Melbourne Zoo Jaguar

Steve Robinson said:
Mind you Ara, all sarcasm aside, you do raise a good point.

Here at the DDZ, as we continually fine tune our aspirations for this zoo, we look to ARAZPA guidelines on many subjects. One of the areas that troubles me a bit is the emphasis on South-east Asian species in collection plans - just because they are South-east Asian. The emphasis is understandable but it does not always take into account the specific climatic needs of some species.

Australia is Australasia NOT South-east Asia and the climate in much of our country is nothing like, say a tropical South-east Asian climate. And, conversely, montaine South-east Asian climates are nothing like tropical Aussie areas. As a result, it is not unusual to see some in animals in Australian zoos in totally inappropriate climates.

A classic case in point are the Red Pandas panting their way through each sweltering north Queensland summer day. To house Snow Leopards in such a climate would be unforgiveable. Fortunately the TAG now seems to recognise this in the case of Snow Leopards but the plight of the Red Pandas remains.
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How has the TAG changed their view on keeping these species? Has their been any suggestion that other species would be better suited to warmer climate zoos?
 
tetrapod said:
How has the TAG changed their view on keeping these species? Has their been any suggestion that other species would be better suited to warmer climate zoos?
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They have acknowledged that Snow Leopards [at least ] would not be a suitable species to be kept in hot, humid areas of Australia.

There has been no indication that they would consider further species [more suited for northern climes] for this Region.

As a matter of fact there is a suggestion that, due to financial constraints, we may see less managed species in this country in the future.
 
Well I live in the northern part of Sydney, so if I can catch him, Steve, he's all yours! :D
 
A little off topic but save starting a new thread, for those that are interested I believe there is a black asian leopard named sampson around - in private hands.
 
I heard somewhere that there are a few leopards and lions left from Bullens Circus's...Don't take my word for it though.
 
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When Bullen's Animal World was open to the public, maybe 20 years ago, they had more leopards than the rest of Australia put together (and they were breeding well.) I'd be surprised if they had just died out completely.

Also, I heard a few years back that someone had a (licensed) leopard out at Windsor, NSW for use in TV commercials etc. (not that I've seen any commercials with leopards in them, so it may be just a rumour.)
 
Steve Robinson said:
They have acknowledged that Snow Leopards [at least ] would not be a suitable species to be kept in hot, humid areas of Australia.

There has been no indication that they would consider further species [more suited for northern climes] for this Region.

As a matter of fact there is a suggestion that, due to financial constraints, we may see less managed species in this country in the future.
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Maybe ARAZPA needs to recognise that the Australasian region does not have enough 'good quality' zoos in order to have managed breeding programs for all the species and work closer with Europe, Asia or N America in having 'sub-populations' that need topping up from time to time with new blood. It seems to be the case with Sumatran tigers and gorillas.
 
I couldn't agree more.

It seems hopelessly idealistic for zoos in this region to expect to be self-sufficient when it comes to exotic animals.

That attitude is simply leading to the further impoverishment of zoos in Australia and New Zealand.
 
Ara said:
(not that I've seen any commercials with leopards in them, so it may be just a rumour.)
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You don't remember the Schweppervessence ads a couple of years back with a talking leopard, lounging by the pool with his pet alligator?

:)

HIx
 
I believe the Bullen's still have many tigers, lions and atleast a puma and leopard (or two). I know there is a company in sydney offering interactions with all of these animals and given that one of the animals they advertsie having is an Asian elephant named Siam. This leads me to believe these interactions are held at the Bullens Property or at least with their animals. sorry for going off topic but something I thought you'd like to know.
 
PAT said:
Isn't one of Australias elephants called Siam?
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yes it is, but australia zoo dont own the elephants, they still belong to bullens and just live in semi retierment at Australia zoo. Siam was rcently in a tv show called elephant princess thats on ten on arvo a week and for the flming she was sent to melbourne and lived in a trailer set up with her handler
 
Thanks for that Torie. Here I was thinking there were elephants I didn't know about in Australia.
 
Ara said:
When Bullen's Animal World was open to the public, maybe 20 years ago, they had more leopards than the rest of Australia put together (and they were breeding well.) I'd be surprised if they had just died out completely.

Also, I heard a few years back that someone had a (licensed) leopard out at Windsor, NSW for use in TV commercials etc. (not that I've seen any commercials with leopards in them, so it may be just a rumour.)
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Scheweppes used to have commercials with the leopard......lounging around a swin=mming pool withi his other animal friends.
 
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