Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I

An exhibit for Cheetah would be good; but I would really like to see some smaller antelope enclosures here too; possibly for surplus Nyala, Eland, SH oryx, Waterbuck ect.

Viewing the rhinos from the walking trail would also be something that would be lovely to have. Not sure where the Rhino Retreat is planned, but Werribee could easily introduce a few of their rhinos into this area.

Other species that may be possibly featured in this area would be the Dromedary Camels and SH oryx who will be without a home once this new waterhole area is built. Don't see them moving down to the lower savannah, or even into the woodland precinct too so i'd *assume* these guys will have a home in the new waterhole precinct.

I believe the rhino retreat is near the Bison? I doubt the SH oryx and camels will be moved to the waterhole as they don’t make much sense. Like you said, a lot of smaller antelope would be great. New antelopes would be amazing, but I don’t know what species can and can’t be imported. Stuff like Springbok and Nilgai would be great, but considering how little conversation there has been around antelope I assume they can’t be imported?

 

[Zoofan15]

New antelopes would be amazing, but I don’t know what species can and can’t be imported. Stuff like Springbok and Nilgai would be great, but considering how little conversation there has been around antelope I assume they can’t be imported?

The Bovid IRA provides an opportunity to import new species, however anything that is not already on the live import list will be a longer process.

Species on the live import list are as follows - with species already held in Australian zoos in bold:

Nilgai, Boselaphus tragocamelus
Waterbuck, Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Red Lechwe, Kobus leche
Dama Gazelle, Nanger dama ruficollis
Grant's Gazelle, Nanger granti
Scimitar-horned Oryx, Oryx dammah
Gemsbok, Oryx gazella
Addax, Addax nasomaculatus
Sable Antelope, Hippotragus niger
Eland, Taurotragus oryx
Nyala, Tragelaphus angasii
Bongo, Tragelaphus eurycerus
Sitatunga, Tragelaphus spekii
Greater Kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

The Bovid IRA provides an opportunity to import new species, however anything that is not already on the live import list will be a longer process.

Species on the live import list are as follows - with species already held in Australian zoos in bold:

Nilgai, Boselaphus tragocamelus
Waterbuck, Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Red Lechwe, Kobus leche
Dama Gazelle, Nanger dama ruficollis
Grant's Gazelle, Nanger granti
Scimitar-horned Oryx, Oryx dammah
Gemsbok, Oryx gazella
Addax, Addax nasomaculatus
Sable Antelope, Hippotragus niger
Eland, Taurotragus oryx
Nyala, Tragelaphus angasii
Bongo, Tragelaphus eurycerus
Sitatunga, Tragelaphus spekii
Greater Kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros

Thank you for that. I have found the list before but am finding it difficult now, I’m not sure why. There are clearly some amazing species there that would greatly enhance Werribee and Melbourne’s collections

 

[Jambo]

I

I believe the rhino retreat is near the Bison? I doubt the SH oryx and camels will be moved to the waterhole as they don’t make much sense. Like you said, a lot of smaller antelope would be great. New antelopes would be amazing, but I don’t know what species can and can’t be imported. Stuff like Springbok and Nilgai would be great, but considering how little conversation there has been around antelope I assume they can’t be imported?

That's where the current off display rhino area is; but I assume that's where the new Bison/PH horse enclosures will be.

I don't know where else the SH Oryx and Dromedary Camels would go though, that's the thing. So they'd have to be in the new waterhole precinct if there's no other suitable place for them. I doubt both species will be phased out.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

That's where the current off display rhino area is; but I assume that's where the new Bison/PH horse enclosures will be.

I don't know where else the SH Oryx and Dromedary Camels would go though, that's the thing. So they'd have to be in the new waterhole precinct if there's no other suitable place for them. I doubt both species will be phased out.

It seems very unlikely Oryx will get phased out, but would the lower savannah work for them? Camel could live to the waterhole, but with the expansion there is bound to be somewhere for them. I am hoping that when the staff member said only 1/3 of what was planned will eventuate is an exaggeration and relates mainly to facilities, and not for the animals themselves

 

[Jambo]

It seems very unlikely Oryx will get phased out, but would the lower savannah work for them? Camel could live to the waterhole, but with the expansion there is bound to be somewhere for them. I am hoping that when the staff member said only 1/3 of what was planned will eventuate is an exaggeration and relates mainly to facilities, and not for the animals themselves

There are already some males on the lower savannah so the lower savannah could do for the SH Oryx.

I don't know what they mean by 'only one third is planned'. There was never any definitive plans for the waterhole precinct, no species ect.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

There are already some males on the lower savannah so the lower savannah could do for the SH Oryx.

I don't know what they mean by 'only one third is planned'. There was never any definitive plans for the waterhole precinct, no species ect.

He just said 1/3 of what was planned for the whole zoo will eventuate, but I think I read to closely into that. He obviously just meant that Covid caused some problems, but the plans should not be affected

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

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.

Let’s do a couple of tests like zoofan15 did.
Indian Rhino
Recovery- no
Ark-Possibly
Ambassador-new poaching campaign
Enabling-no
Research-no

Malyan Tapir
Recovery-no
Ark- yes
Ambassador- don’t palm us off
Enabling-no
Research-no

Sun Bear
Recovery-no
Ark-no
Ambassador- yes dont palm us off
Enabiling- no
Research-no

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

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.

Let’s do a couple of tests like zoofan15 did.
Indian Rhino
Recovery- no
Ark-Possibly
Ambassador-new poaching campaign
Enabling-no
Research-no

Malyan Tapir
Recovery-no
Ark- yes
Ambassador- don’t palm us off
Enabling-no
Research-no

Sun Bear
Recovery-no
Ark-no
Ambassador- yes dont palm us off
Enabiling- no
Research-no

I feel as though all 3 of those species could be enabling. Sun bear and Indian Rhino are almost enabling by default, but could a Malayan Tapir not become enabling with a centrepiece enclosure? I guarantee you that about half the guests haven’t seen the tapir lol, and it’s such a cool and interesting animal that could draw in a crowd easily, provided it’s not tucked away in a corner

 

[Jambo]

Indian Rhino
Recovery- no
Ark-Possibly
Ambassador-new poaching campaign
Enabling-no
Research-no

Indian Rhinos suit three categories - Ark, Ambassador and Enabling.

Malyan Tapir
Recovery-no
Ark- yes
Ambassador- don’t palm us off
Enabling-no
Research-no

Malayan Tapirs suit at least two categories- Ark and Ambassador. But one could also say that they're an Enabling species too.

Sun Bear
Recovery-no
Ark-no
Ambassador- yes dont palm us off
Enabiling- no
Research-no

Sun Bears would also fit at least two categories. They would be part of a regional/global breeding program for the species, and would also be ambassadors for wild sun bears who are being poached alongside also representing the rainforest campaign of 'don't palm us off'. Sun Bears are also certainly an enabling species.

So in summary all three species do fit Zoo's Vics categories, although each do have their respective reasons to why Melbourne likely will not acquire them. Sun Bears - lack of animals in the region; Indian Rhinos - more suitable to an open range zoo; and Malayan Tapirs - have experienced eye problems in Australia.

 

[steveroberts]

What does everybody think

@austrlain zoo gower

Love it, wish it would happen.

@everyone

How long has ZoosVic had those categories in place about what does and does not get kept or brought in to their collections?

Wonder if a greenhouse roofed exhibit would of prevented the Australian sunlight levels from blinding our Malayan Tapirs?

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

@austrlain zoo gower

Love it, wish it would happen.

@everyone

How long has ZoosVic had those categories in place about what does and does not get kept or brought in to their collections?

Wonder if a greenhouse roofed exhibit would have prevented the Australian sunlight levels from blinding our Malayan Tapirs?

Or could they alternately convert the Elephant barn into multiple Tapir exhibits? Easy viewing and they are protected from the sun, win win

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Just cause they have had eye problems in the past doesn’t mean you just give up, simply put more shade sails in lots of foliage, and undercover areas

The same thing happened with bongos one died because running into a fence then they just give up

 

[Zoofan15]

@austrlain zoo gower

Love it, wish it would happen.

@everyone

How long has ZoosVic had those categories in place about what does and does not get kept or brought in to their collections?

Wonder if a greenhouse roofed exhibit would of prevented the Australian sunlight levels from blinding our Malayan Tapirs?

They've had the criteria in place for over a decade, but it was revised in 2021 to include a fifth category and now species must fit two categories (not one).

Large scale indoor infrastructure is what Malayan tapir need. They'd have thrived in the Casson Pavilion!

 

[Jambo]

@austrlain zoo gower

Love it, wish it would happen.

@everyone

How long has ZoosVic had those categories in place about what does and does not get kept or brought in to their collections?

Wonder if a greenhouse roofed exhibit would of prevented the Australian sunlight levels from blinding our Malayan Tapirs?

The categories have been in place for at least the past twelve years. They were mentioned in an article from back in 2011, so I would assume they were implemented some time in the early 2000's in link with the large amount of phase outs that took place at that time.

An indoor Tapir exhibit sounds like a really good idea actually. I really like @PaddyRickMFZ idea of using the elephant barn as an indoor Tapir exhibit. It's big enough and could work really well this way. They could also have access to an outdoor exhibit too, on the less sunny days.

 

[Jambo]

Just cause they have had eye problems in the past doesn’t mean you just give up, simply put more shade sails in lots of foliage, and undercover areas

The same thing happened with bongos one died because running into a fence then they just give up

Very much agree here, and I wouldn't be surprised if Melbourne do intend to continue with Malayan Tapir going forward. Semangka's been featured on their Mega Zoo series to promote her species, and Malayan Tapir were even afront of Melbourne's map last year. I don't think Melbourne would go to those lengths with a species they deem to be phased out.

As I and others have said; the problems only arose due to inadequate housing. Protection against the sun wasn't given in those early days of the tapir breeding program. But I think adequate housing could easily be implemented for them if Melbourne really wanted too.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Very much agree here, and I wouldn't be surprised if Melbourne do intend to continue with Malayan Tapir going forward. Semangka's been featured on their Mega Zoo series to promote her species, and Malayan Tapir were even afront of Melbourne's map last year. I don't think Melbourne would go to those lengths with a species they deem to be phased out.

As I and others have said; the problems only arose due to inadequate housing. Protection against the sun wasn't given in those early days of the tapir breeding program. But I think adequate housing could easily be implemented for them if Melbourne really wanted too.

Agreed. I doubt what the staff member said will come to fruition on that large of a scale, but it is extremely encouraging to hear that Melbourne were at least considering more. Such an interesting species and depending on how long the Adelaide female lasts, Melbourne could lose the last of its species in Australia

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

It would be shame to loose the tapir, but i can see Melbourne creating an indoor exibit in the elephant paddoc

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Did Melbourne officially confirm they would phase the tapir out upon Semangka’s death, or is it just presumed

 

[Jambo]

Agreed. I doubt what the staff member said will come to fruition on that large of a scale, but it is extremely encouraging to hear that Melbourne were at least considering more. Such an interesting species and depending on how long the Adelaide female lasts, Melbourne could lose the last of its species in Australia

Adelaide's female is of similar age, but does suffer from bad athirits in one of her legs so may not be around much longer. Semangka, on the other hand, seems to be doing well atm so Melbourne may very well have the last Malayan in the region.

Adelaide plans to phase Malayans out (in favour of Brazilians); so that might explain why Melbourne 'plan' to import a large amount of Malayans as they're the only major zoo in the region supposedly dedicated to them.