The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
The glass was blackened when I was there at end of July, but there were Colobus in there. I think it is to make the Colobus more comfortable.
Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo News 2023
- Thread starter WhistlingKite24
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Melbourne are trying to breed colobus, so I’d guess either they’re hoping this will enhance breeding success; or perhaps the female, Kipenzi, is pregnant. If so, it’ll be the zoo’s first infant since 2012!
Interesting to hear such varied options for Melbourne's future, the area is massive and with their intention to phase out of tigers too there could be something really incredible created if it was to be a massive bio-dome
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
When did they decide to phase out tigers?
I find it hard to believe Melbourne Zoo will phase out Sumatran tigers. They fit three of the Zoos Victoria’s criteria (enabling, endangered and the face of a conservative campaign - palm oil), when the requirement is to only fit two of the five criteria.
Sumatran tigers are part of a thriving regional breeding programme, supported by every main zoo in the region bar Sydney Zoo.
Considering how rapidly decisions are made (and undone) within the region, I wouldn’t place value on any assumptions Melbourne’s tigers are on the way out based on anything said/speculated in the here and now. The current tigers could have another five years in them and that’s a very long time in the zoo world re. decision making.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I hope they continue with tigers, but only have one exhib it allocated for their display. Most would prefer to see a tiger and a bear or leopard ad opposed to just a tiger twice
I agree. Auckland, Orana and Taronga all have three tiger exhibits; and Adelaide are planning to build a third. It makes sense for these four facilities to function as the breeding hubs for the region and for zoos like Melbourne to allocate their infrastructure to additional species.
I’d hope to see Melbourne receive a sibling pair to exhibit in their TOTE precinct long term (remodelled as an Indonesian precinct); with a different species replacing them in the Carnivores precinct.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Could these siblings be on rotation together or exhibited together
I agree I find it difficult to believe that Melbourne zoo would phase out Tigers which are expected by the pubic they are attractive, charismatic and can be quite entertaining at times, plus being a chosen species for the region as an Endangered species to show case to the public,But I have had some reservations for some time with the woke appearing zoo board where all bar one has any real animal/zoo savvy knowledge.
It would not take must effort for MZ to slot in a pair of Sri Lankan Leopards and become part of the regions breeding program with the EEP, The pubic can compare two asian cat species together one striped and the other spotted.
Ideally exhibited together. From what I’ve seen in the region, male/female pairs (either siblings, mother/son or unrelated) and female/female pairs (siblings or mother/daughter) work best long term.
Sri Lankan leopard would be a nice addition to Melbourne Zoo. South Asia is greatly underrepresented in our region’s zoos, especially compared to the 20th century where Indian leopards, Bengal tigers and Bonnet macaques reigned supreme.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Where would you suggest we put them? Elephant replacement? I wanted to mention that with Sundah’s death there is now a spare back of house snow leopard exhibit, which would theoretically leave space for Sri Lankan leopard woudl it not? If Kang-Ju was out off display/ with miska while breeding then his current exhibit could be repurposed for Sri Lankan leopard to increase diversity
Unfortunately I don't have an intimate knowledge of the zoo grounds, Since Leopards require more vertical height than a real big area I suspect they would not have much of a problem finding the room for a pair.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
That’s true. Something like National Zoo showcases this well
I would suggest the area being redeveloped on the site of the elephant exhibits would be preferable, though it depends how attached they are to a South East Asian theme (Sri Lankan leopards being a South Asian species). Like @Zorro says, the emphasis is on vertical, not horizontal; so with this in mind, I’d love to see a multilevelled Sri Lankan leopard exhibit.
Even with Sundah’s death, I imagine the zoo will use the space to accomodate a repeat breeding of their snow leopards, potentially retaining up to four cubs into adulthood. They only had one male in the litter last time; but three males could well follow and require seperate housing as they mature.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Would offspring of the snow leopards ever be able to be housed with their parents as they grow older, or just as they’re younger? Seeing multiple snow leopards would liven up the exhibit so much
Usually just when they’re younger. They reach independence at 18-24 months and the mother will generally be happy to see them disperse by that stage. Sometimes two sisters can remain together as a pair. Asha and Manju appear to be getting on fine at Wellington Zoo together; and Billabong held a sibling pair that came from Taronga.
Unrelated male-female pairs can also work. Gregor and Shimbu at Melbourne were particularly close by all accounts.
I agree multiple snow leopards would be a sight to behold. Quadruplets have been born at several zoos, so having five on exhibit for up to 18 months could theoretically be possible!
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
Let's move this discussion back to the Future Speculation thread 
(loving it though!)
(loving it though!)
Would definitely have to be Mali imo. The Thai cows have experienced transfers ect for pretty much their whole life when you consider their background. I would be highly surprised to see one of them being nervous around crates, even though it’s been quite some time now. In saying that, we can’t rule out Mek Kapah who’s highly apprehensive herself, but is heavily food motivated.
The glass has long been blackened - going back to when the zoo had capuchins. Not sure as to why; but I believe it was a move just to make the Capuchins more comfortable. A similar thing was done with Li Lian and the gibbon enclosure.
The Colobus's would've been there. In each enclosure there's a platform just beneath the viewing window (out of view) and Kipenzi was usually there during my previous visits. I would view her from the trail that comes out of the gorilla rangers hut (looking from the back of the exhibit).
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BasecatXD
Active Member
Honestly, it’s a shame that the Pygmy hippos are going to phase out soon
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