Perhaps this will start an "Out of Africa" move away from having Asian Blackbuck with zebra and Giraffes.
Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)
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Perhaps this will start an "Out of Africa" move away from having Asian Blackbuck with zebra and Giraffes.
One can only hope. It’d be exciting to see a night safari concept undertaken at Werribee; but I’d even be happy with a collection of Asian exhibits that compliment their existing African collection. Dubbo have always diversified and were long considered the region’s leading open range zoo.
Dubbo do breed them, yes, and they're still there.
Yes, according to the exotics thread, Banteng are at Altina, Crocodylus, Taronga Western Plains Zoo and also in private hands. With the inclusion of private holders, I’d assume their population is in better shape genetically than Barbary sheep etc.
Werribee already do twilight safari tours in the summer, and going one step further to having night safaris would certainly be a very intriguing concept.
PaddyRickMFZ
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Twilight safari was great, but I in reality there’s just not that much to see at Werribee right now, and there are few species other than Nyala that actually show behavioural changes at the night time, so there’s little point doing it at this time. Hopefully with more nocturnal and different species a night safari could be really good
Felids and ursids (pretty much all carnivores) best lend themselves to a night safari. Large ungulates such as hippos and elephants are at least big enough to be visible on a night safari.
PaddyRickMFZ
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The wild dogs and lions were good of course, but other than cheetahs there aren’t too many predators afaik. Something like a sloth/sun bear would be very beneficial to a night safari, maybe complimenting Melbourne, meaning Melbourne could excess. Incoming hyenas and porcupines , aardwolf, civets and aardvark are all feasible options. Did someone mention that bat eared foxes were recently added to the import list? Or rejected? If so, those and fennec foxes would also make for entertaining exhibits
Werribee’s species list is rather small. Caracal would be a nice addition and anything from the ursid genus would be incredible. It was exciting visiting the Singapore Zoo Night Safari and seeing the Asiatic lions and Sloth bears, which were all highly active.
Bat-eared Fox were rejected for inclusion onto the live import list in May 2021; but yes, Fennec fox would be perfect.
PaddyRickMFZ
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Unfortunately neither Werribee nor MZ had interest in fennecs, but hopefully that’s changed
Melbourne used to have Fennecs for a short period actually. Until they learnt how to jump out of their enclosure.
Melbourne used to have Fennecs for a short period actually. Until they learnt how to jump out of their enclosure.
I recall one of our ideas for the tapir/peccary redevelopment was a nocturnal house featuring fennec fox, porcupine and meerkats. This would be a surefire way to contain them!
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Anyone have any question they want me to ask at WORZ?
Here are a couple if you wish..
1. How far along are they with the elephant complex.
2. Any plans for Bongo now the IRA is completed.
3. If they are planning an asian plains would Indian rhinos be considered?.
Yes please:
African lions:
1. What timeframe do they have on breeding from Asali?
2. Any plans to receive more lions? (Two males from Monarto are going to a zoo in Victoria)?
Southern white rhinoceros:
3. Any plans to receive more (female) rhinos via the Australian Rhino Project or from within the region.
Asian elephant:
4. Projected birth intervals for female elephants? 5 years?
5. What order will the elephants be arriving in?
6. Any plans to receive Sabai from Dubbo?
Common hippopotamus:
7. How’s crate training going? Transfer date?
8. Future breeding plans? Wait for bull calf from Monarto or wait for IRA?
Spotted hyena:
9. Breeding pack or non breeding pack?
Other:
10. Interest in bongo or any other antelope imports?
Alongside the above questions;
Are Vervets being phased out? If so, what's being considered as a replacement?
Which species are intended for the upcoming waterhole precinct?
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Vervets are 100% being phased out, I’ll ask again what’s being considered. I’ll also confirm interest I porcupine
I’m amazed they haven’t already got porcupine, but will surely add them in the walking trail. I hope they undertake an overseas import given 17/24 porcupine in the region are Oliver, Rita and their descendants.
PaddyRickMFZ
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I’m more amazed at the lack of Barbary sheep. It’s just so obvious isn’t it? Anyway, I’ll hope to mention them.
Porcupines would suit an exhibit around the walking trail; I've always felt like there could be more exhibits around. It's a 40 minute walk all the way and your really only seeing six species in total.
Barbary Sheep would suit the hillside above the lower savannah very well.
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