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

[Zoofan15]

That giraffe almost single handedly compromised an amazing master plan

It did. A cynic might wonder if the giraffe was a convenient scapegoat, but it is at least publicly attributed to canning Adelaide’s plans for gorillas. It’s elderly anyway, so they could just patiently wait for it to pass and then after a respectful mourning period, bring in the vehicles of progress (bulldozer etc) to achieve the desired renovations.

 

[Jambo]

I assume the litters were separated until microchipped, so paternity ID could be established; and then mixed for socialisation, as many zoos received Coati from multiple litters.

That would make sense. I do recall seeing quite a large group of Coati there (around ten or so) and this would've been around this time, before they were sent off to other zoos.

 

[Zoofan15]

That would make sense. I do recall seeing quite a large group of Coati there (around ten or so) and this would've been around this time, before they were sent off to other zoos.

They appear quite gregarious, which is useful for maintaining them in male and female same sex groups to limit breeding. That’s probably been to their detriment as a handful of founders (namely, a single male) provided the entire region with enough coati in the space of a month.

 

[Zoofan15]

I mention this as an opinion rather than a suggestion it will eventuate (it won’t), but it would be great to see a North American precinct in an Australasian zoo. Like other zoos in the region, Melbourne once had several North American species like black bears, puma and wolves. These three are CITES II, so would require some level of regional support to import (which won’t be given), but it’d sure be a novelty to see them.

From my memories of seeing Auckland’s California sea lions as a child to watching old footage of them online, their charisma is unmatched and puts our native seals to shame. They’re one of the last remaining North American species in the region, with Taronga being the last ZAA zoo to exhibit them.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I mention this as an opinion rather than a suggestion it will eventuate (it won’t), but it would be great to see a North American precinct in an Australasian zoo. Like other zoos in the region, Melbourne once had several North American species like black bears, puma and wolves. These three are CITES II, so would require some level of regional support to import (which won’t be given), but it’d sure be a novelty to see them.

From my memories of seeing Auckland’s California sea lions as a child to watching old footage of them online, their charisma is unmatched and puts our native seals to shame. They’re one of the last remaining North American species in the region, with Taronga being the last ZAA zoo to exhibit them.

I think we had quite an extensive conversation about this in the past, when grant rhino mentioned that wolves were in the plans for worz

 

[Zoofan15]

I think we had quite an extensive conversation about this in the past, when grant rhino mentioned that wolves were in the plans for worz

That’s right. Werribee would be an even better site with the space to construct large exhibits. Melbourne will surely phase out pinnipeds, but in terms of simplicity to acquire, California sea lion and American alligator combined with South American species to create a generalised Americas precinct is the best we could hope for. This is done at Auckland with American alligators included in the South American precinct.

 

[Jambo]

That’s right. Werribee would be an even better site with the space to construct large exhibits. Melbourne will surely phase out pinnipeds, but in terms of simplicity to acquire, California sea lion and American alligator combined with South American species to create a generalised Americas precinct is the best we could hope for. This is done at Auckland with American alligators included in the South American precinct.

I think Werribee would be very well suited to a North American precinct when you consider most of the species present are species that require large amounts of space which would be difficult to provide at Melbourne.

Additionally a North American precinct with bears, pumas, wolves, seals ect. would give Werribee another massive boost and point of difference compared to Melbourne. It would be awesome if Werribee could reach that scale one day.

 

[Zoofan15]

I think Werribee would be very well suited to a North American precinct when you consider most of the species present are species that require large amounts of space which would be difficult to provide at Melbourne.

Additionally a North American precinct with bears, pumas, wolves, seals ect. would give Werribee another massive boost and point of difference compared to Melbourne. It would be awesome if Werribee could reach that scale one day.

It would be great to see as Dubbo so far is the only open range zoo in Australia to diversify to Asian exhibits; with Monarto to follow with Asian plains style exhibits. Werribee have the bison from North America; but aside from the elephants (ambassadors for African elephants), don’t have a lot going in terms of diversity. It’d be a shame for their persistence with African theming to become their limiting factor.

 

[Jambo]

It would be great to see as Dubbo so far is the only open range zoo in Australia to diversify to Asian exhibits; with Monarto to follow with Asian plains style exhibits. Werribee have the bison from North America; but aside from the elephants (ambassadors for African elephants), don’t have a lot going in terms of diversity. It’d be a shame for their persistence with African theming to become their limiting factor.

A lot of visitors do often complain about the lack of species at Werribee. Once the bus ride is over and done with, there's very little to see on the walking trails and Werribee are obviously looking to implement more of these in the new masterplan to help combat this.

A large North American walking trail that branches off from the main zoo would be great. The current riverwalk section would be enough space to create a reasonably sized complex for this.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

A lot of visitors do often complain about the lack of species at Werribee. Once the bus ride is over and done with, there's very little to see on the walking trails and Werribee are obviously looking to implement more of these in the new masterplan to help combat this.

A large North American walking trail that branches off from the main zoo would be great. The current riverwalk section would be enough space to create a reasonably sized complex for this.

And there’s still acres of unused land. It’s odd that the master plan doesn’t actually include many more animals, with only 2 new rumoured animals afaik

 

[Zoofan15]

And there’s still acres of unused land. It’s odd that the master plan doesn’t actually include many more animals, with only 2 new rumoured animals afaik

I’d assume that’s new to limited funding. Werribee was allocated $84 million in the 2020/21 budget, but the elephant complex has taken up the bulk of that and even then, cut backs have been made (the reduction of paddocks for example).

Both being Zoos Victoria facilities, I assume the budget allocated is linked (or at least influenced by) what the other receives and Melbourne has numerous projects requiring funding - namely the redevelopment of TOTE.

 

[Jambo]

And there’s still acres of unused land. It’s odd that the master plan doesn’t actually include many more animals, with only 2 new rumoured animals afaik

The unused land will finally be mostly put into use once the elephants arrive which is exciting.

The waterhole trail seems to be the focus at the moment; and this will hopefully include new species, like Spotted Hyena and new enclosures for the likes of the Cheetah and African Wild Dog.

I'd imagine there'd hopefully be the odd new addition (like crested porcupine) but nothing major.

 

[Zoofan15]

The unused land will finally be mostly put into use once the elephants arrive which is exciting.

The waterhole trail seems to be the focus at the moment; and this will hopefully include new species, like Spotted Hyena and new enclosures for the likes of the Cheetah and African Wild Dog.

I'd imagine there'd hopefully be the odd new addition (like crested porcupine) but nothing major.

I’m hopeful after the elephant complex and waterhole trail are complete, the Sky Safari project will be eventuate. It was still in Werribee’s plans as of the start of 2023.

The Sky Safari is a 1.6km tree-top gondola system that will elevate passengers 30-metres over the Zoo’s open plains for a 40-minute round trip. Small group cabins will have a 360-degree view of the savannah, across to the You Yangs, Melbourne CBD and Port Philip Bay beyond, allowing iconic animals such as Plains zebra, Northern giraffe and Southern white rhino to be seen below.

 

[Jambo]

I’m hopeful after the elephant complex and waterhole trail are complete, the Sky Safari project will be eventuate. It was still in Werribee’s plans as of the start of 2023.

The Sky Safari is a 1.6km tree-top gondola system that will elevate passengers 30-metres over the Zoo’s open plains for a 40-minute round trip. Small group cabins will have a 360-degree view of the savannah, across to the You Yangs, Melbourne CBD and Port Philip Bay beyond, allowing iconic animals such as Plains zebra, Northern giraffe and Southern white rhino to be seen below.

Me too; I think the government confirmed it was still going under construction recently - but this would be after the elephants.

The skyfari would be a world first to have something of the sort in an open range setting; and what a way to view the lower Savannah would it be!

 

[Zoofan15]

Me too; I think the government confirmed it was still going under construction recently - but this would be after the elephants.

The skyfari would be a world first to have something of the sort in an open range setting; and what a way to view the lower Savannah would it be!

The original plan was for the expansion (including the Sky Safari) to be rolled out by 2024; but as with most developments, they’re running behind and things have been pushed back. The waterhole trail can at least be done in stages versus the elephant complex which requires the bulk of the infrastructure to be in place before they can arrive.

If we’re to assume the elephant complex will be complete in the second half of 2024; and the bulk of the waterhole trail by 2025/2026; then construction of the Sky Safari could well be circa 2026.

 

[Jambo]

The original plan was for the expansion (including the Sky Safari) to be rolled out by 2024; but as with most developments, they’re running behind and things have been pushed back. The waterhole trail can at least be done in stages versus the elephant complex which requires the bulk of the infrastructure to be in place before they can arrive.

If we’re to assume the elephant complex will be complete in the second half of 2024; and the bulk of the waterhole trail by 2025/2026; then construction of the Sky Safari could well be circa 2026.

The waterhole trail involves the elephant complex; so we'll hopefully be getting it by the end of next year followed by the Skyfari and the Savannah walking trail circa 2026.

The other plans were for a new Safari station and a new Lion expansion (taking up the space of the current Lion/Wild Dog exhibits). I imagine the new safari station will be at the same time as the waterhole trail, as the waterhole trail encompasses the area currently occupied by the first bit of the safari.

Not sure about the Lions, but I'd assume their complex will be completed around the time of the Skyfari (2026). Or potentially after (if at all!).

 

[ReturnOfPaddyRick]

Unfortunately I got locked out of my other account, no clue why, but I was wondering about the compatibility of 2 combos, Brazilian Tapir and Coati, Hamadryas Baboon and Barbary Sheep. The former would be great for Melbourne, the latter for WORZ

 

[Zoofan15]

Unfortunately I got locked out of my other account, no clue why, but I was wondering about the compatibility of 2 combos, Brazilian Tapir and Coati, Hamadryas Baboon and Barbary Sheep. The former would be great for Melbourne, the latter for WORZ

How bizarre!

I’m not aware of any collections that house coati and tapir together, but in the wild, coati eat parasites off tapir, so I don’t forsee any issues. It’d be an interesting combination!

Hamadryas baboon and Barbary sheep is a mixture seen at other zoos including Amersfoort Zoo (pictured below) and Budapest Zoo.


Photo credit: @vogelcommando

 

[ReturnOfPaddyRick]

How bizarre!

I’m not aware of any collections that house coati and tapir together, but in the wild, coati eat parasites off tapir, so I don’t forsee any issues. It’d be an interesting combination!

Hamadryas baboon and Barbary sheep is a mixture seen at other zoos including Amersfoort Zoo (pictured below) and Budapest Zoo.

View attachment 657921
Photo credit: @vogelcommando

Do u reckon the current WORZ exhibit for gorilla would fit Barbary Sheep and Baboon, or is it too small? I guess the waterhole would be a good location for such a mix

 

[Jambo]

Do u reckon the current WORZ exhibit for gorilla would fit Barbary Sheep and Baboon, or is it too small? I guess the waterhole would be a good location for such a mix

Would certainly be big enough for both, and I really like the mix imo. San Diego's exhibit with Hamadryads Baboons and Nubian Ibexes is always a nice sight when visiting.