It would be a great size for both species. Hamadryas baboons don’t need a huge exhibit, but the gorilla exhibit would allow plenty of room to expand the existing troop up to at least 30 baboons (they’d probably opt for mid-20’s).
Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)
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It would be a great size for both species. Hamadryas baboons don’t need a huge exhibit, but the gorilla exhibit would allow plenty of room to expand the existing troop up to at least 30 baboons (they’d probably opt for mid-20’s).
Considering Melbourne's exhibit has a max capacity of 40 baboons, Werribee's would certainly be at least 60 or so!
ReturnOfPaddyRick
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Would really liven up the entrance, as the males aren’t always interesting or visible. Would still like to gorillas somewhere at Werribee, maybe on the gargantuan walking trail to the elephants?
Considering Melbourne's exhibit has a max capacity of 40 baboons, Werribee's would certainly be at least 60 or so!
What a sight that would be! I’m hopeful with the transfer of Chad, we’ll see plenty of births in Melbourne’s troop over the next year. It’d be nice to see them build back up to the mid-20’s.
ReturnOfPaddyRick
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And hopefully they’re not at Melbourne for too much longer
Honestly, I think gorillas are best accommodated at Melbourne long term. They have an excellent complex that can accomodate a decent sized troop. Werribee would be better of holding Melbourne’s baboons.
I agree; a large troop of baboons would certainly liven up the entrance exhibit.
Gorillas could have another exhibit at Werribee, but I would prefer if another exhibit was built for them at Melbourne. If the baboons do end up heading to Werribee, than Melbourne's baboon exhibit would be suitable for a second exhibit at Melbourne for the bachelors- connected with a raceway.
Just experienced one before that lead me to double post.
Has me thinking it's my internet playing up
That’s a great idea to have a second gorilla exhibit at Melbourne. It’d be a lot easier to manage them all on one site and as long as we didn’t lose baboons from Zoos Victoria, I’d be happy with that.
Mandrill have been floated on here Re. Melbourne’s baboon exhibit, but sadly I don’t believe they’ll return to Melbourne/Australia.
Just experienced one before that lead me to double post.
Nah, it’s that 502 error thing I think, as others sites are working fine while this site is out of action. It’s become more frequent these past two days (around 10 times today alone I’d say).
Here's a photo of the exhibit (albeit, from when it first opened):
I personally think it's large enough for three bachelor males; and would certainly be of similar size to the current exhibit within Gorilla Rainforest.
Alongside this, it would create a central theming link for Africa (near the Giraffes), and would also allow Pygmy Hippos to also potentially receive a new enclosure/enclosures where the Tapirs and Peccaries are. I would be a big fan of the space being used for additional enclosures for them, especially if they were to be used as a breeding complex. MZ's current facilities within GR are on the small side.
ReturnOfPaddyRick
Well-Known Member
I do quite like the current Pygmy hippo exhibits, so if possible I’d like to see another species occupy that area, but that’s a personal preference. If pygmies do move, what would you suggest as an ideal replacementHere's a photo of the exhibit (albeit, from when it first opened):
I personally think it's large enough for three bachelor males; and would certainly be of similar size to the current exhibit within Gorilla Rainforest.
Alongside this, it would create a central theming link for Africa (near the Giraffes), and would also allow Pygmy Hippos to also potentially receive a new enclosure/enclosures where the Tapirs and Peccaries are. I would be a big fan of the space being used for additional enclosures for them, especially if they were to be used as a breeding complex. MZ's current facilities within GR are on the small side.
The only thing I would say with the Pygmy hippopotamus exhibits is that three decades on, the supporting infrastructure will be very dated (I’m not sure what upgrades to the filtration system there’s been, if any). New exhibits would allow an efficient new system to be installed and a decent set up to manage breeding and retention of offspring prior to transfer.
ReturnOfPaddyRick
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Good point. That’s why I was also thinking it’d be pretty neat to expand into the trail of monkeys, occupying that entire space and having a shared walkthrough with Pygmy hippo
Edit: It colobus do stay at MZ, I feel like de Brazza’s could be a good replacement for vervets with seeming newfound interest in the region
A colobus walk through (combining mandrill/cassowary and pygmy hippopotamus exhibits) would link nicely to the gorilla complex; but yes, could also expand into the treetop monkey exhibits.
ReturnOfPaddyRick
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Potentially it could leave the mandrill exhibit, and encapsulate the entire monkey walk, unless the mandrill/hippo exhibits are combined for this walkthrough and the trail of monkeys holds a different species
I would like to see Colobus walkthrough; but if I was being completely free thinking - using this area for the beginning of a South American precinct would be nice.
The Gorilla Rainforest is heavily shaded, and if we include the current Pygmy Hippo exhibits, former cassowary exhibit and all of the treetop trail, that would be sufficient room for an entire walkthrough South American precinct. Some of the initial features could be kept too (like the Pygmy Hippo pools) for Capybara.
ReturnOfPaddyRick
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Please stop giving me hope. That sounds absolutely elite. Could even be sectioned off. The mandrill exhibit would be large enough for capybara, Pygmy hippos large enough for tapir and coati, with enclosures above and around them, going all the way until the end of the trail. Would just the entire thing onwards of the gorillas be netted?
Yes it would be netted. Would hope the bare minimum would be Capybaras roaming the ground, but Brazilian Tapir would be the dream there!
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