Thanks a lot for asking additionally, the tigers are from a well represented bloodline, so new imports would be desirable.
Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)
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Thanks a lot for asking additionally, the tigers are from a well represented bloodline, so new imports would be desirable.
dylan downward
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I also noticed that the kangaroo exhibit upgrade was nearing completion so that should be finished soon
the giant tortoises exhibit is also finished
and the old koala exhibit has been completely stripped
the giant tortoises exhibit is also finished
and the old koala exhibit has been completely stripped
dylan downward
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They also did say this to
Over 90% of the regional population of Sumatran tigers are direct descendants of Nico and Meta, which makes the Indonesian imports all the more valuable.
Reggie was the only cub born from the Indonesian imports that wasn't sired by a Nico'Meta descendant.
Time will tell re. Melbourne's plans, but a single non breeding exhibit would be a compromise on multiple exhibits to allow breeding.
I've found out some more info about the elephant enclosure:
I was at WORZ yesterday and I've heard from an extremely reliable source (which I can't reveal) that it will NOT be turned into a hotel. It will definitely have animals - but the zoo haven't decided which species will be housed there.
I was at WORZ yesterday and I've heard from an extremely reliable source (which I can't reveal) that it will NOT be turned into a hotel. It will definitely have animals - but the zoo haven't decided which species will be housed there.
On another note, now that it has been established that the colobus are staying, speculation can move toward which enclosure they will be using - so I will start the ball rolling with some options:
1. Stay where they are (boring)
2. Swap them with the ruffed lemurs (I doubt it would happen, but surely they deserve the better enclosure)
3. Build a new moated enclosure between the zebras and baboons.
4. Turn the tapir enclosure into a moated colobus enclosure
5. Move them to the coati enclosure - although it would be a bit odd having them in the predator section.
6. Bring them into a rotational exhibit where the elephants are now: They share the rotation with okapis, mandrill, pygmy hippo etc (this is far-fetched, but it is a speculation thread)
Serious question: Can colobus and okapi realistically share an enclosure?
1. Stay where they are (boring)
2. Swap them with the ruffed lemurs (I doubt it would happen, but surely they deserve the better enclosure)
3. Build a new moated enclosure between the zebras and baboons.
4. Turn the tapir enclosure into a moated colobus enclosure
5. Move them to the coati enclosure - although it would be a bit odd having them in the predator section.
6. Bring them into a rotational exhibit where the elephants are now: They share the rotation with okapis, mandrill, pygmy hippo etc (this is far-fetched, but it is a speculation thread)
Serious question: Can colobus and okapi realistically share an enclosure?
Thanks for this!
The new Saimang pairing is exciting; presumably the male will come from overseas. Hopefully this pair can coexist with the Orangutans too down the line.
Re. The Orangutans, I was told an import wouldn't happen as they're currently restricted with space. Hopefully with the elephants leaving though (and a possible expansion that way), a female will be imported a few years down the line. I wouldn't be surprised though if Melbourne imported an entirely new pair, and kept Malu with Gabby.
The Kangaroo exhibit should be completed next month.
Not sure what the plan is with the old Koala exhibit. Apparently they had issues with maintaining the trees in the enclosure. It's been 'under renovation' for at least three years now...i'd like to see it converted for Tree Kangaroos although it is on the small side, they could extend it if they wanted to.
That's what I was told too. There's A LOT of options regarding an elephant replacement; so despite all our speculation, i'm excited to see what zoos vic actually end up going with. I'm sure it will be something big. Multiple species likely - Orangutan expansion, and potentially Sloth Bears too??
I had hoped potentially they would be going into their previous enclosure (where the Gibbons are); which is being extended with the pair of WC Gibbons being sent to the Japanese Island, but with the old Saimang pair now going there, this is of course no longer do-able.
Honestly, I see them staying where they are, and inhabiting both of the former Capuchin enclosures. If they do breed though, and breed well, a bigger enclosure will be needed. I'm a BIG fan of sending them to the current Ruffed Lemur enclosure. The Ruffed Lemur enclosure is large enough for a Colobus troop, and unfortunately the Ruffed Lemurs aren't always a 'showy' species and are often passed without much of a look. Moving an active Colobus troop into the enclosure would be a big upgrade.
I've never heard of Colobus and Okapi being mixed together, but it could be trialed.
I like the idea of Okapi being one of the replacement species for the elephants too; especially if Taronga intends to import them too (around the same time). That could be a reasonable option.
Thanks for confirming. I’m glad to hear the zoo won’t be building a hotel on site. Aside from adding nothing to the collection, it would take up a huge amount of space and wouldn’t be used by 99% of the visitors.
There’s few species that alone be the crowd pullers the elephants are, so a multi species complex seems to be the way to go. What species will largely depend what the regional focus is.
dylan downward
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I think it be to small to be for tree kangaroos
When you say the "island exhibit" do you mean the one next to the Japanese Garden or the island across from the current orangutan exhibit (which is no longer technically an island due to the new land bridge) with all the waterbirds?
dylan downward
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Japanese garden island
They could extend the enclosure if they really wanted to.
The next step in the Australian precinct following the completion of the Kangaroo precinct would be renovating the Great Flight Aviary. I emailed Melbourne a few years ago regarding this, and they told me a major renovation would be considered down the line. They've had issues in the past with possums getting in, and the collection has depleted over recent years. On the topic of Tree Kangaroos though - why not introduce tree kangaroos into the rainforest section of the GFA following renovations? They would surely provide a major upgrade to that section of the aviary which has lacked since the Cassowary moved out.
dylan downward
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This would be a great idea would also love to see the cassowary moved back In to
I'm a bit sad that my hotel idea won't be happening: I'd already had the rooms planned out:
1. The Monkey Room (squirrel monkeys)
2. The Tamarin Room (cotton top tamarins)
3. The Marmoset Room (common marmosets)
4. The Devil Room (tassie devils) Note - you wouldn't get much sleep in that one
5. The Fox Room (fennec fox)
6. The Meerkat Room (meerkats)
7. The Far North Queensland Room (tree kangaroo and echidna)
8. The Cat Room (serval or caracal)
9. The Firefox Room (red pandas)
10. The Underwater Room (otters)
Anyway, not to be
I'm a bit sad that my hotel idea won't be happening: I'd already had the rooms planned out:
1. The Monkey Room (squirrel monkeys)
2. The Tamarin Room (cotton top tamarins)
3. The Marmoset Room (common marmosets)
4. The Devil Room (tassie devils) Note - you wouldn't get much sleep in that one
5. The Fox Room (fennec fox)
6. The Meerkat Room (meerkats)
7. The Far North Queensland Room (tree kangaroo and echidna)
8. The Cat Room (serval or caracal)
9. The Firefox Room (red pandas)
10. The Underwater Room (otters)
Anyway, not to be
It's a good idea though. Hopefully they can carry out something on a larger scale at Werribee down the line!
I really like this idea! I was in the GFA a few days ago and it is starting to feel really drab and dull. It needs a big cleanup and something new and exciting. Tree kangaroos and echidnas would be a good start - even koalas.
I'm a bit sad that my hotel idea won't be happening: I'd already had the rooms planned out:
1. The Monkey Room (squirrel monkeys)
2. The Tamarin Room (cotton top tamarins)
3. The Marmoset Room (common marmosets)
4. The Devil Room (tassie devils) Note - you wouldn't get much sleep in that one
5. The Fox Room (fennec fox)
6. The Meerkat Room (meerkats)
7. The Far North Queensland Room (tree kangaroo and echidna)
8. The Cat Room (serval or caracal)
9. The Firefox Room (red pandas)
10. The Underwater Room (otters)
Anyway, not to be
And my personal favourite, the Board Room - where you can influence decisions related to the management of the zoo. It was nice knowing you Growing Wild, but I’m bringing back the Jaguar.
dylan downward
Well-Known Member
They were cleaning up there few days ago when I was there
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