MZ is certainly at a cross-roads in a sense but i think that is better reflected by the constantly changing face of the management team and therefore the policies and objectives than it is by the living collection, which, naturally, takes time to reflect these policies through the processes of breeding, phasing out and acquiring etc.
the most recent stance on the keeping of Asian Elephants at MZ by management probably best represents where things can go wrong; i like it when zoos decide on a plan and then stick to it. in the past, Australia's zoos got themsleves into the exact problem people are complaining about now through unorganised imports and not coordinating or sticking to plans. thats why ARAZAPA plans are great when they work, and in the main MZ does an excellent job at adhering to these.....and its why TWPZ for example, faced heavy condemnation for breaking ranks to import indian rhino.
as Phoeinix pointed out MZ does not euthanase (wisely after the scandals of 1999) and hence is left with a large collection of ageing animals. of course, the good news is that as these animals pass away it means more room for fewer animals, OR more room for extra individuals in a planned program-surely a good thing?
take the case of red-pandas and coati-two charismatic, arboreal little carnivores. and both in underwhelming exhibits. personally i would prefer if MZ actually phased out coati altogether and focussed resources on building one really, really amazing red panda exhibit. in another sense, would you begrudge the relocation of baboon from MZ and resulting lack in diversity?
if it makes you feel any better, TZ went through a very crappy period from, id say, 2001 to 2005 when vast sections of the zoo were under construction and many programs seemed to be floundering-lots of species were off-show or had died out. i guess when you have the one director though for over ten years and a massive funding program the chance for seeing goals acheived is higher than in the case, of say MZ. and the Taronga Zoo you see today is the result of that period.
if more projects of the standard of the African Rainforest, TOTE or the Australian Bushland at MZ materialise on the more diverse but definitely underwhelming right-hand side of the main drive than i feel MZ will equal Taronga in terms of visitor experience.
the most recent stance on the keeping of Asian Elephants at MZ by management probably best represents where things can go wrong; i like it when zoos decide on a plan and then stick to it. in the past, Australia's zoos got themsleves into the exact problem people are complaining about now through unorganised imports and not coordinating or sticking to plans. thats why ARAZAPA plans are great when they work, and in the main MZ does an excellent job at adhering to these.....and its why TWPZ for example, faced heavy condemnation for breaking ranks to import indian rhino.
as Phoeinix pointed out MZ does not euthanase (wisely after the scandals of 1999) and hence is left with a large collection of ageing animals. of course, the good news is that as these animals pass away it means more room for fewer animals, OR more room for extra individuals in a planned program-surely a good thing?
take the case of red-pandas and coati-two charismatic, arboreal little carnivores. and both in underwhelming exhibits. personally i would prefer if MZ actually phased out coati altogether and focussed resources on building one really, really amazing red panda exhibit. in another sense, would you begrudge the relocation of baboon from MZ and resulting lack in diversity?
if it makes you feel any better, TZ went through a very crappy period from, id say, 2001 to 2005 when vast sections of the zoo were under construction and many programs seemed to be floundering-lots of species were off-show or had died out. i guess when you have the one director though for over ten years and a massive funding program the chance for seeing goals acheived is higher than in the case, of say MZ. and the Taronga Zoo you see today is the result of that period.
if more projects of the standard of the African Rainforest, TOTE or the Australian Bushland at MZ materialise on the more diverse but definitely underwhelming right-hand side of the main drive than i feel MZ will equal Taronga in terms of visitor experience.
