Patagonian mara were in the walk through part of Growing Wild. Two pairs were imported from Whipsnade Zoo in late 2012, which transferred a year later to Adelaide Zoo.
Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)
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Patagonian mara were in the walk through part of Growing Wild. Two pairs were imported from Whipsnade Zoo in late 2012, which transferred a year later to Adelaide Zoo.
PaddyRickMFZ
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I think the walkthrough Mara exhibit would be best. Wouldn’t require a ton of renovations and would spice up growing Wild. And I’m still holding out hope that the peccaries will be bred so just humour me for now. Off topic but how many lions are currently held at WORZ
The combination of Collared peccaries and Patagonian mara in Growing Wild would make for a decent precinct. It’s a shame the zoo’s never thought to do that earlier.
Despite their misleading socials advertising a large pride of lionesses this week, Werribee Open Range Zoo hold 1.2 lions:
1.0 Sheru (19/11/2016) Lazarus x Maya
0.1 Nilo (17/03/2012) Imported 2014 (Denmark)
0.1 Asali (12/08/2017) Johari x Nilo
PaddyRickMFZ
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That’s what I thought regarding the lions. That video more looked like Monarto than WORZ. Peccary and Mara would indeed make a great attraction, potentially a combined walkthrough with barriers separating the older peccaries? Having coati right next door also would’ve been an option. Do you meant to say Mara were imported in 2012 and had a purpose built walkthrough, only to be sent to Adelaide the following year? Would explain why I never saw them
PaddyRickMFZ
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How many Mara are in the country? If a SA precinct was set up then Mara would no doubt be a great addition. And on the lions, do you think the pride could reach large numbers, maybe 10-12? Especially with an incoming enclosure
There were 14 mara in 2020. None of been bred since then, so I suspect that number has since dwindled. They’re currently held at Adelaide, Darling Downs, Gorge and Hunter Valley.
Werribee are aiming to breed a larger pride, starting with breeding Sheru to Nilo and then to her daughter, Asali. They will likely have around 3-4 cubs each, with males transferred out at adolescence, so I’d assume the final pride size from these matings will be around 6-10 lions, depending on how many female cubs are produced.
Due to her age, this will likely be Nilo’s final litter. Asali (who is six years old) may well have a second litter a few years down the line - especially if her first litter was mostly/all males and they want to build up numbers.
As much as I love all the reptile and crocodilian suggestions there’s one glaring hole in most of those theories. That is that reptiles are ectothermic requiring external heat to regulate their body temperature. Therefore:
Would you see MZ completely redo TAS Devil enclosure for Komodo’s, personally I doubt it.
Crocodilians equally require both heating water and often heat lamps and indoor/outdoor spaces which would require mass redevelopment more than likely beyond the MZ budget.
I also wouldn’t be surprised about a phase out of seals, I’d argue that’s been a long time coming if it does happen. And I can’t see them continuing with the expensive and exhausting process that is saltwater aquaria (as someone who works with fish tanks saltwater is a pain).
Would you see MZ completely redo TAS Devil enclosure for Komodo’s, personally I doubt it.
Crocodilians equally require both heating water and often heat lamps and indoor/outdoor spaces which would require mass redevelopment more than likely beyond the MZ budget.
I also wouldn’t be surprised about a phase out of seals, I’d argue that’s been a long time coming if it does happen. And I can’t see them continuing with the expensive and exhausting process that is saltwater aquaria (as someone who works with fish tanks saltwater is a pain).
PaddyRickMFZ
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I feel like having a den within the devil exhibit that is expanded and heated wouldn’t be too difficult. The water wouldn’t be too bad either I wouldn’t think. I proposed in the dome that the Komodo exhibit there would be the winter enclosure, if the dome goes full reptile. In summer the heat would be enough to suffice. MZ did somewhat indicate that Komodo’s were in the plans
All good points. False gharial etc. would be exhibited in a tropical dome (or similar) and with funding already allocated to several projects including the elephant complex and SkySafari at Werribee, they may be exploring more cost effective options - with a tropical dome one of the most expensive exhibits.
Filtration and treating of large bodies of water is an expensive and laborious process. I’m assuming that’s behind Auckland’s decision to phase out pinnipeds upon the death of their elderly fur seal. They’ve similarly phased out Common hippopotamus, which are even worse due to the sheer volume of effluent produced.
Filtration/water treatment facilities often take up equivalent room to the exhibit in zoos that exhibit aquatic species.
90% of the year Melbourne is too cold for Komodo’s full stop that’s why Aus Reptile Park and Ballarat have them inside full time with climate controlled enclosures. Unless MZ plan on enclosing the whole devil exhibit Komodo’s won’t go in there. That’s why I can see them going into the Elephant barn because half the basic infrastructure is already there ready to go.
If Melbourne exhibit Komodo dragon, I anticipate they’d construct something along the lines of Adelaide’s exhibit (photo courtesy of @Swanson02):
The emphasis for this species is on temperature as well as space - with wide open exhibits like this affording the female an escape route during introductions.
This exhibit more than satisfies these requirements and is a vast improvement on the cramped exhibits previously seen in reptile houses.
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The video included six lionesses (Nilo, Nairibi and their daughters) and was taken prior to the export of Aziza, Kibibi and Ilola to Auckland Zoo in 2021; and the transfer of Nairibi to the National Zoo. Why they didn’t just use a current video is beyond me. They’d have plenty to hand from the recent introduction of Sheru to the lionesses.
Yes that’s correct, they were only the zoo for 12 months. They bred at Adelaide, which is turn founded the regional population we have today. Melbourne Zoo also held them in the past. People reported seeing them there in the early 1990’s too in an exhibit to the right of the entrance
PaddyRickMFZ
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I could realistically see MZ enclose the devil exhibit for Komodo’s. I’m not sure if the barn would fit due to height and hence why I suggested tapirs, which were indicated to me by a keeper. If the devil exhibit was used for Komodo’s they would likely need to enclose it anyway. I’m not sure about the dimensions of the devil exhibit but from what I hear it is enough space for the dragons. If the dragons had to be held in the barn, considering its size, I believe both tapir and Komodo’s would fit if both had access to outside paddocks. Links well considering the geographical proximity, and would be a reason for the public to invest in the tapirs, of which most visiting don’t even know about
I feel like if Melbourne Zoo acquire Komodo dragon, they’ll be going all in with large exhibit spaces to accomodate at least one breeding pair. They’re an enabling species, well known throughout pop culture and would surely be a drawcard to the zoo.
Chester Zoo’s exhibits are 87 m² and 160 m². Opened in 2000, these exhibits are already looking a little dated and would be smaller than Adelaide’s facilities.
While the elephant barn would be large enough, the modifications would be so extensive I doubt it’s viable. Everything would need to be remodelled - walls, floors, keeper facilities, heating system, installation of viewing windows etc. This is one of the reasons we all initially identified Indian rhinoceros as a replacement for the elephants - as the infrastructure could remain near unchanged.
PaddyRickMFZ
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What are the dimensions of the devil exhibit
I have no idea sorry, but in researching discovered the dimensions of the Vervet monkey exhibit at Werribee which somebody was asking for the other day:
The exhibit is 20m metres wide and 40m long. The night facilites are 15m long and 10 m wide including three indoor areas 3m by 7m. Adjacent are two off-exhibit outdoor areas 4m by 7m.
Definately not big enough for Mandill, but could potentially suit colobus monkeys if they’re transferred over from Melbourne.
It's located right at the back (beside the former Brush Turkey aviary) in Growing Wild. The Mara were only there for a few months before being sent to Adelaide. Apparently didn't do well in a walkthrough exhibit.
They're decent sized exhibits, but aren't that big overall. I'd estimate something like 15 x 5m for both exhibits. That's only counting the land space though (as the first enclosure does have that pond that takes up a fair part of the enclosure).
PaddyRickMFZ
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Maybe one per exhibit with a winter house of larger size? Potentially able to hold 2-3
There’s room for two adequate exhibits in that space, but if you factor in a winter house and keeper facilities, I’m not sure there’d be enough room. It’s also essential to future proof. What’s an adequate size now will be looking outdated a decade from now. A large exhibit now will look adequate in the equivalent time.
The giraffe/zebra paddock would be perfect size wise to develop a Komodo complex if Zoos Victoria ever bite the bullet and phase out these species. The zebras won’t be missed; and people can still see the giraffes at Werribee if they mean that much to them.
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