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

[Zoofan15]

To memory a giant Meerkat enclosure is going to be built at the relocated safari bus terminal at Werribee. When it is built all Melbourne Meerkats should be relocated there. I'd like to think in that same area they could have enclosures for a couple of other mongoose species.

That sounds exciting. Dubbo also have a large exhibit, with a fast growing mob of meerkats. Alpha females oust their daughters in young adulthood, so that will still need to managed, but it shouldn’t be hard to manage a group numbering in the 20’s with regular breeding.

Alongside a new breeding pair of Malayan Tapir?

That would be great to see, though I hope reports on here of Melbourne planning to import a larger number of Malayan tapir reflected not just an intention to coordinate a mass import involving other zoos within the region; but an intention to hold more than one pair. Even two pairs would be of great benefit to breeding efforts, where all too often a single breeding pair has failed to yield results.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

That sounds exciting. Dubbo also have a large exhibit, with a fast growing mob of meerkats. Alpha females oust their daughters in young adulthood, so that will still need to managed, but it shouldn’t be hard to manage a group numbering in the 20’s with regular breeding.

My memory was that the idea of the enclosure was/is to hold a number larger than 20.

Continuing the discussion of Baboons at Werribee, I have previously said this but still think it, and think it builds on a previous poster (not sure which) about movement of baboons into the Gorilla exhibit - if this larger meerkat enclosure is built at the Safari station, the Meerkat enclosure at the entrance should be renovated, and it should be come the Vervet Monkey Cafe, rather than the meerkat cafe.

Vervets should be kept at Werribee, and I think they should be right there at the entrance.

The only alternative I would have to the idea of baboons in with the Gorillas would be to replace the gorillas with Chimpanzee - again, another poster has suggested this before.

That would be great to see, though I hope reports on here of Melbourne planning to import a larger number of Malayan tapir reflected not just an intention to coordinate a mass import involving other zoos within the region; but an intention to hold more than one pair. Even two pairs would be of great benefit to breeding efforts, where all too often a single breeding pair has failed to yield results.

100% with you there - I'd prefer to see 2 or three breeding pairs with potentially 2 public enclosures, and a third boh enclosure.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I hope Melbourne Zoo (and other Australian zoos) make better use of the Giraffe IRA than Auckland, Wellington and Orana Wildlife Park have to date. Apparently none of them have intentions to import giraffe, which is a great shame when you consider the value of doing so for the region. First generation offspring could be sent on to Australia benefiting them in turn.

I’m not sure what Hamilton Zoo’s plans are, but with three ageing bulls, they’re better placed to import and potentially act as a gateway facility to Australia (via the mandatory 12 month quarantine requirements). Though I note, this is merely an observation.

I am still of the opinion (surprise) that Werribee should have a large expansion west to create an Upper Savannah that is extensive, and this could allow for a second herd of giraffe, with one being a breeding herd, and the other the bachelor herd. The two herds could potentially rotate, or simply have the larger herd (which ever it is) take the bigger Upper Savannah, and the smaller the Lower Savannah(existing enclosure).

This naturally would involve relocating Melbourne Zoo's breeding herd to WORZ.

This larger Savannah could be equal in size to the Asian Elephant enclosure, and this one include an African Elephant herd (pipe dreams)...

**Correction: I said equal insize to the new Elephant enclosure - I would expand west to the Metropolitan Farm rd, continuing bordering the Princes Hwy, and to at least Cliff Rd in the South. This Upper Savannah could relalistically be closer to 2x or more the size of the new Elephant enclosure.

 

[Zoofan15]

My memory was that the idea of the enclosure was/is to hold a number larger than 20.

Continuing the discussion of Baboons at Werribee, I have previously said this but still think it, and think it builds on a previous poster (not sure which) about movement of baboons into the Gorilla exhibit - if this larger meerkat enclosure is built at the Safari station, the Meerkat enclosure at the entrance should be renovated, and it should be come the Vervet Monkey Cafe, rather than the meerkat cafe.

Vervets should be kept at Werribee, and I think they should be right there at the entrance.

The only alternative I would have to the idea of baboons in with the Gorillas would be to replace the gorillas with Chimpanzee - again, another poster has suggested this before.

100% with you there - I'd prefer to see 2 or three breeding pairs with potentially 2 public enclosures, and a third boh enclosure.

I am still of the opinion (surprise) that Werribee should have a large expansion west to create an Upper Savannah that is extensive, and this could allow for a second herd of giraffe, with one being a breeding herd, and the other the bachelor herd. The two herds could potentially rotate, or simply have the larger herd (which ever it is) take the bigger Upper Savannah, and the smaller the Lower Savannah(existing enclosure).

This naturally would involve relocating Melbourne Zoo's breeding herd to WORZ.

This larger Savannah could be equal in size to the Asian Elephant enclosure, and this one include an African Elephant herd (pipe dreams)...

**Correction: I said equal insize to the new Elephant enclosure - I would expand west to the Metropolitan Farm rd, continuing bordering the Princes Hwy, and to at least Cliff Rd in the South. This Upper Savannah could relalistically be closer to 2x or more the size of the new Elephant enclosure.

Werribee really have the opportunity to think big and I hope the elephants complex won’t prove an exception to their tendency to date to house small groups. The have small bachelor groups of giraffe and gorilla; and while Monarto are managing the largest lion pride in the region (currently 16 lions) and Orana have held two breeding prides, Werribee have a small pride. The expansion should allow them to manage larger numbers - but I doubt we’ll see anything on the scale of Monarto.

Wild giraffe herds can number in excess of 100, so that’s definitely a possibility. It’d be worth exploring whether castrated bulls could remain in their natal herd. Especially within the space you outline, I can’t foresee the breeding bull taking objection to the presence of his castrated sons. Werribee’s existing herd actually consists of castrated bulls.

Due to the cost involved, this won’t be possible for a number of years; but long term, it’d be a dream to see Werribee establish a community of chimpanzees. They have the space to exhibit a large number of chimpanzees, with the cost to feed and house them being the restriction on numbers. Imagine a community of 30-50 chimpanzees!

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Imagine a community of 30-50 chimpanzees!

Oh, I can imagine!!!

It isn't going to happen, but I would love to see a breeding pair of Bonobo at MZ

A further musing to my Vervet Monkey Bistro and Chimpanzee replacing Gorilla would be to have the walk towards the Safari Station to also have a largeish enclosure for Mandrills, and a Treetop walk for some other African monkey species, like Blue Sykes and Black and White Colobus. Have WORZ's entrance be utterly dominated by exciting African primates! I could see this being an enclosure where you walk through the space in an enclosed walkway with the arboreals being able to climb under, over and around you.

Have a rejuvenated Melbourne Treetop Walk be primarily made up of Asian, South American and Madagascan primates.

 

[Zoofan15]

It’s a shame Melbourne Zoo never imported Okapi or Bonobo during the early to mid 1900’s. These species were imported by zoos all over the world without the difficulties we face in obtaining these species today and would increase the chances of being able to import them here and now if lineages from those imports survived.

I’m not advocating the practice of capturing from the wild (especially great apes where the process invariably sees adults killed), but rather commenting it’s unfortunate how inaccessible these species are to the region simply because we never got them when others in North America and Europe did.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

It’s a shame Melbourne Zoo never imported Okapi or Bonobo during the early to mid 1900’s. These species were imported by zoos all over the world without the difficulties we face in obtaining these species today and would increase the chances of being able to import them here and now if lineages from those imports survived.

I’m not advocating the practice of capturing from the wild (especially great apes where the process invariably sees adults killed), but rather commenting it’s unfortunate how inaccessible these species are to the region simply because we never got them when others did.

If the region was dedicated as of right now, it theoretically couldn’t be too hard sourcing bonobos should it? They are rare of course but there has to be excess, same goes for okapi

 

[Zoofan15]

Bonobos could occupy Growing Wild.

Then as people enter the Zoo from the Main entrance they can have the ear worm
"Gorillas to the left of me,
Bonobos to the right!
Here I am,
Stuck in the Middle
Of the Zoo!"

Now what if… the bonobos take up Zillie’s exhibit and mandrills replace the baboons? That’d be amazing imo. Also, ideally Melbourne would replace the gorillas with chimps(with renovations) and as you suggested, the baboons can have an exhibit adjacent to and incorporating the elephant conplex.

As much as I’d love to see Growing Wild bulldozed and replaced with something decent, it’s recent addition to the zoo implies it’s gonna be here for a while. With that in mind, Bonobo in the old Mandrill exhibit could definitely work; with Mandrill replacing Hamadryas baboon.

The Hippopotamus IRA is coming (as we say every year), but when it does, I’m anticipating Melbourne will play a greater role in the Pygmy hippopotamus breeding programme. Potentially, that could be the intended use of the old Mandrill exhibit - to create an additional exhibit to better manage a small breeding herd. Space for 1.2 adults, adolescent offspring prior to transfer and newborns.

 

[Zoofan15]

If the region was dedicated as of right now, it theoretically couldn’t be too hard sourcing bonobos should it? They are rare of course but there has to be excess, same goes for okapi

With ZAA support, it wouldn’t be impossible. Bonobo can easily live in monogamous pairs so a starting population of 1.1 could surely be spared.

Some of the North American users believe re. Okapi that they can’t spare a single one, but I’m of the opinion the main detriment to sending a pair to Australia is the absence of a contingency if they don’t breed. This could be negated by Taronga and Auckland holding a pair - with exchanges between the three zoos over the next couple of decades.

It could even result in the marriage of European and North American stock (which rarely mix), with the first generation offspring returned to one of their respective home regions all the more valuable for their genes from the contrary region!

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

As much as I’d love to see Growing Wild bulldozed and replaced with something decent, it’s recent addition to the zoo implies it’s gonna be here for a while. With that in mind, Bonobo in the old Mandrill exhibit could definitely work; with Mandrill replacing Hamadryas baboon.

The Hippopotamus IRA is coming (as we say every year), but when it does, I’m anticipating Melbourne will play a greater role in the Pygmy hippopotamus breeding programme. Potentially, that could be the intended use of the old Mandrill exhibit - to create an additional exhibit to better manage a small breeding herd. Space for 1.2 adults, adolescent offspring prior to transfer and newborns.

That makes sense, but I’m still hoping they could segregate the treetop apes and combine the space for a colobus-Pygmy hippo shared exhibit with an elevated walkway. This could potentially even leave the Pygmy hippo exhibit spare, with dwarf African crocodile another species I’ve floated

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

With ZAA support, it wouldn’t be impossible. Bonobo can easily live in monogamous pairs so a starting population of 1.1 could surely be spared.

Some of the North American users believe re. Okapi that they can’t spare a single one, but I’m of the opinion the main detriment to sending a pair to Australia is the absence of a contingency if they don’t breed. This could be negated by Taronga and Auckland holding a pair - with exchanges between the three zoos over the next couple of decades.

It could even result in the marriage of European and North American stock (which rarely mix), with the first generation offspring returned to one of their respective home regions all the more valuable for their genes from the contrary region!

That would be more than ideal, and your platypus for okapi trade could be prevalent

 

[Zoofan15]

That would be more than ideal, and your platypus for okapi trade could be prevalent

Theoretical Okapi Breeding Programme

This is how it’d ideally work:

Auckland Zoo import 1.2 Okapi from Europe and 2.1 from North America and quarantine them for 12 months.

1.1 remain at Auckland Zoo and 1.1 sent to Taronga and Melbourne Zoo.

Over the decade that followed, we could (albeit very optimistically) produce 5.5 surviving offspring across the three zoos. Of those, a minimum of two pairs would form first generation pairs at a fourth and fifth holder. The remaining six could return to North America and Europe as return on their investment so to speak.

We would then have the basis for a sustainable population with additional calves bred from those pairings retained either as bachelors at additional holders or to sub in for pairings. A founder bull could breed with their first generation daughter of an unrelated founder pair for example.

 

[Jambo]

I am still of the opinion (surprise) that Werribee should have a large expansion west to create an Upper Savannah that is extensive, and this could allow for a second herd of giraffe, with one being a breeding herd, and the other the bachelor herd. The two herds could potentially rotate, or simply have the larger herd (which ever it is) take the bigger Upper Savannah, and the smaller the Lower Savannah(existing enclosure).

This naturally would involve relocating Melbourne Zoo's breeding herd to WORZ.

This larger Savannah could be equal in size to the Asian Elephant enclosure, and this one include an African Elephant herd (pipe dreams)...

**Correction: I said equal insize to the new Elephant enclosure - I would expand west to the Metropolitan Farm rd, continuing bordering the Princes Hwy, and to at least Cliff Rd in the South. This Upper Savannah could relalistically be closer to 2x or more the size of the new Elephant enclosure.

They have recently expanded the upper savannah (to accommodate the Bison and Mongolian Wild Horse, and that is also the planned location of the 'Rhino Retreat'. There's only so far they can expand back though as they would have to buy further farm land I think.

In regards to a second savannah, I was hopeful the planned 'Waterhole' precinct will feature some sort of second savannah where a second herd of giraffe can be accommodated (preferably the bachelor boys). I really feel like the lower savannah is under utlised by a lot of the species there (especially the giraffes), who rarely venture into the other half of the exhibit. A large breeding herd of giraffe will surely reprimand this.

 

[Jambo]

As much as I’d love to see Growing Wild bulldozed and replaced with something decent, it’s recent addition to the zoo implies it’s gonna be here for a while. With that in mind, Bonobo in the old Mandrill exhibit could definitely work; with Mandrill replacing Hamadryas baboon.

The Hippopotamus IRA is coming (as we say every year), but when it does, I’m anticipating Melbourne will play a greater role in the Pygmy hippopotamus breeding programme. Potentially, that could be the intended use of the old Mandrill exhibit - to create an additional exhibit to better manage a small breeding herd. Space for 1.2 adults, adolescent offspring prior to transfer and newborns.

Whilst we'd all love to see Bonobos I'd say they're more of a dream rather than a reality. The old Mandrill exhibit is too small for them and would require expansion; of which is probably not do-able at the moment.

A pygmy hippo expansion does seem more likely, especially if the IRA is getting close to completion. The current complex is definitely limited space wise and if they combined one of the enclosures with the old Mandrill exhibit; that would create a large enough exhibit for future breeding.

Another option might as previously discussed would be moving the Black and White Colobus's down there, especially if they were to be breeding as it would allow a troop to be established. This would then theoretically allow the Treetop Monkeys trail to be re-themed; potentially into a South American trail with the inclusion of some other primates and birds.

 

[Zoofan15]

They have recently expanded the upper savannah (to accommodate the Bison and Mongolian Wild Horse, and that is also the planned location of the 'Rhino Retreat'. There's only so far they can expand back though as they would have to buy further farm land I think.

In regards to a second savannah, I was hopeful the planned 'Waterhole' precinct will feature some sort of second savannah where a second herd of giraffe can be accommodated (preferably the bachelor boys). I really feel like the lower savannah is under utlised by a lot of the species there (especially the giraffes), who rarely venture into the other half of the exhibit. A large breeding herd of giraffe will surely reprimand this.

It’s been interesting to see the fluctuation in quality between Australia’s three open range zoos (Monarto, Dubbo and Werribee).

Going back five years, Dubbo was widely considered the best due to their diversity of species and Monarto have achieved an equally high ranking due to the sheer size of their exhibits. Potentially spurred on by their decades long lag behind the others, Werribee have responded by devising the largest elephant complex in the region (21ha); with Monarto now announcing plans to build a 14ha exhibit.

With regards to the Savannah, Dubbo announced plans to build a immense integrated Savannah (no doubt their attempt not to fall behind the others). This could in turn inspire Zoos Victoria, who can’t ride the elephant complex accomplishment forever.

 

[Zoofan15]

Whilst we'd all love to see Bonobos I'd say they're more of a dream rather than a reality. The old Mandrill exhibit is too small for them and would require expansion; of which is probably not do-able at the moment.

A pygmy hippo expansion does seem more likely, especially if the IRA is getting close to completion. The current complex is definitely limited space wise and if they combined one of the enclosures with the old Mandrill exhibit; that would create a large enough exhibit for future breeding.

Another option might as previously discussed would be moving the Black and White Colobus's down there, especially if they were to be breeding as it would allow a troop to be established. This would then theoretically allow the Treetop Monkeys trail to be re-themed; potentially into a South American trail with the inclusion of some other primates and birds.

I agree Pygmy hippopotamus are certainly more realistic and what we can probably expect. It’s still an exciting development and if the past few decades have taught the region anything, it’s the importance of developing a sustainable population. Years of non-breeding is what’s got us where we are today. The inability to import has made a bad situation worse, but it isn’t solely to blame for the state the regional population is in.

Tying in with your idea, a mixed species exhibit of Pygmy hippopotamus and Black and white colobus would be achievable - giving them a larger space. They’re largely arboreal so I don’t anticipate clashes with the larger hippos. Several zoos overseas achieve this combination without issue.

 

[Jambo]

That’s not to say Pygmy hippopotamus couldn’t work at Werribee, but it’d ideally be a larger number of small exhibits and predominantly based around a walk through component, so people have time to find them hiding under trees etc.

I definitely feel as if they'd have a place somewhere along the walking trail (possibly near the gorillas). There is a small empty lake opposite the hippos and before the Lions and Wild Dogs that would potentially be suitable for them; especially if it was divided into sections meaning they could be viewed from different points around the trail

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

With ZAA support, it wouldn’t be impossible. Bonobo can easily live in monogamous pairs so a starting population of 1.1 could surely be spared.

Some of the North American users believe re. Okapi that they can’t spare a single one, but I’m of the opinion the main detriment to sending a pair to Australia is the absence of a contingency if they don’t breed. This could be negated by Taronga and Auckland holding a pair - with exchanges between the three zoos over the next couple of decades.

It could even result in the marriage of European and North American stock (which rarely mix), with the first generation offspring returned to one of their respective home regions all the more valuable for their genes from the contrary region!

I think if okapi didn't naturally breed that AI should seriously be considered.

The tree top monkeys is always half empty. The first half could be renovated, expanded and combined to one larger enclosure for Bonobo, with 2-3 other species at the end, OR leave current tree tops as is, just rejuvenated, and then extend the tree tops further with a bonobo enclosure built directly beside the gorillas, with the public path being a suspended boardwalk through the centre.

 

[Jambo]

The tree top monkeys is always half empty. The first half could be renovated, expanded and combined to one larger enclosure for Bonobo, with 2-3 other species at the end, OR leave current tree tops as is, just rejuvenated, and then extend the tree tops further with a bonobo enclosure built directly beside the gorillas, with the public path being a suspended boardwalk through the centre.

Interesting concept idea. I’ve long been in favour of renovating the treetop monkey trail to make it a large walkthrough (of course retaining the boardwalk). This could be done in many different ways; but would preferably be a South American themed enclosed aviary.

Bonobos would probably be more suited for the current Baboon enclosure as its sizeable enough for a decent sized troop.

The space opposite the gorillas is the Tiger enclosure so nothing can be built there.

 

[Zoofan15]

I think if okapi didn't naturally breed that AI should seriously be considered.

Undertaking AI in Okapi actually isn’t a bad idea with regards to genetic diversity. Decisions may well be influenced by the genetic value of the loaned Okapi in their home region, but it would allow re-pairings between the Okapi at the different zoos, without the hassle of physically shifting them around. This would be especially beneficial regarding the New Zealand/Australian population and increase genetic diversity. As with many species, there’d probably be a prolific pair and a pair that won’t breed for love nor money.