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

[Jambo]

Yeah I thought I saw the last as late as '02 or '03, then was the Chilean Flamingos in the Dholes old exhibits once the work for that big Taronga cafeteria was underway (circa '03) but sorry back to topic ie Melbourne thread.

Yeah so many exciting ideas, you guys have worked so hard at it and it's a privilege to read through and absorb the ideas. Really think you've all floated some of the best possibilities have ever read on ZC threads about possibilities.

*Maybe the Bull Elephant yard could be used like has been suggested for the Orangutans and Siamangs extension rather than the island adjacent which could maybe be an island for Francois' Langurs or Dusky Langurs (thought maybe the latter as are endangered now too and would be a point of difference between Melbourne and Taronga who already have Francois' Langurs). Maybe even sharing with the White-Cheeked Gibbon pair? Crazy question but could the Japanese Garden Island be big enough for 3-4 Dholes? (if there could be a mild electrical barrier nearby so the Dholes can't escape albeit would need to be away from the water so maybe a nonsensical suggestion).

*would be great if WORZ could have a South American section similar to what Dubbo use to have: Maned Wolves, Brazilian Tapirs, Capybaras...if Melbourne doesn't have the space with the other cool ideas.

*maybe the current B+W Ruffed Lemur exhibit could be turned into a darkened mini nocturnal building for Potto/Angwantibo as an alternative to Lorises (love Lorises as much, but the African Forest/Jungle theme as Jambo suggests, maybe a small nocturnal African forest deer could cohabitate, was gonna suggest Pangolins too but figured the covid scare will stop them getting an IRA). That's obviously if a bachelor group of Ruffed Lemurs join the Ringtailed Lemurs in the big Lemur walkthrough..just a thought).

*had one more idea that might be a bit mad as it changes the Carnivore Trail to trail of the Cats and would mean building a big Komodo Dragon exhibit near the current Reptile House to give them an alternative spot in the zoo along with say a neighbouring outdoor exhibit for the Philippine Crocodiles on carnivore trail and moving the reptiles in DiGested back to the reptile house or perhaps into the Growing Wild area, along with the Coatis into growing wild maybe by only having one Giant Tortoise exhibit at the zoo:
1. Extend the Lion exhibit to include where the Dingoes currently are in the old African Wild Dog exhibit.
2. Tassie Devil exhibit could become a Leopard Cat, Clouded Leopard or Ocelot exhibit (but probably need to be expanded a bit)
3. Combine the two Sumatran Tiger exhibits into one if possible and replace moat with glass to offer more space for Tigers, consider holding Siberian Tigers as an alternative as the Asia trail has the Sumatran Tiger exhibit
4. Snow Leopards stay
5. Coati exhibit could become a Caracal, Serval or Pallas Cat exhibit (expanded a bit?)
6. DigEsted building could have some extensive renovations to have a relatively decent sized exhibit for a couple of Sand Cats
Cat Trail/World of Cats (just a thought)
Kind of feel like it's a little echo nod to MZ's previous Cat alleys.

Could B+W Colobuses and Mandrills ever cohabitate? Just a thought if the Mandrills could stay in the Africa forest trail too and the Hamadryas troop go to WORZ and that area instead becomes the space for Dingo and Tassie Devils (with viewing from the Australian section side) and perhaps where Semangka and the Peccaries exhibit at the top of the zoo is could be used as a future exhibit area for a Bear species like Sun Bears, Sloth Bears or Andean Bears? (sort of like an anomaly exhibit that doesn't fit a regional theme..but there's always bound to be sprinkles of that at MZ somewhere like a Madagascar dry forest walkthrough near a Gorilla centred tropical walk and Red Pandas near the Japanese Garden despite not being found in Japan etc etc).

*hopefully space can be found too near the GOH Rhino yards like the barn for a Malayan Tapir or two. Am big fan of putting Binturongs back in the exhibit intended for them @Jambo definitely 100% behind that idea, love the idea too of seeing if Goodfellows Tree Roos and Cassowarry can share, imagine if a Long Beaked Echidna could be put in there with them too, would be amazing but obviously a reaching concept.

Can the two Pygmy Hippo yards have a revolve thing for when a female is found? Can imagine after a time the public might think it's time for the Pygmy Hippo to get a bit more space?

If some of the Otters occupy the empty Pygmy Hippo exhibit for a while maybe could install underwater viewing glass on their exhibit on the Asian trail.

Would suggest popping a few aviaries here and there too where space can be found for some of the beautiful exotic birds that can be sourced in the country through the bird dealership trade.

I really like the idea of expanding the Orangutan complex, and I feel it's something to look out for going forward. A start would be giving them the island opposite, but it would be even better if the lake was expanded into the current Pool Paddock; with two additional islands introduced alongside this, creating three in total of which could be rotational for the Francois Langur, White Cheeked Gibbon, Orangutans and Saimangs (alongside the preexisting complex).

The Japanese Island would unfortunately not be large enough for Dhole. It lacks any real, large ground space so is more suitable for an arboreal species.

I'm not sure if Black and White Colobuses and Mandrill could cohabite. They could; but if they were both to be in the current Cassowary exhibit, only small groups for each species could be held, space wise.

There's enough space in the top part of the zoo for a species of Bear; but I would prefer if Melbourne acquired any of the three species you mentioned and instead placed them in the Carnivore Trail. Just for the sake of diversity species wise.

I too would hope for the Pygmy Hippos to be granted more space long term. If Melbourne wish to go the way of the Congo theme where the Giraffes/Baboons currently are, then potentially they could introduce new enclosures for the Pygmy Hippos up there too; where the current Tapir/Peccary exhibits are. That's another good idea and would fit into the 'Africa/Congo' theming there.

There already is an underwater viewing window in the otters enclosure in TOTE; although it's rather small. Also re. Aviaries, MZ do have quite a few decent ones across the zoo, I just didn't mention them. Although, I would like to see one in the Gorilla Rainforest for African Forest bird species such as Grey Parrots.

Although I would like to see an outdoor Komodo Dragon exhibit near the Reptile House, I doubt it would happen space wise. There is space, but Melbourne would be keen to retain the lawns they have there.

 

[Zoofan15]

Thank you @steveroberts @PaddyRickMFZ and @Zoofan15 for your respective comments and feedback. Much appreciated.

I think we've discussed and come up with some very interesting ideas over the last few weeks. Going forward, the 'better half' of Melbourne is going to be the area to look out for. With the elephants going and potentially other changes with aging exhibits - it'll be really interesting to see what Melbourne has in store there. If it's something along the lines of what we've came up with, i'd be very, very pleased.



I'd vouch for Lions to be retained. Especially if the Giraffes and Zebras were to go to Werribee, I don't think it would be a great idea to send another ABC species over to Werribee. Whilst it's good to build Werribee up, I don't think the goal is to ever have Werribee exceed Melbourne in being the 'main' zoo. Having the zoos compliment each other is the way to go, and lions have a rich, long history at Melbourne (especially with Lion Park), so I'd hate to see them go.



The Spider Monkeys have access to both exhibits; they're one single group, and although the enclosures aren't the biggest in the trail, they're still of decent size for them imo.

Lions 100% need to be retained. I believe people would accept the phase out of giraffes and zebra if they were replaced by Okapi and Eastern bongo; and the elephant’s phase out would be accepted on welfare grounds by the majority of people (especially if replaced by Indian rhinoceros); but there’s nothing that the general public would consider as a replacement for lions when you consider they already have Sumatran tiger and Snow leopard.

It’d be nice to see both zoos holding breeding prides. Having visited Auckland and Wellington Zoo this month, I heard visitors at both zoos asking “Where are the males/females?” Melbourne’s lions aren’t genetically valuable, but if they were able to transfer them out and import a young male and female from South Africa, they could breed at two yearly intervals, with the majority of offspring transferred out for breeding at other zoos - and a couple retained to boost pride numbers to four adults.

 

[Zoofan15]

I really like the idea of expanding the Orangutan complex, and I feel it's something to look out for going forward. A start would be giving them the island opposite, but it would be even better if the lake was expanded into the current Pool Paddock; with two additional islands introduced alongside this, creating three in total of which could be rotational for the Francois Langur, White Cheeked Gibbon, Orangutans and Saimangs (alongside the preexisting complex).

The Japanese Island would unfortunately not be large enough for Dhole. It lacks any real, large ground space so is more suitable for an arboreal species.

I'm not sure if Black and White Colobuses and Mandrill could cohabite. They could; but if they were both to be in the current Cassowary exhibit, only small groups for each species could be held, space wise.

There's enough space in the top part of the zoo for a species of Bear; but I would prefer if Melbourne acquired any of the three species you mentioned and instead placed them in the Carnivore Trail. Just for the sake of diversity species wise.

I too would hope for the Pygmy Hippos to be granted more space long term. If Melbourne wish to go the way of the Congo theme where the Giraffes/Baboons currently are, then potentially they could introduce new enclosures for the Pygmy Hippos up there too; where the current Tapir/Peccary exhibits are. That's another good idea and would fit into the 'Africa/Congo' theming there.

There already is an underwater viewing window in the otters enclosure in TOTE; although it's rather small. Also re. Aviaries, MZ do have quite a few decent ones across the zoo, I just didn't mention them. Although, I would like to see one in the Gorilla Rainforest for African Forest bird species such as Grey Parrots.

Although I would like to see an outdoor Komodo Dragon exhibit near the Reptile House, I doubt it would happen space wise. There is space, but Melbourne would be keen to retain the lawns they have there.

The orangutans are a popular attraction and I feel like the concept they can leave their exhibit via aerial lines is something that’s appealing more and more to both zoos and the visitors. The distance an animal can travel in the wild is a common argument from those critical of zoos and now there’s an opportunity for a species to traverse a kilometres high above the ground.

Rotational use of the aerial line with gibbons etc. is common sense, but in my experience, visitors are disappointed to see anything less than Charlie on the aerial lines at Auckland Zoo. To see this fully flanged male orangutan with dreadlocks brachiating is an incredible sight to behold.

With the hippopotamus IRA currently being processed, I’m hopeful this will mean the import of a female Pygmy hippopotamus for Melbourne Zoo. They’re a popular species and fit two of the zoo’s criteria, so they’d be wise to invest in the infrastructure needed to house and breed this species.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Sorry, I guess I didn’t make that very clear. I think Melbourne letting go of lions would be an atrocity, but I believe that they should focus on other projects before considering breeding them. That’s what I meant by giving Werribee the edge, certainly not getting rid of lions.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I really like the idea of expanding the Orangutan complex, and I feel it's something to look out for going forward. A start would be giving them the island opposite, but it would be even better if the lake was expanded into the current Pool Paddock; with two additional islands introduced alongside this, creating three in total of which could be rotational for the Francois Langur, White Cheeked Gibbon, Orangutans and Saimangs (alongside the preexisting complex).

The Japanese Island would unfortunately not be large enough for Dhole. It lacks any real, large ground space so is more suitable for an arboreal species.

I'm not sure if Black and White Colobuses and Mandrill could cohabite. They could; but if they were both to be in the current Cassowary exhibit, only small groups for each species could be held, space wise.

There's enough space in the top part of the zoo for a species of Bear; but I would prefer if Melbourne acquired any of the three species you mentioned and instead placed them in the Carnivore Trail. Just for the sake of diversity species wise.

I too would hope for the Pygmy Hippos to be granted more space long term. If Melbourne wish to go the way of the Congo theme where the Giraffes/Baboons currently are, then potentially they could introduce new enclosures for the Pygmy Hippos up there too; where the current Tapir/Peccary exhibits are. That's another good idea and would fit into the 'Africa/Congo' theming there.

There already is an underwater viewing window in the otters enclosure in TOTE; although it's rather small. Also re. Aviaries, MZ do have quite a few decent ones across the zoo, I just didn't mention them. Although, I would like to see one in the Gorilla Rainforest for African Forest bird species such as Grey Parrots.

Although I would like to see an outdoor Komodo Dragon exhibit near the Reptile House, I doubt it would happen space wise. There is space, but Melbourne would be keen to retain the lawns they have there.

I think having small cats instead of digested is an amazing idea btw

 

[Zoofan15]

Sorry, I guess I didn’t make that very clear. I think Melbourne letting go of lions would be an atrocity, but I believe that they should focus on other projects before considering breeding them. That’s what I meant by giving Werribee the edge, certainly not getting rid of lions.

Understood. It could still tie into my idea as Nilo will hopefully be breeding this year at Werribee, which will prove a crowd puller while they wait for the elephants to arrive; followed by Asali a year or two later. It’d be preferable to have Melbourne and Werribee breeding at different times, so breeding could continue to focus on Werribee for the next few years and then transfer to Melbourne once the elephants are settled in and drawing huge crowds to Werribee.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Trail of the elephants
Asian Small clawed otters remain and the tiger exibit unchanged, there could be two option but sun bear in one and Hutan in the other, or just keep hutan in both. Elephant exibit there are 3 main exibits the first one being the smallest and having the largest pool, A male Indian rhino housed in this exibit, the next exibit and the largest could house a female Indian rhino and a species of deer and blackbuk the rhinos could rotate daily so they can both swim. The last exibit home to Langer and malyan tapir and the barn custom made for the tapir, the orangutan sangutary expanded onto a expanded island in a lake with siamang

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Trail of the elephants
Asian Small clawed otters remain and the tiger exibit unchanged, there could be two option but sun bear in one and Hutan in the other, or just keep hutan in both. Elephant exibit there are 3 main exibits the first one being the smallest and having the largest pool, A male Indian rhino housed in this exibit, the next exibit and the largest could house a female Indian rhino and a species of deer and blackbuk the rhinos could rotate daily so they can both swim. The last exibit home to Langer and malyan tapir and the barn custom made for the tapir, the orangutan sangutary expanded onto a expanded island in a lake with siamang

Thoughts on Leopard in the final Elephant exhibit and tapir just have the barn? Then the langurs can go in with the rhinos

 

[Zoofan15]

Thoughts on Leopard in the final Elephant exhibit and tapir just have the barn? Then the langurs can go in with the rhinos

It could potentially work with extensive modifications to the barn to allow the Malayan tapir to live there full time e.g. a pool. There would also need to be adequate ventilation and substrate that negate the issues of standing on hard floors for a prolonged period to avoid arthritis and other issues. Shock absorbing pads and mulch are two options.

The Sri Lankan leopard in turn would have a good sized outdoor exhibit, but need a night house/indoor facilities constructed - a simple task that would be necessary wherever they were placed.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

It could potentially work with extensive modifications to the barn to allow the Malayan tapir to live there full time e.g. a pool. There would also need to be adequate ventilation and substrate that negate the issues of standing on hard floors for a prolonged period to avoid arthritis and other issues. Shock absorbing pads and mulch are two options.

The Sri Lankan leopard in turn would have a good sized outdoor exhibit, but need a night house/indoor facilities constructed - a simple task that would be necessary wherever they were placed.

So the hard part is receiving the animal it seems, as the renovations would not be overly difficult

 

[Zoofan15]

So the hard part is receiving the animal it seems, as the renovations would not be overly difficult

Yes, as a CITES I species, Malayan tapir can only be imported with the support of the ZAA.

Last I was aware, Malayan tapir were being phased out due to the issues with the sun, but if Melbourne are confident they’re found a way to remediate this issue and have the support of the ZAA, it’s theoretically possible they could receive them. There’s an IRA in place and has been for some time.

 

[steveroberts]

@everyone

Man this is exciting, wish we could all have a pitch meeting with the ZooVic board cos know we could come up with excellent diagrams and slideshows to compliment these excellent ideas (and there's enough photos and footage out there of similar exhibits having been implemented in Nth America, Europe and in the Orangutans and SE Asian precincts case Auckland in our own 'backyard', plus footage of Okapis etc new species looking engaging and charismatic in front of impresses crowds on youtube videos of overseas zoo visits, same with Sri Lankan Leopards awing visitors on DDZ & NZAA visits filmed and shared on youtube, one showing a slowly growing baby SL Leopard hanging near the mother/dam and can hear the crowds adorations).

 

[Zoofan15]

@everyone

Man this is exciting, wish we could all have a pitch meeting with the ZooVic board cos know we could come up with excellent diagrams and slideshows to compliment these excellent ideas (and there's enough photos and footage out there of similar exhibits having been implemented in Nth America, Europe and in the Orangutans and SE Asian precincts case Auckland in our own 'backyard', plus footage of Okapis etc new species looking engaging and charismatic in front of impresses crowds on youtube videos of overseas zoo visits, same with Sri Lankan Leopards awing visitors on DDZ & NZAA visits filmed and shared on youtube, one showing a slowly growing baby SL Leopard hanging near the mother/dam and can hear the crowds adorations).

Same here. I’m really proud of all the ideas we’ve come up with. None of us who’ve contributed have the benefit of inside knowledge from working in the industry, so there’s no doubt a few things we’ve overlooked - but there’s been some great discussion and I honestly believe our ideas are a marked improvement on the masterplan we saw.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Same here. I’m really proud of all the ideas we’ve come up with. None of us who’ve contributed have the benefit of inside knowledge from working in the industry, so there’s no doubt a few things we’ve overlooked - but there’s been some great discussion and I honestly believe our ideas are a marked improvement on the masterplan we saw.

Marked improvement is a bit generous. That master plan was an atrocity

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Also @Jambo if you are keen on that Himalayas idea, Asiatic Black Bear could be an option for Indrah’s exhibit, and they can put a red panda and masked palm civet inside DigestEd. Shame there would be nowhere for a Himalayan Tahr or Takin if that was realised

 

[Zoofan15]

Also @Jambo if you are keen on that Himalayas idea, Asiatic Black Bear could be an option for Indrah’s exhibit, and they can put a red panda and masked palm civet inside DigestEd. Shame there would be nowhere for a Himalayan Tahr or Takin if that was realised

It’d be great to see a Himalayan precinct at Melbourne Zoo considering no other zoo in the region has it bar Wellington Zoo, which has Himalayan monal and Nepalese red panda; and are acquiring Snow leopard.

Asiatic black bear aren’t an impossibility - but it’s difficult to see it happening until the region has fully abandoned the sun bear breeding programme. I’m not aware of there ever been a consideration to running breeding programmes for two bear species, which is a shame given their popularity with the general public.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

It’d be great to see a Himalayan precinct at Melbourne Zoo considering no other zoo in the region has it bar Wellington Zoo, which has Himalayan monal and Nepalese red panda; and are acquiring Snow leopard.

Asiatic black bear aren’t an impossibility - but it’s difficult to see it happening until the region has fully abandoned the sun bear breeding programme. I’m not aware of there ever been a consideration to running breeding programmes for two bear species, which is a shame given their popularity with the general public.

I personally feel as though ‘traditional’ bear species are very underrepresented in the region. Abstract species such as sun bear are amazing, and I hope Melbourne implement it, but they are realistically not as big of a crowd puller as Black, Brown and polar bears(must emphasise I don’t want to see them at MZ). If I’m not wrong, Melbourne Syrian brown bear was constantly swarmed with guests, often taking priority over the snow leopards

 

[Zoofan15]

I personally feel as though ‘traditional’ bear species are very underrepresented in the region. Abstract species such as sun bear are amazing, and I hope Melbourne implement it, but they are realistically not as big of a crowd puller as Black, Brown and polar bears(must emphasise I don’t want to see them at MZ). If I’m not wrong, Melbourne Syrian brown bear was constantly swarmed with guests, often taking priority over the snow leopards

The larger bears are very much missed. Polar bears are the ultimate and would rival the elephants in popularity were they here today. Older generations still talk about seeing Polar bears at Auckland Zoo - with a note in the zoo’s history book that an effort was made to design a highly ornate exhibit for them when the zoo opened in 1922.

Based on their current collection, we can rule out non Asian species, but that still leaves Sloth bear and Asiatic black bears as an theoretical options; though sun bears may be more realistic. They’re just as engaging and would draw large crowds.

 

[Jambo]

I personally feel as though ‘traditional’ bear species are very underrepresented in the region. Abstract species such as sun bear are amazing, and I hope Melbourne implement it, but they are realistically not as big of a crowd puller as Black, Brown and polar bears(must emphasise I don’t want to see them at MZ). If I’m not wrong, Melbourne Syrian brown bear was constantly swarmed with guests, often taking priority over the snow leopards

I agree, I would very much like to see Brown Bears return. Their massive size always awed visitors, and Honey and Roan were definitely crowd favorites for a long time.

The hype surrounding the Bears died soon after Roan's death (in 2010). I fondly remember being one of the only ones, most times when visiting Honey. She lived a rather quiet life in her final years, of which i'm glad - but I can largely assume that the hype died due to her age and her becoming less and less active. It wasn't rare to go past her exhibit and not see her at all.

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.

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree, I would very much like to see Brown Bears return. Their massive size always awed visitors, and Honey and Roan were definitely crowd favorites for a long time.

The hype surrounding the Bears died soon after Roan's death (in 2010). I fondly remember being one of the only ones, most times when visiting Honey. She lived a rather quiet life in her final years, of which i'm glad - but I can largely assume that the hype died due to her age and her becoming less and less active. It wasn't rare to go past her exhibit and not see her at all.

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.

One of the most regrettable things about the regional sun bear breeding programme is Perth not breeding their otherwise viable breeding pair due to space constraints.

It’s too late now because of their age, but if Melbourne built a exhibit that facilitated breeding, they could have theoretically bred the species. I understand there was a reluctance to transfer this pair out of Perth due to their psychological trauma prior to their rescue.