Comparing Australian zoos

Zoofan15 said:
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.
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One day, *hopefully*, there'll be an Irwin that wants to carry out Steve's visions. He obviously had such big plans for Australia, it's an incredible shame he died very early. Who knows what Australia could've been today if Steve was still around. I'm confident in saying Australia might have been one of the best zoos in the world.
 
Jambo said:
One day, *hopefully*, there'll be an Irwin that wants to carry out Steve's visions. He obviously had such big plans for Australia, it's an incredible shame he died very early. Who knows what Australia could've been today if Steve was still around. I'm confident in saying Australia might have been one of the best zoos in the world.
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I think the tone of Australia Zoo has already been set and that they're unlikely to deviate from what they obviously feel is a successful formula.
 
Jambo said:
One day, *hopefully*, there'll be an Irwin that wants to carry out Steve's visions. He obviously had such big plans for Australia, it's an incredible shame he died very early. Who knows what Australia could've been today if Steve was still around. I'm confident in saying Australia might have been one of the best zoos in the world.
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There were plans of having a 5 star hotel also lodges and camping for the public also mentioned in media reports at the time a railway station for the zoo. As has been mentioned before there were 3 stages planned for the African exhibit over ten years but stalled on stage one.so much extra land were planned for.All past mention on the website has long since disappeared as is mention of gorillas ect.
 
Zorro said:
There were plans of having a 5 star hotel also lodges and camping for the public also mentioned in media reports at the time a railway station for the zoo. As has been mentioned before there were 3 stages planned for the African exhibit over ten years but stalled on stage one.so much extra land were planned for.All past mention on the website has long since disappeared as is mention of gorillas ect.
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On the subject of available land, it's a great shame they've never utilised this for off display accommodation for felid species (especially Cheetah) which breed best when given privacy and seclusion. They also could have built a small mammals building holding smaller cats such as Fishing cat on display, supplemented by breeding cats off display.
 
Zoofan15 said:
On the subject of available land, it's a great shame they've never utilised this for off display accommodation for felid species (especially Cheetah) which breed best when given privacy and seclusion. They also could have built a small mammals building holding smaller cats such as Fishing cat on display, supplemented by breeding cats off display.
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There could be a lot of things that could be done if the will was there.
 
Zoofan15 said:
On the subject of available land, it's a great shame they've never utilised this for off display accommodation for felid species (especially Cheetah) which breed best when given privacy and seclusion. They also could have built a small mammals building holding smaller cats such as Fishing cat on display, supplemented by breeding cats off display.
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At least if the land was in the hands of a zoo like Altina or Darling Downs, I can't even begin to imagine what they'd do with it!
 
Jambo said:
At least if the land was in the hands of a zoo like Altina or Darling Downs, I can't even begin to imagine what they'd do with it!
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Australia Zoo have never shown much interest in ungulates beyond giraffe and rhino. They could easily accommodate large herds of oryx etc. as seen at Monarto. Thetes no better time to start than with the Bovid IRA now complete.
 
Jambo said:
At least if the land was in the hands of a zoo like Altina or Darling Downs, I can't even begin to imagine what they'd do with it!
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DDZ land was 50 acres, now with extra land obtained of 122 acres giving them a total of 172 acres which they are now expanding into with the zebras having 20 acres of that and the Addax 8 acres I believe.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Australia Zoo have never shown much interest in ungulates beyond giraffe and rhino. They could easily accommodate large herds of oryx etc. as seen at Monarto. Thetes no better time to start than with the Bovid IRA now complete.
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I agree. Their African Savannah is five acres I believe. Utterly suprising when they have the space to create an enclosure ten times the size.

Australia have a lot of potential. Hopefully they make use of it.
 
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Jambo said:
I agree. Their African Savannah is two or three acres I believe. Utterly suprising when they have the space to create an enclosure fifty times the size.

Australia have a lot of potential. Hopefully they make use of it.
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I believe the African area is more like ten acres one can get a better idea on sat maps
 
Zorro said:
DDZ land was 50 acres, now with extra land obtained of 122 acres giving them a total of 172 acres which they are now expanding into with the zebras having 20 acres of that and the Addax 8 acres I believe.
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In addition to enhancing the regional populations of several ungulate species, it would also open up a new world of opportunities to showcase herds on the Savannah through a drive through context.

They could even expand this to felids e.g. African lion and Cheetah. It could be a huge drawcard via lion park nostalgia for older generations.
 
Zorro said:
We are talking about the size of Australia Zoo here right?
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Zoofan15 said:
I believe @Jambo is referring to space used as opposed to space available. There's clearly a lot of potential for this unused land and I hope one day it can be put to producyive use. At a minimum they should be planting crops.
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I was referencing the space Australia has used. I don't think their Australian Savannah would be 10 acres when the entirety of Australia Zoo as it is sits on 40 acres of space.

A large drive-through safari similar to one at DAK would be a huge attraction; it could also include drive-through enclosures from Lions, Cheetah ect.
 
Jambo said:
It could also include drive-through enclosures from Lions, Cheetah ect.
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I already suggested this two posts above. It's a good idea though and would be a unique point of difference given lion parks have largely become a thing of the past, yet provide the lions with a large habitat while drawing in visitors.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I already suggested this two posts above. It's a good idea though and would be a unique point of difference given lion parks have largely become a thing of the past, yet provide the lions with a large habitat while drawing in visitors.
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Right, sorry I didn't see that; but it's a fairly good idea.;)

Orana had a very successful Lion Drive through, and even Monarto have a 'drive past' lion enclosure. The enclosure is massive, and has proved itself with the breeding success they've been experiencing lately. A pride of 20 or so lions would be quite a sight to see.
 
Jambo said:
I was referencing the space Australia has used. I don't think their Australian Savannah would be 10 acres when the entirety of Australia Zoo as it is sits on 40 acres of space.

A large drive-through safari similar to one at DAK would be a huge attraction; it could also include drive-through enclosures from Lions, Cheetah ect.
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@Jambo Wiki states AZ is 700 acres and I know the elephant display area alone is on 13 acres that a fair chunk of land even looking on google maps. the zoos own website states its over 700 acres bro
 
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