
I do think that in its entirety the tree top trail is actually near equal in size to the current Gorilla enclosure.
I would welcome a redevelopment of this area. It’s very dated compared to the rest of the zoo and does little to enhance Melbourne’s collection. The colobus could easily be housed in the old Mandrill exhibit as you and others have suggested; and the spider monkey troop would benefit from being moved to an exhibit that accomodate a larger troop, which breeds regularly. If this means spider monkeys leaving Melbourne Zoo, so be it.
I think so too - hence why I suggested that there might not be enough space for two enclosures, instead perhaps one.
An enclosure that provides them the opportunity to be inside if they wish and maximise their climbing capabilities should be priorities. A lot of American zoos are starting to design their enclosures in this manner now, highlighting the importance of both aspects for gorillas.