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

[Grant Rhino]

Just a note - this masterplan is old. I found this online back in 2015, so i'd assume it was created back in the late 2000's.

I recently heard that Melbourne was currently working with an American studio (can't remember which) on a new masterplan.

Sorry guys - just catching up on the thread! No wonder I hadn't received any notifications, as the thread had moved into Phase 2!

So, if this masterplan is an old one from 2015, then that is 8 years ago and the world has changed a lot since then. Sounds like we can assume it won't be happening in that way. It's also inconsistent with what I was told by a reliable source at MZ who I trust very much: that animals will replace the elephants. It would be great to know which US firm is working with MZ on the new masterplan!

One thing I will say though, is that it's probably pointless looking at any MZ masterplan without also looking at the corresponding WORZ masterplan. If ZV brought in Indian Rhinos, langurs, Himalayan black bears, clouded leopards, okapis and mandrills it wouldn't matter to me where they housed them - I'd still visit!

Even if the old plan was implemented though, I'd still go to MZ just as often as I do now - I'd still visit the snow leopards and the monkeys, I'd still take photos, and watch the giraffes and zebras and drink coffee, and catch Pokemons and walk around keeping fit and looking at the native birds. But that's another story.

Let's get back to our speculating!

I love the Tamarin House idea!

I like Jambo's new masterplan

I also really like the Himalayan idea (black bears, langurs, Himalayn tahr, red pandas, snow leopards). Indian rhinos aren't too far away geographically either!

One more (slightly silly) idea which may work as a novel replacement for the elephants:

The Odd-Toed Ungulate Area (OTUA): Featuring:
Indian Rhinos
Zebras
Prezwalski Horse
Malayan Tapir
(rotating through the exhibits).

I'm sure that someone in the horse-racing industry could sponsor it!

 

[Grant Rhino]

I do miss bears at Melbourne, and I imagine a lot of other members of the public do too. I wouldn't put it past Melbourne to be considering Bears (most likely Sun Bears) as a replacement for their Elephants.

I agree with you on this:

I know that the consensus in the industry was to phase bears out, but things change over periods of time and good organisations are able to recognise when a new approach may be worth trying rather than just going with the flow and doing what everybody else is doing. There is no "right" or "wrong" approach with these things - only ideas and interpretations.

All it takes is for someone in a position of authority to ask "Well, why not bears?"

 

[Jambo]

So, if this masterplan is an old one from 2015, then that is 8 years ago and the world has changed a lot since then. Sounds like we can assume it won't be happening in that way. It's also inconsistent with what I was told by a reliable source at MZ who I trust very much: that animals will replace the elephants. It would be great to know which US firm is working with MZ on the new masterplan!

This masterplan likely would've been back from even well before 2015. I'd say this was drawn up sometime around 2010. So that means it's almost been 13 years, and i'd say that its safe to say that masterplan is out of date. Some ideas may very well still be used, but I wouldn't be surprised if most have been canned.

I believe I mentioned which US firm was working with MZ on the new masterplan a while back on here. Can't remember which thread, but maybe someone can go back and find it. I've forgotten, but I do think I read about it somewhere.

 

[Zoofan15]

Sorry guys - just catching up on the thread! No wonder I hadn't received any notifications, as the thread had moved into Phase 2!

So, if this masterplan is an old one from 2015, then that is 8 years ago and the world has changed a lot since then. Sounds like we can assume it won't be happening in that way. It's also inconsistent with what I was told by a reliable source at MZ who I trust very much: that animals will replace the elephants. It would be great to know which US firm is working with MZ on the new masterplan!

One thing I will say though, is that it's probably pointless looking at any MZ masterplan without also looking at the corresponding WORZ masterplan. If ZV brought in Indian Rhinos, langurs, Himalayan black bears, clouded leopards, okapis and mandrills it wouldn't matter to me where they housed them - I'd still visit!

Even if the old plan was implemented though, I'd still go to MZ just as often as I do now - I'd still visit the snow leopards and the monkeys, I'd still take photos, and watch the giraffes and zebras and drink coffee, and catch Pokemons and walk around keeping fit and looking at the native birds. But that's another story.

Let's get back to our speculating!

I love the Tamarin House idea!

I like Jambo's new masterplan

I also really like the Himalayan idea (black bears, langurs, Himalayn tahr, red pandas, snow leopards). Indian rhinos aren't too far away geographically either!

One more (slightly silly) idea which may work as a novel replacement for the elephants:

The Odd-Toed Ungulate Area (OTUA): Featuring:
Indian Rhinos
Zebras
Prezwalski Horse
Malayan Tapir
(rotating through the exhibits).

I'm sure that someone in the horse-racing industry could sponsor it!

Glad to hear you found the new thread and have been catching up. We look forward to hearing more of your ideas!

You make a good point regarding the masterplan and I’d certainly hope it’s been heavily revised in the years that followed it’s design. As I mentioned before, the fact they’re breeding baboons gives me hope they’re not planning to phase them out; though they may transfer to Werribee.

I like your idea re. the ungulates, though my only concern would the Malayan tapir joining the rotation. Their needs are more niche (protection from the sun) than the others, who could make use of a general purpose rotational exhibit.

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree with you on this:

I know that the consensus in the industry was to phase bears out, but things change over periods of time and good organisations are able to recognise when a new approach may be worth trying rather than just going with the flow and doing what everybody else is doing. There is no "right" or "wrong" approach with these things - only ideas and interpretations.

All it takes is for someone in a position of authority to ask "Well, why not bears?"

If they’re taking note of feedback from the general public, they’ll realise it was a mistake to phase out bears. They’re a hugely popular species and don’t require acres of room. Their aboreal tendencies allow the floorspace of the exhibit to encompass more than the floor - with trees, climbing structures etc.

Zoos Victoria very much cater to the general public; and bears, along with big cats, have endless appeal.

 

[Jambo]

If they’re taking note of feedback from the general public, they’ll realise it was a mistake to phase out bears. They’re a hugely popular species and don’t require acres of room. Their aboreal tendencies allow the floorspace of the exhibit to encompass more than the floor - with trees, climbing structures etc.

Zoos Victoria very much cater to the general public; and bears, along with big cats, have endless appeal.

If Indian Rhinos and Bears are not being considered as replacements for the elephants than I don't know what else is!

No other species could even fit the void left by the elephants besides these two. I hope we'll see at least one of the two at MZ down the line.

 

[Zoofan15]

If Indian Rhinos and Bears are not being considered as replacements for the elephants than I don't know what else is!

No other species could even fit the void left by the elephants besides these two. I hope we'll see at least one of the two at MZ down the line.

Agreed. As excited as we all are about Okapi, I think the gravity of the situation (the first in the region; small captive population etc) would be lost on the general public. That’s why I liked your idea of replacing giraffe with Okapi as it’s a comparable swap in the minds of visitors; whereas the elephants need a next level replacement.

Indian rhinoceros and bears are the most feasible replacements. The general public would welcome white tigers and Giant panda - but we know neither of those options are realistic.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

There’s a recurring theme here. Amazing ideas without the space. I just really wish that WORZ would consider expanding their collection. Massive enclosures for the animals is great, but they have several hundred spare hectares. I wish they could just convert some of that land into a conventional zoo, somewhat like Dubbo has done by diversifying. Just 50 hectares dedicated to making a conventional zoo-like walking trail with all the amazing ideas that have been brainstormed. Things like the Himalayan section and South American section could be great additions at WORZ, and fit a Brown Bear in somewhere, on top of our proposed master plan at MZ. Even just 2 more precincts(plus the bear) and it would be a must visit. Melbourne (with our upgrades) would still be the better zoo, but a conversation over which zoo to go to if you were visiting for a small amount of time could be at least entertained. In all seriousness, what zoo goer visiting Melbourne would ever choose WORZ over MZ at this stage. I know it’s never gonna happen, but something like that would be great for Victoria, and would mean 2 must see zoos

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Agreed. As excited as we all are about Okapi, I think the gravity of the situation (the first in the region; small captive population etc) would be lost on the general public. That’s why I liked your idea of replacing giraffe with Okapi as it’s a comparable swap in the minds of visitors; whereas the elephants need a next level replacement.

Indian rhinoceros and bears are the most feasible replacements. The general public would welcome white tigers and Giant panda - but we know neither of those options are realistic.

I suppose bears don’t have to replace one of the elephant exhibits, but they should at least be implemented. If 2 exhibits were used for rhino, antelope and langur, while the last was used for SL leopard and the barn for tapirs, the public would not be overly disappointed. Then, move Hutan out(can he cohabitate with his sister), and replace him with a sun bear for a new look elephant trail that would be the talk of the country. A slight revamp to the carnivore trail in the form of Maned Wolf, clouded leopard, many small felines(replacing digested, an amazing idea imo) and Komodo Dragon would be the icing on the cake

sorry for the massive blocks

 

[Zoofan15]

There’s a recurring theme here. Amazing ideas without the space. I just really wish that WORZ would consider expanding their collection. Massive enclosures for the animals is great, but they have several hundred spare hectares. I wish they could just convert some of that land into a conventional zoo, somewhat like Dubbo has done by diversifying. Just 50 hectares dedicated to making a conventional zoo-like walking trail with all the amazing ideas that have been brainstormed. Things like the Himalayan section and South American section could be great additions at WORZ, and fit a Brown Bear in somewhere, on top of our proposed master plan at MZ. Even just 2 more precincts(plus the bear) and it would be a must visit. Melbourne (with our upgrades) would still be the better zoo, but a conversation over which zoo to go to if you were visiting for a small amount of time could be at least entertained. In all seriousness, what zoo goer visiting Melbourne would ever choose WORZ over MZ at this stage. I know it’s never gonna happen, but something like that would be great for Victoria, and would mean 2 must see zoos

I think the best way to think of Werribee is a work in progress. It’s a comparatively new zoo (when you consider it opened in 1983) and for years, it’s lagged behind Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Monarto. Only the recent developments have seen it become what could be considered competition for these two open range zoos.

The elephant complex will be one of the largest captive elephant habitats and put Werribee on the map. This is just the beginning, with decades for the zoo to further expand their collection.

Bear in mind also that prior to the elephant complex, they’ve maintained an almost entirely African collection. The elephant complex is a departure from that and there’s no reason to believe down the line, they won’t further diversify.

 

[Zoofan15]

I suppose bears don’t have to replace one of the elephant exhibits, but they should at least be implemented. If 2 exhibits were used for rhino, antelope and langur, while the last was used for SL leopard and the barn for tapirs, the public would not be overly disappointed. Then, move Hutan out(can he cohabitate with his sister), and replace him with a sun bear for a new look elephant trail that would be the talk of the country. A slight revamp to the carnivore trail in the form of Maned Wolf, clouded leopard, many small felines(replacing digested, an amazing idea imo) and Komodo Dragon would be the icing on the cake

sorry for the massive blocks

Renovating Hutan’s exhibit for Malayan sun bears could be an option. It’s a decent sized exhibit and they require less room than other bears. Potentially, he could be introduced to his sister to form a non breeding pair (this has been done at zoos like Hamilton), but there’s no guarantees and they’d need to have a back up option of transferring him out if the introduction was unsuccessful.

Many people complain at Melbourne’s doubling up of exhibits and if they’re not breeding tigers (there’s enough holders that are), it does seem rather pointless to have two exhibits.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I think the best way to think of Werribee is a work in progress. It’s a comparatively new zoo (when you consider it opened in 1983) and for years, it’s lagged behind Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Monarto. Only the recent developments have seen it become what could be considered competition for these two open range zoos.

The elephant complex will be one of the largest captive elephant habitats and put Werribee on the map. This is just the beginning, with decades for the zoo to further expand their collection.

Bear in mind also that prior to the elephant complex, they’ve maintained an almost entirely African collection. The elephant complex is a departure from that and there’s no reason to believe down the line, they won’t further diversify.

So are you on board or do you think it’s not a great idea, cos I personally think that having this section near the elephants would be awesome

 

[Jambo]

So are you on board or do you think it’s not a great idea, cos I personally think that having this section near the elephants would be awesome

It would be great if Werribee could expand their Asian collection (from the elephants) long term. Indian Rhino, Takin, Himalayan Tahr, Langurs and Sloth Bears could easily make an awesome Asian precinct. All five species are suitable to Werribee, and would compliment Zoo's Vics Asian Forest/Mountain precincts nicely.

That would just leave South America as another focus area. Brazilian Tapir, Capybara, Mara and Maned Wolf would make a really interactive precinct - and it would also be great if Melbourne could send some of their Spider Monkeys out there to form a large breeding group too, similar to Dubbo's.

 

[Zoofan15]

So are you on board or do you think it’s not a great idea, cos I personally think that having this section near the elephants would be awesome

I’m definitely onboard with the idea - even though it’s clearly not going to happen in the near future (i.e. we’ve seen what’s detailed in Werribee’s masterplan). Diversification is necessary for the progress of the zoo to remain relevant on a global scale - especially when you consider we don’t have the ability to import species like Warthog and Wildebeest other African themed open range zoos can overseas.

 

[Zoofan15]

It would be great if Werribee could expand their Asian collection (from the elephants) long term. Indian Rhino, Takin, Himalayan Tahr, Langurs and Sloth Bears could easily make an awesome Asian precinct. All five species are suitable to Werribee, and would compliment Zoo's Vics Asian Forest/Mountain precincts nicely.

That would just leave South America as another focus area. Brazilian Tapir, Capybara, Mara and Maned Wolf would make a really interactive precinct - and it would also be great if Melbourne could send some of their Spider Monkeys out there to form a large breeding group too, similar to Dubbo's.

I’m hopeful we’ll see more and more of this way of thinking. Monarto are leading the way with huge herds of oryx (and other ungulates) and Australia’s largest lion pride; while Werribee is planning to grow their multigenerational elephant herd at least into the mid 20’s.

Black handed spider monkeys live in large troops, which are hugely beneficial for the learning of natural social behaviours (including maternal skills); as well as being a fascinating exhibit and source of animal behaviour studies (since ZV love education so much). I’d love to see a large troop held at Werribee - and the same for Hamadryas baboon if Melbourne phase them out (and even if they don’t - can never have too many baboons imo).

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I’m definitely onboard with the idea - even though it’s clearly not going to happen in the near future (i.e. we’ve seen what’s detailed in Werribee’s masterplan). Diversification is necessary for the progress of the zoo to remain relevant on a global scale - especially when you consider we don’t have the ability to import species like Warthog and Wildebeest other African themed open range zoos can overseas.

It really crushes me inside that we can’t import and suids, because there are just so many interesting members of the family that would make for some amazing complimentary exhibits, I.e Warthog, Red river hog, wart pig, North Sulawesi Babirusa etc.
Sorry to keep pestering u guys with these questions but is there a ban on wildebeest? Because if Werribee really wanted it wouldn’t be too hard to amend the import list and follow the giraffe IRA with a wildebeest one.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

It would be great if Werribee could expand their Asian collection (from the elephants) long term. Indian Rhino, Takin, Himalayan Tahr, Langurs and Sloth Bears could easily make an awesome Asian precinct. All five species are suitable to Werribee, and would compliment Zoo's Vics Asian Forest/Mountain precincts nicely.

That would just leave South America as another focus area. Brazilian Tapir, Capybara, Mara and Maned Wolf would make a really interactive precinct - and it would also be great if Melbourne could send some of their Spider Monkeys out there to form a large breeding group too, similar to Dubbo's.

Yeah. Jaguar would be optimal but unlikely, as would giant otters. Some amazing bird life and primates would be showcased as well, and I’d imagine coatis moving over, and giving peccaries somewhere to go before they can never(?) return to the region

 

[Zoofan15]

Sorry to keep pestering u guys with these questions but is there a ban on wildebeest? Because if Werribee really wanted it wouldn’t be too hard to amend the import list and follow the giraffe IRA with a wildebeest one.

Always happy to answer any questions.

Wildebeest are unfortunately unable to be imported due to the risk of Malignant Catarrhal Fever. Sadly this situation will never change; nor will the Suidae ban.

 

[Zoofan15]

Yeah. Jaguar would be optimal but unlikely, as would giant otters. Some amazing bird life and primates would be showcased as well, and I’d imagine coatis moving over, and giving peccaries somewhere to go before they can never(?) return to the region

On that note, it’s a great shame the peccaries were never relocated to Werribee years ago, with a large scale breeding operation set up. Melbourne advised their group are non reproductive. I’m not sure if this referred to the male being castrated (in which case the decision is irreversible); or whether they’re reproductively viable and choosing not to breed. Since there’s no way back with this phase out, they really should rethink if there’s still potential to breed.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

On that note, it’s a great shame the peccaries were never relocated to Werribee years ago, with a large scale breeding operation set up. Melbourne advised their group are non reproductive. I’m not sure if this referred to the male being castrated (in which case the decision is irreversible); or whether they’re reproductively viable and choosing not to breed. Since there’s no way back with this phase out, they really should rethink if there’s still potential to breed.

I agree. Does that mean if they find a cure to the disease u mentioned it could be potentially overturned. Also, if suids are quarantined in NZ I thought that maybe the government would allow them through. I was told that the Peccaries were related, were u wanting them to breed knowing this? Because I personally believe it would be worth it