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

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Grant Rhino said:
This is ABSOLUTELY all speculation. I realise that PaddyRickMFZ spoke to a keeper and was told what he was told, but it doesn't mean that those things will happen.

As I've mentioned before, I am a volunteer at WORZ, and hence I have access to a bit more info than most people. I've asked specifically about the elephant replacement and have been told (by reliable sources) that no decision has been made - though a lot of ideas have been bandied around.

The only thing I've been told that is definite, is that the elephants will be replaced by animals - not by a hotel.

Personally, I'd be absolutely amazed if MZ imported 10 Malayan tapirs - but then I've learned throughout my life not to be surprised by too many things...
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Were some of the elephant replacement ideas already listed in this thread or are there some others floating around?

Edit: what I mean is, other than Indian rhinos/orangutan expansion, what other ideas are floating around within the zoo?
 
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StoppableSan said:
Were some of the elephant replacement ideas already listed in this thread or are there some others floating around?

Edit: what I mean is, other than Indian rhinos/orangutan expansion, what other ideas are floating around within the zoo?
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I know that quite a few options have been discussed, but I only know of one high profile species that was seriously considered - but I'm not at liberty to say what it was.

Remember though, these options were DISCUSSED - but nothing has been decided or confirmed (not that I know about anyway).
 
the idea was floated by a werrabie keeper about bongo tapir and rhino\
At this stage Melbourne would possibly be considering a high profile to replace a high profile, I completely understand Grant Rhino why you don't want to share, as you are a volunteer at the zoo
 
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StoppableSan said:
Were some of the elephant replacement ideas already listed in this thread or are there some others floating around?

Edit: what I mean is, other than Indian rhinos/orangutan expansion, what other ideas are floating around within the zoo?
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Grant Rhino said:
I know that quite a few options have been discussed, but I only know of one high profile species that was seriously considered - but I'm not at liberty to say what it was.

Remember though, these options were DISCUSSED - but nothing has been decided or confirmed (not that I know about anyway).
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It wouldn’t surprise me if Okapi were on the discussion table - with the Giraffe/Okapi IRA in the works and Taronga hoping to import them.

If Melbourne Zoo are importing Eastern bongo, then Okapi would nicely compliment this species; as well as Western lowland gorilla, Black and white colobus and Pygmy hippopotamus to form a decent African forest collection - with Mandrill being the icing on the cake (something else I hope they’d consider in the future).

If Melbourne Zoo are phasing out Sumatran tigers (as has been reported), their exhibit space could accomodate the orangutan expansion rather than the elephant complex. This option need not even represent a full phase out, with the second tiger exhibit remaining in the carnivores precinct.
 
I don't think Melbourne will phase out tigers, only because they would lose another key species otherwise okapis would be great and are probably being discuses as you said your ideas are very great
 
The ideas were simply those being considered - none have been confirmed.

What keepers do know, is that multiple species will be incoporated. Whether that be an Orangutan expansion, Indian Rhinos, Bongo, Tapir, Bears; it's all still being decided. Don't think we will get an official word until the elephants leave.
 
Of course it is all speculation, but it certainly has sparked some interesting conversations. Also, does anyone know if the unused Pygmy hippo exhibit will remain, or if it could be replaced by another African forest creature? e.g. an expansion to accommodate Okapi
 
that's right, all this is just speculation until Melbourne say what they are doing
but they should really realise a masterplan like all the other zoos

I think the unused pygmy hippo exhibit will be replaced with a female pygmy hippo to breed, maybe from darling downs or to import, the exhibit has been briefly used with tapir and peccary
 
austrlain zoo gower said:
that's right, all this is just speculation until Melbourne say what they are doing
but they should really realise a masterplan like all the other zoos

I think the unused pygmy hippo exhibit will be replaced with a female pygmy hippo to breed, maybe from darling downs or to import, the exhibit has been briefly used with tapir and peccary
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Yeah, it’s a bit of a shame it can’t be used in the meantime, but a breeding pair of Pygmy hippos will be amazing for the region. Also, the staff member didn’t mention much regarding Indian Rhinos at Melbourne, although he did all but confirm they won’t arrive at Werribee
 
That’s true, the exhibit has been bear for years. Maybe a hippo and mandrill combined would be excellent using the current cassowaries exhibit. Proven when I keeper told me that mandrills were going to be imported but they weren’t so unless it it set in stone then anything can happen
 
austrlain zoo gower said:
I don't think Melbourne will phase out tigers, only because they would lose another key species otherwise okapis would be great and are probably being discuses as you said your ideas are very great
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The current siblings are only twelve, so there will still be at least another five years or so until they pass and we'll see whether Melbourne import new tigers or not. I would be shocked if Melbourne did indeed phase out Sumatran tigers. They're critically endangered and are strong ambassadors for the 'save the forests' campaign. I also don't see why Melbourne would want to phase out another ABC species when the elephants will be going too...makes no real sense from a corporate view.
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
Of course it is all speculation, but it certainly has sparked some interesting conversations. Also, does anyone know if the unused Pygmy hippo exhibit will remain, or if it could be replaced by another African forest creature? e.g. an expansion to accommodate Okapi
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The reason the exhibit has always sat empty is because they hope to eventually receive a female. They can't import from overseas, so obviously a female would have to come from within the region, and there's currently no available females besides the one at DDZ who to my knowledge, will be staying there.
 
austrlain zoo gower said:
That’s true, the exhibit has been bear for years. Maybe a hippo and mandrill combined would be excellent using the current cassowaries exhibit. Proven when I keeper told me that mandrills were going to be imported but they weren’t so unless it it set in stone then anything can happen
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I'd like to see the Pygmy Hippo exhibit expanded long term. Maybe they could expand the Pygmy Hippo exhibit into the current Cassowary exhibit and mix them with Black and White Colobus instead?
 
Does anyone know if the second snow leopard exhibit on display is housing any leopards right now? I see a lot of speculation surrounding Sri Lankan leopards, and when the snow leopard cubs are sent to New Zealand, would it not open up that enclosure for them? I am not as well versed as you guys in stuff like this, so could you let me know please?
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
Does anyone know if the second snow leopard exhibit on display is housing any leopards right now? I see a lot of speculation surrounding Sri Lankan leopards, and when the snow leopard cubs are sent to New Zealand, would it not open up that enclosure for them? I am not as well versed as you guys in stuff like this, so could you let me know please?
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It houses Melbourne's breeding male, Kang Ju. :) You can often see him perched up on a piece of scaffolding at the back of the exhibit.
 
I think Sri Lankan leopards could replace the elephants, as the match the rainforest theme, but I don't think Melbourne will import them unless they are going to use them as a replacement for elephants, they could put one in the lion gorge tiger exibit, but I think sun bear should live in that exibit. But snow leopards are to stay for the next 5 to 7 years and might breed in. the next 2 years

Potential elephant replacements
Indian Rhino
Blackbuck
Malyan Tapir
Sri Lankan Leopard
Orangutan
Sun Bear
Asian Black Bear

Also the Rice aviary between the otter and tigers could be a great exibit to house mouse deer, which would be a first for the region. Little changes would need to be made you could even keep small bird species and slow lorries in the exibit, this would be great to boost the regions population

Squirrel monkeys are house in 2 different exibit one on trail of the elephants and between the main drive and red panda, binturong should move into there old exhibit which is house by the monkeys now
 
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Jambo said:
It houses Melbourne's breeding male, Kang Ju. :) You can often see him perched up on a piece of scaffolding at the back of the exhibit.
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So does that mean when the breeding continues there could be a spare exhibit? And after breeding, would people be content with seeing a Sri Lankan leopard while Kang Ju and and the Miska rotate exhibits. Or conversely, is something like that completely off the table
 
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PaddyRickMFZ said:
So does that mean when the breeding continues there could be a spare exhibit? And after breeding, would people be content with seeing a Sri Lankan leopard while Kang Ju and and the Miska rotate exhibits. Or conversely, is something like that completely off the table
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No, this exhibit would still remain in use by Kang Ju. Melbourne would require two exhibits to comfortably house the next litter into adulthood - bearing in mind the litter may contain up to four cubs and a mix of genders, which will be further split. They’re committed to Snow leopards and while Sri Lankan leopards can’t be ruled out, they won’t come at the expense of one of Melbourne’s flagship species.

Sri Lankan leopard may well be considered by Melbourne down the line. They’d be a nice compliment to Indian rhinoceros, if they were also chosen as a species - both being from South Asia.
 
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