PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I could have misinterpreted, but she said, ‘Another cheetah’. Of course she could have been omitting information, which is very likely, but she said, ‘that was about it’.
From my visit to Werribee...
- Thread starter PaddyRickMFZ
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Are the Nyalas in the former Addax paddock?
That space behind the hippo grazing paddocks is part of the waterhole drivethrough.
Maybe they plan to have two separate cheetahs in two enclosures. That's what i'd assume from what you say she said.
I'd assume Kulinda would still be around when this new precinct is completed in the next two to three years.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I’m aware, but I was a bit preoccupied. There was a herd of bison in the far right paddock, 1 bison in the middle paddock and P-horses in the far left. There were 2 bull Nyala in a paddock behind them, off display. I was told they would soon be reintegrated when I asked about it, so that is good news. Is it possible that the Nyala have been scrapped in place of Bongo for Melbourne? In any case, I am glad Nyala will be observed form the walking trail, because I am rarely able to get a great view of them from the safariAre the Nyalas in the former Addax paddock?
That space behind the hippo grazing paddocks is part of the waterhole drivethrough.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
That makes sense
The single bison in the middle must've been their male.
Were the two bulls going to be integrated with the females? I'd assume they're new bulls that have arrived for breeding which is good news.
Not sure re. Nyala at Melbourne. I'm assuming the Nyala would've been integrated with the Giraffe and Zebra, and Bongos wouldn't be able to be added to such a mix.
Whereabouts will the Nyala be viewed from the walking trail?
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
There will be a new walking trail on the way to the emigrants as expected, which is where the Nyala will at this stage be located, whether that is all of them in not sure. I actually believe those bull Nyala were existing antelope, why they were separated im not sure
So they'll be apart of the waterhole precinct then?
Those two males may be young males born into the current group who have reached sexual maturity.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Yeah. I’m not sure if they are part of the waterhole, they are just on the way to the elephants
Could also be imported bulls to increase the genetic diversity of the herd. Altina has recently imported from New Zealand, which had a large surplus of bulls at Auckland and Wellington a while back.
It appears there were integration issues with the nyala on the Savannah and since they don’t make for a crowd pulling exhibit on their own, I’m guessing they’ve been scrapped independently of a decision to acquire Eastern bongo - which do make for an impressive stand alone exhibit and are an endangered species.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
That makes a lot of sense. I am still perplexed as to where the bongo will go at Melbourne, but I am all but certain they will be reintegrated. Of course it’s not confirmed, but I was told that they were actually searching, which has me anxious for the near future
The Southern cassowary exhibit is an option for a single bull - and would compliment the Pygmy hippopotamus nicely. It may be beneficial to hold a medium to large breeding herd at Werribee; with a surplus founder bull imported (held at Melbourne) to sub into the breeding herd to cover the first generation daughters - simultaneously giving Melbourne an opportunity for a new species.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately I was told they will likely not be housed at Werribee, but again everything is speculative so could easily change. Also, as unlikely it is, King Cheetah may be a possibility for this ‘other cheetah’. If King Cheetah are unable to be imported or anything of the sort, please lmk
King cheetah aren’t a focus of the region i.e. one wouldn’t be imported because it’s a King Cheetah. The gene is carried by several Cheetah in the region, but pairings are made soley based on genetic diversity.
My guess is Werribee are importing a coalition of males. They would give them the option to breed Cheetah via the female being able to choose from a selection of males. The female in question likely won’t be Kulidna now due to her age.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I am still just spitballing here with no indication of this happening, but does anyone know if Cape or Forest buffalo could be considered for Werribee, or if they fit the Zoos Victoria species profile
I believe Werribee had the Forest buffalo and phased them out
They can’t currently be imported; and they don’t fit the Zoos Victoria species criteria. Ideally a species will fit two or more of these five categories:
Recovery - threatened species recovery programme, preferably reintroduced to the wild.
Ark - species under threat of extinction in the wild and part of regional and international breeding programmes.
Ambassador - the face of a conservation campaign.
Enabling - species that engage with people and form emotional bonds.
Research - species that support the research of Zoos Victoria for the improvement of animal welfare.
This is what people need to consider when speculating on whether any particular species will end up at MZ or WORZ: Does it fit into 2 of these categories or not? If the answer is no, then it is highly unlikely that Zoos Victoria would bring them in.
We have heard so much speculation and so many opinions on everything from Indian rhinos, to tapirs, to porcupines, to fennec foxes, to okapis and bongos and leopards etc. But when you use this "chart" (so to speak) you will eliminate most species I would think.
Let's do a test run:
Name: Fennec Fox
Recovery: NO
Ark: NO
Ambassador: NO
Enabling: YES
Research: NOT SURE - BUT PROBABLY NOT
Judging by the criteria, it suggests that Fennec Fox will not be coming to MZ or WORZ any time soon.
That said, this is a rough guide - perhaps the enabling aspects of fennec fox outweigh the other criteria in the eyes of the powers that be, or maybe the view that "they are cheap and easy to get, so why not" may sway a decision. Of course there may be individual members of management who specifically push for certain animals and that may get one species across the line etc - but if that is the case then it would be the exception rather than the rule.
Note that Black rhino would tick YES to the first 3 boxes - but then they would be far more difficult and expensive than fennec foxes - so it's not a perfect science.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
It was reported that a hyena clan was to be added to Werribee at the same time the Elephants and Gondola were first announced. A Werribee zoo redevelopment map to memory had them in the vicinity of the Wild Dogs and Hippos. Reporting also indicated a second Lion enclosure to memory.