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

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PaddyRickMFZ said:
Since sun bears and asiatic black bears are getting phased out of the us it presents as a unique opportunity. W Rizz still better though
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I don't think it's been confirmed Sun Bears are on the way out- some zoos are still keen on them. There currently isn't any reasonable options for import though, so Melbourne might be stuck in the time being unless another regional zoo decides to offload theirs in the meantime.

*Also*, W rizz?:p
 
Jambo said:
I don't think it's been confirmed Sun Bears are on the way out- some zoos are still keen on them. There currently isn't any reasonable options for import though, so Melbourne might be stuck in the time being unless another regional zoo decides to offload theirs in the meantime.

*Also*, W rizz?:p
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@PaddyRickMFZ was referring to sun bears being phased out of the North American region (where they’re confirmed as phase out); not the Australasian region.

You’re correct we haven’t given up on them as a species in Australasia and I’m hopeful we’ll be able to source some imports while we still have three reproductive age females to make use of.
 
Jambo said:
I don't think it's been confirmed Sun Bears are on the way out- some zoos are still keen on them. There currently isn't any reasonable options for import though, so Melbourne might be stuck in the time being unless another regional zoo decides to offload theirs in the meantime.

*Also*, W rizz?:p
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I said Rizzly bear for a reason;).
I don’t know why but I feel like I’m the only one on this platform that wouldn’t want pandas to come to MZ… I’m not actually opposed to it, I’d just prefer a species we can genuinely build a regional breeding program around and save from extinction (Sun bear, Bongo, Malayan Tapir, Okapi, Indian Rhino etc.). The acquisition of Giant Panda seems kinda like a money grab and wouldn’t be for the good of the species. I could just be being pessimistic though, and I am still a massive fan of the species.
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
I said Rizzly bear for a reason;).
I don’t know why but I feel like I’m the only one on this platform that wouldn’t want pandas to come to MZ… I’m not actually opposed to it, I’d just prefer a species we can genuinely build a regional breeding program around and save from extinction (Sun bear, Bongo, Malayan Tapir, Okapi, Indian Rhino etc.). The acquisition of Giant Panda seems kinda like a money grab and wouldn’t be for the good of the species. I could just be being pessimistic though, and I am still a massive fan of the species.
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I’m of the opinion resources could be better spent elsewhere. I haven’t given it too much thought as it’s a hypothetical and won’t happen, but as charismatic as Giant pandas are, it makes more sense to focus on species that are equally or more deserving of breeding efforts and don’t come with astronomical loan costs.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I’m of the opinion resources could be better spent elsewhere. I haven’t given it too much thought as it’s a hypothetical and won’t happen, but as charismatic as Giant pandas are, it makes more sense to focus on species that are equally or more deserving of breeding efforts and don’t come with astronomical loan costs.
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I feel like loaning pandas would decimate any other plans at MZ, and to me that’s just not worth it. I have 0 doubt that they were thrown up in conversation surrounding the elephants, but the chances of that are thankfully low. It’s funny how pandas are the face of endangered species despite not actually being endangered…
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
I feel like loaning pandas would decimate any other plans at MZ, and to me that’s just not worth it. I have 0 doubt that they were thrown up in conversation surrounding the elephants, but the chances of that are thankfully low. It’s funny how pandas are the face of endangered species despite not actually being endangered…
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The thing that always blows my mind is that the Sumatran tiger is critically endangered, but at a moments notice, we could breed scores of them. A tigress will naturally breed on average every 18 months and so could produce at least eight litters in her lifetime.

In Australasia, most tigresses have had two litters with a handful producing three litters; and only two tigresses exceeding three litters (one of which bred at natural birth intervals in the 1980’s).
 
Zoofan15 said:
The thing that always blows my mind is that the Sumatran tiger is critically endangered, but at a moments notice, we could breed scores of them. A tigress will naturally breed on average every 18 months and so could produce at least eight litters in her lifetime.

In Australasia, most tigresses have had two litters with a handful producing three litters; and only two tigresses exceeding three litters (one of which bred at natural birth intervals in the 1980’s).
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So do you believe that we are better off mass breeding them while we can than fussing over comparatively small genetic details? By mass breeding I just mean breeding many tigers at once, not anything unnatural
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
So do you believe that we are better off mass breeding them while we can than fussing over comparatively small genetic details? By mass breeding I just mean breeding many tigers at once, not anything unnatural
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No, based on the fact we’re only breeding what we can accomodate across our zoos. We have a minor deficit of Sumatran tigers due to several pairs failing to breed, but the number we can hold isn’t infinite.

The global captive population is becoming increasingly inbred. The Indonesian import provided us with valuable founders (which sadly we didn’t make very good use of); but I’m hopeful more can be sourced in the future.
 
Zoofan15 said:
No, based on the fact we’re only breeding what we can accomodate across our zoos. We have a minor deficit of Sumatran tigers due to several pairs failing to breed, but the number we can hold isn’t infinite.

The global captive population is becoming increasingly inbred. The Indonesian import provided us with valuable founders (which sadly we didn’t make very good use of); but I’m hopeful more can be sourced in the future.
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That’s what I thought, though I got your message confused and I definitely trust you more than I trust myself. In what way did we not make good use of the founders
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
That’s what I thought, though I got your message confused and I definitely trust you more than I trust myself. In what way did we not make good use of the founders
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All good. Of the three cubs from Indonesia, one of the females was bred only once - producing a single cub; while the male was paired with a female at Wellington who cannot breed and has therefore never bred. He's the most genetically valuable tiger in the region, which is very frustrating.
 
Zoofan15 said:
He's getting on in years (15), but personally would swap his mate for the younger tigress at Hamilton (Kirana), who is planned to breed with his nephew. Hamilton is at capacity with three tigers across two exhibits and can't breed.
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Is there a reason he isn’t getting bred right now? Seems kinda weird to me
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
Is there a reason he isn’t getting bred right now? Seems kinda weird to me
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The tigress he was paired with (Senja) developed allergies early on and had been receiving immunotherapy to this day. She can’t breed while this is taking place and so breeding is on hold. She’s 13 years old this year, so well past her reproductive prime.

Wellington Zoo have the space to breed (they’ve previously bred two litters), while Hamilton doesn’t - so it seems like a no brainer to arrange a swap of their females; or transfer Bashi to Hamilton to be replaced with Sali (post reproductive female) at Wellington.
 
Thought this was interesting to mention.

Going back a few weeks ago, I know there was a convo in this thread surrounding whether zoos actually pay attention to Zoochat. Some members seemed certain zoo representatives did; others not so much, but while loosely searching on Twitter this morning I was very intruiged to discover Zoos Vic actually follow 'Zoochat'. So maybe they are paying attention to the respective Zoos Vic threads?.o_O:D
 
Jambo said:
Thought this was interesting to mention.

Going back a few weeks ago, I know there was a convo in this thread surrounding whether zoos actually pay attention to Zoochat. Some members seemed certain zoo representatives did; others not so much, but while loosely searching on Twitter this morning I was very intruiged to discover Zoos Vic actually follow 'Zoochat'. So maybe they are paying attention to the respective Zoos Vic threads?.o_O:D
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They follow over 1300 people/organisations so I’m tempted to say whoever was setting up their Twitter account just typed in zoo and followed anything and everything that popped up.

With regards to the forum itself, I wouldn’t be surprised if they browsed the relevant threads occasionally. Any organisation that’s serious about improving themselves will want to hear constructive feedback and that can be found in abundance throughout this thread.

We may collectively be a niche market, but our opinions aren’t necessarily at odds with those of the general public. I doubt they’re any more impressed with rampant phase outs of megafauna and “something exciting is coming soon signs” than we are.
 
Jambo said:
Thought this was interesting to mention.

Going back a few weeks ago, I know there was a convo in this thread surrounding whether zoos actually pay attention to Zoochat. Some members seemed certain zoo representatives did; others not so much, but while loosely searching on Twitter this morning I was very intruiged to discover Zoos Vic actually follow 'Zoochat'. So maybe they are paying attention to the respective Zoos Vic threads?.o_O:D
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I certainly hope so. Our ideas would no doubt sit well with the general public and make a more impressive zoo at all locations. I mean if they’re watching now, do you want to do the honours and post a new species list? Just saying we have discussed a few new options and it’s due for an update:p
 
Jambo said:
Indeed. Only a decade ago they had a group that numbered around 20. It's been a big shame to see the group decrease over the years, as the exhibit was always very active. The initial ten were imported in 1996, and majority of the offspring were born in the late 90's and early 2000's.
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I know vervets aren’t endangered but they were extremely popular with children, and that playground is permanently in use. Losing a species from the region is always disappointing, at least it’s not forever like the peccaries
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
I certainly hope so. Our ideas would no doubt sit well with the general public and make a more impressive zoo at all locations. I mean if they’re watching now, do you want to do the honours and post a new species list? Just saying we have discussed a few new options and it’s due for an update:p
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I'd be happy to do something of the sort, but we've discussed an abundance of ideas and alternatives it would be a nightmare putting it all together! :p We all have our own perspectives too, so its very individual. I'll see what I can do though.;)
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
I know vervets aren’t endangered but they were extremely popular with children, and that playground is permanently in use. Losing a species from the region is always disappointing, at least it’s not forever like the peccaries
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Hopefully another regional zoo will pick them up in the future.

I'm certain a primate species will replace them, and Colobus monkeys are the only theoretical option.
 
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