Comparing Australian zoos

[Zoofan15]

I think Perth Zoo is really underrated compared to Taronga and Melbourne Zoo. They have a diverse collection and with the masterplan promising to modernise older parts of the zoo that are beginning to look dated, I would place Perth as one of Australia’s best zoos.

 

[steveroberts]

I think Perth Zoo is really underrated compared to Taronga and Melbourne Zoo. They have a diverse collection and with the masterplan promising to modernise older parts of the zoo that are beginning to look dated, I would place Perth as one of Australia’s best zoos.

Highly agree amigo, They (Perth Zoo) have done amazingly in their time, considering one of the few zoos in Australia that has never held Gorillas for example, but yet they have done amazingly, especially with Western Australian based threatened species, and also many endangered primates too (and many other examples). Their former species inventory is very impressive, even if they have never held Gorillas or say Snow Leopards they have had an impressive history (bad times too like all zoos with a history of note, but they are well regarded by their gardens and landscapes, care of their animals in the last 40 years of more admiring note like most zoos..the African Savannah is only the most famous achievement of many).

 

[Jambo]

Highly agree amigo, They (Perth Zoo) have done amazingly in their time, considering one of the few zoos in Australia that has never held Gorillas for example, but yet they have done amazingly, especially with Western Australian based threatened species, and also many endangered primates too (and many other examples). Their former species inventory is very impressive, even if they have never held Gorillas or say Snow Leopards they have had an impressive history (bad times too like all zoos with a history of note, but they are well regarded by their gardens and landscapes, care of their animals in the last 40 years of more admiring note like most zoos..the African Savannah is only the most famous achievement of many).

Perth is underrated, to say the least.

Despite the fact i've never visited, i've only ever heard good things about it.

They've done especially well with their primate species (orangs, gibbons, tamirans), and you can't forget the success they've had recently with their Giraffe!

With their new masterplan underway, Perth certainly looks to be attempting to throw themselves into the BIG Three of Zoos in Australia, and could certainly be one of the best city collections worldwide.

 

[Zoofan15]

Highly agree amigo, They (Perth Zoo) have done amazingly in their time, considering one of the few zoos in Australia that has never held Gorillas for example, but yet they have done amazingly, especially with Western Australian based threatened species, and also many endangered primates too (and many other examples). Their former species inventory is very impressive, even if they have never held Gorillas or say Snow Leopards they have had an impressive history (bad times too like all zoos with a history of note, but they are well regarded by their gardens and landscapes, care of their animals in the last 40 years of more admiring note like most zoos..the African Savannah is only the most famous achievement of many).

Perth is underrated, to say the least.

Despite the fact i've never visited, i've only ever heard good things about it.

They've done especially well with their primate species (orangs, gibbons, tamirans), and you can't forget the success they've had recently with their Giraffe!

With their new masterplan underway, Perth certainly looks to be attempting to throw themselves into the BIG Three of Zoos in Australia, and could certainly be one of the best city collections worldwide.

The interesting thing about Perth Zoo is that they haven’t suffered the dramatic loss of species like at Taronga and Melbourne Zoo over the past 10-15 years.

The trade off is some of their exhibits are looking a little dated (as Melbourne’s were 20 years ago), but their masterplan is progressive and innovative - with concepts like shared exhibit space that will allow them to rotate species instead of phasing them out.

 

[Zorro]

Perth is underrated, to say the least.

Despite the fact i've never visited, i've only ever heard good things about it.

They've done especially well with their primate species (orangs, gibbons, tamirans), and you can't forget the success they've had recently with their Giraffe!

With their new masterplan underway, Perth certainly looks to be attempting to throw themselves into the BIG Three of Zoos in Australia, and could certainly be one of the best city collections worldwide.

I agree, I have been there the once back in 2000. I. believe at the time they appeared to be doing a good overall job. The only big drawback for them is not having an open range zoo like the other main city zoos around the country. I would hope they could at least secure the land for one to be built sometime in the future which could take them to a new level.

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree, I have been there the once back in 2000. I. believe at the time they appeared to be doing a good overall job. The only big drawback for them is not having an open range zoo like the other main city zoos around the country. I would hope they could at least secure the land for one to be built sometime in the future which could take them to a new level.

Not having an open range site has been a huge detriment to Perth Zoo with regards to breeding recommendations. They claim a lack of space is their reason for not breeding Malayan sun bears again and further Sumatran tiger breeding recommendations only came when they phased out the Persian leopard etc.

The biggest loss of course will be their elephants, as they have no option to transfer them to an open range site like Taronga and Melbourne.

Long term, it’d be nice to see an open range zoo. It’d allow Perth to relocate their rhinos and giraffes (if there’s not a repeat of the Adelaide saga) and concentrate on small to medium sized species.

 

[Jambo]

Not having an open range site has been a huge detriment to Perth Zoo with regards to breeding recommendations. They claim a lack of space is their reason for not breeding Malayan sun bears again and further Sumatran tiger breeding recommendations only came when they phased out the Persian leopard etc.

The biggest loss of course will be their elephants, as they have no option to transfer them to an open range site like Taronga and Melbourne.

Long term, it’d be nice to see an open range zoo. It’d allow Perth to relocate their rhinos and giraffes (if there’s not a repeat of the Adelaide saga) and concentrate on small to medium sized species.

Perth is still a rather decent 30 acres. In comparison, Adelaide is only two thirds of the size and so unlike Perth, really can't afford to hold larger species like Giraffe.

Although I do agree, an open range zoo for Perth will allow Perth to expand their breeding programs for smaller species.

 

[Zoofan15]

Perth is still a rather decent 30 acres. In comparison, Adelaide is only two thirds of the size and so unlike Perth, really can't afford to hold larger species like Giraffe.

Although I do agree, an open range zoo for Perth will allow Perth to expand their breeding programs for smaller species.

Perth Zoo is 17ha, so just behind Taronga (21ha) and Melbourne (22ha). Of these three zoos, they’re the only one which still holds rhinoceros, which again is a consequence of not having an open range sister zoo to transfer them too. They attempted to begin a breeding herd with 1.2 rhinos, but due to space limitations have rescued their holdings to 2.0 held across two exhibits. Neither have a huge amount of space.

The giraffe exhibit at Perth is decent, but takes up a lot of space that can be better utilised imo. Giraffes are a popular species and the zoo are keen to maintain them, but it would be better to see them roaming the fields of an open range zoo while Perth focussed on smaller ungulates such as the Pygmy hippopotamus.

 

[Jambo]

Perth Zoo is 17ha, so just behind Taronga (21ha) and Melbourne (22ha). Of these three zoos, they’re the only one which still holds rhinoceros, which again is a consequence of not having an open range sister zoo to transfer them too. They attempted to begin a breeding herd with 1.2 rhinos, but due to space limitations have rescued their holdings to 2.0 held across two exhibits. Neither have a huge amount of space.

The giraffe exhibit at Perth is decent, but takes up a lot of space that can be better utilised imo. Giraffes are a popular species and the zoo are keen to maintain them, but it would be better to see them roaming the fields of an open range zoo while Perth focussed on smaller ungulates such as the Pygmy hippopotamus.

40 acres wow, that's bigger than I expected. It's similar size to Auckland, and Melbourne is virtually the same (when you discount the ten or so acres they use for offices ect).

The two rhino enclosures do take up a lot of space; and together with the current elephant enclosures (soon to be vacated); that's a decent chunk of the zoo. As you've said, Pygmy Hippos are a good choice in the African Trail, alongside Indian Rhinos to replace the Elephants, which will allow Perth to phase out White Rhinos in the future. I'm surprised Bakari hasn't moved into the breeding program yet.

 

[Zoofan15]

40 acres wow, that's bigger than I expected. It's similar size to Auckland, and Melbourne is virtually the same (when you discount the ten or so acres they use for offices ect).

The two rhino enclosures do take up a lot of space; and together with the current elephant enclosures (soon to be vacated); that's a decent chunk of the zoo. As you've said, Pygmy Hippos are a good choice in the African Trail, alongside Indian Rhinos to replace the Elephants, which will allow Perth to phase out White Rhinos in the future. I'm surprised Bakari hasn't moved into the breeding program yet.

Perth (17ha) and Auckland (16ha) both pack a lot into the space they have. You could easily spend 4-6 hours at either zoo versus Hamilton Zoo (25ha), which is a 2 hour visit.

Efficient use of space is key - aerial ropes at Auckland Zoo creating a 2km pathway for their orangutans to traverse (including over a lake) and the rotating species concept at Perth both being examples of this.

The trend of species reduction is a consequence of the requirement of a higher standard of exhibits, but both these zoos provide examples of how things can be done efficiently.

 

[Jambo]

Perth (17ha) and Auckland (16ha) both pack a lot into the space they have. You could easily spend 4-6 hours at either zoo versus Hamilton Zoo (25ha), which is a 2 hour visit.

Efficient use of space is key - aerial ropes at Auckland Zoo creating a 2km pathway for their orangutans to traverse (including over a lake) and the rotating species concept at Perth both being examples of this.

The trend of species reduction is a consequence of the requirement of a higher standard of exhibits, but both these zoos provide examples of how things can be done efficiently.

Auckland seems much larger than it actually is which just goes to show how efficient their use of space is.

Melbourne on the other hand seems tiny; but there are a lot of areas around the zoo that remain empty (lots of looping pathways ect). If you take your utmost time, you could get around Melbourne in four to five hours.

Surprising, considering it's much larger than Auckland and has a bigger collection, yet should take about the same time to visit.

 

[Zoofan15]

Auckland seems much larger than it actually is which just goes to show how efficient their use of space is.

Melbourne on the other hand seems tiny; but there are a lot of areas around the zoo that remain empty (lots of looping pathways ect). If you take your utmost time, you could get around Melbourne in four to five hours.

Surprising, considering it's much larger than Auckland and has a bigger collection, yet should take about the same time to visit.

I think the difference between Auckland (16ha) versus Melbourne (22ha) and Hamilton (25ha) is that almost the entire zoo is utilised with engaging exhibits.

Melbourne Zoo has the Growing Wild precinct everyone avoids like the plague, yet it takes up about a fifth of the zoo; while Hamilton Zoo with the wetlands the general public never visit; and the many farmyard exhibits that are of zero interest to anyone over five.

 

[Jambo]

I think the difference between Auckland (16ha) versus Melbourne (22ha) and Hamilton (25ha) is that almost the entire zoo is utilised with engaging exhibits.

Melbourne Zoo has the Growing Wild precinct everyone avoids like the plague, yet it takes up about a fifth of the zoo; while Hamilton Zoo with the wetlands the general public never visit; and the many farmyard exhibits that are of zero interest to anyone over five.

That's very true. The least popular part of Auckland is probably the Bird Aviaries in the NZ precinct, yet can still be fairly crowded at times.

Melbourne's 'actual' zoo (or the parts which are accessible to the public) is only about 40 or so acres. Take Growing Wild out of that, Melbourne's smaller than both Auckland and Perth. Additionally, Melbourne has extensive lawns ect. which also take a fair part out of the zoo's size.

 

[Zorro]

Perhaps some nice billionaire in WA might buy the zoo some land for an open range zoo there are enough over there for the people of the state.

 

[Zoofan15]

Perhaps some nice billionaire in WA might buy the zoo some land for an open range zoo there are enough over there for the people of the state.

Its clear no government funding is going to be forthcoming, so that’s what it’s going to take; perhaps backed by a combination of crowd sourced funding and sponsorship.

It could even be done in stages. Securing the land is the first step, with productive use of the land via plantations to support the zoo by growing their own food for the herbivores etc; followed by simple exhibits to house the large ungulates which require very little infrastructure beyond a barn for overnight housing.

Constructing visitor facilities would be the final step ahead of opening to the public.

 

[Jambo]

Its clear no government funding is going to be forthcoming, so that’s what it’s going to take; perhaps backed by a combination of crowd sourced funding and sponsorship.

It could even be done in stages. Securing the land is the first step, with productive use of the land via plantations to support the zoo by growing their own food for the herbivores etc; followed by simple exhibits to house the large ungulates which require very little infrastructure beyond a barn for overnight housing.

Constructing visitor facilities would be the final step ahead of opening to the public.

The Government would be on board if funding can be acquired from another source, or at least that's how i've interpreted the situation. They still seem rather keen on an open range zoo.

That sounds very similar to what Monarto and Werribee did; starting with paddocks for ungulates which cost very little to construct, before opening visitor facilities shortly afterwards once funding became available.

 

[Swanson02]

Perth (17ha) and Auckland (16ha) both pack a lot into the space they have. You could easily spend 4-6 hours at either zoo versus Hamilton Zoo (25ha), which is a 2 hour visit.

Efficient use of space is key - aerial ropes at Auckland Zoo creating a 2km pathway for their orangutans to traverse (including over a lake) and the rotating species concept at Perth both being examples of this.

The trend of species reduction is a consequence of the requirement of a higher standard of exhibits, but both these zoos provide examples of how things can be done efficiently.

Do we have a list anywhere ranking the areas of all the major zoos in the region? I'd love to have a look, I assume Monarto would be at the top and Adelaide the bottom

 

[Zoofan15]

Do we have a list anywhere ranking the areas of all the major zoos in the region? I'd love to have a look, I assume Monarto would be at the top and Adelaide the bottom

Correct! I was also amazed to hear how much of Australia Zoo (6/7) is off display. It really highlights the potential of what this zoo could be.

Australasian Zoos by Land Area

Monarto: 1500ha
Dubbo: 300ha
Australia: 280ha (40ha on display)
Werribee: 225ha
Orana: 80ha
Hamilton: 25ha
Melbourne: 22ha
Taronga: 21ha
Perth: 17ha
Auckland: 16ha
Wellington: 13ha
Mogo: 13ha
Adelaide: 8ha

 

[Jambo]

Correct! I was also amazed to hear how much of Australia Zoo (6/7) is off display. It really highlights the potential of what this zoo could be.

Australasian Zoos by Land Area

Monarto: 1500ha
Dubbo: 300ha
Australia: 280ha (40ha on display)
Werribee: 225ha
Orana: 80ha
Hamilton: 25ha
Melbourne: 22ha
Taronga: 21ha
Perth: 17ha
Auckland: 16ha
Wellington: 13ha
Mogo: 13ha
Adelaide: 8ha

I am shocked to see Australia has more space than Werribee!

Also Taronga's 28ha not 21; the zoo is definitely much larger than Melbourne.

 

[Zoofan15]

I am shocked to see Australia has more space than Werribee!

Also Taronga's 28ha not 21; the zoo is definitely much larger than Melbourne.

The fact Australia has so much available space really demonstrates how forward thinking Steve was in acquiring land for future expansion. Having heard the plans the zoo had in place for immense geographical precincts, it's such a shame this was never realised on the scale he envisioned.