ReturnOfPaddyRick
Well-Known Member
I remember a little while back DDZ imported some coatis, and there was a theory(?) that some other zoos might import some too. Is there any news on this or does it appear to just be DDZ?
Melbourne Zoo The Future of Zoos Victoria 2025 (Speculation/Fantasy)
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
Darling Downs imported 2.4 in April 2025, with a further 1.2 planned to be imported by the end of the year.
Gorge and Mogo/Hunter Valley are strong likelihoods for the receiving zoos.
2.4 have already arrived with a further 1.2 scheduled to arrive later this year.
I honestly doubt Coatis will be returning to Melbourne - it was mentioned in one of the newsletters that their last pair of females that passed earlier this year were the last.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
Would it be possible for Melbourne Zoo to net the Collared Peccary and Tapir enclosures, join them into one big mixed enclosure, and house the Peccaries, Tapirs and Spider Monkeys all together?
Yes it would. Several German zoos have housed Brazilian tapir and Collared peccary together and interestingly, some included coati in the mix which could be something for Melbourne to reconsider now this species is back in Australia.
A recent members newsletter mentions planning for a new permanent 'ropes course' which seems to be in the location of the current Treetops Monkey trail. I'm hoping that it won't involve an entire replacement of the whole trail, but taking into account the space in that area, it seems the whole area will indeed be redeveloped (hopefully with some monkey habitats here).
It would be a HUGE shame, if they went the direction of not doing this, and instead housing the remaining primate species elsewhere in the zoo, which would likely result in the phasing out/moving off display of at least some of the species.
The elephant replacement is still listed as a priority however, so this project is still years away.
Werribee also plan to implement a new Western entrance before the end of this decade. I assume the new entrance will be linked with the new planned Sky Safari/trail viewing Lower Savannah.
It would be a HUGE shame, if they went the direction of not doing this, and instead housing the remaining primate species elsewhere in the zoo, which would likely result in the phasing out/moving off display of at least some of the species.
The elephant replacement is still listed as a priority however, so this project is still years away.
Werribee also plan to implement a new Western entrance before the end of this decade. I assume the new entrance will be linked with the new planned Sky Safari/trail viewing Lower Savannah.
When we’ve been discussing a redevelopment of Treetops, this isn’t what I had in mind.
It wouldn’t amaze me to see spider monkey phased out, but I’m hopeful at a minimum they’ll be an integration of exhibits with the ropes course, meaning tamarins etc could be retained in this area. Rather than traditional exhibits, it could be something along the lines of an aerial pathway like they have at Adelaide Zoo.
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I agree, it will likely be something along these lines with elevated rope courses allowing for up close viewing of the primates within these aerial pathways.When we’ve been discussing a redevelopment of Treetops, this isn’t what I had in mind.
It wouldn’t amaze me to see spider monkey phased out, but I’m hopeful at a minimum they’ll be an integration of exhibits with the ropes course, meaning tamarins etc could be retained in this area. Rather than traditional exhibits, it could be something along the lines of an aerial pathway like they have at Adelaide Zoo.
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Phasing out of the Spider Monkeys does consequently make sense. The only way I can see them being retained is if the Colobus head to Werribee (in replacement of the Vervets), which would allow them to potentially reside in the former Mandrill exhibit (which would otherwise be suitable for the Colobus).
The WC Gibbons could get a new home apart of an Orangutan expansion (tied in with the elephant replacement). Or could even move across to the Japanese Island, replacing the elderly Saimang pair. The male will be entering his 40's in the next few years so isn't young by any means.
That would ultimately leave Emperor Tamarins and Cotton Top Tamarins here, having rotational access to enclosures/pathways.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
LOVE the tamarin and Colobus pathways at Adelaide Zoo!!!When we’ve been discussing a redevelopment of Treetops, this isn’t what I had in mind.
It wouldn’t amaze me to see spider monkey phased out, but I’m hopeful at a minimum they’ll be an integration of exhibits with the ropes course, meaning tamarins etc could be retained in this area. Rather than traditional exhibits, it could be something along the lines of an aerial pathway like they have at Adelaide Zoo.
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But ropes course should be designed around new enclosures for monkeys, not be the priority
Something will need to replace the Vervets at Werribee, so my money is on colobus as they compliment the Western lowland gorillas better and Werribee’s African centric collection as a whole.
Colobus would also be a better fit for the old Mandrill exhibit than spider monkey (again complimenting the gorillas), so perhaps long term, Zoos Victoria will establish a breeding troop of colobus at one zoo, with the other holding non-breeding animals. Melbourne currently has a non-breeding troop with their reproductive aged female related to the male; but with breeding at Adelaide a resounding success, there might be the opportunity to create a troop by splitting their females down mother/daughter lines.
I agree. When I visited Melbourne Zoo in late 2023, I thought the zoo was fantastic, despite rampant phases outs over the last 15-20 years. However, I think we can all agree the zoo has gone far enough in this regard and any further loss of species would be of great detriment to the zoo. Most privately owned regional zoos now have comparable or greater number of exotics.
I was thinking the same - the former Mandrill exhibit will honestly require more renovations for Spider Monkey, so Colobus would perhaps be best suitable. I was considering whether they might consider sending the Spider Monkeys to Werribee in place of the Vervets (but that wouldn't fit well with the overall African theme).
Another option is for them to renovate the former Mandrill enclosure for the White Cheeked Gibbon pair, which would be an improvement for them size wise, although they'd have limited climbing opportunities, and there'd need to be renovations containment wise.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
I was thinking the other day, that Meerkat should all be sent to Werribee (or a small number can reclaim one of their small enclosures further in, ut preferably Werribee) and their complex near the entrance could become a maze of Tamarin enclosures and overhead pathways. Plant it out more and it to my mind would be an even more engaging entry point (for me) to the zoo. Have Cotton-Top, Emperor, Golden Lion.
I also still like the idea of the huge meerkat enclosure that was proposed for near the safari bus line at Werribee.
Melbourne could build a tamarin house, like they have at Adelaide with indoor and outdoor viewing. If they went with your idea, they could redevelop a sizeable part of Growing Wild, though I hope the ropes course isn’t the sole idea planned for Treetops. That would be greatly detrimental to the zoo’s progress (especially considering we’re yet to hear of anything substantial replacing the elephants).
A giant meerkat exhibit would be exciting, but development of a large colony will always be restricted by their complex social dynamics. Females are typically evicted by the dominant female at 2-3 years; and males disperse of their own accord. In captivity, the only way to replicate this and account for falls out due to conflict is to make provisions for young bred on site. If regional demand isn’t there, the options are to restrict breeding; or accomodate surplus in additional exhibits.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
I still feel Growing Wild should become an Amazonian precinct, beginning at the Meerkat Cafe (rebrand for a related species nearby), and ending at the Japanese Garden/ Macaw Takeaway.
Keeper Kids could be repurposed for quieter/nocturnal animals:
Potentially near the exit there would be a seperate enclosure for Spider Monkey, and to cap it off, the historic elephant enclosure could be renovated (enclosed and planted out) and this could house a Jaguar. Potentially Behind-the-scenes areas adjacent to this could be renovated to be a second Jaguar enclosure and a BoH built. (Behind the scenes operations would need to be consolidated, or just shifted to the vacant spaces behind Mishka's enclosure.
I am sure that this with acquisitions, and the giant aviary structure would be expensive, but I do think that Gorilla Forest, and Forest of Wonders (once renovated) should each become regionally focused trails.
Meerkat as stated before I would move entirely to Werribee, and the Giant Tortoise can be consolidated down around the Reptile House.
Keeper Kids could be repurposed for quieter/nocturnal animals:
- Two-toed sloth could have an indoor/outdoor exhibit,
- potentially Saki, Titi or Owl Monkeys.
- Green Iguana
- Argentine Black & White Tegu
- Red-footed Tortoise
- Anoles (e.g. Knight Anole)
- Poison Dart Frogs
- Macaws - existing collection
- Other amazonian birds if possible - not sure what is existing in zoos or private hands
- Capuchins
- Squirrel Monkeys,
- Giant Anteater
- Armadillo
- Tapir
- Peccaries
- Capybara
Potentially near the exit there would be a seperate enclosure for Spider Monkey, and to cap it off, the historic elephant enclosure could be renovated (enclosed and planted out) and this could house a Jaguar. Potentially Behind-the-scenes areas adjacent to this could be renovated to be a second Jaguar enclosure and a BoH built. (Behind the scenes operations would need to be consolidated, or just shifted to the vacant spaces behind Mishka's enclosure.
I am sure that this with acquisitions, and the giant aviary structure would be expensive, but I do think that Gorilla Forest, and Forest of Wonders (once renovated) should each become regionally focused trails.
Meerkat as stated before I would move entirely to Werribee, and the Giant Tortoise can be consolidated down around the Reptile House.
Werribee Open Range Zoo have plans to acquire more African wild dogs. There currently isn’t a regional surplus, but hopefully Altina’s breeding pair (the only breeding pair in the region) will produce another litter next year; and in the meantime, consideration will be given to imports.
Zoos Victoria have long term plans to exhibit Spotted hyena at Werribee, but nothing concrete at this stage.
Considering there were plans for Spotted Hyena; and there is the surplus for them at the moment (unlike with African Wild Dogs), I am interested to see whether Werribee may consider pivoting to Hyenas in the meantime.
JM01
Well-Known Member
Thank you a much for the info! I'm really looking excited to that African Wild Dogs will be returning and that Spotted Hyenas are also planned for the future!