Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2022 (Speculation / Fantasy)

Zorro said:
Don’t forget the new zoo board is made up of mostly non animal savvy people so I would not expect them to make a lot of informed decisions, I believe this is a backward step so they can tick all the woke boxes
Click to expand...

While I accept that a reduction in species is necessary to provide the remaining species with exhibits of acceptable size (a trend we’ve seen across most city zoos in the region), I certainly don’t agree with the board’s phase out criteria. What constitutes as enabling is highly subjective and I fail to see how the Mandrill (who many visitors would be familiar with from the Lion King) and the Maned wolf (fox on stilts) fail to meet this criteria.

Another illogical phase out was the critically endangered Eastern bongo (critically endangered/endangered is a criteria) - apparently because one ran into fence. Taronga have proved a pair or single bull can be safely accommodated in a city zoo.
 
Josh F said:
For me as much as I absolutely love the massive flight aviary, it’s showing it’s age these days. The newer aviaries have been taken up by Koalas while they renovate the old Koala space.
Click to expand...

It is, but it's still a wonder and one of Melbourne's most popular attractions. A thought of mine would be to maybe add some other animals (besides birds) into the aviary too. Seeing a Koala climbing some of those high trees would be quite a sight!

I don't see Melbourne putting their Koalas back in their former enclosure too; plantation issues have just proved too difficult. The Koalas are definitely a space to watch, but I have my outlined my preference above!
 
Jambo said:
I also believe Melbourne have Kangaroo Island Kangaroos; which I may have listed incorrectly initially in my species list (Assuming that's where you got that from).
Click to expand...

My Melbourne species list (and my Werribee species list) came directly from Zoos Victoria. Melbourne Zoo had 1.4.1 Kangaroo Island kangaroos in June 2012.
 
Zoofan15 said:
While I accept that a reduction in species is necessary to provide the remaining species with exhibits of acceptable size (a trend we’ve seen across most city zoos in the region), I certainly don’t agree with the board’s phase out criteria. What constitutes as enabling is highly subjective and I fail to see how the Mandrill (who many visitors would be familiar with from the Lion King) and the Maned wolf (fox on stilts) fail to meet this criteria.

Another illogical phase out was the critically endangered Eastern bongo (critically endangered/endangered is a criteria) - apparently because one ran into fence. Taronga have proved a pair or single bull can be safely accommodated in a city zoo.
Click to expand...

Maned Wolf's are arguable as some would often skip this species at a zoo; I remember the last male at Melbourne was off display for his final years.

Mandrills on the other hand are enabling in my eyes, but of course it's opinion based. I don't think Melbourne intended to phase out Mandrills too; it's just they don't really have any options re. an import atm. If other zoos within the region were successfully breeding Mandrills at this point in time, I have no doubt Melbourne would've reimported Mandrills following the death of their last individuals in 2018.

Phasing out Bongo meant the Zebras (and Giraffes) had more space too, which was rather essential. Even if Melbourne continued to maintain holding Bongo, there hasn't been much success to date breeding wise, and at the time, I don't believe Melbourne had an option for a mate for their male too. They're much better suited to an open range zoo, and I have hopes Werribee may take them on some time in the future.
 
Zoofan15 said:
My Melbourne species list (and my Werribee species list) came directly from Zoos Victoria. Melbourne Zoo had 1.4.1 Kangaroo Island kangaroos in June 2012.
Click to expand...

Yes, but your 2022 version stated Melbourne currently holds Western Grey Kangaroo, which I believe is incorrect as they have Kangaroo Island Kangaroos at the moment. Their last Grey Kangaroos died out/were exported many years ago.
 
Jambo said:
Yes, but your 2022 version stated Melbourne currently holds Western Grey Kangaroo, which I believe is incorrect as they have Kangaroo Island Kangaroos at the moment. Their last Grey Kangaroos died out/were exported many years ago.
Click to expand...

Then yes, I got that from the July 2022 species list you posted in this thread: Melbourne Zoo Species List [Melbourne Zoo], where you listed Western grey kangaroo as being in the Australian Bush section. Not to worry.
 
Jambo said:
Yeah, that was my mistake ;)
Click to expand...

Don’t worry about it. It’s easy to overlook things and species aren’t always well sign posted. Aviaries are even worse - my life would be so much easier if all the birds could just sit by their sign. :p
 
Zoofan15 said:
Don’t worry about it. It’s easy to overlook things and species aren’t always well sign posted. Aviaries are even worse - my life would be so much easier if all the birds could just sit by their sign. :p
Click to expand...

I don't believe Melbourne actually has signage in their Kangaroo exhibit, let alone it even being in date! :rolleyes:

With aviaries, i've often found that there are some birds in there that aren't even signed there, and some birds that are, but are missing. It can be frustrating sitting, and walking around and failing to locate specific species of birds which may not even be present in the aviary whatsoever!:D
 
Melbourne apparently have finalised the majority of their 2030 Masterplan, which has been a result of many meetings over the last few years with Becca Hansen (an American architect).

The new Giant Tortoise and Kangaroo exhibits are just the beginning of this 2030 masterplan, with a lot more improvements and new exhibits to follow - especially once the elephants leave.
 
Jambo said:
Melbourne apparently have finalised the majority of their 2030 Masterplan, which has been a result of many meetings over the last few years with Becca Hansen (an American architect).

The new Giant Tortoise and Kangaroo exhibits are just the beginning of this 2030 masterplan, with a lot more improvements and new exhibits to follow - especially once the elephants leave.
Click to expand...

Any date on when the full thing will be released? Also any new species in the works? Or just more meerkats/playgrounds? :D
 
Swanson02 said:
Any date on when the full thing will be released? Also any new species in the works? Or just more meerkats/playgrounds? :D
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I doubt the whole thing will be released.

Zoos Victoria shout their conservation masterplans from the roof tops but have always been secretive about what their plans for the actual zoo entail - compared to Adelaide/Monarto and Perth, who’ve uploaded full masterplans.

I suspect Zoos Victoria’s masterplan will be divided into stages:

Major projects (precincts) will be announced as they’re preparing to build e.g. in 2024, the precinct replacing the elephants at Melbourne will likely be announced to deflect from their phase out.

Minor projects (renovations of an existing exhibit or a replacement species) will be announced via a “something exciting is coming soon” sign.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Unfortunately, I doubt the whole thing will be released. Zoos Victoria shout their conservation masterplans from the roof tops but have always been secretive about what their plans for the actual zoo entail (compared to Adelaide/Monarto and Perth, who’ve uploaded full masterplans).

I suspect Zoos Victoria’s masterplan will be divided into stages:

Major projects (e.g. precincts) will be announced as they’re preparing to build.

Minor projects (e.g. renovations of an existing exhibit or a replacement species) will be announced via a “something exciting is coming soon” sign.
Click to expand...
Correct they do come across as secretive compared to other major zoos but why?
 
Zorro said:
Correct they do come across as secretive compared to other major zoos but why?
Click to expand...

Zoos South Australia rely heavily on donations from the public and sponsorship to support the progress of their zoos, so are obliged to share their plans i.e. people won’t donate to a cause they know nothing about.

Zoos Victoria perhaps feel there’s nothing to be gained by sharing their plans with the public and don’t want to deal with the fall out when plans change or questions from the public about when Species X is coming when it’s years away.

Personally, I feel like sharing their masterplan is a good way to build up engagement (regionally, nationally and internationally), but can understand their reasoning for not doing so.
 
Swanson02 said:
Any date on when the full thing will be released? Also any new species in the works? Or just more meerkats/playgrounds? :D
Click to expand...

Unfortunately can’t share - but more so improved exhibits rather than new species.

I can say though the elephant area will receive more renovations than expected.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Zoos South Australia rely heavily on donations from the public and sponsorship to support the progress of their zoos, so are obliged to share their plans i.e. people won’t donate to a cause they know nothing about.

Zoos Victoria perhaps feel there’s nothing to be gained by sharing their plans with the public and don’t want to deal with the fall out when plans change or questions from the public about when Species X is coming when it’s years away.

Personally, I feel like sharing their masterplan is a good way to build up engagement (regionally, nationally and internationally), but can understand their reasoning for not doing so.
Click to expand...

Zoos Vic haven’t released masterplans in the past; they tend to release plans for their precincts one by one which works better as plans change (especially if masterplans reach up to 20 years in the future).

I think once the elephants leave we’ll see a plan at least for what will replace the elephants.
 
Zorro said:
Seeing a good slice of the money for a master plan would likely come from the tax payers of that state I can't see as to why any information can not be shared to the public.
Click to expand...

Indeed, that's how Zoos Vic receives their funding.

I'm not sure why they don't receive their masterplans - but constant changes to plans is probably the likely explanation. For example, Melbourne planned to include both Sun Bears and Komodo Dragons in their Carnivores precinct - both of which never actually ended up there. So I assume it has something to do with this; as a lot of people have been disappointed to see no replacement for Honey the bear, as Sun Bears were initially promised.
 
Jambo said:
Indeed, that's how Zoos Vic receives their funding.

I'm not sure why they don't receive their masterplans - but constant changes to plans is probably the likely explanation. For example, Melbourne planned to include both Sun Bears and Komodo Dragons in their Carnivores precinct - both of which never actually ended up there. So I assume it has something to do with this; as a lot of people have been disappointed to see no replacement for Honey the bear, as Sun Bears were initially promised.
Click to expand...
I can't see the point in having a plan and then not sticking to it.
 
Zorro said:
I can't see the point in having a plan and then not sticking to it.
Click to expand...

I guess the changes we see in the masterplans are for the most part reflective of the dynamic nature of the zoo industry.

In the past decade, sun bears have became a species that the region has identified for phase out (based on multiple justifiable reasons); and it’s no longer perceived as ethical to hold elephants in city zoos.

As an example of this, Taronga mentioned plans to build an elephant trail traversing their zoo close to a decade ago in their masterplan. I suspected they put this near the end to give them time to assess the current mood - and consequently in this time, decided to discontinue with elephants (in line with Melbourne, Auckland and Perth).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top