Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo news 2016

zooboy28 said:
Moving back to news about Melbourne Zoo, the Siamang pair have again relocated, this time from the extensive islands near the train gate entrance to the much smaller island in the Japanese Garden pond. I saw some construction here on my last visit, but certainly didn't expect it to become home to the siamangs. It is a small island, so I hope this is only a temporary measure. The move frees up more of the area that will become the second phase of Predators for impending construction.
Click to expand...
there's a one-minute video from ZoosVictoria on Youtube uploaded a week or two ago, showing the siamang on their new island.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMN7enSnSzA
 
One of Melbourne Zoo's trio of male lions has been put to sleep due to a worsening neurological condition.

Story here: Vale Zuri | Zoos Victoria

Elderly lion Zuri has been euthanased after it became evident that his neurological condition had progressed rapidly over the past week, affecting his ability to move.

Zoo Veterinarian Dr. Sarah Frith says that Zuri was diagnosed with age-related neurological problems several months ago, and that Keepers and Veterinarians have been monitoring his condition closely.

She says that ‘We are expecting the cause to be a degenerative disease of the nerves relating to Zuri’s advanced age.’

Dr. Frith explains that although the necropsy has been carried out at the University of Melbourne’s Veterinary Clinic at Werribee today, the diagnosis will only be confirmed after laboratory testing of the neurological tissues, which may take a few weeks.

Zuri and his two surviving brothers Chaka and Harare were born on New Year’s Day, 2001, so at almost 16 they have lived longer than lions in the wild and even the average Zoo life expectancy for their species.

Carnivores Department Manager Adrian Howard says that ‘I was there the day he was born, and I’ve cared for him for his entire life. There are other Keepers and Veterinarians that have also shared his whole lifetime, and we are all going to feel the loss.

‘Zuri was a majestic and impressive male, but even though he was the biggest of the brothers he was somewhat subordinate to them – he would stand back and allow them to be more dominant.

‘Although Zuri will be deeply missed by the team, when he lost his appetite and found it more difficult to move, we knew this was the right time to say goodbye.

‘Millions of visitors have seen him growing up with his brothers, and for all those years Zuri has done an amazing job as an Ambassador for his species, which is under increasingly serious threat in the wild.’

Melbourne Zoo Director Kevin Tanner says that Zuri will be missed not only by all the Zoo staff but also the Members and other visitors.

‘Our lions have always been a popular display, especially with the three majestic brothers, and even visitors who may not have been to the zoo for a while will all have fond memories of these spectacular animals over the last 16 years.

‘The new Lion Gorge was built on the spot where the three brothers were born, and although we are very sad to lose Zuri his condition had reached the point where our decision was the right one for him.

‘I would like to acknowledge the compassion and professionalism of the team who have provided such excellent care for Zuri during his final illness.’
Click to expand...
 
Hey guys, just wondering if anyone knew when they were going to start construction for the new big cat era?

Also if there were any plans out on what it's going to look like?
 
Melbourne zoo welcomes NZ baboons for breeding | World | Newshub
Six female baboons from New Zealand have joined the troop at Melbourne Zoo amid hopes they will soon breed more babies like Juju.

Juju, at just 18 months, is the only baby in the troop and the offspring of the two dominant baboons there, mother Haddo and father Jabari.

Zookeeper Bianca Papadopoulos says the six females from NZ, four of breeding age, were slowly introduced to their new troop but have now all successfully integrated.

The first four came last December, the other two, arrived in July.

"After a quarantine period of four weeks, they then went through a brief induction period of between two to four weeks," Ms Papadopoulos told AAP.

Melbourne Zoo hopes to increase their baboon population from 21 to around 45 over the next 10 years after building the bigger Baboon Lookout five years ago.

The Baboon Lookout gives visitors a sense of connection to the active group's social relationships said to be based on a hierarchical scale .

Jabari became the alpha male of the baboon troop at Melbourne Zoo after the dominant male passed away in June this year.

The arrival of the females is part of a Regional Breeding Program that allows zoos across New Zealand and Australia to transport baboons between facilities to keep their populations under control.
Click to expand...
 
Jabiru96 said:
A new precinct called 'Leopard Ridge' is scheduled to open in December 2017 featuring snow leopards, Sumatran tigers (aren't these already in the Asian area?), coatis and Tasmanian devils (a bit of an odd combo): Leopard Ridge Announcement | Zoos Victoria
Click to expand...

Well that sounds horrific. There is already a Sumatran tiger exhibit in the Asian trail, but only one enclosure. There is also a Tasmanian devil enclosure in the Australian section, and coatis displayed in both the Treetop Monkeys area, and the little "other" section in the forgotten corner of the zoo.
 
Jabiru96 said:
A new precinct called 'Leopard Ridge' is scheduled to open in December 2017 featuring snow leopards, Sumatran tigers (aren't these already in the Asian area?), coatis and Tasmanian devils (a bit of an odd combo): Leopard Ridge Announcement | Zoos Victoria
Click to expand...
This whole Carnivore zone at MZ seems like a real mess of species. Given most of the rest of the zoo is mostly zoogeographic-zoned (reptile house aside), the animals selected are a bit of a pick-and-mix... Lazy planning. If the zoo was interested in focusing on snow leopards couldn't they put together leopards, red pandas, some generic pheasants, mandarin ducks (at a stretch), even tahr if they had enough space.
And does this mean one of the only brown bears in Aust is taken off display permanently? Okay I know she is old, but.
 
Jabiru96 said:
This news article says that the new area will only be housing male Sumatran tiger Hutan (b. Melbourne 2010). I assume that means his mother and sister will be displayed as normal in the Asian trail?

Moving Meo | Zoos Victoria
Click to expand...

Along with Meo, female Sumatran tiger Binjai also paid a visit to the vet while being moved for the new development: Tiger Travel | Zoos Victoria

This article confirms that Binjai and her daughter Indrah will share the Asian trail exhibit (although I am not sure if this means being together or separately?).
 
Jabiru96 said:
Along with Meo, female Sumatran tiger Binjai also paid a visit to the vet while being moved for the new development: Tiger Travel | Zoos Victoria

This article confirms that Binjai and her daughter Indrah will share the Asian trail exhibit (although I am not sure if this means being together or separately?).
Click to expand...

The article implies Binjai and her daughter are separate as it talks about her rotating with her offspring. Not to say they won't be reintroduced in time if that's possible. Hamilton Zoo have introduced the male, Oz, to the speyed female, Mencari and they happily share.

The article incorrectly states that Ramalon and Binjai produced two litters in 2008 and 2010. Their two litters were produced in 2006 and 2010.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Is the intention to still breed or has it been given up on G-Anne?
Click to expand...

Mogo is a non-breeding group so she will not be breeding. A volunteer at Melbourne Zoo has said on Facebook that she was moved to Mogo as Otana "wouldn't accept her back" after being removed for dental treatment.
 
Jabiru96 said:
Mogo is a non-breeding group so she will not be breeding. A volunteer at Melbourne Zoo has said on Facebook that she was moved to Mogo as Otana "wouldn't accept her back" after being removed for dental treatment.
Click to expand...

The only Gorilla I know which has lived on three different Continents (she was 'born in the USA'). I remember her when she was at Jersey and seeing her at Melbourne too. Always very humanised from her early life, I suspect Otana probably never related to her(or vice versa) Its a good/wise move for her but highlights that 'Ganyeki' at Werribee is her only offspring and genetically valuable- G.Anne herself being the only offspring of wild-caught parents.

Her move does leave Melbourne with a very small group(4) now. So the next question is, where will young female Kipenzi at Mogo go for breeding- to Melbourne or Sydney?
 
Last edited:
I visited about a week ago and have a couple of small things to report.

-The entire top right-hand section of the zoo is closed for renovations. The bear pit, big cat cages and siamang island.

-The exhibit in tree top monkeys that formally held tree kangaroos has been joined to the exhibit for spider monkeys and the group of four has access to both. The line-up is now gibbons, spider monkeys X2, capuchin X2, colobus, coati, and the final exhibit is home to a parrot but its exhibit was being cleaned at the time and I only saw it in the holding cage, possibly amazon.

-The siamangs have moved to the island in the Japanese garden.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top