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

[Zoofan15]

Zillie’s a long term replacement. Was told be a keeper.

Mandrills not being an endangered could be one reason. I’m not aware of the current numbers in the European population, but the North American population is on the small side so maybe it’s just an issue with there not being enough animals to be imported for a regional population here?

Mandrills are thriving in European zoos. There’s close to 60 holders and some zoos like Colchester have large troops, which are breeding regularly. If Melbourne (or Adelaide) acquire Mandrill, it makes sense to do some from Europe rather than North America.

 

[Zoofan15]

Was your keeper a reliable source? I’m not trying to be overly critical but some members on here stated that they were told Mandrills would be imminent, while you have been told the opposite. I’m just gonna hope your keeper was misinformed, as unlikely as that is

I’ll just add that when I contacted Melbourne Zoo, they couldn’t have been clearer there are no plans to acquire Mandrill. They confirmed this was up to date information verified by the species coordinator. To this day, I’m not sure why people on here were told they had imminent plans to import Mandrill (from the US), but it appears to have been a miscommunication from staff. There’s endless possibilities of how this miscommunication occurred.

 

[Jambo]

Was your keeper a reliable source? I’m not trying to be overly critical but some members on here stated that they were told Mandrills would be imminent, while you have been told the opposite. I’m just gonna hope your keeper was misinformed, as unlikely as that is

I’ll just add that when I contacted Melbourne Zoo, they couldn’t have been clearer there are no plans to acquire Mandrill. They confirmed this was up to date information verified by the species coordinator. To this day, I’m not sure why people on here were told they had imminent plans to import Mandrill (from the US), but it appears to have been a miscommunication from staff. There’s endless possibilities of how this miscommunication occurred.

@Zoofan15 is right in saying there are no plans for Mandrills. A keeper is definitely more credible than a member who likely is either making it up or has been misinformed. My information about Zilly being a permanent replacement also reflects that.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

@Zoofan15 is right in saying there are no plans for Mandrills. A keeper is definitely more credible than a member who likely is either making it up or has been misinformed. My information about Zilly being a permanent replacement also reflects that.

It could just be me, but that’s very disappointing to hear that Zillie is seen as a long term replacement, despite not fitting the theme at all, and having a niche in the Great Flight Aviary. Even if MZ didn’t wish to hold her, Healesville would be a good option, considering they used to hold cassowaries but don’t any more

 

[Jambo]

It could just be me, but that’s very disappointing to hear that Zillie is seen as a long term replacement, despite not fitting the theme at all, and having a niche in the Great Flight Aviary. Even if MZ didn’t wish to hold her, Healesville would be a good option, considering they used to hold cassowaries but don’t any more

I agree, it is very disappointing. Zillie suits the Rainforest section of the GFA very well, and that sections seemed very empty since she departed but I don't think there's any more suitable options for that enclosure in the meantime (besides Colobus obviously)- but the enclosure would require additions of arboreal climbing structures.

Also, since when did Healseville no longer hold cassowaries?

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I agree, it is very disappointing. Zillie suits the Rainforest section of the GFA very well, and that sections seemed very empty since she departed but I don't think there's any more suitable options for that enclosure in the meantime (besides Colobus obviously)- but the enclosure would require additions of arboreal climbing structures.

Also, since when did Healseville no longer hold cassowaries?

I could very much be wrong. I was just told by someone they no longer had them, and since I don’t frequent Healesville as much as the other zoos I didn’t feel the need to verify it.
Update: Did a little bit of research and one of their cassowaries was euthanised in 2019. Whether that was the the last one I’m not sure, but it could be

 

[Jambo]

I could very much be wrong. I was just told by someone they no longer had them, and since I don’t frequent Healesville as much as the other zoos I didn’t feel the need to verify it.
Update: Did a little bit of research and one of their cassowaries was euthanised in 2019. Whether that was the the last one I’m not sure, but it could be

They had a male that passed in 2019, so he may have been their last individual. It seems Melbourne and Kyabram are the only two left with Cassowary now.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

They had a male that passed in 2019, so he may have been their last individual. It seems Melbourne and Kyabram are the only two left with Cassowary now.

I would love to see Healesville get cassowary back. Was a great addition at the start of the trail and popular with the kids. Frees up Zillies exhibit for a primate or potentially small deer/antelope

 

[Zoofan15]

I would love to see Healesville get cassowary back. Was a great addition at the start of the trail and popular with the kids. Frees up Zillies exhibit for a primate or potentially small deer/antelope

Healeville without cassowary is a crime. It’s one of the species people would most expect to see upon visiting. A cassowary at Melbourne meanwhile does little to enhance the collection, so I feel like this is the best move.

Melbourne really need to focus more on exotics. Zoos Victoria already have two native centric zoos, they don’t need a third.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Healeville without cassowary is a crime. It’s one of the species people would most expect to see upon visiting. A cassowary at Melbourne meanwhile does little to enhance the collection, so I feel like this is the best move.

Melbourne really need to focus more on exotics. Zoos Victoria already have two native centric zoos, they don’t need a third.

I agree. The rest of Healesvilles animals are basic and can be observed at many other facilities throughout Victoria. I’m not having a go at our wildlife, I just believe that the cassowary was one of the major attractions there. As you stated, cassowary doesn’t fill a need at Melbourne and doesn’t need to be represented

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree. The rest of Healesvilles animals are basic and can be observed at many other facilities throughout Victoria. I’m not having a go at our wildlife, I just believe that the cassowary was one of the major attractions there. As you stated, cassowary doesn’t fill a need at Melbourne and doesn’t need to be represented

Healesville is definitely the less visited of Zoos Victoria’s three main facilities; with Melbourne being the most visited; followed by Werribee. Werribee’s elephant complex will put them on the map internationally, so Healesville really need to consolidate their native collection and make it the best it can be.

Melbourne’s niche is rainforest exotics, so rather than focus on African ungulates (giraffe etc) or natives, they need to up their game and acquire some points of difference - beginning with Mandrill and Eastern bongo.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Healesville is definitely the less visited of Zoos Victoria’s three main facilities; with Melbourne being the most visited; followed by Werribee. Werribee’s elephant complex will put them on the map internationally, so Healesville really need to consolidate their native collection and make it the best it can be.

Melbourne’s niche is rainforest exotics, so rather than focus on African ungulates (giraffe etc) or natives, they need to up their game and acquire some points of difference - beginning with Mandrill and Eastern bongo.

Then hopefully evolve into even rarer species such as okapi

 

[Zoofan15]

Then hopefully evolve into even rarer species such as okapi

It would be fantastic to see Taronga, Melbourne and Auckland each acquire a pair of Okapi in the future. Though sourcing them is the issue, having three holders would negate concerns of sending a pair to a geographically isolated facility with no capacity to readily re-pair them if breeding fails.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

It would be fantastic to see Taronga, Melbourne and Auckland each acquire a pair of Okapi in the future. Though sourcing them is the issue, having three holders would negate concerns of sending a pair to a geographically isolated facility with no capacity to readily re-pair them if breeding fails.

As I believe you said in the past, it would actually benefit America to give us more than one pair. Not to mention if we could source one calf from Europe, it would somewhat benefit both regions. As we know Taronga has expressed interest in them, have Auckland? The MZ okapi speculation is based around a draw card species departing, which is fair enough, but have Auckland stated they wish to hold them or have a draw card departing. Or are you conversely stating that they would be able to hold them during quarantine? Either way, the more okapis in the region, the better imo

 

[Zoofan15]

As I believe you said in the past, it would actually benefit America to give us more than one pair. Not to mention if we could source one calf from Europe, it would somewhat benefit both regions. As we know Taronga has expressed interest in them, have Auckland? The MZ okapi speculation is based around a draw card species departing, which is fair enough, but have Auckland stated they wish to hold them or have a draw card departing. Or are you conversely stating that they would be able to hold them during quarantine? Either way, the more okapis in the region, the better imo

Auckland haven’t publicly stated/confirmed an intention to import them; but they are considering an African forest precinct in replacement of their elephants and are one of the premier zoos in the region, alongside Taronga and Melbourne. In addition, they’re the only one of these three with the capacity to import Okapi - with Australia’s Giraffe IRA years away.

While the chances are slim, it can’t be completely discounted and would benefit the breeding programme as per above. Calves from the three zoos could be returned to North America and Europe, introducing genetics from the opposing continent if pairs are formed from 50:50 European and North American Okapi.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Auckland haven’t publicly stated/confirmed an intention to import them; but they are considering an African forest precinct in replacement of their elephants and are one of the premier zoos in the region, alongside Taronga and Melbourne. In addition, they’re the only one of these three with the capacity to import Okapi - with Australia’s Giraffe IRA years away.

While the chances are slim, it can’t be completely discounted and would benefit the breeding programme as per above. Calves from the three zoos could be returned to North America and Europe, introducing genetics from the opposing continent if pairs are formed from 50:50 European and North American Okapi.

That’s certainly a possibility then. If Taronga follow through with their plans and MZ realise they are a somewhat fitting replacement, from what you’ve told me, Auckland have every chance of acquiring them

 

[Zoofan15]

That’s certainly a possibility then. If Taronga follow through with their plans and MZ realise they are a somewhat fitting replacement, from what you’ve told me, Auckland have every chance of acquiring them

It certainly can’t be ruled out. Auckland Zoo is an internationally recognised and respected zoo with the resources to pull this off if it’s what they intend to do. Since the import of CITES I species require the support of a regional breeding programme, we can assume there’s interest from other ZAA facilities in importing Okapi beyond Taronga - with Melbourne and Auckland the obvious candidates.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

As I’ve previously conveyed, I’m not overly well educated in terms of captive breeding programs. As I was looking at the Chester Zoo thread, I was wondering if MZ’s Sumatran Tigers are of genetic value in other regions. I’m aware they are not valuable, and therefore are not part of a breeding program in Australia, but is that because they are well represented or have a problematic gene. I remember hearing something like a gene they possess, but can someone please confirm this

 

[Zoofan15]

As I’ve previously conveyed, I’m not overly well educated in terms of captive breeding programs. As I was looking at the Chester Zoo thread, I was wondering if MZ’s Sumatran Tigers are of genetic value in other regions. I’m aware they are not valuable, and therefore are not part of a breeding program in Australia, but is that because they are well represented or have a problematic gene. I remember hearing something like a gene they possess, but can someone please confirm this

Unfortunately not. Melbourne’s tigers descend from Nico and Meta, who were born at Rotterdam Zoo and have a wealth of relatives across Europe. Melbourne’s siblings are a few generations down, but two members of their family have been sent to Europe in recent years and bred extensively, so they’re well represented.

The Melbourne tigers carry a hereditary gene which causes a head tilt as cubs amongst other issues, but @Jambo was advised by a keeper their overrepresentation was the reason for not breeding. Within a captive setting, the head tilt does not impact upon their survival.

The most valuable tigers we could send Europe are the descendants of the Indonesian triplets we imported in 2008. They carry the Nico-Meta genes, but at least represent founders who are unrepresented in Europe via their Indonesian heritage.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Unfortunately not. Melbourne’s tigers descend from Nico and Meta, who were born at Rotterdam Zoo and have a wealth of relatives across Europe. Melbourne’s siblings are a few generations down, but two members of their family have been sent to Europe in recent years and bred extensively, so they’re well represented.

The Melbourne tigers carry a hereditary gene which causes a head tilt as cubs amongst other issues, but @Jambo was advised by a keeper their overrepresentation was the reason for not breeding. Within a captive setting, the head tilt does not impact upon their survival.

The most valuable tigers we could send Europe are the descendants of the Indonesian triplets we imported in 2008. They carry the Nico-Meta genes, but at least represent founders who are unrepresented in Europe via their Indonesian heritage.

Would they have any impact in America? If America breed Sumatrans, would Hutan/Indrah be of any value and provide any genetic diversity? Sumatrans are a critically endangered species and it’s always great to see cubs being born, and being new to this, I’m not sure who would be great where. I of course hope MZ would keep tigers, but if even one of the siblings can be sent elsewhere for breeding it would be amazing