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

[PaddyRickMFZ]

If Syrian Brown Bear did return my suggesed second gorilla exhibit could be a good location and space to display them!

Do I remember right that Sun Bears are being phased out in the region? (Could be misinformed)
If so, what was the reasoning? I was reading that they are the second rarest bear species after the Marsican Bear.

There are a couple of subspecies rarer, such as HBB. Sun bears are not intentionally being phased out, although there is a lack of males. USA are phasing them out, which may provide an opportunity to import some males if there are any of breeding age. As of right now the breeding is being concentrated in Europe and Asia, and no decision has been made to entirely phase out of Australia. One other issue is that one of the only genetically valuable males in the region is a rescue, held at Perth, where there are not facilities to breed the species. They are not willing to move the rescue to a facility that does have the capabilities in case of introducing any more stress after his terrible past

 

[Jambo]

Do I remember right that Sun Bears are being phased out in the region? (Could be misinformed)
If so, what was the reasoning? I was reading that they are the second rarest bear species after the Marsican Bear.

They’re not. The region still has interest in them, there’s just not the option to import individuals at the moment. Europe and North America are both struggling as it is, and if we were to look to Asian sanctuaries they’re currently dealing with ongoing TB cases meaning imports from there are also ruled out at the present time.

The regions just simply had trouble with breeding in the past due to the population being largely rescue bears who have struggled to successfully breed. Most are behaviourally abnormal in some way or another due to their traumatic upbringings.

 

[Zoofan15]

If Syrian Brown Bear did return my suggesed second gorilla exhibit could be a good location and space to display them!

Do I remember right that Sun Bears are being phased out in the region? (Could be misinformed)
If so, what was the reasoning? I was reading that they are the second rarest bear species after the Marsican Bear.

Malayan sun bears have stagnated due to a lack of available imports. Europe have a deficit of males (which is what we need) and the South East Asian facilities are apparently rife with TB. North America have designated this species as phase out and have an ageing population.

I’m of the opinion we could probably import surplus females from Europe to keep our regional population ticking over until they’ve bred enough males to supply us with some.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Malayan sun bears have stagnated due to a lack of available imports. Europe have a deficit of males (which is what we need) and the South East Asian facilities are apparently rife with TB. North America have designated this species as phase out and have an ageing population.

I’m of the opinion we could probably import surplus females from Europe to keep our regional population ticking over until they’ve bred enough males to supply us with some.

That would be nice. Just hope Europe gets a stroke of luck with males

 

[Zoofan15]

That would be nice. Just hope Europe gets a stroke of luck with males

Europe has had seven cubs in recent years - one male and six females!

Another issue with our population is the relatedness. We’ve had many founders, but only a handful have bred. Chomel at Wellington was a highly successful breeder and indeed three bears in the region are direct descents of her, which is a lot when you consider we only have seven sun bears!

 

[Jambo]

Europe has had seven cubs in recent years - one male and six females!

They’ve taken into pairing all of these young cubs too recently so hopefully they get more success going forward.

It would be awesome if we can obtain some surplus from Europe down the line.

Melbourne previously expressed interest in them as a replacement for the Syrian’s so it would be marvellous if this could finally get done once imports become available.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

They’ve taken into pairing all of these young cubs too recently so hopefully they get more success going forward.

It would be awesome if we can obtain some surplus from Europe down the line.

Melbourne previously expressed interest in them as a replacement for the Syrian’s so it would be marvellous if this could finally get done once imports become available.

Had no idea they expressed interest. Amazing to hear

 

[Zoofan15]

They’ve taken into pairing all of these young cubs too recently so hopefully they get more success going forward.

It would be awesome if we can obtain some surplus from Europe down the line.

Melbourne previously expressed interest in them as a replacement for the Syrian’s so it would be marvellous if this could finally get done once imports become available.

Yeah it’s great to see breeding taking off in Europe. Like many species, the formula to success isn’t rocket science - a mother raised pair with a maternity annex (privacy) for the mother. Any deviation from that and success isn’t impossible, but certainly far less likely.

I was surprised to see them show up in Adelaide’s masterplan this year, which adds support to information we’ve received the region remains committed to them long term.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Yeah it’s great to see breeding taking off in Europe. Like many species, the formula to success isn’t rocket science - a mother raised pair with a maternity annex (privacy) for the mother. Any deviation from that and success isn’t impossible, but certainly far less likely.

I was surprised to see them show up in Adelaide’s masterplan this year, which adds support to information we’ve received the region remains committed to them long term.

The Malayan Sun bear and tapir were the two things I was most excited about seeing in their master plan. Many expected the species to be abandoned by the region, so amazi mg to see both have a future. The Brazilian Tapir was another one, confirms region’s interest as many suspected

 

[Jambo]

Had no idea they expressed interest. Amazing to hear

They planned to have them in stage 2 of the carnivores precinct. It was meant to be Komodos, Sun Bears and Snow Leopards (alongside the already pre exisiting Lions and Wild Dogs).

 

[Jambo]

The Malayan Sun bear and tapir were the two things I was most excited about seeing in their master plan. Many expected the species to be abandoned by the region, so amazi mg to see both have a future. The Brazilian Tapir was another one, confirms region’s interest as many suspected

I was more so excited to see Tapir aren’t being ruled out too. They’re certainly a species I would keep in mind as one of the elephant replacements.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I was more so excited to see Tapir aren’t being ruled out too. They’re certainly a species I would keep in mind as one of the elephant replacements.

You might remember my convo with a keeper that leads me to a similar conclusion, albeit you seem to have a more… credible source. You might also remember I being up the Malayan tapir in basically every single message. Far and away my favourite species at the zoo, followed by the collared peccary. That phase 2 of the carnivores precinct, can you tell me more about it? Every single time I suggest improvements for the carnivore precinct it features those 3 species. On top of that would ideally be Dhole, clouded leopard and maned wolf

 

[Jambo]

You might remember my convo with a keeper that leads me to a similar conclusion, albeit you seem to have a more… credible source. You might also remember I being up the Malayan tapir in basically every single message. Far and away my favourite species at the zoo, followed by the collared peccary. That phase 2 of the carnivores precinct, can you tell me more about it? Every single time I suggest improvements for the carnivore precinct it features those 3 species. On top of that would ideally be Dhole, clouded leopard and maned wolf

As far as I can remember those were the three species that were to headline Stage 2 of the Carnivores precinct. Spotted Hyena were another species that was contemplated as well. There were also plans for an African Wild Dog expansion, which would’ve allowed them to rotate a second enclosure with the Hyena.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

As far as I can remember those were the three species that were to headline Stage 2 of the Carnivores precinct. Spotted Hyena were another species that was contemplated as well. There were also plans for an African Wild Dog expansion, which would’ve allowed them to rotate a second enclosure with the Hyena.

Sorry for the inconvenience, but can you provide me with info on stage 2. Is it still happening, was it cancelled, was it an extension, was it replacing current species and are there any more species contemplated

 

[Jambo]

Sorry for the inconvenience, but can you provide me with info on stage 2. Is it still happening, was it cancelled, was it an extension, was it replacing current species and are there any more species contemplated

It was stage 2 of the carnivores which was following the opening of stage 1 (Lion Gorge) in 2014.

Lion Gorge opened with Lions, African Wild Dogs and Philippine Crocodiles but there were plans for both Giant Anteaters and Aardvarks as well, but unfortunately an IRA could not be completed in time for either. There was a point where Melbourne actually had a male that they were going to import, they just needed the IRA.

Stage 2 was to follow and open in 2017. It initially was going to have Snow Leopards, Sun Bears and Komodo Dragons (this was prior to the opening of stage 1), and then was later advertised to have Snow Leopards, Spotted Hyenas, Tasmanian Devils and Coatis. Sometime in 2015/2016 Spotted Hyena were then removed from the plans and replaced with Sumatran Tiger. Not sure exactly why, but maybe they just simply decided to hold them at Werribee instead (as is the plan now).

In 2017, stage 2 opened as it currently is with the Snow Leopards, Sumatran Tigers, Coatis and Tasmanian Devils. A fraction of what it was meant to be imo. Not the first time Zoos Vic have done this - *cough* growing wild *cough*

 

[Zoofan15]

As far as I can remember those were the three species that were to headline Stage 2 of the Carnivores precinct. Spotted Hyena were another species that was contemplated as well. There were also plans for an African Wild Dog expansion, which would’ve allowed them to rotate a second enclosure with the Hyena.

Going forward, it’s best breeding of African wild dog is undertaken at Werribee (even if they’re currently non breeding), where they have the space to accomodate the large litters (up to 20 pups), but there’s no reason Melbourne shouldn’t aspire to holding a bachelor pack in the future to support Werribee.

 

[Zoofan15]

I was more so excited to see Tapir aren’t being ruled out too. They’re certainly a species I would keep in mind as one of the elephant replacements.

Like with the sun bears, it appears Adelaide have a strong commitment to Malayan tapir, so that gives me hope. There’s a lot of planning done at the regional level so Adelaide wouldn’t be steaming ahead with Malayans without some level of commitment from other facilities (of which Melbourne appears to be one).

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

It was stage 2 of the carnivores which was following the opening of stage 1 (Lion Gorge) in 2014.

Lion Gorge opened with Lions, African Wild Dogs and Philippine Crocodiles but there were plans for both Giant Anteaters and Aardvarks as well, but unfortunately an IRA could not be completed in time for either. There was a point where Melbourne actually had a male that they were going to import, they just needed the IRA.

Stage 2 was to follow and open in 2017. It initially was going to have Snow Leopards, Sun Bears and Komodo Dragons (this was prior to the opening of stage 1), and then was later advertised to have Snow Leopards, Spotted Hyenas, Tasmanian Devils and Coatis. Sometime in 2015/2016 Spotted Hyena were then removed from the plans and replaced with Sumatran Tiger. Not sure exactly why, but maybe they just simply decided to hold them at Werribee instead (as is the plan now).

In 2017, stage 2 opened as it currently is with the Snow Leopards, Sumatran Tigers, Coatis and Tasmanian Devils. A fraction of what it was meant to be imo. Not the first time Zoos Vic have done this - *cough* growing wild *cough*

Please tell me you are kidding! AARDVARK, GIANT ANTEATER, SUN BEAR, KOMODO DRAGON and SPOTTED HYENA! We got stuck with a Tassie devil, why is that a new one. The coati didn’t have a perfectly good exhibit already, and the Sumatran tiger isn’t held elsewhere in the zoo. I’m desperately hoping that if IRA’s are completely for Xenarthra and Aardvarkia or some **** then it may be reconsidered for the carnivore precinct. Would you consider it a possibility? I have been a thorough advocate for both species. aardvarks are subtly popular, and giant anteaters are infamous for being the weirdest animal in the world. Sun bear is extremely popular and I wouldn’t put it past Melbourne to consider them as a replacement(albeit if they do they’ll just build another lion exhibit and some meerkat exhibits).

 

[Zoofan15]

Please tell me you are kidding! AARDVARK, GIANT ANTEATER, SUN BEAR, KOMODO DRAGON and SPOTTED HYENA! We got stuck with a Tassie devil, why is that a new one. The coati didn’t have a perfectly good exhibit already, and the Sumatran tiger isn’t held elsewhere in the zoo. I’m desperately hoping that if IRA’s are completely for Xenarthra and Aardvarkia or some **** then it may be reconsidered for the carnivore precinct. Would you consider it a possibility? I have been a thorough advocate for both species. aardvarks are subtly popular, and giant anteaters are infamous for being the weirdest animal in the world. Sun bear is extremely popular and I wouldn’t put it past Melbourne to consider them as a replacement(albeit if they do they’ll just build another lion exhibit and some meerkat exhibits).

There’s no Xenarthra IRA to my knowledge and sadly, it will be a long way off. The Hippopotamus IRA is next, with most people agreeing Giraffidae will follow. The latter will at least allow the import of Okapi - something I’m hoping Taronga and Melbourne will collaborate on.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

It was stage 2 of the carnivores which was following the opening of stage 1 (Lion Gorge) in 2014.

Lion Gorge opened with Lions, African Wild Dogs and Philippine Crocodiles but there were plans for both Giant Anteaters and Aardvarks as well, but unfortunately an IRA could not be completed in time for either. There was a point where Melbourne actually had a male that they were going to import, they just needed the IRA.

Stage 2 was to follow and open in 2017. It initially was going to have Snow Leopards, Sun Bears and Komodo Dragons (this was prior to the opening of stage 1), and then was later advertised to have Snow Leopards, Spotted Hyenas, Tasmanian Devils and Coatis. Sometime in 2015/2016 Spotted Hyena were then removed from the plans and replaced with Sumatran Tiger. Not sure exactly why, but maybe they just simply decided to hold them at Werribee instead (as is the plan now).

In 2017, stage 2 opened as it currently is with the Snow Leopards, Sumatran Tigers, Coatis and Tasmanian Devils. A fraction of what it was meant to be imo. Not the first time Zoos Vic have done this - *cough* growing wild *cough*

Thanks for ruining my day at the thought of an amazing zoo that was unbelievably close to eventuating. Also, where would the giant anteater and aardvark have been held?