The Sleepy Hippo
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That's unfortunate. I would love for a larger aviary with these magnificent birds able to show off their flying to the public, beyond when MZ let them out to fly the city
Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)
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The Sleepy Hippo
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Completely agree that it is limited viewing!I don't know how well a mix of baboons with Giraffe and Zebra would go.
A simple solution similar to the one mentioned by @PaddyRickMFZ would be an illusion to make it seem like the enclosures are together. This could easily be achieved if they just took down that wall in between the current baboon and zebra enclosures. The baboons are already on a hill, so could be seen in the distance (if your looking from the top of the giraffes), and potentially vice versa if they install an elevated viewing at the bottom end of the baboons (which I'd prefer). I feel like the Baboon enclosure has very limited viewing, but maybe that's just me.
Great Flight Aviary - South American walkthrough?
I agree. I've always thought long and hard about that, but what about the GFA?
It's not like it's an 'attraction' collection wise. I don't think the public would be disappointed if the aviary is converted from a predominantly Australian aviary into a South American one.
I would actually prefer if a similar aviary (on a similar scale, size wise) would be built at Healesville, and those native birds sent there. It would fit overall theming better and would give Healesville another large attraction.
The GFA could then be used for not only South American birds (like Macaws), but also monkeys like Squirrel Monkeys, Spider Monkeys, Agouti and Capybara. If a South American dome can't be achieved, this might be the best way to go.
Theming wise, the Capybara would have the first two halves (land space in the woodlands and swimming space in the wetlands). Spider Monkeys could also share that section. Agouti and Squirrel Monkey could then have access to the final part (the rainforest). And then of course there'd be the free roaming Macaws, Conures ect.
The Sleepy Hippo
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Love that idea!
Would a sloth pairing also be possible in such a concept?
Thanks, I'm a big fan of that sort of walkthrough concept with more than jsut birds and I do think it could be replicated in as many ways as they).
Yes, I'd love to see Sloths return to Australian zoos. They could potentially share the final area with the Squirrel Monkeys and Agouti (as per my idea).
It'd be important to ensure the monkeys were held separately from the birds as most of the monkeys are opportunistic omnivores
Personlally I'd have Black-handed spider monkeys on their own to house a larger troop (an issue in tiself); then combine Capynara and Bolivian squirell monkeys. Most of the South American birds we have can cohabit with each other without issue emf conures and a macaw species.
It would be nice to see more emphasis given to South American bird species over native species. Not only are natives held at Healesville, but we can't import most South American bird species e.g. Andean condor.
PaddyRickMFZ
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Unfortunately Nubian ibex are banned from import. Maybe Barbary sheep as an alternative?
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
If the neighbouring area was repurposed could it potentially hold Brazilian tapir? And maybe some other less compatible animals next door? A Xenarthra Ira would be game changing, as we’d be able to see tamandua, giant anteater and armadillo, along with the obvious lots, all featured in/around said aviary
Yes it could hold Brazilian tapir. I'm fairly optimistic well see this species make a resurgence in the region, with several zoos including DDZ, Melbourne and Hamilton interested.
Brazilian tapir cohabit well with most monkeys. Size wise, spider monkeys are the obvious choice as there's other species they can't mix with.
Another option regarding this would be renovating the current Giraffe/Zebra enclosures for Brazilian Tapir.
Anteater could easily be incorporated inside the aviary imo; potentially in the first half. There's also the former Koala enclosure prior to the aviary, which could be renovated to house a species of Tamarin too.
PaddyRickMFZ
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Are
Are we certain MZ has interest in them? Would be great if so. Also, it’s a shame the kangaroo walkthrough can’t be repurposed for something like an Andean bear, because that would certainly be ideal. Then again, if the tapirs are just near the GFA and the baboons move out, with some expansions and renovations the baboon exhibit could hold Andean bear. Still a decent chunk of space between the zebras, and if it was swapped to bongo and okapi, it would take up even less space
They did as of late 2021, but that’s a while ago now and plans may well have changed; the same for DDZ and Hamilton Zoo. Apparently it’s been difficult to source them from the US which for once was the preferred option over Europe, as the latter apparently stipulate any tapirs bred remain property of the European breeding programme and can be recalled at a moment’s notice.
We have no indication Melbourne is interested in Brazilian Tapirs atm. Just more of a speculative thought.
The Kangaroo walkthrough would be too small for Andean Bears imo. In saying that, the Baboon enclosure would be an amiable fit though if they were looking to turn that area into a South American precinct going forward. It wouldn't require a whole lot of renovations, more so regarding a change from the 'woodlands' type feel it has to more of a rainforest feel. The same could be said for the Giraffe/Zebra enclosures.
Really? Where was that mentioned?
That would be great to see. Hamadryas baboon have been mixed with African elephant, Bactrian camel and Ostrich at zoos overseas, but as an opportunistic carnivore, can’t be mixed with several of the species you list as being suitable for mixing with Gelada.
Since Werribee consider their Asian elephants “ambassadors” for their African counterparts, Hamadryas baboons could potentially be housed in one of the elephant paddocks. With the elephants rotated, it’s be interesting to see if they developed a preference or an adverse on to the “baboon paddock.”
I emailed them in October 2021 and was advised it was a species of interest; while the Malayan tapir was scheduled for phase out. They did stress nothing was confirmed and there was no immediate plans for import, so we can’t take it as confirmation. As they say, an import isn’t happening until the animal arrives; Burma and Auckland Zoo’s orangutans being a prime example.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
If the current giraffe/zebra exhibit was converted to okapi and bongo it would fit seamlessly with a rainforest precinct. Id love to see bush do somewhere as well. On another note I’d love to see tanuki in the Japanese gardens
It’s easy to see the rainforest concept spanning multiple precincts and comprising a significant part of Melbourne Zoo. It’s largely the direction Adelaide will be taking in an effort to compliment Monarto (savannah biome) and a commonsense focus for a city zoo that can establish dense vegetation.
The Sleepy Hippo
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For me it is an 'attraction' because I love the look and feel of it, but I completely agree it is not the attraction it could be. If Macaw were moved to the GFA, this could make room for an aerial pathway from Japanese Garden over the food courtyard and to the Macaw aviary for the Siamang.
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