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

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I’d be interested to know if the odour associated with Maned wolf was a contributing factor to their phase out. Officially, the zoo’s species criteria was cited as the reason in an article at the time, but you have to wonder if this was a contributing factor as they’re undoubtedly enabling. The smell is less detectable at an open range zoo, where they have a larger exhibit and visitors aren’t in close proximity to the exhibit for an extended duration versus a precinct at Melbourne Zoo, where the exhibits are clustered together.

On a personal level, I’d love to see them return to Melbourne Zoo though; and failing that, Werribee or Kyabram.

Do you think the smell was portrayed as a bad thing? Of course we all know what it smells like, but that would indicate all the more reason to keep them imo. The fact that they smell like that undoubtedly made them more enabling. Do you guys actually know why they smell like that?

 

[Jambo]

Do you think the smell was portrayed as a bad thing? Of course we all know what it smells like, but that would indicate all the more reason to keep them imo. The fact that they smell like that undoubtedly made them more enabling. Do you guys actually know why they smell like that?

I've been told it's just them using urine to mark their territory actually.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Do you think the smell was portrayed as a bad thing? Of course we all know what it smells like, but that would indicate all the more reason to keep them imo. The fact that they smell like that undoubtedly made them more enabling. Do you guys actually know why they smell like that?

I don't think their smell would ever be a reason to keep them.
I think they should be kept, but their smell is not one of the reasons why.

 

[Zoofan15]

Do you think the smell was portrayed as a bad thing? Of course we all know what it smells like, but that would indicate all the more reason to keep them imo. The fact that they smell like that undoubtedly made them more enabling. Do you guys actually know why they smell like that?

I’ve heard people complain about their smell (and that of Binturong); but I agree with you that animals that smell like things - in the case of the Binturong, buttery popcorn, definitely have the potential to be enabling and at worst, contribute some fun facts to engage the crowds.

Pinnipeds and penguins are about the only species I’d consider their overwhelming smell to be a deterrent, but even them, accept it for what it is and enjoy them nonetheless.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I've been told it's just them using urine to mark their territory actually.

It is, but they also excrete oil from their skin. I’ve just always wondered why nature would evolve for it to smell like that?

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

It is, but they also excrete oil from their skin. I’ve just always wondered why nature would evolve for it to smell like that?

To deter other maned wolf from sticking around I guess.

 

[Zoofan15]

I've been told it's just them using urine to mark their territory actually.

I don't think their smell would ever be a reason to keep them.
I think they should be kept, but their smell is not one of the reasons why.

It is, but they also excrete oil from their skin. I’ve just always wondered why nature would evolve for it to smell like that?

The official explanation is: Maned wolf urine is unique among carnivorans in having high levels of 2,5-dimethylpyrazine– an organic compound belonging to a group used in scent and chemical communication by many organisms and simply called pyrazines.

But basically, their urine smells like weed.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I don't think their smell would ever be a reason to keep them.
I think they should be kept, but their smell is not one of the reasons why.

I just meant that the smell isn’t a reason not to keep them. If anything, the smell provides a fun fact and should tip the scales favourably in a 50-50 situation. I certainly wouldn’t recommend keeping an animal purely for smell, unless it smells like a fast food restaurant or something, which the binturong does to some extent

 

[Zoofan15]

To deter other maned wolf from sticking around I guess.

I assumed it was a territory marking adaptation, but apparently it goes beyond that. Research indicates they’ve evolved this phenomenon to ensure their territory is marked with a long lasting scent, given they’re a solitary species that covers long distances.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I just meant that the smell isn’t a reason not to keep them. If anything, the smell provides a fun fact and should tip the scales favourably in a 50-50 situation. I certainly wouldn’t recommend keeping an animal purely for smell, unless it smells like a fast food restaurant or something, which the binturong does to some extent

I agree, ideally. For me smell wouldn't come into the equation at all, either way, but if it was a deciding factor, something smelling bd over something not smelling at all, I'd go for the no smell myself.
I think at the end of the day the reason for not continuing with the maned wolf most likely was entirely to do with the criteria. I think the criteria require more flexibility.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I agree, ideally. For me smell wouldn't come into the equation at all, either way, but if it was a deciding factor, something smelling bd over something not smelling at all, I'd go for the no smell myself.
I think at the end of the day the reason for not continuing with the maned wolf most likely was entirely to do with the criteria. I think the criteria require more flexibility.

The criteria seem a bit too harsh to me as well. I feel like if a species fits at least one category it should be featured. Realistically, some species shouldn’t even need to fit a category if they are complimentary in the exhibit imo. There should also be something that relates to children, you know, does a child want to Pat/eat this thing for dinner

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree, ideally. For me smell wouldn't come into the equation at all, either way, but if it was a deciding factor, something smelling bd over something not smelling at all, I'd go for the no smell myself.
I think at the end of the day the reason for not continuing with the maned wolf most likely was entirely to do with the criteria. I think the criteria require more flexibility.

That was the reason cited in this article:

Habitat or humbug?

I agree the criteria requires more flexibility, especially now they expect species to satisfy two of the five criteria. Enabling is so subjective. Anything can be enabling if you sell it to people.

Recovery - threatened species recovery programme, preferably reintroduced to the wild.

Ark - species under threat of extinction in the wild and part of regional and international breeding programmes.

Ambassador - the face of a conservation campaign.

Enabling - species that engage with people and form emotional bonds.

Research - species that support the research of Zoos Victoria for the improvement of animal welfare.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I'll tell you what is enabling - Quokkas!!! Get me some Quokkas in those gates!!!

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Habitat or humbug?

Going to give away my trade, but I used to regularly run a Zoo Ethics unit of work with Years 9 and 10 in my English classes, and that article was one of the articles that I used.
(Boy teacher zoo memberships are a great saving )

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

W

That was the reason cited in this article:

Habitat or humbug?

I agree the criteria requires more flexibility, especially now they expect species to satisfy two of the five criteria. Enabling is so subjective. Anything can be enabling if you sell it to people.

Recovery - threatened species recovery programme, preferably reintroduced to the wild.

Ark - species under threat of extinction in the wild and part of regional and international breeding programmes.

Ambassador - the face of a conservation campaign.

Enabling - species that engage with people and form emotional bonds.

Research - species that support the research of Zoos Victoria for the improvement of animal welfare.

Would’ve been nice to see them follow through on sun bears. Reminiscing about Honey is so sad. I desperately hope MZ reconsider housing a species that is endangered and certainly enabling. The writers of the article clearly agree that the giraffes and zebras should be moved to WORZ(and we all know what we want to replace them). I really hope MZ consider the return of such beloved animals. @The Sleepy Hippo I very much agree on the quokka front. Is there a particular reason they are not held at MZ? An immensely popular species and a quokka walkthrough surely can’t encapsulate that much space. Would also be great to liven up Werribees barren Australian precinct aswell

 

[Zoofan15]

W

Would’ve been nice to see them follow through on sun bears. Reminiscing about Honey is so sad. I desperately hope MZ reconsider housing a species that is endangered and certainly enabling. The writers of the article clearly agree that the giraffes and zebras should be moved to WORZ(and we all know what we want to replace them). I really hope MZ consider the return of such beloved animals. @The Sleepy Hippo I very much agree on the quokka front. Is there a particular reason they are not held at MZ? An immensely popular species and a quokka walkthrough surely can’t encapsulate that much space. Would also be great to liven up Werribees barren Australian precinct aswell

Historically, Melbourne Zoo has held Quokka, they were there in 2012.

Their phase out doesn’t make sense as within the past couple of years, they’ve become a species that’s widely known around the world via pop culture - and now they’re more enabling than ever.

A Quokka walkthrough would be far more popular than the usual wallabies etc. you see at zoos.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I dont see how you can go wrong with the worlds happiest animal

Historically, Melbourne Zoo has held Quokka, they were there in 2012.

Their phase out doesn’t make sense as within the past couple of years, they’ve become a species that’s widely known around the world via pop culture - and now they’re more enabling than ever.

A Quokka walkthrough would be far more popular than the usual wallabies etc. you see at zoos.

 

[Zoofan15]

I dont see how you can go wrong with the worlds happiest animal

Exactly. There’d need to be some sort of system in place to prevent visitors badgering them incessantly - the Quokkas will resent continuously being crowded for selfies, but a balance could surely be achieved that ensures the welfare of the animals, but allows the visitors to see them up close.

 

[Jambo]

I'll tell you what is enabling - Quokkas!!! Get me some Quokkas in those gates!!!

Quokkas were previously held in the Kangaroo walkthrough up until maybe five or six years ago. A good idea in the meantime might to either move them back there or potentially even move them into the former, abandoned Mara walkthrough exhibit. Another feasible option would be the peccary enclosure once they die out.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Quokkas were previously held in the Kangaroo walkthrough up until maybe five or six years ago. A good idea in the meantime might to either move them back there or potentially even move them into the former, abandoned Mara walkthrough exhibit. Another feasible option would be the peccary enclosure once they die out.

Where was the Mara exhibit?