PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Okay. I would assume there is no more space near the lion gorge, but Sri Lankan and Snow Leopards side by side would be amazing
Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)
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They could potentially be a replacement for Sumatran tiger in this precinct, but they require fully contained fencing (i.e. they can’t be housed in an open air exhibit), so if down the line Melbourne scaled back their Snow leopard breeding, it’d be simpler to display Sri Lankan leopard as you suggest.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
It would be great to see them displayed, but I equally hope Melbourne do not scale back the Snow Leopard breeding. Does anyone know if there is spare space, as Lion Gorge seems to be smaller than lion Park
The lion exhibit is significantly smaller than the Lion Park, but within the Carnivores precinct, you’d be hard pushed to integrate Sri Lankan leopard without phasing an exhibit out (lions or tigers); or scaling back Snow leopard breeding.
If Indian rhinoceros are in the plans, an adjacent exhibit for Sri Lankan leopard would be the best option imo. Their addition to the Carnivores precinct would do little to enhance it when Snow leopards are next door. Most visitors regard Snow leopard as “the ultimate leopard” like they regard a white tiger as the “rarest of all tigers.”
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the info. I’m hoping we’ll be able to integrate Indian Rhino, more Tapir and maybe Water Buffalo or Sloth Bear, with the addition of Sri Lankan leopard. I understand it’s wishful thinking, and it would take an extremely rare Zoos Victoria miracle to pull it offThe lion exhibit is significantly smaller than the Lion Park, but within the Carnivores precinct, you’d be hard pushed to integrate Sri Lankan leopard without phasing an exhibit out (lions or tigers); or scaling back Snow leopard breeding.
If Indian rhinoceros are in the plans, an adjacent exhibit for Sri Lankan leopard would be the best option imo. Their addition to the Carnivores precinct would do little to enhance it when Snow leopards are next door. Most visitors regard Snow leopard as “the ultimate leopard” like they regard a white tiger as the “rarest of all tigers.”
austrlain zoo gower
Well-Known Member
I think it is very plausible for to house those animals, water buffalo could be house in the first elephant exibit with the biggest pool, Malayan tapir in the final exibit which has a small pool and Indian rhino in the first, which will probably be hari from TWPZ. Sri Lankan leopard could live in the dingo exibit or tiger with bigger walls implemented and more foliage and climbing, sloth bear could live in indrahs exibit with little changes
You could also rotating sloth bear and Hutan the tiger in the 2 tiger exbits on trail of the elephant
‘Melbourne zoo can pull it off but they would have to be committed, this would draw a lot of attention
You could also rotating sloth bear and Hutan the tiger in the 2 tiger exbits on trail of the elephant
‘Melbourne zoo can pull it off but they would have to be committed, this would draw a lot of attention
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately if the dingos are replaced by Sri Lankan Leopards, it would eliminate the already small possibility of a Maned wolf return, unless that South American dome comes to fruition
A Zoos Victoria miracle would be the appointment of a board where at least half the members have a background in Zoology.
Re. Sloth bears: I’m of the opinion these are no longer on the cards as previously speculated. We were advised by a member on here that the region has not given up on Malayan sun bears as we had all feared. Despite the challenges with maintaining a population, we’re unlikely to see a switch to another bear species in the near future (the next decade) while sun bears remain the focus species.
Indian rhinoceros and Sri Lankan leopard remain feasible options if Zoos Victoria had an interest in housing them at Melbourne.
austrlain zoo gower
Well-Known Member
@PaddyRickMFZ
If you want read my speculation master plan on page 29 this thread and see what you think as a South America precinct in the current growing wild space
Sun bear are more feasible
If you want read my speculation master plan on page 29 this thread and see what you think as a South America precinct in the current growing wild space
Sun bear are more feasible
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I have read it many times and find it exceptional. The only changes I’ve had were the addition of Brazilian Tapir, Jaguar and Giant Anteater. I thought a big exhibit housing tapir, anteater capybara and Mara would be amazing
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Thank you for that info, glad to see we haven’t given up on Sun Bears, and I guess sloth bears means a lack of competition for the other elephant exhibits, which I hope is not just extensions for previous exhibitsA Zoos Victoria miracle would be the appointment of a board where at least half the members have a background in Zoology.
Re. Sloth bears: I’m of the opinion these are no longer on the cards as previously speculated. We were advised by a member on here that the region has not given up on Malayan sun bears as we had all feared. Despite the challenges with maintaining a population, we’re unlikely to see a switch to another bear species in the near future (the next decade) while sun bears remain the focus species.
Indian rhinoceros and Sri Lankan leopard remain feasible options if Zoos Victoria had an interest in housing them at Melbourne.
I agree but I believe there is at least one with an animal back ground.A Zoos Victoria miracle would be the appointment of a board where at least half the members have a background in Zoology.
Re. Sloth bears: I’m of the opinion these are no longer on the cards as previously speculated. We were advised by a member on here that the region has not given up on Malayan sun bears as we had all feared. Despite the challenges with maintaining a population, we’re unlikely to see a switch to another bear species in the near future (the next decade) while sun bears remain the focus species.
Indian rhinoceros and Sri Lankan leopard remain feasible options if Zoos Victoria had an interest in housing them at Melbourne.
I agree but I believe there is at least one with an animal back ground.
Yes, one of them was the dean of the Faculty of Veterinary and Agriculture Science at the University of Melbourne.
They balance out the chair (executive at the Bureau of Meteorology), deputy chair (associate professor of environment at Deakin University) and board members (chair of the Country Fire Authority, executive director of family investment group Wilbow Group and managing director of the Treasury Corporation of Victoria).
A skilled group no doubt, but one that would benefit from a zoological perspective (ideally a keeper/former keeper).
Water Buffalo won't return, that's for certain.
Indian Rhinos and Malayan Tapirs are firm possibilities though.
Sri Lankan Leopards have no space in the current Carnivores precinct. Indrah's exhibit would be suitable for a species of bear (whether that's Andean, Sloth or Sun). Although I do think (specifically) a bear species would be better suited to the enclosure in TOTE.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Have water buffalo be
Have water buffalo been previously housed at Melbourne? Unfortunate there is no chance of a return, as they would be a good integration to the tapir
Yes, they were up where the current Babboon exhibit is. They were phased out circa 2000 alongside the Bison to Werribee. Afaik there were talks of breeding them at Werribee, but this never eventuated as the male died soon after the transfer which is a shame.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Very much a shame. Even better than a Water Buffalo at Melbourne would be a herd inhabiting the waterhole at Werribee
I agree, although I think when they were at Werribee they were down in the lower savannah.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I meant the new section, that hasn’t had much revealed in terms of diversity as of yet
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.
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