Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo News 2023

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Zoofan15 said:
It sounds like Hutan is usually a decent display animal (at least better than Indrah); though the isolation of their exhibits from each other will reduce activity. The tigers at Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington are far more active; with the majority of their focus being on the adjacent tigers in their respective exhibits.

Most zoos in the region implement fasting days with their tigers, which reduces anticipation behaviour e.g. pacing, but I’ve never heard of one feeding once a week, which is interesting to hear. I’d imagine he does very little for 2-3 days after eating from the carcass, which is why most zoos feed smaller amounts three or four times a week.
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Melbourne feed their tigers only using entire carcasses with one to two weeks between feeds its very incredible to see when you do on the right day
 
ZOO VISIT REPORT- 15th of October 2023

Binturong:
I could see (and smell) one of the binturongs in its shelter. I managed to see its face, but it was not very active. I couldn’t see the second binturong. Honestly, it’s a shame that the binturongs aren’t very active, because the coatis were always moving around. However, they were still pretty cool.

Otters

The otters have always been one of my favourite animals at the zoo, and today I was lucky enough to see the otters getting fed. I watched Paula (the elderly female) get given an entire squid, and then she gave some of it to another otter (it was so cute ).

Cassowary

I couldn’t find any info about Zillie’s replacement.

Japanese Gardens

I decided to visit the Japanese Gardens. I’m case you didn’t know, there are Koi Fish, as well as an island with 2 siamangs that are very active.

Elephants

I visited Werribee Zoo last week, and the elephant habitat can be seen at the start of the bus tour. The Przewalski’s Horse and European Bison have both been moved to much nicer habitats in the middle of the bus tour.
 
BasecatXD said:
ZOO VISIT REPORT- 15th of October 2023

Binturong:
I could see (and smell) one of the binturongs in its shelter. I managed to see its face, but it was not very active. I couldn’t see the second binturong. Honestly, it’s a shame that the binturongs aren’t very active, because the coatis were always moving around. However, they were still pretty cool.

Otters

The otters have always been one of my favourite animals at the zoo, and today I was lucky enough to see the otters getting fed. I watched Paula (the elderly female) get given an entire squid, and then she gave some of it to another otter (it was so cute ).

Cassowary

I couldn’t find any info about Zillie’s replacement.

Japanese Gardens

I decided to visit the Japanese Gardens. I’m case you didn’t know, there are Koi Fish, as well as an island with 2 siamangs that are very active.

Elephants

I visited Werribee Zoo last week, and the elephant habitat can be seen at the start of the bus tour. The Przewalski’s Horse and European Bison have both been moved to much nicer habitats in the middle of the bus tour.
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Thanks for the update. Were there still five otters housed together?

Although Binturongs are nice as a novelty, I don’t think they’ll ever be as an engaging exhibit as the coati.
 
BasecatXD said:
ZOO VISIT REPORT- 15th of October 2023

Binturong:
I could see (and smell) one of the binturongs in its shelter. I managed to see its face, but it was not very active. I couldn’t see the second binturong. Honestly, it’s a shame that the binturongs aren’t very active, because the coatis were always moving around. However, they were still pretty cool.

Otters

The otters have always been one of my favourite animals at the zoo, and today I was lucky enough to see the otters getting fed. I watched Paula (the elderly female) get given an entire squid, and then she gave some of it to another otter (it was so cute ).

Cassowary

I couldn’t find any info about Zillie’s replacement.

Japanese Gardens

I decided to visit the Japanese Gardens. I’m case you didn’t know, there are Koi Fish, as well as an island with 2 siamangs that are very active.

Elephants

I visited Werribee Zoo last week, and the elephant habitat can be seen at the start of the bus tour. The Przewalski’s Horse and European Bison have both been moved to much nicer habitats in the middle of the bus tour.
Click to expand...
Any pictures of the new elephant habitat at Werribee?
 
BasecatXD said:
I could see (and smell) one of the binturongs in its shelter. I managed to see its face, but it was not very active. I couldn’t see the second binturong. Honestly, it’s a shame that the binturongs aren’t very active, because the coatis were always moving around. However, they were still pretty cool.
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Was this the shelter at the end of the exhibit?

If so, I predicted that would be a favourite spot for them. :D Bad luck that said shelter is located a fair way away from the viewing boardwalk; when the old pair were in the enclosure in TOTE, the shelter was neatly positioned right in front of the exhibit.
 
Jambo said:
Was this the shelter at the end of the exhibit?

If so, I predicted that would be a favourite spot for them. :D Bad luck that said shelter is located a fair way away from the viewing boardwalk; when the old pair were in the enclosure in TOTE, the shelter was neatly positioned right in front of the exhibit.
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they were in the shelter i’ve attached here. they’re impossible to see in the photo due to the camera quality of my phone, but they’re still visible if you look close enough through your own eyes.
it occasionally shuffled around as well.
 

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Zoofan15 said:
Thanks for the update. Were there still five otters housed together?

Although Binturongs are nice as a novelty, I don’t think they’ll ever be as an engaging exhibit as the coati.
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I could see all 5 otters playing together, and it was wonderful to see them all.

I agree about the binturongs, they’re one of my favourite Asian animals, but they’re not as active as the coatis. However, they just moved in, so I can imagine that if they ever become more confident, they will start hanging from trees.

honestly, they should probably build a new shelter so the guests can get a better view of the binturongs.
 
BasecatXD said:
they were in the shelter i’ve attached here. they’re impossible to see in the photo due to the camera quality of my phone, but they’re still visible if you look close enough through your own eyes.
it occasionally shuffled around as well.
Click to expand...
BasecatXD said:
I could see all 5 otters playing together, and it was wonderful to see them all.

I agree about the binturongs, they’re one of my favourite Asian animals, but they’re not as active as the coatis. However, they just moved in, so I can imagine that if they ever become more confident, they will start hanging from trees.

honestly, they should probably build a new shelter so the guests can get a better view of the binturongs.
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It doesn’t look like the best set up tbh. Tasmanian devils are similarly hit and miss on whether you see them, but Wellington Zoo strategically placed an open nest box in clear view. Binturong can work for Melbourne, but they need to modify how they exhibit them.

Due to Paula’s age, we can now assume she’s post reproductive, but should hopefully have a few more years with Odie and her sons, for as long as they can remain as a cohesive group.
 
Another thing I would like to mention is that one of the monocled cobras seems very stressed due to the fact that many people keep on tapping on the glass, as it’s one of the only snakes that is very active. I do have a video so the cobra getting stressed out, but I don’t know how to upload it
 
Zoofan15 said:
It doesn’t look like the best set up tbh. Tasmanian devils are similarly hit and miss on whether you see them, but Wellington Zoo strategically placed an open nest box in clear view. Binturong can work for Melbourne, but they need to modify how they exhibit them.

Due to Paula’s age, we can now assume she’s post reproductive, but should hopefully have a few more years with Odie and her sons, for as long as they can remain as a cohesive group.
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I wonder what will happen when Paula passes away
 
BasecatXD said:
Another thing I would like to mention is that one of the monocled cobras seems very stressed due to the fact that many people keep on tapping on the glass, as it’s one of the only snakes that is very active. I do have a video so the cobra getting stressed out, but I don’t know how to upload it
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You can’t upload videos on here; but if you have a concern, perhaps raise it with the zoo directly so they can address the issue.
BasecatXD said:
I wonder what will happen when Paula passes away
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Odie is a genetically valuable male, so I imagine they’d re-pair him with another female within the region. His sons will likely remain a bachelor trio going forward.
 
Zoos Victoria Annual Report 2022/2023 is now available online:

https://www.zoo.org.au/media/7968/2022-2023-annual-report.pdf

Most of the major news has been reported in the media, but a few additional notes:

Ten tropical fish (four Clown Loach, two Kissing Gourami and four Tricolour Sharkminnow) died when water temperature in the habitat increased beyond an appropriate level. The cause of this increase was the failure of an actuator valve that had become jammed open. Quick keeper response led to the survival of the remaining 25 fish within the habitat. Upgrades to the system were completed to mitigate risk of system failure, including automated shut off, of the boiler unit.

A new Butterfly House puparium was installed at Melbourne Zoo, which allows for releases of butterflies viewable to the public. The pupae are a part of the Lepidopteran lifecycle and are spectacular for the visitor to observe, in particular the process of the butterfly emerging and pumping their wings. Butterflies can be released directly into the Butterfly House, which not only saves time, but is also a better welfare outcome.

We upgraded infrastructure and expanded the Giant Tortoise habitat at Melbourne Zoo. The project achieved higher quality animal welfare through the provisions of multi-layered terrains, a heated water body for shell health and the planting of a variety of browse species planted throughout the exhibit as a longer-term option for browse requirements.

We refreshed Melbourne Zoo’s kangaroo habitat into a mixed-species home for kangaroos and wallabies. The project improves the welfare for the animals by providing an abundance of natural grass for them to graze on, installation of misting systems to cool them over summer, as well as construction of heated shelters for winter and shade for summer.

 
Melbourne Zoo Update

Update from my visit (21/11/2023):

Kimya the Western lowland gorilla is NOT off contraception as previously reported. The zoo has no immediate plans to breed from her and no immediate plans to acquire additional females. The keeper I spoke to said it’s likely Kanzi will transfer out in the future (as oppose to remaining in the troop as a non breeding female) and maybe then they will look at breeding from Otana and Kimya again.

A volunteer I spoke to confirmed Nakuru the giraffe is pregnant (as previously spotted by myself and @Patrick Keegan). Her due date is December/January.

The female Collared peccaries are on contraception and the male is intact. I thought I’d ask this as there’s been questions in the past over whether Melbourne have reproductively viable peccaries.

I asked a few volunteers and keepers about plans for the elephant complex redevelopment, the cassowary exhibit and the bongo exhibit, but didn’t receive any concrete answers. One volunteer said the plan is for the cassowary to return to her exhibit long term.

I have detailed updates on the elephants and baboons, which I’ll post in the respective threads.

Photos from my visit are here: Melbourne Zoo - ZooChat
Aaaa
 
The Sleepy Hippo said:
Zoos Victoria on Instagram: "Get a whiff of this! Two elusive creatures are buttering us up with their unique scent and shaggy style. Binturong are sometimes referred to as 'bear cats' and are best known for smelling like freshly buttered popcorn! Bhalu and Tugu are settling into their new home at Melbourne Zoo, enjoying some tasty treats before nap time."

And on Instagram!
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I’m guessing the lag in announcing this (three months after they went on display) has been to allow some degree of confidence in the public seeing them. The exhibit is a good size, but I didn’t see them and I anticipate that’ll be the same for most people as there’s countless hiding places.
 
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