A monorail at Werribee would certainly be quite amazing; especially if it ran along the Werribee river!
Something like this may be useful, especially with viewing the fifty acre elephant complex.
Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)
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Something like this may be useful, especially with viewing the fifty acre elephant complex.
The Sleepy Hippo
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I could see it working, but feel it might be a little redundant with the Sky Safari and Safari Bus.
If Werribee were to expand extensively West to the Metropolitan Farm Rd, and then South to the Old Boundary Rd, and house a large African Elephant herd, and other big open range exhibits, I could see a monorail being a good addition
I could see it working, but feel it might be a little redundant with the Sky Safari and Safari Bus.
If Werribee were to expand extensively West to the Metropolitan Farm Rd, and then South to the Old Boundary Rd, and house a large African Elephant herd, and other big open range exhibits, I could see a monorail being a good addition
I’d definitely see the monorail and SkySafari as an either/or scenario for Werribee. Both would offer great views of the elephant complex, though for now, the complex will be looking a little empty with three paddocks vacant and a fourth housing just a single bull.
I look forward to seeing what antelope species (likely Nilgai) they have in mind for the complex. Even Indian antelope are better than nothing and it would be novelty to see them display in proximity to another Asian species instead of African savannah animals.
The Sleepy Hippo
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I would prefer the Elephant complex to be exclusively populated exclusively with South and South East Asian species!
Nilgai are from India, so they’re a perfect fit. They could either house a breeding herd consisting of a bull and several cows/calves; or the bull could be housed separately and the cows/calves cohabit with the elephants.
They could try Indian antelope with the elephants, but Indian rhinoceros and Indian antelope would be a better combination. It’ll be close to a decade before Werribee need three elephant paddocks (unless they take on Sabai), so they might consider acquiring the surplus bull Indian rhinoceros from Dubbo (with the view of importing a female down the line). It doesn’t appear we’ll see Indian rhinoceros at Melbourne Zoo now.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
I think I would be happier with Indian Rhinoceros at Werribee anyway. It would only be a matter of time before they would be moved out to Werribee anyway. Save the middle man!
Me too, I was hoping the new 'Rhino retreat' would be dedicated to at least one another rhino species (besides the White rhinos), but unfortunately it appears to not be the case (at least in the meantime).
An Indian Rhino enclosure would certainly be welcome within the planned waterhole precinct, and they'd fitting, neighbouring the Asian Elephants.
Although we don’t know the extent of Werribee’s role in the Australian Rhino Project, it clearly won’t be a major role - with Monarto and Dubbo taking the lead; and Werribee’s priority being the elephant complex. At most, I’d anticipate Werribee to receive a couple of female Southern white rhinoceros (and if we’re lucky, an additional bull).
With this in mind, acquiring Indian rhinoceros seems the best way to go. There’s no an abundance of Southern black rhinoceros available to the region, as evidenced by inbreeding at Dubbo.
Apparently the EEP have put a hold on breeding IR due to space in European zoos!
dylan downward
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Hey guys does anyone know what species of animal will be going into the old koala exhibit at the entry of the Australian area just before the great flight aviary ?
When I last visited earlier this month, they were in the process of renovating this exhibit (lots of construction work), so hopefully we’ll find out soon.
On the subject of what could go in there, I think with some renovations, Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo would be a great addition. They’d link nicely to the GFA, while bearing in mind tree-kangaroos can’t be housed with bird species due to this risk of avian tuberculosis (and tree-kangaroos killing birds).
As far as i'm aware - nothing unfortunately. The exhibit has been empty and 'under construction' for a few years now; and going back the initial plans were to just replace the trees within the exhibit and tidy things up before the Koalas moved back but those plans have seemingly since changed and Melbourne now seem content with letting their Koalas remain in the former Kookaburra aviary.
If there was to be a new species in that enclosure, I wouldn't mind Tree Kangaroo. Although I also wouldn't mind seeing Echidna return as well. They could very well share the exhibit with the Tree kangaroos too - just as they did a while back in the treetop trail.
dylan downward
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Only reason I was asking was when I was last there they had built a new keeper gate on it
Yeah it definitely looked like work was being undertaken with purpose when I visited recently. There’s multiple holders of Lumholtz’s tree kangaroos across Australia and Melbourne don’t currently hold them, so I definitely think there’s a good chance they could be the replacement.
Hopefully the Koalas are finally going to be moved back then!
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I think the Koalas returning, and designing it as a mixed enclosure with Echidna would be a good move. Change the external fence to being glass and you have two popular Australian animals spearheading the Australian Bush precinct.
That would be nice; and a mix that is used or at least was used at Healseville. Would be a nice introduction to the Australian precinct. Since the enclosure sits at both the entrance and the exit you would've thought Melbourne would've introduced something more attractive and fitting - a Koala and Echidna enclosure would certainly fit that.
dylan downward
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I hope that they bring in tree kangaroos but that’s just me would be cool to see added
Lumholtz’s tree kangaroo remain my preference as they link really well to the GFA. Koala are the quintessential Australian species though, so I could well imagine them taking preference here. Melbourne is an internationally recognised zoo and it would certainly appeal to the overseas visitors.
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