Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo News 2025

Jambo said:
Werribee are already breeding them in large numbers so honestly, I would be surprised if Melbourne also commenced breeding.

In saying that, I wouldn't be surprised if Melbourne end up holding quite a large herd of surplus females eventually - operating as a support facility to Werribee.
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I wonder if they are offering them to other regional zoos, I believe that Altina wanted females for the two they imported from New Zealand!
 
Zorro said:
I wonder if they are offering them to other regional zoos, I believe that Altina wanted females for the two they imported from New Zealand!
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That’s correct re. Altina. They did in fact recently receive said females (Akiko and Ro) from Monarto Safari Park, who have joined their males Salim and Bahati from New Zealand.

The open range zoos are breeding them in large numbers (both Werrivee and Monarto have huge herds), so we will definitely see them continue to disperse to regional zoos (as I believe was the intention from the beginning).
 
Zoofan15 said:
The open range zoos are breeding them in large numbers (both Werrivee and Monarto have huge herds), so we will definitely see them continue to disperse to regional zoos (as I believe was the intention from the beginning).
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Yes, that does seem to be the intention. It would be good to see more regional facilities get on board; I know DDZ have interest in them. Ironically, I believe they were supposed to receive the girls now at Melbourne.
 
Jambo said:
Yes, that does seem to be the intention. It would be good to see more regional facilities get on board; I know DDZ have interest in them. Ironically, I believe they were supposed to receive the girls now at Melbourne.
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According to the inventory report for Zoos Victoria, Werribee had a herd of 7.9 nyala this time last year (following the transfer of the four females to Melbourne). This figure included 3.1 calves born the year leading up to June 30, 2024.

They could certainly breed sufficient surplus to supply regional zoos, though presumably (even with Werribee’s extensive off display yards), accomodating surplus males is the issue. As with most ungulates, bachelor holders are an advantage to the breeding programme.
 
Zorro said:
I assume they will be adding a male Nyala?
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Most likely wishful thinking but I certainly hope so. I've only ever seen a mature bull at Werribee once and that was in a shed behind very thick trees while the bus was moving rather quickly, so pretty impossible for photography. If only Melbourne could be blessed with even one mature bull or for a few to go on display at Werribee.
 
NathanTheAsian said:
Most likely wishful thinking but I certainly hope so. I've only ever seen a mature bull at Werribee once and that was in a shed behind very thick trees while the bus was moving rather quickly, so pretty impossible for photography. If only Melbourne could be blessed with even one mature bull or for a few to go on display at Werribee.
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Due to bulls being territorial, nyala cows lend themselves better to mixed species exhibits. Auckland and Wellington both keep cows and calves (but not mature bulls) with their rhinos and giraffe respectively. With this in mind, I’m inclined to believe Werribee will continue to keep their bulls off exhibit (unless they elect to display one in the walking trail).

Otherwise (as I previously mentioned), exhibiting a bull in the old bongo exhibit at Melbourne Zoo (with cows and calves in the giraffe exhibit) could also be an option. It depends how many of them Zoos Victoria plans to breed/regional demand.
 
Zoofan15 said:
According to the inventory report for Zoos Victoria, Werribee had a herd of 7.9 nyala this time last year (following the transfer of the four females to Melbourne). This figure included 3.1 calves born the year leading up to June 30, 2024.

They could certainly breed sufficient surplus to supply regional zoos, though presumably (even with Werribee’s extensive off display yards), accomodating surplus males is the issue. As with most ungulates, bachelor holders are an advantage to the breeding programme.
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If only they would import some Impala and Sable antelopes and focused on breeding them for the open range zoos instead of having blackbuck as a substitute they would look magnificent running over the savanna!
 
Zoopat18 said:
sorry not in the enclosure but opposite it in the space between lions and dingos/ Tasmanian devils
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Without knowing more information about the scale of the construction, it’s difficult to say. Though I’m of the opinion the elephant paddocks would offer greater opportunity to build a large Komodo dragon complex, it’s not beyond the realms to think the juvenile could be housed in the Carnivores precinct long term.
 
New Black and white colobus:

The new colobus have been confirmed as Colby (from the National Zoo); and Charlie (from Adelaide).

We’d all correctly guessed Charlie, who is an elderly female unrelated to Adelaide’s females (a logical choice for transferring out); but the assumption Jasiri had joined her was incorrect. Presumably the purpose of all this is to provide Kipenzi with companionship as she’s the sibling of Colby.

From socials:

There's some new faces in town! Make sure you say hi to Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys, Colby and Charlie, next time you visit Melbourne Zoo.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Without knowing more information about the scale of the construction, it’s difficult to say. Though I’m of the opinion the elephant paddocks would offer greater opportunity to build a large Komodo dragon complex, it’s not beyond the realms to think the juvenile could be housed in the Carnivores precinct long term.
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I think the clearing could just be horticultural heavy pruning. When I was there last July it did look like it could do with pruning back or replanting.

(But then I haven't seen it to actually judge)
 
The Sleepy Hippo said:
I think the clearing could just be horticultural heavy pruning. When I was there last July it did look like it could do with pruning back or replanting.

(But then I haven't seen it to actually judge)
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That could be the case. Melbourne’s Komodo hatched April 2022, so is only three years old; but will need a larger exhibit within the next couple of years considering they’re full grown by 8 years.

Melbourne will presumably invest in long term housing for this species as opposed to transferring him out and receiving another hatchling i.e. from Australia Zoo.
 
Zoofan15 said:
New Black and white colobus:

The new colobus have been confirmed as Colby (from the National Zoo); and Charlie (from Adelaide).

We’d all correctly guessed Charlie, who is an elderly female unrelated to Adelaide’s females (a logical choice for transferring out); but the assumption Jasiri had joined her was incorrect. Presumably the purpose of all this is to provide Kipenzi with companionship as she’s the sibling of Colby.

From socials:

There's some new faces in town! Make sure you say hi to Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys, Colby and Charlie, next time you visit Melbourne Zoo.
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That makes the most sense. I had only seen a pair of Colubus on display during my most recent visits (with the other missing), so it seems Melbourne were just individually introducing the Colubus’s first and only recently managed to group the trio together on a permanent basis.

It’s exciting that positive interactions have been witnessed thus far. It’s been quite a while since Kipenzi’s been around another female, and the video seems to highlight she’s taken to Charlie already. It’s also wonderful to see her reunited with her older brother Colby who transferred out when she was only a few years old.
 
Jambo said:
That makes the most sense. I had only seen a pair of Colubus on display during my most recent visits (with the other missing), so it seems Melbourne were just individually introducing the Colubus’s first and only recently managed to group the trio together on a permanent basis.

It’s exciting that positive interactions have been witnessed thus far. It’s been quite a while since Kipenzi’s been around another female, and the video seems to highlight she’s taken to Charlie already. It’s also wonderful to see her reunited with her older brother Colby who transferred out when she was only a few years old.
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It's a shame that they have not gone down the path of forming a breeding troop. Australia's public zoos are shockingly lacking in smaller primates and this is a big missed opportunity.
 
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