PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
You would’ve thought there would be some interests in bovids if zoos pushed for an IRA. Has there been a single bovid import from outside Australasia?
Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)
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Agreed. I’ve been similarly underwhelmed by the lack of interest in importing giraffes by New Zealand zoos given the IRA has been processed and we have a severely inbred regional population.
No, there’s been no Bovid imports into the region since Australia completed the Bovid IRA in 2021.
The last imports were made in 2016 by Wellington Zoo - 5.15 Lowland nyala from South Africa; and 0.1 Eastern bongo from Singapore. The bongo and some of the nyala were then sent on to Australia.
What role do we think Kyabram will play into the future? With a clear native focus currently, do we think this will continue into the future or will the exotics slowly move across to this location as well. It is a curious one as aside from the location there is not a whole lot that stands it out from the rest of the "privately" (although not now) run parks. Perhaps with the addition of this new reptile house that has been on the cards, some more exotics other than just meerkats maybe held at this location. Having not been to Kyabram I cannot speculate on space/infrastructure but it is a spot of curiosity as it currently does not have a niche that separates it from the other ZV locations.
From conservation perspective, I wouldn't be surprised if they continue with the Malleefowl breeding program and perhaps adding/greater contributions to the Plains Wanderer program as well.
From conservation perspective, I wouldn't be surprised if they continue with the Malleefowl breeding program and perhaps adding/greater contributions to the Plains Wanderer program as well.
I recently looked at the map of Kyabram and was both underwhelmed and puzzled why Zoos Victoria have taken it on as one of their zoos.
It’s 2.5 hours from the CBD and imo lacks a collection worth driving this distance to see. My assumption is they’ll continue to focus on natives with low key exotics periodically added - otters, capuchins, tamarins etc.
I’m really struggling to envisage who their market will be given they’re not even close to the main highways to attract thoroughfare from people travelling from other states.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
@Zoofan15 @Josh F
I could be wrong, but I believe Kyabram will have low key exotic like you mentioned, but its benefit for Zoos Vic will be rotational exhibits for carnivores, such as Wild Dogs. Why they didn’t chose another facility like Mansfield that possesses a wide range of exotics and could become a great zoo with upgraded infrastructure, I’m not sure
I could be wrong, but I believe Kyabram will have low key exotic like you mentioned, but its benefit for Zoos Vic will be rotational exhibits for carnivores, such as Wild Dogs. Why they didn’t chose another facility like Mansfield that possesses a wide range of exotics and could become a great zoo with upgraded infrastructure, I’m not sure
Mansfield and Kyabram are both an hour either side of the M31 highway (a large thoroughfare), but only Mansfield I would consider worth the detour. My assumption would be Mansfield are doing quite well on their own and happy to continue operating independently.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I know there has been a lot of talk about impalas to Monarto and a staff member telling me Zoos Vic plan to acquire Bongo and more Waterbuck, but have any Australian zoos confirmed any interest in bovids? Seems strange that they would prioritise bovids over giraffes and hippos if they had no actual plans to import bovids…
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Despite visiting zoos in Victoria at least every month, I don’t see myself ever going to Kyabram until they have a genuine draw card, such as maybe wild dog pups if it’s in their interests. In winter though, I genuinely visit Mansfield every second week due to its proximity to Mt. Buller. It has various species and morphs you can’t see anywhere else in Victoria.
Nothing has been publicly announced - though several new holders of Lowland nyala have emerged and new founders will need to be imported down the line as we’re at the stage where minor inbreeding will now be occurring. Beyond that, I imagine Dubbo will import Eastern bongo to grow a larger herd.
Altina are among the most industrious with undertaking overseas imports, so are one to watch as well.
The explanation I was given was prioritising the Bovid IRA was that it was a comparatively simple one.
Any international tourist would visit Melbourne Zoo first and foremost, possibly Werribee and rarely Healesville. Distance to travel plays a part in any decision making and so I can’t imagine there’d be an international market for a facility that’s a five hour round trip from the CBD.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I’d hope that if one of Monarto, WORZ or Dubbo decided to import a species of bovid, the others would join in to have a breeding program. Dubbo may not apply considering they seem to be happy in their current position, but WORZ and Monarto should definitely work together on some group imports
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I agree. There was just no reason to promote Kyabram. Literally just a lesser Healesville further away from the CBD. At least Mansfield and Ballarat have some points of difference and are near major tourist attractions
A new species would presumably be ZAA supported with multiple holders coming onboard. Either a group import across several zoos, or with the nyala - an import with the animals distributed to a small number of zoos but then bred to supply others within a short space of time.
If it’s for an existing species (Eastern bongo are the obvious example), it would be easier for five or six to be imported across three zoos in a single import than each undertaking their own import.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I assume an eastern bongo import is being thoroughly discussed at the moment, but the question is what other bovids are being discussed. Id love to see the return of Congo Buffalo, Sable Antelope, Kudu and Nilgai to the region. Actually, had the Dubbo specimen of Congo Buffalo actually died, and I assume the buffalo at Werribee was of display for a while before it’s death
What seems to limit zoos in what bovids they hold is whether they can be integrated with other species. Both male and female Sable antelope can be highly aggressive and most males of other antelope species are territorial.
With this in mind, zoos have to decide whether they can cut it as a standalone exhibit or whether they can accomodate a male separately; while maintaining females in a mixed species exhibit.
Eastern bongo and Sable antelope are two example of species I’d consider an attraction as a stand-alone exhibit. Most of the others would hold little interest for the general public, so are better off as supporting acts to large megafauna (nyala with rhino etc).
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I certainly believe both sable antelope and bongo would engage the public enough to have their own exhibit, even if it is just filling space in the walking trail
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
After all this speculation about Melbourne Zoo, I’ve found the answer. We need to take a page out of Singapore’s book. If we’re honest here, who actually cares about animals? You know what will really get the visitor numbers up, a KFC.
I remember years ago it was suggested that ZV were in talks with Moonlit but nothing eventuated, that would make more sense because at least they would get all the Int tourism opportunities via proximity to Phillip Island which could be lucrative. It is an odd choice and I still can't quite figure out what role Kyabram will play long term in the ZV web.
Personally, I would hope that perhaps their exhibiting could be more local specific as in having Victorian bioregions represented such as Murray Basin, Victorian Volcanic Plains, Mallee Country etc. something that has been seldom done in any zoo in Victoria. As far as exotics go though, I really don't know what they would go for aside from their already started ABC list with Meerkats. My hope would be that perhaps they go down a similar route to Werribee with a designated region being the focus point but picking somewhere different in the world, perhaps Asia, South America or North America just to give a little flair to the ZV collection overall.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
While we hope Kyabram will have a designated section of the world to represent, we simultaneously hope WORZ expands into other countries. A little bit of a dilemma. As I stated thought Kyabram will likely house rotational exhibits for carnivores
I suppose the predicament really is that as it stands currently, Kyabram doesn't have the infrastructure to house anything outside of their current collection and as it seems there is no current grand plan like with the other ZV locations. I understand that you have a predisposition for carnivores but I just can't see it. But I also can't see it just being largely a copy and paste of HS regarding a mostly native focussed collection. One would assume that there would need to be a point of difference established sometime soon to justify any investment into it as a project. I also would personally love to see a display something along the lines of "Wildlife of the Pacific, Our Neighbours" which could incorporate some of the following species just as ideas:
Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo
Long-beaked Echidna
Black Lory
Dusky Lory
Emerald Tree Monitor
White-lipped Python
Leachianus Gecko
Fijian Crested Iguana
Monkey-tailed Skink
Yellow-bibbed Lory
Komodo Dragon
Looking at the zoo map at the moment there is a large amount of empty space and with the location being 55ha that gives a decent bit of wiggle room. Hopefully, there is something more concrete released by ZV regarding this location into the future.
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