Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo News 2020
- Thread starter Jambo
- Start date
It also appears that Koalas are now in two exhibits; as it appears they have moved into the former Kookaburra enclosure (cage).
No worries! Also, the way to find this map is by scrolling a bit further down from Melbourne Zoo's online interactive map and pressing on "Download PDF Map". Then you can see the newest zoo map so far. This is the same for the other two zoos as well. The online map is probably really outdated because it must take time to edit the programming to it.
Yes, I noticed that on my last visit in January. This separate Koala enclosure is for Koala joey Waru and his mum.
toothlessjaws
Well-Known Member
Well I for one am glad to hear the gibbons have been shuffled. The treetop monkeys exhibit is a great exhibit, but it's currently not suitable for larger primates as the enclosures are far too small. So Siamangs returning to the orangutan complex and the WC gibbons getting an island is a much better outcome for the apes all round. Hopefully freeing up some space at the treetops gives them some wiggle room to merge some more of the exhibits together to form more space. What perplexes me is why they have never made use of the two islands between the tigers and orangutans for gibbons/primates. Or why the got rid the two primate islands near the big cats when they mad the awful carnivore trail.
Sadly at Melbourne its all about new for old without really improving anything.
Sadly at Melbourne its all about new for old without really improving anything.
What does this say or do for Philippine croc exhibition then at MZ?
Checked back the map: 2 sites for giant tortoises?
(MZ only maintains Aldabra right?)
MZ have Aldabra in two locations: next to the reptile house, in in Growing Wild (a children’s precinct).
Do you have any further information like numbers (sex, age and names)?
Yes, I am a tortoise fan of sorts!!!
Sounds much like Taronga less by the year!
The Snow Leopard cubs have been named. The females have been named Asha and Manju and the male, Sikari. From the zoo's Facebook page:
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toothlessjaws
Well-Known Member
Melbourne has bred this species and some years ago and over the years I've seen multiple animals there. I had always assumed their were some younger crocs "growing up" out back. Do they not keep any others?
They have 2.1 Aldabra Tortoise:
Wilbur (M) Born 1930 est, Arrived 1965
Little John (M) Born 1940 est, Arrived 1995
Jean (F) Born 1960 est, Arrived 1975
This year Wilbur would be ninety! And, Little John would be eighty, and Jean, sixty.
Little John and Jean live in the Growing Wild Precinct, whilst Wilbur lives alone in next to the Reptile House.
Philippine Crocodile Update:
I contacted the zoo today in regards to their current numbers with their Philippine Crocodiles. Melbourne Zoo only has one male, Luzon - who I assume is the one on-display in the reptile house. He was born in 1998 and he bred with Isabela (the female who died in late 2019). This pair first successfully produced offspring in March 2013 and I assume all their offspring have been exported. At least seven of their offspring that hatched in 2014 were sent to the Philippines and released into the wild.
Endangered baby crocodiles born at Melbourne Zoo sent to the Philippines to rebuild population - ABC News
I contacted the zoo today in regards to their current numbers with their Philippine Crocodiles. Melbourne Zoo only has one male, Luzon - who I assume is the one on-display in the reptile house. He was born in 1998 and he bred with Isabela (the female who died in late 2019). This pair first successfully produced offspring in March 2013 and I assume all their offspring have been exported. At least seven of their offspring that hatched in 2014 were sent to the Philippines and released into the wild.
Endangered baby crocodiles born at Melbourne Zoo sent to the Philippines to rebuild population - ABC News
I tried to look for the info with Google search, but no luck. At the back of my mind was the death of one from their pair .... It is a shame they did not try again to match up the pair or even 2!
Are the crocs Luzon or Mindanao subspecies?
No idea on the subspecies. I didn't even know there were recognised subspecies of the Philippine Crocodile?
I did however do a bit more digging. Melbourne Zoo only produced two successful clutches from this pair - one individual in 2013 (Australia's first) and a clutch of thirteen crocodiles in 2014. I found the information here:
https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/f..._and_Gardens_Board_Addendum_Text_N7XCm5RW.pdf
According to the CITES Trade Database, seven Philippine Crocodiles were exported to the Philippines (the ones released into the wild mentioned above) and another four were exported to the United States in 2016. I'm not sure what happened to the remaining crocodiles.
In regards to Philippine Crocodiles regionally, I think it's a real shame more zoos haven't come on board with this species. Australia Zoo have always claimed to be experts with crocodiles - I'm sure this species would be well-suited to the subtropical climate and Australia Zoo does has plenty of crocodile enclosures.
I am a little surprised the zoo never held a few young back to carry on with so what happens now perhaps another phase out of the species?
I have just texted Zoos Victoria about the future of the Treetop Apes and Monkey area. They said that the cotton-top tamarins were to be moved into the renovated exhibits (the ones that are always empty I guess) and that the gibbon pair Li-lian and Jin are staying in the Treetop Apes and Monkey enclosure. So maybe they are yet to move the gibbons to the Japanese Gardens or are planning to get new gibbons to put in the Japanese Gardens area? They also did not mention any plans on gaining new species of monkeys to put in the Treetop Apes and Monkey enclosures such as the emperor tamarin or golden lion tamarin.
But there is a European zoo that breeds them, Right? If they wanted a female
Affirmative. it is not that hugely difficult. Aside, there is also a good supply with hundreds of Philippine crocs in Philippines' zoos and the rescue centers languishing that would benefit from better management, husbandry and exhibits.
When and if there is a quid pro quo support for in situ conservation and improving husbandry and management in the local zoos that becomes a win-win situation for both. Talk animal exchanges, zoo partnerships and improving skills either side of the Pond. Finally, Australian zoos have loads of experience in managing crocodiles, even the more delicate species (think of the local freshwater crocs ... for example), ... so why let that go to waste?
Someone mentioned here too: why did Australia Zoo not get Philippine crocs or the Reptile Park at Gosford?
BTW: still have not figured out if Melbourne has Mindanao or Luzon subspecies.
I tend to think it is the Mindanao ssp. which is more numerous, but very unsure .....
