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

[Zoofan15]

I personally like the effect of SE Asia on our zoos(I’m a big tapir fan if you haven’t already noticed) but I agree it should not be limited to that, and should diversify throughout Asia

The benefit when multiple zoos come onboard is it enhances our regional breeding programmes and makes them less vulnerable to extinction (pun intended). Though the sun bear breeding programme has sadly failed to flourish, the Sumatran tiger breeding programme accommodates over 40 tigers and rarely requires input from outside the region.

 

[steveroberts]

I think a heavy emphasis was placed on the South East Asia species being seen as well suited to our climate - not necessarily in preference to Indian species; but certainly those from colder climates/countries. The most obvious example is Adelaide and Wellington Zoo phasing out Siberian tigers for Sumatran tigers as well as the phase out of several large bear species (including Polar bear) for the tropical Malayan sun bear.

Yeah you're so right, that does make sense ie climate wise, which is why your excellent India ideas can't be knocked back on those grounds by our region as it's hot over there too, just also happens to have a cold front in the north where the Himalayas area).

Thats why think cities in our region that get a fair bit more of a cold front like Wellington (well credence to Wello, they already are implementing it with Himalayan section), Canberra, Launceston and Hobart are well placed to offer availability for some colder climate living species.

 

[Zoofan15]

Yeah you're so right, that does make sense ie climate wise, which is why your excellent India ideas can't be knocked back on those grounds by our region as it's hot over there too, just also happens to have a cold front in the north where the Himalayas area).

Thats why think cities in our region that get a fair bit more of a cold front like Wellington (well credence to Wello, they already are implementing it with Himalayan section), Canberra, Launceston and Hobart are well placed to offer availability for some colder climate living species.

The Himalayan exhibits are an excellent fit for the windswept city of Wellington; and I have no doubt Tasmania’s Snow leopard is thriving. Mogo have phased out Snow leopard as I predicted and I’ll be interested to see if they’re one of the emerging Sri Lankan leopard holders in the coming years.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

And

The Himalayan exhibits are an excellent fit for the windswept city of Wellington; and I have no doubt Tasmania’s Snow leopard is thriving. Mogo have phased out Snow leopard as I predicted and I’ll be interested to see if they’re one of the emerging Sri Lankan leopard holders in the coming years.

if Mogo become a holder, let’s hope MZ jump on board

 

[Zoofan15]

And

if Mogo become a holder, let’s hope MZ jump on board

I think Melbourne and Adelaide will become the next breeding holders; and Mogo the next non breeding holder. Canberra could either maintain their sibling pair and transfer out their breeding pair or vice versa.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15 @PaddyRickMFZ

Well said (Snow Leopards)

Agree that Mogo should go with Sri Lankan Leopards now they no longer have Snow Leopards; and think Melbourne should hold them too, if smaller private zoos (but excellent ones) can keep them and breed then successfuly have no doubt Melbourne can do the same. Also think they should keep their Snow Leopards too of course, wasn't that long ago they had Persian Leopards simultaneously with Snow Leopards (and even Nonah 0.1 the Clouded Leopard at the zoo at the same time for five years). Later this year marking 40 years Melbourne has kept Snow Leopards would be a crying shame to see them gone.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 @PaddyRickMFZ

Well said (Snow Leopards)

Agree that Mogo should go with Sri Lankan Leopards now they no longer have Snow Leopards; and think Melbourne should hold them too, if smaller private zoos (but excellent ones) can keep them and breed then successfuly have no doubt Melbourne can do the same. Also think they should keep their Snow Leopards too of course, wasn't that long ago they had Persian Leopards simultaneously with Snow Leopards (and even Nonah 0.1 the Clouded Leopard at the zoo at the same time for five years). Later this year marking 40 years Melbourne has kept Snow Leopards would be a crying shame to see them gone.

I’m confident Snow leopard have a secure future at Melbourne Zoo. They recently imported a young breeding pair and are planning to breed again in the next few years. This may even suggest a new holder is coming on board as Wellington and Tasmania won’t be receiving Snow leopards from the second litter.

There’s no reason Melbourne couldn’t manage Sri Lankan leopard in addition to Snow leopard. Transferring out Tashi (2008) when younger would have been a good move to free up space, but probably best to let her enjoy her retirement years off display.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15

Oh that's a relief. It's exciting that Adelaide is going to have them too. Think Taronga should look into keeping Clouded Leopards again if they're gun-ho on making their Asian focus SE Asian; had a daydream too that they brought back Temminck's Golden Cats in the form of 2 1.1 bonded pairs (including an 'ocelated' coated one) when they get bored of their mock village and airplane to Sumatra parts of the Tiger trek (plus soon the current Gorilla complex will be in want of new focus when they shift 'up the path' to bigger and better quarters). Also couldn't help but think they should of added Serval and Cape Porcupine to their Savannah precinct. But sorry Melbourne thread.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15

Oh that's a relief. It's exciting that Adelaide is going to have them too. Think Taronga should look into keeping Clouded Leopards again if they're gun-ho on making their Asian focus SE Asian; had a daydream too that they brought back Temminck's Golden Cats in the form of 2 1.1 bonded pairs (including an 'ocelated' coated one) when they get bored of their mock village and airplane to Sumatra parts of the Tiger trek (plus soon the current Gorilla complex will be in want of new focus when they shift 'up the path' to bigger and better quarters). Also couldn't help but think they should of added Serval and Cape Porcupine to their Savannah precinct. But sorry Melbourne thread.

It would be a dream come true to see Temminck’s golden cat return to the region. Melbourne founded their breeding programme with five cats, which suffered numerous setbacks. A male killed a female within an established pair and two young females were killed in an introductory context.

The one surviving offspring from the early years fortunately formed a successful breeding pair and produced several kittens. She was clearly an excellent mother, as was her daughter (retained to form the next breeding pair).

 

[steveroberts]

*sorry Hancocks' design being the one from the '80s and '90s my bad

 

[StoppableSan]

Honestly, I kind of wish they'd move some of the theming from Trail of the Elephants to the new development at Werribee - given said theming/design won them a design award, it'd make sense to highlight stuff like the flags, ruins, community hall and vegetable garden rather than just going with a banal "modern" design.

 

[Jambo]

Honestly, I kind of wish they'd move some of the theming from Trail of the Elephants to the new development at Werribee - given said theming/design won them a design award, it'd make sense to highlight stuff like the flags, ruins, community hall and vegetable garden rather than just going with a banal "modern" design.

I agree, but it seems like that won't be happening. That's why i'm hoping they'll use the area for other central Asian species that would fit the area - Indian Rhinos, Langurs, Sri Lankan Leopards ect.

 

[Zoofan15]

Honestly, I kind of wish they'd move some of the theming from Trail of the Elephants to the new development at Werribee - given said theming/design won them a design award, it'd make sense to highlight stuff like the flags, ruins, community hall and vegetable garden rather than just going with a banal "modern" design.

I agree, but it seems like that won't be happening. That's why i'm hoping they'll use the area for other central Asian species that would fit the area - Indian Rhinos, Langurs, Sri Lankan Leopards ect.

It’s ironic that all the non exhibit stuff (another example being Taronga’s Tiger Trek supermarket) is clogging up the city zoos where space is at a premium; and the open range zoos (which have all the space in the world) are straight down to business - exhibits, exhibits and more exhibits.

I appreciate the ethos of an open range zoo is wide open spaces, but when the buildings, the kitch etc. do nothing to detract from exhibit space, this rationale falls flat.

 

[StoppableSan]

It’s ironic that all the non exhibit stuff (another example being Taronga’s Tiger Trek supermarket) is clogging up the city zoos where space is at a premium; and the open range zoos (which have all the space in the world) are straight down to business - exhibits, exhibits and more exhibits.

I appreciate the ethos of an open range zoo is wide open spaces, but when the buildings, the kitch etc. do nothing to detract from exhibit space, this rationale falls flat.

Werribee's no stranger to good theming - the Kubu Hippo River development has phenomenal theming from what I've seen on ZooChat and Streetview. I reckon it'll be jarring to see in-your-face cable fencing along with weird architectural choices for the elephant project at Werribee, after seeing otherwise stellar theming with the African River Trail.

 

[Zoofan15]

Werribee's no stranger to good theming - the Kubu Hippo River development has phenomenal theming from what I've seen on ZooChat and Streetview. I reckon it'll be jarring to see in-your-face cable fencing along with weird architectural choices for the elephant project at Werribee, after seeing otherwise stellar theming with the African River Trail.

I don’t think the elephant complex will disappoint. The theming of Kubu River exhibit is phenomenal, but it’d taken understandably more effort to extend this to a 21ha complex.

The complex will feature some stunning design features, but the emphasis will be on space - which will be its main appeal.

 

[StoppableSan]

I don’t think the elephant complex will disappoint. The theming of Kubu River exhibit is phenomenal, but it’d taken understandably more effort to extend this to a 21ha complex.

The complex will feature some stunning design features, but the emphasis will be on space - which will be its main appeal.

Is there a definitive "design" for this project that could be referenced? There's multiple renderings online of what the elephant complex at Werribee would look like, hence my asking.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I agree, but it seems like that won't be happening. That's why i'm hoping they'll use the area for other central Asian species that would fit the area - Indian Rhinos, Langurs, Sri Lankan Leopards ect.

I really wish that would be the case. Unfortunately from what I heard the likely new animals on the walking trail are all African e.g. porcupine. I was also told that (some?) Nyala would be moved onto the walking trail, which seems to indicate it will not be Asian themed unfortunately. I’m still holding out hope for it though, presents an opportunity for this Indian Cat alley we have mentioned

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Is there a definitive "design" for this project that could be referenced? There's multiple renderings online of what the elephant complex at Werribee would look like, hence my asking.

In one of the zoos Victoria members newsletters there is an image of what it is expected to look like, I believe @Zoofan15 posted a link to it earlier in the thread

 

[Zoofan15]

Is there a definitive "design" for this project that could be referenced? There's multiple renderings online of what the elephant complex at Werribee would look like, hence my asking.

In one of the zoos Victoria members newsletters there is an image of what it is expected to look like, I believe @Zoofan15 posted a link to it earlier in the thread

This is the link to Zoos Victoria’s newsletters: Member Publications

Additional photos can be found in this link: Werribee Zoo's World Class Upgrade.

 

[Zoofan15]

I really wish that would be the case. Unfortunately from what I heard the likely new animals on the walking trail are all African e.g. porcupine. I was also told that (some?) Nyala would be moved onto the walking trail, which seems to indicate it will not be Asian themed unfortunately. I’m still holding out hope for it though, presents an opportunity for this Indian Cat alley we have mentioned

I’m hopeful long term Werribee will give greater consideration to diversifying their collection. The Plains exhibit and the Asian elephant complex are a great start, but any Australasian zoo that makes African species their primary focus will be limited by what species are available.

Long term, I’d like to see a Sumatran tiger complex established at Werribee. Taronga and Auckland Zoo have the largest complexes in the region - each capable of holding seven or eight adult tigers. Imagine what could be built at an open range zoo.