Yes, you can see it right behind the first Lion exhibit. It's an allusion, so it actually looks apart of the first exhibit but there's a hidden moat between the two. I'll try to find a photo.
That would make sense.
That’s surprising. I’ve seen that mix various times internationally
Thanks. I feel like there should be a viewing window specifically for that enclosure tbh. Also, it’s a shame the ZAA don’t have interest on either of those species. Prairie dogs are obviously enabling and pronghorn are endangered, and both would aptly compliment the bison and portray an American setting. All that would be left is the fabled grey wolf that @Grant Rhino decided to torture us with the possibility of@PaddyRickMFZ here's some photos I found that show the back enclosure.
This is one taken by @Baldur from back in 2009:
Here's a better one from @Astrobird :
And here's some taken by me recently:
I haven't personally but after research it seems like they have been, so that's my mistake.
Just imagine. A row of bear grottos, featuring grizzly(or Syrian brown), American black, Andean, sloth and Malayan sun bear. That obviously will never happen but the crowds that would draw would be insane. Australians haven’t seen a textbook hear species since honey at MZ, and that would surely be the talk of the country. Then, imagine if Puma and Jaguar were housed nearby to represent American felids. As stated, it will never happen, but even if the masterplan goes through in its entirety a quarter of the land will still be unused
Sloth bear are indeed most likely. Potentially, just potentially, nostalgia could cause Syrian brown bear to return. As we’ve covered, asiatic black bear and Malayan sun bear could be acquired as likely non breeding pairs, but maybe some individuals of either species could be bred. Andean bear are interesting because something could theoretically happen, but nothing has been confirmed nor denied. One species we can all but rule out is grizzly bear, although Kodiak bears returning to the region would surely be a spectacle. Wasn’t even worth mentioning polar or panda bears. Personally wouldn’t enjoy seeing either because of the stress it would place on the polar bears and removing Adelaide’s X factor
Okay I just found out the there are under 1000 Himalayan brown bears left. Considering very few facilities hold them it would be almost impossible to source them, but if an opportunity presented itself Zoos Victoria would be wise to take it. It’s painful looking at all the bears held internationally and knowing the most we can get at MZ or WORZ Is probably a sloth bear or sun bear, not that I have anything against those species ofc
As a region we have a rare opportunity to acquire an endangered bear species, and we’d be pretty stupid not to take it. Ofc I’m biased so I’m gonna talk about Zoos Vic, but they fit 3 categories and your sloth bear mountain concept is a more than adequate replacement for the elephants imo. Realistically, how many species are possibly in contention to replace the elephants? We’ve narrowed it down to a couple, and sloth bear is the standout among those
We can all but discount the final 3. Mandrill is another left field option but considering they have been held in the past, is still very much a possibility, same with bongo, although bongo certainly has more substance. Indian Rhino, sloth bear and Sri Lankan leopard are all in the same boat. No indication from the zoo but all species would be readily available(to some extent). Unfortunately for me, an orangutan expansion is likely. Aside from those species and maybe Komodo dragon, which I don’t believe would fare overly well in that exhibit, there don’t seem to be any more options that would fill the hole left by elephants, at least in their own. Aforementioned species such as tahr, langurs and dholes aren’t likely unless your sloth bear mountain eventuates, which I am certainly rooting for