Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo News 2022

marmolady said:
I did take a photograph of Luk Chai, which I can upload, but none of Man Jai.
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It’s fortunate that Luk Chai and Man Jai continue to get on well as they mature. Although they can’t be housed together overnight, at least being able to spend some days together in the same paddock gives Man Jai socialisation now his break from the matriarchal herd is complete.

Man Jai met his sire, Bong Su, for the first time at 10 months of age - so it’s possible Man Jai will have the same opportunity to interact with these calves towards the end of 2023; though with the transfer to Werribee around the corner, it probably makes more sense to wait until then.
 
Zorro said:
I would hope that Zoos Victoria would make a documentary from the start of building to the finish of the Werribee elephant complex it would be worth it seeing its going to be a world class exhibit! :cool:
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At the very least I’d expect to see it covered in the next series of Mega Zoo, but I prefer your idea of a documentary covering the elephant pregnancies, births and first year; alongside the construction of the new complex and the transfer of the herd.

It’s a comprehensive story in itself that’s easily worthy of a one hour documentary. Melbourne Zoo have produced some outstanding documentaries in the past, covering high profile events such as Australia’s first gorilla birth - and this is Zoos Victoria’s biggest development to date (literally).
 
Zoofan15 said:
It’s fortunate that Luk Chai and Man Jai continue to get on well as they mature. Although they can’t be housed together overnight, at least being able to spend some days together in the same paddock gives Man Jai socialisation now his break from the matriarchal herd is complete.

Man Jai met his sire, Bong Su, for the first time at 10 months of age - so it’s possible Man Jai will have the same opportunity to interact with these calves towards the end of 2023; though with the transfer to Werribee around the corner, it probably makes more sense to wait until then.
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Man Jai and Luk Chai are very close and Luk Chai is a phenomenal mentor to Man Jai. Luk Chai’s impressive skills with younger bulls was actually part of the reason he was chosen to arrive at Melbourne. Bringing in a mentor for Man Jai was a big part in the move; and obviously Melbourne have been ecstatic with the results they’ve gotten from this (and of course Luk Chai impregnating the girls). ;)

Considering the spatial constraints Melbourne have, I doubt they’d introduce Man Jai or Luk Chai to the calves prior to the move to Werribee. Once the move has taken place though, I’d imagine both bulls will be able to meet the calves which will be something of a novelty for Man Jai who’s never met an elephant younger than him before!
 
Jambo said:
Considering the spatial constraints Melbourne have, I doubt they’d introduce Man Jai or Luk Chai to the calves prior to the move to Werribee. Once the move has taken place though, I’d imagine both bulls will be able to meet the calves which will be something of a novelty for Man Jai who’s never met an elephant younger than him before!
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The best thing about the complex at Werribee is it’ll allow the elephants space to get away from each other during introductions.

Even at the open range zoo at Dubbo, they spoke of the adolescent bulls (Luk Chai and Pathi Harn) being keen to leave the mother/calf exhibit when given the opportunity to do so at the end of an introduction - but the immense paddocks will not only ease introductions and allow them to remain together for longer periods; but reduce pressure on adolescent bulls to leave the herd as they mature. Ongard was certainly given the message it was time to move on at Melbourne.
 
Native Frog Conservation

Zoos Victoria have posted an interesting video on the zoo’s conservation work with native frogs, including the use of reproductive technology:

Freezing a future for some of Australia's most endangered frogs | Together with our friends at Taronga Conservation Society, UOW: University of Wollongong, Australia and Museums Victoria, we're freezing a future for... | By Zoos Victoria | Facebook

Taronga collaborate with Taronga Conservation Society, UOW: University of Wollongong, Australia and Museums Victoria on this project.
 
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