Even though I'd rank Taronga Zoo in Sydney ahead of Melbourne overall (even with the outrageous entrance fee!) Melbourne has a number of better exhibits for key mammals such as gorillas, elephants, tigers and orangutans.
Even though I'd rank Taronga Zoo in Sydney ahead of Melbourne overall (even with the outrageous entrance fee!) Melbourne has a number of better exhibits for key mammals such as gorillas, elephants, tigers and orangutans.
Exactly my thoughts. However, I think Taronga Zoo has a better, more social gorilla troop with frequent (around every 2 to 3 years) breeding. I think the energy of the Taronga troop would utilise more of this exhibit than the Melbourne troop, minus the two young females.
Melbourne's far lower entrance fee, larger collection, overall larger and more attractive exhibits and quieter less busy atmosphere is why I much prefer it of the two. I can't say i've enjoyed a Taronga visit in at least a decade.
As for UrMumzAGoat commenst regarding gorillas - for real?!! are we actually going to claim that Taronga's gorillas are "better" than Melbournes?!!
I think you'll find Melbourne has raised very many baby gorillas in this exhibit and that one way or another they will again....
Melbourne's far lower entrance fee, larger collection, overall larger and more attractive exhibits and quieter less busy atmosphere is why I much prefer it of the two. I can't say i've enjoyed a Taronga visit in at least a decade.
As for UrMumzAGoat commenst regarding gorillas - for real?!! are we actually going to claim that Taronga's gorillas are "better" than Melbournes?!!
I think you'll find Melbourne has raised very many baby gorillas in this exhibit and that one way or another they will again....
No, I am not saying Taronga's gorillas are betters than Melbourne's, however, the public do go to see moving animals or animals that are doing something, be it walking or interacting with visitors through a viewing window.
On my visit, I saw mostly little kids around this area, but guess what, after a few seconds they left. They think if the animal is not moving, it is boring, and then their parents have to follow them, meaning not many people get to appreciate both the gorillas and enclosure.
It may be because they are older than Taronga's (or because there hasn't been any breeding for a decade now), but Melbourne's gorillas seem more innactive and don't utilize the enclosure space as much. Really, you are most likely to see Rigo under the two shelters, there is no other reason to have the other viewing areas if you were to exclusively see him.
That being said, a new male might bring some energy into the group, and it will be much better for the public and Melbourne Zoo. Babies=money, so if they can get breeding again, it will be a boost in attendance for the zoo and the social dynamic of the group.
Sorry if I came across as "our gorillas are better than yours", but it was not intended in any way to be like that.
It may be because they are older than Taronga's (or because there hasn't been any breeding for a decade now), but Melbourne's gorillas seem more innactive and don't utilize the enclosure space as much. Really, you are most likely to see Rigo under the two shelters, there is no other reason to have the other viewing areas if you were to exclusively see him.
The key to activity levels is simple; the presence of young (juvenile and baby) animals in the group. Older Gorillas tend to sit around doing nothing a lot, whereas the youngsters play, interact with older ones and generally stimulate more activity. There aren't any yongsters at present in the Melbourne group as you know.
Where Gorillas are shut outdoors, the silverbacks in particular tend to seek a covered place to 'hide'- I remember Motaba using the cave a lot too.
The key to activity levels is simple; the presence of young (juvenile and baby) animals in the group. Older Gorillas tend to sit around doing nothing a lot, whereas the youngsters play, interact with older ones and generally stimulate more activity. There aren't any yongsters at present in the Melbourne group as you know.
Where Gorillas are shut outdoors, the silverbacks in particular tend to seek a covered place to 'hide'- I remember Motaba using the cave a lot too.
That is my thought too. More the reason to get some breeding happening, Melbourne would get more publicity (more than elephants, probably they would say it has been more than 10 years since the last birth) and therefore get the education and conservation message across better.
I never knew the Melbourne gorillas were shut outdoors, they seemed to be quite calm about it (due to the canopy of the trees). However, I did notice at the scatter feed that as soon as they opened the door to the indoor day rooms, Rigo ran across from the shelter, snatched a handful of good, then bolted indoors. Only some females went indoors along with him, the rest stayed outside near the door.
UrMumzAGoat - I've been visiting Melbourne ever since that exhibit opened and I can honestly say that I have seen at various stages the gorillas utilising ALL of the exhibit. There are areas you tend to see them most, particularly at the glass viewing area you mentioned, but thats a good thing right?!! In the late afternoon they tend to shift over to to the other side of the exhibit, possibly to get the warmth of the afternoon sun?
And of course to be fair UMAG, with only one visit under your belt you really wouldn't have the ability to make assumptions on where the gorillas spend most of their time though would you? On hot days they may tend to use a different location right? The same on rainy days. They have no obligation to use the whole exhibit in one given day or week, or month - but that doesn't mean they don't deserve to have it. Or enjoy that part of their space on occasions.
In any event, I would argue that Tarongas gorillas tend to utilise all of their exhibit simply because they have no choice. Taronga's gorillas do not have an opportunity to choose from the same diverse places to explore.
Anyhow, i'm glad you liked it. As is obvious, i think its probably the best designed animal exhibit in Australia. Big call i know. Lets hope that Melbourne either import a new male or Rigo finally decides to get frisky. Poor fella.
UrMumzAGoat - I've been visiting Melbourne ever since that exhibit opened and I can honestly say that I have seen at various stages the gorillas utilising ALL of the exhibit. There are areas you tend to see them most, particularly at the glass viewing area you mentioned, but thats a good thing right?!! In the late afternoon they tend to shift over to to the other side of the exhibit, possibly to get the warmth of the afternoon sun?
And of course to be fair UMAG, with only one visit under your belt you really wouldn't have the ability to make assumptions on where the gorillas spend most of their time though would you? On hot days they may tend to use a different location right? The same on rainy days. They have no obligation to use the whole exhibit in one given day or week, or month - but that doesn't mean they don't deserve to have it. Or enjoy that part of their space on occasions.
In any event, I would argue that Tarongas gorillas tend to utilise all of their exhibit simply because they have no choice. Taronga's gorillas do not have an opportunity to choose from the same diverse places to explore.
Anyhow, i'm glad you liked it. As is obvious, i think its probably the best designed animal exhibit in Australia. Big call i know. Lets hope that Melbourne either import a new male or Rigo finally decides to get frisky. Poor fella.
Sorry, I forgot to add that the females moved around the exhibt, but not that far from the shleter: because Rigo was in it. The females do like moving around, I can see it, but they have to stick to the silverback to make the decisions, and Rigo's decision is to lie down in the shelter.
I went around twice the Gorilla Trail, and both times they stayed near the shelter. It is because Rigo is meant to be their leader, but in reality he is not. It is not a very social group at all, the main problem is Rigo (not to say we should blame Rigo for this, he doesn't know he is meant to be part of a breeding program to safeguard his species!).
I understand that it was my first and only visit, but it is a fair assumption to say that they stay in one spot all day, again due to the reasons I have mentioned. Melbourne need breeding for the group to become active again, both physically and socially.
And BTW, Taronga's gorillas don't utilize all of the exhibt. They mostly use the right hand side of the exhibit. Why? Because their silverback likes staying indoors under a roof, and the day room is on the right handed side of the exhibit. I think Pertinax and other members have also noticed this. I can only think of Frala who uses the left hand side of the exhibit, but that is because she is a social outsider and stays by herself away from the main group.
I wouldn't say it is the best designed exhibit in Australia, that prize would go to Kubu River Hippos at Werribee, it is magnificent and the theming is spectacular. But I really did enjoy Melbourne Zoo, some new and interesting animals in great exhibits.
Ha! I just noticed this . The viewing areas were great, either open like this or through large glass windows. The only viewing area I didn't like was through the Researcher's Hut, I felt it was too small and the bamboo meant yoyu couldn't see alot.
