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

[Zoofan15]

Definitely hope the stance changes. Surely someone pretends red river hogs, babirusa and warthogs aren’t suids so we can have them too. Might add, red river hog would be a great species for any Congo precinct, and their popularity within planet zoo reflects that

Species are continuously reclassified - which is a double edged sword . Changes are readily proposed, but slowly accepted as they can just as easily change again in the future.

One example is the reclassification of all tiger subspecies into two subspecies - Mainland or Sunda Island. I’ve yet to see a zoo so much as relabel their Sumatran tigers as Sunda Island tigers - a comparatively innocuous move compared to the irreversible decision to breed a Siberian tiger with a Malayan tiger.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

That’s good news the giraffes and zebras have been integrated. They likely wanted to allow the two younger giraffes time to mature. I expect the zebra yard will function as a contingency for any relationships going south; or the need to re-seperate upon the birth of a giraffe calf.

They should really phase out zebra imo. Nobody seems to notice their absence from Wellington Zoo and the giraffes are the main character on Auckland and Hamilton’s savannahs.

The Giraffe and Zebra have been integrated together for years now - at least a decade. Was there a short stint during the pandemic where they were separated?

 

[Zoofan15]

The Giraffe and Zebra have been integrated together for years now - at least a decade. Was there a short stint during the pandemic where they were separated?

I was referring to their separation following Iris’ arrival, but should have specified that so the confusion’s as much on me.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

The Giraffe and Zebra have been integrated together for years now - at least a decade. Was there a short stint during the pandemic where they were separated?

I was informed by the species were temporarily separated on Iris’s arrival, and on and off since then in order to manage her stress. I’m open to correction

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I was informed by the species were temporarily separated on Iris’s arrival, and on and off since then in order to manage her stress. I’m open to correction

This makes sense. So it was a temporary separation. I was starting to think I was in a twilight zone. I've been close to a dozen times in the last 6 months and they have been integrated each time I have been, but if they have intermitently separated them that would explain my ignorance.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I am happy to keep Giraffe and Zebra at MZ, but as previously said, would love to see their enclosures linked to the Baboon enclosure, move the Hamadryas to Werribee, and integrate Geladas baboon and another ungulate to the enclosure.
Maybe even some Rock Hyrax too.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I am happy to keep Giraffe and Zebra at MZ, but as previously said, would love to see their enclosures linked to the Baboon enclosure, move the Hamadryas to Werribee, and integrate Geladas baboon and another ungulate to the enclosure.
Maybe even some Rock Hyrax too.

I love myself a hyrax. A mix of those species and gelada seems like a good idea, provided here is a mountain of sorts for the gelada and hyraxes. I’m still of the preference however that this would be located to WORZ, with all stated features intact. With MZs environment I feel as though tropical species, preferably African would do better. Essentially, I’d rather see your mix and a Congo precinct, as opposed to one or the other if a possibility arises.
Side Note-
I noticed today just how popular the peccaries are. I was in that section for quite a while, and they were almost constantly crowded. Kids live them due to their piglike appearance, many calling them Peppa and George! And if someone wants to see a wombat and thinks that’s somehow a wombat, I’m content

 

[Zoofan15]

I am happy to keep Giraffe and Zebra at MZ, but as previously said, would love to see their enclosures linked to the Baboon enclosure, move the Hamadryas to Werribee, and integrate Geladas baboon and another ungulate to the enclosure.
Maybe even some Rock Hyrax too.

I love myself a hyrax. A mix of those species and gelada seems like a good idea, provided here is a mountain of sorts for the gelada and hyraxes. I’m still of the preference however that this would be located to WORZ, with all stated features intact. With MZs environment I feel as though tropical species, preferably African would do better. Essentially, I’d rather see your mix and a Congo precinct, as opposed to one or the other if a possibility arises

It’d be nice to see Gelada imported. I really wish the ZAA would move away from the mentality of only managing one species or subspecies e.g. only Sumatran tiger, only Sri Lankan leopard, only Hamadryas baboon. With the number of facilities throughout Australasia, it’s more than possible to manage a greater diversity.

At this point in time, we have Mandrill and Sri Lankan leopard held by two facilities, so surely some of the Hamadryas baboon holders could consider Gelada - either in addition or in replacement of their Hamadryas troops. Let’s not forget Melbourne once held multiple species of baboon (albeit crammed into inadequate sized cages).

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I noticed today just how popular the peccaries are. I was in that section for quite a while, and they were almost constantly crowded. Kids live them due to their piglike appearance, many calling them Peppa and George! And if someone wants to see a wombat and thinks that’s somehow a wombat, I’m content

When I was last there we enjoyed the peccaries immensely, and it was similar to as you describe - they were quite popular with young families that day too! Real shame they aren't being bred.

 

[Zoofan15]

When I was last there we enjoyed the peccaries immensely, and it was similar to as you describe - they were quite popular with young families that day too! Real shame they aren't being bred.

If nothing else, I think the ZAA/Melbourne should recognise peccaries’ value as a South American species.

We’re not in a position to import Jaguar, Giant anteater or sloths; so we really need to make use of what we have - Collared peccary, Brazilian tapir, Maned wolf, Capybara and a handful of monkeys. It’s not a lot, so let’s not make it even less.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

When I was last there we enjoyed the peccaries immensely, and it was similar to as you describe - they were quite popular with young families that day too! Real shame they aren't being bred.

I’m still holding out hope. Even so, their classification of tayassuidae means they may be reconsidered on the import list

 

[Zoofan15]

I’m still holding out hope. Even so, their classification of tayassuidae means they may be reconsidered on the import list

I’d like to think regionally there’d be interest in peccaries if there was an opportunity to import a genetically healthy founder base down the line. They’d be ideal for Auckland Zoo as a replacement for the Capybara. Their South American precinct is certainly lacking since the Capybara phase out and the relocation of the Siamang to the South East Asian precinct.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

If nothing else, I think the ZAA/Melbourne should recognise peccaries’ value as a South American species. We’re not in a position to import Jaguar, Giant anteater or sloths; so we really need to make use of what we have - Collared peccary, Brazilian tapir, Maned wolf, Capybara and a handful of monkeys.

Even that is a great lineup, and a Xenarthra ira would further consolidate that

 

[Zoofan15]

Even that is a great lineup, and a Xenarthra ira would further consolidate that

I guess the thing with the ZAA is that it’s dynamic and ever-changing. Species fall in and out of favour and just because species Jaguar were designated as phase out in the 2000’s, it’s not to say the ZAA won’t think differently decades from now. It’s already been 15 years since Melbourne’s last Jaguar died. Give it another 10 years and it’d have been a quarter of a century. We’ve seen a return of leopards in this time, so why not the only South American big cat that comes in two different colour morphs.

 

[Jambo]

The Giraffe and Zebra have been integrated together for years now - at least a decade. Was there a short stint during the pandemic where they were separated?

I was informed by the species were temporarily separated on Iris’s arrival, and on and off since then in order to manage her stress. I’m open to correction

Just a clarification here - the zebras have been occasionally separated from the giraffes over the years, but only for small periods at a time mainly due to the arrival of new animals; new giraffes and new zebras of whom weren’t in mixed species enclosures beforehand. The zebras can also be very scrappy over food, and I can see why they would spook a timid girl like Iris!

Also good to hear the male Saimang has arrived safely. @PaddyRickMFZ was there any on display in the Orang-utan Sanctuary?

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Roar n' Snore can move to a new location somewhere in the renovated Elephant paddocks.
Historic elephant enclosure is transformed into Snow Monkey Hot Springs, with a Japanese Macaque enclosure, with snow machines and hot springs for the macaques, and then also hot springs experience for visitors.
(Location chosen due to vicinity to Japanese Gardens and I feel the heritage elephant barn could be incorporated somehow )

 

[Zoofan15]

Roar n' Snore can move to a new location somewhere in the renovated Elephant paddocks.
Historic elephant enclosure is transformed into Snow Monkey Hot Springs, with a Japanese Macaque enclosure, with snow machines and hot springs for the macaques, and then also hot springs experience for visitors.
(Location chosen due to vicinity to Japanese Gardens and I feel the heritage elephant barn could be incorporated somehow )

Interesting concept and certainly novel to the region!

East Asia is underrepresented compared to South East Asia across our region’s zoos, so this would be a unique point of difference. Japanese macaque are CITES II, so easier to import than CITES I species.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Just a clarification here - the zebras have been occasionally separated from the giraffes over the years, but only for small periods at a time mainly due to the arrival of new animals; new giraffes and new zebras of whom weren’t in mixed species enclosures beforehand. The zebras can also be very scrappy over food, and I can see why they would spook a timid girl like Iris!

Also good to hear the male Saimang has arrived safely. @PaddyRickMFZ was there any on display in the Orang-utan Sanctuary?

3 were on display in the orangutan sanctuary, and the new male is quarantining in the Japanese island. I was informed he had been there for several months, and will soon be coming out of it. The plan is to move him to the sanctuary, and then his Nate’s parents to the Japanese island

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Roar n' Snore can move to a new location somewhere in the renovated Elephant paddocks.
Historic elephant enclosure is transformed into Snow Monkey Hot Springs, with a Japanese Macaque enclosure, with snow machines and hot springs for the macaques, and then also hot springs experience for visitors.
(Location chosen due to vicinity to Japanese Gardens and I feel the heritage elephant barn could be incorporated somehow )

Surely there’s somewhere for the tanuki after watching Mario. Would it be possible to move roar n snore to growing wild, so both prior elephant exhibits can hold new species? I’ve always wanted to see Japanese macaques again after seeing them in Japan, a really cool species

 

[Zoofan15]

Surely there’s somewhere for the tanuki after watching Mario. Would it be possible to move roar n snore to growing wild, so both prior elephant exhibits can hold new species? I’ve always wanted to see Japanese macaques again after seeing them in Japan, a really cool species

I’d prefer to see Roar R Snore done soley at Werribee. Take tour groups through Melbourne at night by all means, but providing accomodation takes up space they don’t have.

Werribee not only have all the room in the world, they’ll have a large walking trail up and running by the end of the year - which will greatly enhance the experience. It’ll also give more attention to Werribee, which even with the elephants coming, lags behind Melbourne.