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

[Zoofan15]

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.

I would be surprised. The containment requirements for Spotted hyena are more advanced than what’s required for African wild dogs, which is the reason Hamilton haven’t acquired them yet (the exhibit requires significant upgrades).

It’s unlikely Werribee’s African wild dog exhibit was built to the specifications required for hyena as housing them in that exhibit wasn’t in the plans at the time.

 

[ReturnOfPaddyRick]

I've been curious to ask as well, will African Wild Dogs likely come back to Werribee or is it more likely they will be replaced with another carnivore such as Hyenas?

I could be wrong here, but, I believe there were plans to breed wild dogs and cheetahs in a new “waterhole precinct”, and hyenas would occupy the current(/former) wild dog exhibit, or somewhere very close to it

 

[Jambo]

I could be wrong here, but, I believe there were plans to breed wild dogs and cheetahs in a new “waterhole precinct”, and hyenas would occupy the current(/former) wild dog exhibit, or somewhere very close to it

That was the plan, although the Waterhole trail has already opened - with just Zebra and Ostrich currently on display there. It seems the Carnivore breeding hub for AWD's and Cheetahs that was supposed to be in that vicinity has been shelved as a result.

With that in mind, I was indeed wondering whether the current AWD enclosure may be used for Spotted Hyenas now, as they were essentially supposed to replace them there (per the masterplan).

 

[Zoofan15]

I could be wrong here, but, I believe there were plans to breed wild dogs and cheetahs in a new “waterhole precinct”, and hyenas would occupy the current(/former) wild dog exhibit, or somewhere very close to it

I could be wrong here, but, I believe there were plans to breed wild dogs and cheetahs in a new “waterhole precinct”, and hyenas would occupy the current(/former) wild dog exhibit, or somewhere very close to it

Spotted hyena has been put on hold; along with the Cheetah breeding facility and additional lion exhibit in order to prioritise the completion of the elephant complex (which like all projects, exceeded the original budget).

I’m hopeful we’ll see some of these projects resume; but Melbourne will also require significant investment for redevelopment and so a focus on imports (to boost both collections) seems to be taking priority. In addition to the Brazilian tapir, we have bull Common hippopotamus coming and Werribee plan to acquire more African wild dog (which will fill the empty exhibit).

 

[Jambo]

Spotted hyena has been put on hold; along with the Cheetah breeding facility and additional lion exhibit in order to prioritise the completion of the elephant complex (which like all projects, exceeded the original budget).

I’m hopeful we’ll see some of these projects resume; but Melbourne will also require significant investment for redevelopment and so a focus on imports (to boost both collections) seems to be taking priority. In addition to the Brazilian tapir, we have bull Common hippopotamus coming and Werribee plan to acquire more African wild dog (which will fill the empty exhibit).

Has it been confirmed that Werribee intend to acquire more African Wild Dogs?

 

[Zoofan15]

Has it been confirmed that Werribee intend to acquire more African Wild Dogs?

My friend who visited Werribee this month asked a keeper and was advised Werribee intend to acquire more African wild dog. There doesn’t appear to be a regional surplus at this point in time, but fall outs in packs are common and there may be the opportunity to acquire 2-3 from any of the larger packs within the timeframe of more being bred (or even imports made).

 

[Jambo]

I believe if Werribee extended the Asian theme exhibit from the current elephant exhibit would be a good move and a logical one they could easily build a really awesome Indian rhino habitat that would be a major drawcard besides adding a second pair which is badly needed in the country and they are available overseas, I understand some European zoos have halted breeding as all current holders are full, Werribee did suffer a long stagnation for a long time until the new Asian elephant exhibit was built which seems to have energised the zoo again

The zoo has a perfect set up for a breeding pair of Indian Rhino; two paddocks located at the beginning of the Waterhole trail that leads up to the Elephants, one of which is also viewable by Safari.

One of the paddocks currently has female Ostritch, and the other male Zebra, so both species could easily be re-housed elsewhere in the zoo as desired.

The paddocks are of great size and are of great location to form a mini Asian trail. Here's some photos I took of both enclosures:

New Zebra Enclosure - Waterhole Trail

• Jambo
• 17 Jun 2025

Taken from my visit 15/06/2025

Female Ostrich Enclosure

• Jambo
• 17 Jun 2025

Taken from my visit 15/06/2025

 

[Zoofan15]

The zoo has a perfect set up for a breeding pair of Indian Rhino; two paddocks located at the beginning of the Waterhole trail that leads up to the Elephants, one of which is also viewable by Safari.

One of the paddocks currently has female Ostritch, and the other male Zebra, so both species could easily be re-housed elsewhere in the zoo as desired.

The paddocks are of great size and are of great location to form a mini Asian trail. Here's some photos I took of both enclosures:

New Zebra Enclosure - Waterhole Trail

• Jambo
• 17 Jun 2025

Taken from my visit 15/06/2025

Female Ostrich Enclosure

• Jambo
• 17 Jun 2025

Taken from my visit 15/06/2025

That would be the ideal location for housing Indian rhinoceros. Like you say, both species could easily be accommodated elsewhere and do little to enhance the collection in the current location.

Werribee already plan to house Indian antelope in the Asian elephant complex. Having a third Indian species (rhinoceros) in nearby exhibits would create a really impressive precinct that compliments what is mainly an African centric zoo.

Thinking outside the box, they could even import a pair of Indian rhinoceros and exhibit them at Melbourne Zoo for a few years until transferring them across to the open range site. Melbourne’s elephant complex is suitable for them, with only minor modifications needed and it’s not like they’ve rushed to redevelop it for anything else in the nearly eight months it’s been since the elephants left.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I think Asian water buffalo would make another great addition to an Asia precinct at Werribee. And if wild caught from NT, not necessarily a hard one to source.

Would there be room on that near kilometre walk to also build a sloth bear complex?

 

[Tiger91]

The zoo has a perfect set up for a breeding pair of Indian Rhino; two paddocks located at the beginning of the Waterhole trail that leads up to the Elephants, one of which is also viewable by Safari.

One of the paddocks currently has female Ostritch, and the other male Zebra, so both species could easily be re-housed elsewhere in the zoo as desired.

The paddocks are of great size and are of great location to form a mini Asian trail. Here's some photos I took of both enclosures:

New Zebra Enclosure - Waterhole Trail

• Jambo
• 17 Jun 2025

Taken from my visit 15/06/2025

Female Ostrich Enclosure

• Jambo
• 17 Jun 2025

Taken from my visit 15/06/2025

The import of indian rhino, and a couple of nilgai would make the zone an indian themed zone that would compliment the zoo exceptionally. Nilgai being a large and impressive antelope would be well suited to be housed with rhino or elephants.

 

[Zoofan15]

I think Asian water buffalo would make another great addition to an Asia precinct at Werribee. And if wild caught from NT, not necessarily a hard one to source.

Would there be room on that near kilometre walk to also build a sloth bear complex?

Yes, especially if they implemented a terrace style exhibit. There would be more than enough space to accomodate a pair or small group of sloth bear.

Tying into the terrace idea, I wouldn’t mind seeing the exhibit combined with smaller ground level exhibits for coati etc.

 

[Jambo]

Thinking outside the box, they could even import a pair of Indian rhinoceros and exhibit them at Melbourne Zoo for a few years until transferring them across to the open range site. Melbourne’s elephant complex is suitable for them, with only minor modifications needed and it’s not like they’ve rushed to redevelop it for anything else in the nearly eight months it’s been since the elephants left.

That would be a good use of the current complex in the meantime - long term, Melbourne could even serve as a fourth holding facility regionally and be used to hold surplus bull calves born to the initial pair (who are then sent across to Werribee). In the event a female calf is born, it could easily have application at Taronga (paired with Hari).

Would there be room on that near kilometre walk to also build a sloth bear complex?

Sort of, there's a lot of open space to the right of the trail that could one day be utilised if desired. Whether that's for an eventual expansion of the Elephant precinct, or for another species. The plans for the area where initially for a Cheetah/African Wild Dog breeding hub there. Perhaps that's still the plan eventually once the zoo has funds, but alas, there hasn't even been word on the Gondola which was supposed to be completed already and will presumably also be located somewhere there.

 

[Zorro]

The only possible problem could be that "some" in Taronga zoo might see the Indian rhino as a "Taronga/TWPZ species and not "keen" on the idea of others zoos displaying one of their flagship species!

 

[Zoofan15]

The only possible problem could be that "some" in Taronga zoo might see the Indian rhino as a "Taronga/TWPZ species and not "keen" on the idea of others zoos displaying one of their flagship species!

I’m hopeful being an extension of the EEP it’d ultimately be their decision on who was accepted to hold the species. Like you say, Europe is at capacity, so I struggle to envisage any objection to additional holders in our region.

 

[Zorro]

I’m hopeful being an extension of the EEP it’d ultimately be their decision on who was accepted to hold the species. Like you say, Europe is at capacity, so I struggle to envisage any objection to additional holders in our region.

I believe its very unlikely anyone on the outside of the country has any say in these matters the main trouble is unfortunately we have too few zoos in the region compared to Europe and the USA, So we have the couple of big fish swimming around in a small pond syndrome while the others are just small minnows if you get my drift?

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

If Zoos Vic were to import a breeding pair, does Taronga have a say?

 

[Jambo]

If Zoos Vic were to import a breeding pair, does Taronga have a say?

Unfortunately it seems so, due to Taronga having a big say on the global rhino population. Still, Zoos Vic and Taronga do often operate in tandem, so I imagine *if* they expressed interest, Taronga surely wouldn't deny them. The same however likely can't be said about other facilities regionally.

 

[Zorro]

Unfortunately it seems so, due to Taronga having a big say on the global rhino population. Still, Zoos Vic and Taronga do often operate in tandem, so I imagine *if* they expressed interest, Taronga surely wouldn't deny them. The same however likely can't be said about other facilities regionally.

I believe what you have pointed out is a very likely to be the case unfortunately

 

[Jambo]

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.

Rehashing this, I emailed Melbourne via member feedback about this a few weeks ago and finally got a response.

I was told the new West Entry at Werribee is the priority at the moment. They're looking to complete this by the end of the decade. The long awaited gondola will presumably be involved in this.

Regarding Melbourne I was assured the elephant replacement is the current focus. No specifics were shared, but I was told to keep an eye on socials (as seems to be the usual PR line). However we should expect work there very soon.

I was also told that another immediate plan is for a new Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon Breeding Centre to be built in the area behind the Reptile House; where the current off display facilities are.

And for the Treetop Ropes trail, I was told it wasn't confirmed as of yet - discussions and designs are still being formulated, and this isn't expected to be finalised anytime soon. The aforementioned two projects are priorities.

 

[Zoofan15]

Regarding Melbourne I was assured the elephant replacement is the current focus. No specifics were shared, but I was told to keep an eye on socials (as seems to be the usual PR line). However we should expect work there very soon.

And for the Treetop Ropes trail, I was told it wasn't confirmed as of yet - discussions and designs are still being formulated, and this isn't expected to be finalised anytime soon. The aforementioned two projects are priorities.

I’m glad a redevelopment of the elephant paddocks is planned for the near future. They had several years notice the elephants were transferring out, so I’d have expected something concrete to have been in place long ago.

If the best idea they have for redeveloping Treetops is a ropes course, I’m more than happy for them to prioritise other projects for the time being. I’m sure we’re all be more receptive to the idea it was done in conjunction with aboreal animal exhibits (potentially even include the Xenarthra family, with the IRA hopefully processed within the next three years).

I was also told that another immediate plan is for a new Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon Breeding Centre to be built in the area behind the Reptile House; where the current off display facilities are.

The ACT government are funding Zoos Victoria $2 million to build a centre at Melbourne Zoo for the breeding of Canberra grassland earless dragons; which (unless the person who replied to your email confused Canberra GED with Victorian GED) is presumably being built in conjunction with this project, with the facilities benefiting the conservation of both species.

Melbourne Zoo to breed endangered Earless Dragons for ACT in $2 million program | Region Canberra

The ACT Government will pay Melbourne Zoo almost $2 million for a four-year program to breed critically endangered Canberra Grassland Earless Dragons.

Melbourne Zoo is required to build the captive colony to 200 breeding individuals and generate further Earless Dragons ready for reintroduction to the wild, as well as improve their genetic diversity.

It will also need to build a new climate-controlled and biosecure breeding facility for the Canberra Grassland Earless Dragons, which are known as ‘fussy breeders’.

Under the contract, the zoo is expected to build the breeding colony to 50 to 100 dragons by 28 February 2027, 80 to 130 by 28 February 2028 and up to 200 by 28 February 2029.