I would concur that both giraffe and tapir are exciting/ meaningful births as both species are rare and/or endangered species. Besides, the Nile lechwe are a definite draw-card (perhaps not for Otto Normalbesucher, but surely from a conservation point of view).
What the national role for Bioparco would be at this moment escapes me - as does how it should best perform this task -, but I do know that Bioparco is back in some morning limelight ... though not yet in very brilliant sunshine. However, being inside the urban center of Roma does give it a national platform ... (at the very least).
The new exhibits for bears, pygmy hippo, giraffe and the Reptilario seem a step in the right direction. Bringing in Asian lions, phasing out the black rhino and common hippo were major steps forward. I would say that Bioparco is best placed to go for the smaller LBJ's and underline these are interesting and not so much mega vertebrates. If it would also provide a platform for more local native species - f.i. the Abruzzo and Appeninne wildlife - that would be a definite plus.
As for a masterplan - I seem to remember Doug Richardson did have one - (and his tenure ultimately led to the renaissance of the Bioparco into something more meaningful than it had been for decades). I agree that ..., which is more the national and federal government is concerned that the administration is seriously lacking in an environmental agenda or - by its own default - supporting zoos as a cultural entity and tradition and education cum conservation mechanism.
I assume you will agree that from a zoo enthusiast point of view the best Italian zoos currently are Parco Natura Viva, Bussolengo and Parco Zoo Punta Verde, Lignano Sabbiardo.
