You do realize that it could be years before a IRA for Giraffe/Okapi is even started and could be a very long time after that before one is even completed?
Taronga Zoo Future of Taronga Zoo (Speculation / Fantasy)
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Yes. I was just observing that the conditions at Ueno were subpar. I never said it had to be by Wednesday, but it would be a good idea if Melbourne want to head in that direction following the departure of elephants.
And that would be if they were even interested in obtaining them in the first place!
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Which I believe everyone hopes is the case
Taronga have made it known that they are interested in obtaining Okapi but in the case of Melbourne getting them nothing has been mentioned in any collection plan or master plan that I am aware of and I have been following this stuff for 50 years. Its a nice dream but really not likely to happen!
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Tbh it kinda goes both ways. Because Melbourne haven’t released any kind of master plan we can’t confirm their interest, but we also can’t confirm their disinterest. Given they are on Taronga’s radar though, chances are okapis would have caught their eye. Whether they choose to implement the is something else neither of us can really get a gage at
There is a VERY limited supply and I believe Taronga would be very lucky IF they do get any, Dreams are free and yes I would love the Melbourne Zoo to have a pair but the odds are way against it no matter how much I would like it to happen!
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Odds are indeed against it, but I’m not sure if the IRA could encompass Japan?(im not very well versed on this stuff but I hope to be). If so, like Some others were saying, we could free up space there due to the cramped conditions they were living in. My fear is that if Melbourne don’t implement Malayan Tapir, Okapi or GOH Rhino it could really lose X factor(mb for the small tangent)There is a VERY limited supply and I believe Taronga would be very lucky IF they do get any, Dreams are free and yes I would love the Melbourne Zoo to have a pair but the odds are way against it no matter how much I would like it to happen!
The two strong holds for them is in Europe and the USA with a smattering elsewhere and the zoos that do have them hold on to them like gold bars.
Giraffe are ONLY allowed to be imported from NZ and no other country until a IRA is completed and approved which will take years
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@everyone
With the reality of IRAs would hope then that Taronga and Melbourne go with GOH Rhino for at least a decades, housed where the Elephants were. A good decade at least with them perhaps an IRA could be completed by then for Okapis and the GOH Rhino could move on to the respective open-range zoos and Okapis could come then (gives another decade to try secure 2.2 (1.1 each) Okapis hopefully for Taronga and Melbourne, I do realise Melbourne has never publicly expressed interest in them..but could see them being interested in ten years).
Sorry just realised that the Bongo and Pygmy Hippo will not be in the new 'Congo' precinct in the next 2-3 years and will remain in the 'Rainforest Trail' so scrap what I said about a Brazilian Tapir moving into where the Pygmy Hippos are (forgot to mention with that concept was only if the two exhibits could be conjoined because as mentioned by Jambo I think it was, they are on the small size).
Interesting about the Colobuses for the 'Congo' precinct; Taronga to date is the only one of the 'big 4' city zoos in Australia to of never held them (or if they ever did it was fleeting and likely more than fifty years ago).
With the reality of IRAs would hope then that Taronga and Melbourne go with GOH Rhino for at least a decades, housed where the Elephants were. A good decade at least with them perhaps an IRA could be completed by then for Okapis and the GOH Rhino could move on to the respective open-range zoos and Okapis could come then (gives another decade to try secure 2.2 (1.1 each) Okapis hopefully for Taronga and Melbourne, I do realise Melbourne has never publicly expressed interest in them..but could see them being interested in ten years).
Sorry just realised that the Bongo and Pygmy Hippo will not be in the new 'Congo' precinct in the next 2-3 years and will remain in the 'Rainforest Trail' so scrap what I said about a Brazilian Tapir moving into where the Pygmy Hippos are (forgot to mention with that concept was only if the two exhibits could be conjoined because as mentioned by Jambo I think it was, they are on the small size).
Interesting about the Colobuses for the 'Congo' precinct; Taronga to date is the only one of the 'big 4' city zoos in Australia to of never held them (or if they ever did it was fleeting and likely more than fifty years ago).
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It’s worth noting that part of the reluctance from the US to relinquish Okapi (especially breeding animals) to Australasia is that they’d be sending a pair to an isolated location that offers no contingency for swapping pairs if they fail to breed.
Ironically, this means it would actually be beneficial for Melbourne to also acquire them as at least there’s some scope for swapping - as well as a viable route for pairing unrelated first generation offspring at a third facility.
Ironically, this means it would actually be beneficial for Melbourne to also acquire them as at least there’s some scope for swapping - as well as a viable route for pairing unrelated first generation offspring at a third facility.
With all the buzz around what Melbourne Zoo are replacing their elephants with, I’m similarly interested to see what Taronga have in mind for when Pak Boon and Tang Mo leave.
The rerouting of the SkySafari suggests to me there could be a reason e.g. they don’t want it to pass over the existing elephant exhibit. The SkySafari would integrate well with another large herbivore such as Indian rhinoceros, so this makes me think something more aboreal e.g. orangutan is on the cards.
Orangutans fullstop.
Taronga initially had plans for Orangutans a decade ago, but these were eventually cancelled due to space reasons I assume, but with the elephants going there's every reason why Taronga shouldn't go to the lengths of putting these plans back into focus. Orangutans would be the PERFECT replacement for elephants, and the region desperately needs another Sumatran Orangutan holder imo.
Orangutans fullstop.
Taronga initially had plans for Orangutans a decade ago, but these were eventually cancelled due to space reasons I assume, but with the elephants going there's every reason why Taronga shouldn't go to the lengths of putting these plans back into focus. Orangutans would be the PERFECT replacement for elephants, and the region desperately needs another Sumatran Orangutan holder imo.
I agree. For those interested, this was Taronga’s masterplan from 2015:
1. Sumatran Tiger Adventure
An Indonesian-themed exhibit where visitors can get close to the mysterious Sumatran Tigers, and learn why choosing sustainable palm oil products can help preserve their native habitat.
2. Australia
An up-close animal habitat experience including a walk-through exhibit where visitors can interact with and explore iconic and unknown Australian fauna.
3. Wildlife Hospital
State-of-the-art upgrades to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital and wildlife clinic to continue the excellence of zoo animal care and wildlife rehabilitation.
4. African Savannah
A multi-species habitat including a lion breeding facility, expanded savannah for giraffes, zebras and Fennec Foxes, and a specialised meerkat exhibit and encounter space.
5. Welcome to the Wild
A unique multi-media experience that will engage and inspire visitors for a shared future for wildlife and people.
6. Congo Forest
A lush forest exhibit for the growing gorilla family, adjoining Pygmy Hippo pools and a tree-filled landscape for the rare Bongo antelope.
7. Elephant Trail
A scenic path traversing the zoo where Elephants will walk.
8. Serpentarium
Upgraded specialist exhibits for an amazing array of Reptiles and Amphibians including critical breeding facilities to support zoo-based conservation programs.
9. New Orang-utan exhibit
Drawing from their native Indonesian habitat, this facility has a range of climbing structures complete with an overhead canopy playground for these fascinating primates.
An Indonesian-themed exhibit where visitors can get close to the mysterious Sumatran Tigers, and learn why choosing sustainable palm oil products can help preserve their native habitat.
2. Australia
An up-close animal habitat experience including a walk-through exhibit where visitors can interact with and explore iconic and unknown Australian fauna.
3. Wildlife Hospital
State-of-the-art upgrades to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital and wildlife clinic to continue the excellence of zoo animal care and wildlife rehabilitation.
4. African Savannah
A multi-species habitat including a lion breeding facility, expanded savannah for giraffes, zebras and Fennec Foxes, and a specialised meerkat exhibit and encounter space.
5. Welcome to the Wild
A unique multi-media experience that will engage and inspire visitors for a shared future for wildlife and people.
6. Congo Forest
A lush forest exhibit for the growing gorilla family, adjoining Pygmy Hippo pools and a tree-filled landscape for the rare Bongo antelope.
7. Elephant Trail
A scenic path traversing the zoo where Elephants will walk.
8. Serpentarium
Upgraded specialist exhibits for an amazing array of Reptiles and Amphibians including critical breeding facilities to support zoo-based conservation programs.
9. New Orang-utan exhibit
Drawing from their native Indonesian habitat, this facility has a range of climbing structures complete with an overhead canopy playground for these fascinating primates.
It would appear the orangutans were dropped a few years ago, coinciding with their transfer to Mogo Zoo; but plans change and indeed the elephants are now leaving. It was always my assumption the elephant phase of the masterplan was deliberately placed near the end to allow Taronga time to contemplate their housing of elephants at Taronga versus Dubbo.
I’ll reply to your post here @loganjmuir, as the forum prefers to keep the news threads to news.
It’s the opinion of most of us that the camels are a temporary addition. The bull elephant exhibit isn’t a large exhibit and going into the future it’s difficult to imagine a bull elephant being housed in it again; or an Indian rhinoceros, which has been a replacement for elephants proposed for Melbourne and Perth in the past.
The bull exhibit occupies a flat piece of land, so could be suitable for new Pygmy hippopotamus exhibits. They’d compliment the Congo precinct nicely and with the Hippopotamus IRA on the horizon, it’s likely we’ll soon be able to import more hippopotamus. Taronga currently have a breeding pair and appear to have a long term commitment to this species.
The exhibits ageing way faster then expected, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was demolished within the next decade to make way for another enclosure for another species.
I'm of the belief that the camels are a 'temporary' replacement until a more complete decision is made on the future of the enclosure. The camels do link in nicely with the nearby Australian precinct, so I assume that's where the thinking comes from; placing them there.
I don't see elephants returning there, the enclosure is just too small imo.
Like @Zoofan15 said, the enclosure is neatly placed on one of the only large pieces of flat land Taronga has, so it would probably fit another ungulate species. Okapi (if Taronga does end up importing them) would fit the enclosure well, or even an upgraded Pygmy Hippo complex with multiple exhibits. The barn wouldn't require much changes if this was to be the case.
loganjmuir
Well-Known Member
It makes sense for the camels to slide in near the Australian precinct, but I don't think it would house Pygmy Hippos or Okapi in the future, as there are basic sketches of a proposed Congo Precinct, where potentially the Pygmy's could take over a section of the current Elephant exhibit along with another animal. As for the Okapi there is a proposed seperate exhibit linking with a new gorilla exhibit, overlapping with the current one.
I haven't seen the plans to expand the Pygmy Hippos to where the current elephant exhibit is. That would make sense, as they do require more space; and the location is quite well placed neighboring the planned Congo precinct whilst allowing them to still access the current facilities.
The Okapi will be an interesting one as Taronga originally expressed an intention to import a pair - so two exhibits would be needed to house the bull and cow separately.
It appears the Western lowland gorilla complex will be built first; with them vacating their exhibit for redevelopment/demolition. Within this timeframe, we’ll have confirmation on whether the Giraffe/Okapi IRA is to follow the Hippopotamus IRA (assumed but not confirmed).
Once the Giraffe/Okapi IRA is in progress, it will give Taronga an idea of when they could theoretically import Okapi - which will be a mission given the populations in the US and Europe and their reluctance to export breeding age Okapi; combined with the lengthy import process from the US (two years approx).
Hey does it make sense perhaps if once the Tropical African section of the zoo is underway that the Ring-tailed Lemurs relocate to the island where the Squirrel Monkeys have been for a couple of decades (given the latter now also have a home in the ex-WC Gibbon 'aviary').