Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo News 2023

[Jambo]

I think that since the Carnivore trail opened, I have only seen the Coatis ONCE in all those years...
I hope that the Binturong are more visible.

Initially I would say that I would have to agree with you on that. They apparently had eight or so initially when the Carnivores trail first opened and I never saw any active. Within the past few years though, I have seen the remaining females a lot more. They tended to be active in the first part of the exhibit (next to the viewing glass); but did seem to prefer to spend most of their time in their indoor area.

From experience, Binturong are far more lazy imo. You'll certainly be able to see them, but in regards to activity I've never seen a Binturong up and about, despite visiting several zoos with them. Melbourne's previous pair were always asleep.

 

[Zoofan15]

Giraffe Pregnancy

Something exciting is coming soon…(serious this time).

@Patrick Keegan showed me a photo taken at Melbourne Zoo this week, which shows their eldest female giraffe Nakuru (2012) to be heavily pregnant. The sire would be the zoo’s bull, Klintun (2018).

It’s a nice surprise considering most of us were thinking only the younger cow (Iris) would be breeding. Gestation for this species is 15 months and judging by Nakuru’s size, I would estimate she’s 12-14 months pregnant.

All going well, this will be the first calf of Klintun and Nakuru; and the first giraffe calf born at Melbourne Zoo since 2006.

Nakuru was born at Auckland Zoo in 2012 and is the first daughter of her mother, Rukiya (2001). Her youngest sister, Zuri (2015), is expecting her first calf this year; and their eldest brother, Forrest (2007), has sired several calves at Australia Zoo.

 

[Jambo]

Giraffe Pregnancy

Something exciting is coming soon…(serious this time).

@Patrick Keegan showed me a photo taken at Melbourne Zoo this week, which shows their eldest female giraffe Nakuru (2012) to be heavily pregnant. The sire would be the zoo’s bull, Klintun (2018).

It’s a nice surprise considering most of us were thinking only the younger cow (Iris) would be breeding. Gestation for this species is 15 months and judging by Nakuru’s size, I would estimate she’s 12-14 months pregnant.

All going well, this will be the first calf of Klintun and Nakuru; and the first giraffe calf born at Melbourne Zoo since 2006.

Nakuru was born at Auckland Zoo in 2012 and is the first daughter of her mother, Rukiya (2001). Her youngest sister, Zuri (2015), is expecting her first calf this year; and their eldest brother, Forrest (2007), has sired several calves at Australia Zoo.

Great news to hear! This will be the first giraffe calf at Melbourne in seventeen years.

I didn't expect Nakuru to be able to conceive considering her age; and to my knowledge, it certainly wasn't Melbourne's intentions; but it's amazing news nonetheless.

Hopefully this is only the start and Iris will conceive too soon. Seeing a thriving, breeding giraffe herd at Melbourne again (for the first in three decades) would certainly be a sight to behold.

Considering giraffe pregnancy can be first detected as early two months and the zebras moved earlier this year, we can assume she's at least 10 or so months into pregnancy. Adding into the fact that the zebra move would've had to have been planned too; the 12-14 month prediction seems about right imo. It would be exciting to have a calf before the years end!

 

[Zoofan15]

Great news to hear! This will be the first giraffe calf at Melbourne in seventeen years.

I didn't expect Nakuru to be able to conceive considering her age; and to my knowledge, it certainly wasn't Melbourne's intentions; but it's amazing news nonetheless.

Hopefully this is only the start and Iris will conceive too soon. Seeing a thriving, breeding giraffe herd at Melbourne again (for the first in three decades) would certainly be a sight to behold.

Considering giraffe pregnancy can be first detected as early two months and the zebras moved earlier this year, we can assume she's at least 10 or so months into pregnancy. Adding into the fact that the zebra move would've had to have been planned too; the 12-14 month prediction seems about right imo. It would be exciting to have a calf before the years end!

It sounds like it could have been a surprise pregnancy then in that case. She’s from a well represented line, with siblings breeding, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see them remain content to breed with the younger Iris.

Females giraffes have bred reliably up into their 20’s, so at 11 years old, she’s still relatively young. I don’t believe periods of non reproduction negative affect fertility as Wellington’s older female is on contraception to prevent pregnancy (despite it being over a decade since she last bred).

 

[Jambo]

It sounds like it could have been a surprise pregnancy then in that case. She’s from a well represented line, with siblings breeding, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see them remain content to breed with the younger Iris.

Females giraffes have bred reliably up into their 20’s, so at 11 years old, she’s still relatively young. I don’t believe periods of non reproduction negative affect fertility as Wellington’s older female is on contraception to prevent pregnancy (despite it being over a decade since she last bred).

I'm not sure on how capable Melbourne's facilities are, but I imagine the construction @Zoos Victoria Fan mentioned was to accommodate the upcoming calf.

The barns are on the small side so I'm not entirely sure how they could accommodate calves from multiple females. This may now be why they're renovating/expanding the current barns, as this wasn't the initial plan.

 

[Zoofan15]

I'm not sure on how capable Melbourne's facilities are, but I imagine the construction @Zoos Victoria Fan mentioned was to accommodate the upcoming calf.

The barns are on the small side so I'm not entirely sure how they could accommodate calves from multiple females. This may now be why they're renovating/expanding the current barns, as this wasn't the initial plan.

That’s quite possible. Auckland Zoo has two giraffe houses - with the newer one (with two stalls) opening in 2013 to accomodate the growing herd. Two calves were born that year; and again in 2015, so it’s no doubt been useful in managing a larger herd.

Iris turns three next month, so assuming a typical first birth at the age of 4-5 years, they could easily have two calves 18 months from now; plus the adolescent from the imminent birth. An additional barn gives the mother/calf space to isolate without requiring the others to be accommodated in a small indoor space or outside (weather permitting).

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I haven’t visited in a few months; so this must be a new development.

Was this on a sign, and when did you see it?

They had started preliminary works at the end of July when I visited 2 days before my 2 year relocation to Tanzania. Not much info out there on it, but my understanding is that they are upgrading the facilities specifically for the giraffes as opposed to another species. At least that was the indication that the keepers gave me on the day. They were tight-lipped about the pregnancy!!! Exciting times for MZ'z giraffes
Will keep the enclosure exciting for a few more years while they work on a Giraffe import approval.

 

[Zoofan15]

They had started preliminary works at the end of July when I visited 2 days before my 2 year relocation to Tanzania. Not much info out there on it, but my understanding is that they are upgrading the facilities specifically for the giraffes as opposed to another species. At least that was the indication that the keepers gave me on the day. They were tight-lipped about the pregnancy!!! Exciting times for MZ'z giraffes
Will keep the enclosure exciting for a few more years while they work on a Giraffe import approval.

I hope Melbourne Zoo (and other Australian zoos) make better use of the Giraffe IRA than Auckland, Wellington and Orana Wildlife Park have to date. Apparently none of them have intentions to import giraffe, which is a great shame when you consider the value of doing so for the region. First generation offspring could be sent on to Australia benefiting them in turn.

I’m not sure what Hamilton Zoo’s plans are, but with three ageing bulls, they’re better placed to import and potentially act as a gateway facility to Australia (via the mandatory 12 month quarantine requirements). Though I note, this is merely an observation.

 

[Abbey]

Giraffe Pregnancy

Something exciting is coming soon…(serious this time).

@Patrick Keegan showed me a photo taken at Melbourne Zoo this week, which shows their eldest female giraffe Nakuru (2012) to be heavily pregnant. The sire would be the zoo’s bull, Klintun (2018).

It’s a nice surprise considering most of us were thinking only the younger cow (Iris) would be breeding. Gestation for this species is 15 months and judging by Nakuru’s size, I would estimate she’s 12-14 months pregnant.

All going well, this will be the first calf of Klintun and Nakuru; and the first giraffe calf born at Melbourne Zoo since 2006.

Nakuru was born at Auckland Zoo in 2012 and is the first daughter of her mother, Rukiya (2001). Her youngest sister, Zuri (2015), is expecting her first calf this year; and their eldest brother, Forrest (2007), has sired several calves at Australia Zoo.

Wonderful news!

Love the use of 'Something exciting is coming soon'

Your post goes to show it's been a long time between drinks* for Zoos Victoria with giraffe breeding, not since Makulu and Twiga as you've noted. The other state-run zoo blocs (Zoos SA and TCSA at their open-range sites, and Perth at their sole campus) have been breeding giraffe regularly throughout that time.

*of giraffe milk, I suppose

 

[Zoofan15]

Wonderful news!

Love the use of 'Something exciting is coming soon'

Your post goes to show it's been a long time between drinks* for Zoos Victoria with giraffe breeding, not since Makulu and Twiga as you've noted. The other state-run zoo blocs (Zoos SA and TCSA at their open-range sites, and Perth at their sole campus) have been breeding giraffe regularly throughout that time.

*of giraffe milk, I suppose

Thanks, I couldn’t resist! For once, something exciting is coming soon.

Yeah, it’s been a long break for Melbourne Zoo; with Wellington having a similar gap (last surviving calf born 2004). Regionally speaking, giraffes still seem to be bred at the majority of small zoos versus lions, which are more commonly held in non-breeding pairs and trios at the city zoos.

I guess it helps unrelated giraffes can be readily shifted between zoos/introduced to each other (I use unrelated loosely btw).

 

[babirusa101]

Vale Sundah

Zoos Victoria has announced the unfortunate passing of 12 year old female snow leopard Sundah who was born in 2008 to Leon and Meo and had been kept off display for the last several years.

I believe this leaves Melbourne Zoo with 1.1 Snow leopards:
1.0 Kang Ju (2015)
0.1 Mishka (2016)

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe this leaves Melbourne Zoo with 1.1 Snow leopards:
1.0 Kang Ju (2015)
0.1 Mishka (2016)

Yes, that’s correct. Melbourne Zoo now have just the breeding pair (Kang Ju and Mishka). Their 1.2 offspring (Sikari, Manju and Asha) have since been dispersed to the Tasmania and Wellington zoos.

The zoo was planning for a 3-4 year gap between their 2020 litter and the next one, so fingers crossed we’ll see a new litter in the next year or so. There’s more than enough space to accomodate them at Melbourne Zoo into adulthood; but I’m hopeful Billabong will be interested in continuing with this species, upon the passing of their elderly Snow leopards.

 

[Jambo]

Vale Sundah

Zoos Victoria has announced the unfortunate passing of 12 year old female snow leopard Sundah who was born in 2008 to Leon and Meo and had been kept off display for the last several years.

I believe this leaves Melbourne Zoo with 1.1 Snow leopards:
1.0 Kang Ju (2015)
0.1 Mishka (2016)

Sad news to hear. She would've been fifteen though; not twelve, so she reached a respectable age.

Although she was off display I fondly remember seeing her often back in their enclosure apart of the former Big Cat Row. She was always quite active for a Snow Leopard and had a very playful personality, and was a favourite for many of Melbourne's keepers.

I'm sure many will be mourning her passing; and I'm glad she got to enjoy her last years in the new facilities which she would've surely enjoyed.

On a positive, her death will open up space within the current facilities which will hopefully allow Melbourne to breed Kang Ju and Miska again sometime next year.

 

[babirusa101]

Sad news to hear. She would've been fifteen though; not twelve, so she reached a respectable age.

Although she was off display I fondly remember seeing her often back in their enclosure apart of the former Big Cat Row. She was always quite active for a Snow Leopard and had a very playful personality, and was a favourite for many of Melbourne's keepers.

I'm sure many will be mourning her passing; and I'm glad she got to enjoy her last years in the new facilities which she would've surely enjoyed.

On a positive, her death will open up space within the current facilities which will hopefully allow Melbourne to breed Kang Ju and Miska again sometime next year.

Oh yes, you're absolutely right, she would've been 15 when she passed, my apologies. I'm still stuck in 2020 Time flies...

Also, what ended up happening with the old big cat row? Did they demolish it all, or did they manage to preserve some parts of it? It used to be such an integral part of the zoo, it's a pity that it's all gone now

 

[Zoofan15]

Oh yes, you're absolutely right, she would've been 15 when she passed, my apologies. I'm still stuck in 2020 Time flies...

Also, what ended up happening with the old big cat row? Did they demolish it all, or did they manage to preserve some parts of it? It used to be such an integral part of the zoo, it's a pity that it's all gone now

It’s sadly gone now. Part of the Carnivores precinct (snow leopard exhibit and tiger exhibit) is on that site now. Though the accomodation left a lot to be desired; nobody can deny the diversity of taxa was something we can only dream of these days. Jaguar, Persian leopard, black leopard and others side by side would be a dream come true in this day and age.

The same story re. Small Cat Alley, which contained Temminck’s golden cat, Ocelot, Leopard cat etc. over the years.

 

[dylan downward]

Oh yes, you're absolutely right, she would've been 15 when she passed, my apologies. I'm still stuck in 2020 Time flies...

Also, what ended up happening with the old big cat row? Did they demolish it all, or did they manage to preserve some parts of it? It used to be such an integral part of the zoo, it's a pity that it's all gone now

The back wall is still there but that’s it now

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

I also saw her went I went to MZ, you Could see her off display exhibit from the treetop monkeys. Will be sorely missed

 

[Zoofan15]

On the subject of Melbourne’s snow leopards, it’s interesting to note they’ve now held four breeding pairs from three family lineages versus their Sumatran tigers, where the current sibling pair (Hutan and Indah) and the previous breeding male (Ramalon) are direct descendants of the original breeding pair (Frank and Poetry).

Part of this is down to luck in that Melbourne paired Shimbu (born 1989 at Melbourne) with Gregor, but the pairing failed to yield cubs due to fertility issues; combined with a global breeding recommendations in this species being influenced by the removal of some lineages due to eye issues. Taronga’s litter (half-siblings to Sundar) were removed from the breeding programme for this reason.

 

[Jambo]

Also, what ended up happening with the old big cat row? Did they demolish it all, or did they manage to preserve some parts of it? It used to be such an integral part of the zoo, it's a pity that it's all gone now

The actual cages are now unfortunately gone but some of the off display walls are still intact. I believe Indrah’s off display area compromises of old brick walls from the Big cat row, but that’s about it. The Snow Leopards have entirely new quarters.

I also saw her went I went to MZ, you Could see her off display exhibit from the treetop monkeys. Will be sorely missed

Sundah spent her time in an enclosure behind Kang Ju’s and Mishka’s. It’s a unique enclosure; doubling as a vertical cage allowing climbing opportunities and can be seen in the background when at Kang Ju’s viewing window.

 

[dylan downward]

The actual cages are now unfortunately gone but some of the off display walls are still intact. I believe Indrah’s off display area compromises of old brick walls from the Big cat row, but that’s about it. The Snow Leopards have entirely new quarters.

Sundah spent her time in an enclosure behind Kang Ju’s and Mishka’s. It’s a unique enclosure; doubling as a vertical cage allowing climbing opportunities and can be seen in the background when at Kang Ju’s viewing window.

King jus wall is part of the old big cat cages