Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo News 2024

[Jambo]

Thanks Jambo, much appreciated! I'm sure I moved forwards and backwards a little given the congestion, hence messing up the order I took the sign photos somewhat.

And yep, I did see at least one of the Cotton Top Tamarins behind Keeper Kid, having breakfast.

This visit I believe is the first and only time I've ever been into Keeper Kids / the Educational Resource Center. Having walked past it every time I've visited the zoo in the last 40 years, it was interesting to finally see inside it. It was nice to see the blue macaws from inside there also. I've become quite accustomed to seeing macaws in American zoos, it's a shame they're not viewable from the outside at Melbourne also and could be easily missed if you don't go into Keeper Kids.

Your welcome!

There are only two or three Cotton Top Tamarins in that said exhibit, but it does allow for easier viewing of them.

I believe the Keeper Kids building is new (or at least was renovated) when Growing Wild opened back in 2012, but there was a former Educational Center in that same place.

You can also see Macaws in the Amazon Aviary; but I do agree, it's a shame to see a few of their large bird species inside Growing Wild. I believe those are their ambassador animals.

 

[Mark O]

I believe the Keeper Kids building is new (or at least was renovated) when Growing Wild opened back in 2012, but there was a former Educational Center in that same place.

That sounds about right. From the outside, I've always kind of thought of Keeper Kids as an annex on the Education Resource Center building, but now after having gone in, I guess the whole building is technically "Keeper Kids" these days. The plaque for the ERC is still there and that's just what I by default think to still call it. I actually had to Google Keeper Kids when I read your prior post to remind myself where/what it was.

You can also see Macaws in the Amazon Aviary; but I do agree, it's a shame to see a few of their large bird species inside Growing Wild. I believe those are their ambassador animals.

Good point! I'd forgotten about that, and indeed shot a photo of a red macaw in there the other week. I stopped by there briefly after lunch (while the wife and kid were still eating) before heading off to see if the golden tamarins were still by the old elephants exhibit and coatis in the old penguin exhibit (which I couldn't do, that path was blocked off for the dinos installation).

I was thinking how nice the inside of that aviary is these days, I remember when it was very concrete with just a couple of branches; though the structure itself gets a little lost these days with such a close proximity to Wild Sea.

 

[Zoofan15]

Good point! I'd forgotten about that, and indeed shot a photo of a red macaw in there the other week. I stopped by there briefly after lunch (while the wife and kid were still eating) before heading off to see if the golden tamarins were still by the old elephants exhibit and coatis in the old penguin exhibit (which I couldn't do, that path was blocked off for the dinos installation).

I was thinking how nice the inside of that aviary is these days, I remember when it was very concrete with just a couple of branches; though the structure itself gets a little lost these days with such a close proximity to Wild Sea.

The Amazon Aviary is a stunning piece of architecture. I really like how Melbourne have retained multiple old exhibits (the Orangutan and Monkey Houses, the Elephant House etc). Even those not in use are fascinating reference points to the zoo’s history.

The coati have moved off display to the big cat cages. They’re visible from the Treetops boardwalk if you walk past at the right time.

 

[Jambo]

Good point! I'd forgotten about that, and indeed shot a photo of a red macaw in there the other week. I stopped by there briefly after lunch (while the wife and kid were still eating) before heading off to see if the golden tamarins were still by the old elephants exhibit and coatis in the old penguin exhibit (which I couldn't do, that path was blocked off for the dinos installation).

I was thinking how nice the inside of that aviary is these days, I remember when it was very concrete with just a couple of branches; though the structure itself gets a little lost these days with such a close proximity to Wild Sea.

Interesting you mention that specific corner section of the zoo. The cages you speak about where Golden Lion Tamarins were held for a while are now unfortunately gone. Grey Parrots were also there for a period near the end, after they moved from that small aviary up near the Lemur Island (sometime around 2013/2014) when the Tamarins were moved out. This area was off display for a few years from 2018ish (with the parrots still there) but was demolished sometime during covid.

I'm also intrigued to hear the former Coati exhibit was actually the former Penguin exhibit too. It looks very very different, I remember it being far larger. This exhibit actually still exists and occasionally houses the Red Pandas when their enclosures are renovated.

Interestingly, that area is now open to visitors again. A dinosaur themed trail loops back around there (past the old elephant exhibit too), so I'm keen to get in asap to check that area out which has been off display for more than a decade!

 

[Jambo]

Updates from a very short visit yesterday:

There is at least one Long Nosed Potoroo in with Echindas - in the former Tasmanian Devil enclosure within the Australian precinct.

The Orange Bellied Parrots are now on display next to the Koala cages.

Also saw Zillie beneath the bridge in GFA (her old favorite spot); and also was delighted to glimpse the Quokka in with the rescued male Koala.

The giraffes were all out, Nakuru is doing well. Keepers are confident a baby from either her or Iris is on the horizon.

No plans for the Malayan Tapir exhibit too as of yet. Keepers were doing regular maintenance in there when I passed.

No sign of Kipenzi the Colobus too, I hope she's doing well, and unfortunately wouldn't be surprised if she has been transferred elsewhere.

Mandrill exhibit is still empty, no word of a species for it still. No White Cheeked Gibbons too on display, presumably they were just indoors when I quickly passed.

I attempted to get an update on Kemala's pregnancy, but couldn't as I was in a little bit of a rush. Can't really say whether she still is pregnant.

The Meerkat pups were also on display and Melbourne recently moved a few over to the RCH again.

The Dino trail is now open, looping from the end of Growing Wild up to the Red Pandas finally creating a trail there (rather than a dead end). Although there are no new species, it's refreshing to walk through this part of the zoo again.

 

[Mark O]

Interesting you mention that specific corner section of the zoo. The cages you speak about where Golden Lion Tamarins were held for a while are now unfortunately gone. Grey Parrots were also there for a period near the end, after they moved from that small aviary up near the Lemur Island (sometime around 2013/2014) when the Tamarins were moved out. This area was off display for a few years from 2018ish (with the parrots still there) but was demolished sometime during covid.

That is interesting. I was always surprised they had anything down there, particularly those cages, since post Growing Wild, though not blocked off it never seemed like they cared for anyone to go down there. Interesting that those have finally gone since Covid.

I'm also intrigued to hear the former Coati exhibit was actually the former Penguin exhibit too. It looks very very different, I remember it being far larger. This exhibit actually still exists and occasionally houses the Red Pandas when their enclosures are renovated.

Yep, the old coati exhibit is the old penguins exhibit (situated between the animal nursery and old elephants exhibit). The footprint of the exhibit is probably a little larger than when it was the penguin exhibit. The peppercorn tree in the middle exhibit was close to the path/fence when it was penguins. With the front fence of the exhibit changed, sand removed and what not, the exhibit did look fairly different than when it was the penguins. Over the years I've seen both coatis and the red panda down there.

I can dig up photos from 2007-2009 when it was the penguin exhibit and 2016 when it was the red panda or coatis if you want to see how it changed.

On all of my returns to Melbourne since Growing Wild (Aug 2013, Feb 2016, Nov 2018 & Sep 2019) except for this most recent one, the old elephant path has been accessible up to where the Growing Wild fence dissects it (at the coati exhibit).
I feel like my first time back there was even a gate/door that allowed passage from that path into Growing Wild - though I don't know 100% if that memory is correct (if not, it was a staff/service gate between the two areas). If accurate, all other visits required walking the whole way around and go down the path from the Lakeside Bistro. So while still open, I doubt many visitors went down this part of the zoo, as it was never apparent there was a reason to, unless you were particularly wanting to see it like I always did/do.

Interestingly, that area is now open to visitors again. A dinosaur themed trail loops back around there (past the old elephant exhibit too), so I'm keen to get in asap to check that area out which has been off display for more than a decade!

If you make it down there, I'd make love to hear and/or see photos of what it looks like these days. It was definitely disappointing that the dinos hadn't yet opened and access was blocked off when I was there.

The other interesting part of the side of the zoo is the path behind the old elephant path. The one that had a little bridge, that ultimately (before Growing Wild) took you to the front of the zoo (terminating between the capybaras and entrance of the Zoo Shop). Each time I've been to the zoo in the 15+ years, there has been a "closed for maintenance" fence up near the bridge. It feels like forever since I've been over that bridge - maybe not since the 1990's. The other week it looked like that bridge was accessible if that general area had not been blocked off for the dino installation. It'd be interesting to know if that path (which I bet is relatively short now) becomes open to the public once the Dinos at the Zoo officially opens. I was really hoping to be able to go down it when I was there, if just to help refresh my childhood memories.

 

[Zoofan15]

Coati off-display exhibit:

For those interested, there’s a really great video from Zoos Victoria showing inside their coati’s off-display exhibit (watch from 0.49).

The zoo has two elderly female coati (Bahia and Japura).

 

[Jambo]

Yep, the old coati exhibit is the old penguins exhibit (situated between the animal nursery and old elephants exhibit). The footprint of the exhibit is probably a little larger than when it was the penguin exhibit. The peppercorn tree in the middle exhibit was close to the path/fence when it was penguins. With the front fence of the exhibit changed, sand removed and what not, the exhibit did look fairly different than when it was the penguins. Over the years I've seen both coatis and the red panda down there.

I would be keen to see previous photos of the old penguin exhibit! The former Coati enclosure there isn't that large imo, but would've probably been suitable for Little Penguins. The new enclosure in Wild Sea certainly offers more swimming opportunities too than the previous enclosure, from what I can remember.

On all of my returns to Melbourne since Growing Wild (Aug 2013, Feb 2016, Nov 2018 & Sep 2019) except for this most recent one, the old elephant path has been accessible up to where the Growing Wild fence dissects it (at the coati exhibit).
I feel like my first time back there was even a gate/door that allowed passage from that path into Growing Wild - though I don't know 100% if that memory is correct (if not, it was a staff/service gate between the two areas). If accurate, all other visits required walking the whole way around and go down the path from the Lakeside Bistro. So while still open, I doubt many visitors went down this part of the zoo, as it was never apparent there was a reason to, unless you were particularly wanting to see it like I always did/do.

It was only blocked off sometime last year, although I'm not sure why. Perhaps there's really no reason for people to use that path anymore, so they've decided to block it off. I don't believe there was ever a path going through that area to Growing Wild - it's always been a loop although there were initial plans to make use of that unused area initially.

If you make it down there, I'd make love to hear and/or see photos of what it looks like these days. It was definitely disappointing that the dinos hadn't yet opened and access was blocked off when I was there.

I was there yesterday, and got to check it out although I didn't manage to get any photos as I was rushing. It's really nice to walk through that area again. It's a relatively small path but I'm really glad that Growing Wild is now a trail we can follow (without having to backtrack)! Perhaps I'll be visiting Growing Wild more now.

The other interesting part of the side of the zoo is the path behind the old elephant path. The one that had a little bridge, that ultimately (before Growing Wild) took you to the front of the zoo (terminating between the capybaras and entrance of the Zoo Shop). Each time I've been to the zoo in the 15+ years, there has been a "closed for maintenance" fence up near the bridge. It feels like forever since I've been over that bridge - maybe not since the 1990's. The other week it looked like that bridge was accessible if that general area had not been blocked off for the dino installation. It'd be interesting to know if that path (which I bet is relatively short now) becomes open to the public once the Dinos at the Zoo officially opens. I was really hoping to be able to go down it when I was there, if just to help refresh my childhood memories.

I believe your talking about the little bridge above the pond? I've been lucky to go over it a few times in previous years. It does appear it's been a little bit and off with being blocked off, but it is actually now the 'exit' from the new Dino trail, so I guess it is actually finally 'officially' accessible. I always wondered what use they were going to make of that area behind the small bridge (a small precinct would've been nice), but I guess a Dinosaur trail is better than nothing!

 

[Mark O]

I would be keen to see previous photos of the old penguin exhibit! The former Coati enclosure there isn't that large imo, but would've probably been suitable for Little Penguins. The new enclosure in Wild Sea certainly offers more swimming opportunities too than the previous enclosure, from what I can remember.

Going through my photos none quite gave the quite the overview that I was thinking of. The photo I was actually thinking of turns out to be one already on ZooChat (not mine):

The wall seen here is the side wall of the elephant exhibit. Whoever took it is essentially standing in front of the old Animal Nursery. From this vantage point, I think the red panda / coati exhibit it became is probably a tad smaller, but not by a lot.

You're correct, the penguins have a much better swimming situation now with Wild Sea. There was a little concrete pond in the middle old exhibit, but my memory is that it was deep enough to just get wet. Hmmm, well looking at my photos it appears they could at least swim in it somewhat...

Nov 17, 2007

Mar 6, 2007

Dec 6, 2008
These actually probably explain why my memory is that it wasn't very deep. Not sure why the water level was so low this day; though I remember Melbourne was still in water restrictions back then, so maybe it was related to that. Anyways, these give a little bit better perspective on the depth of the pool they had.

It was only blocked off sometime last year, although I'm not sure why. Perhaps there's really no reason for people to use that path anymore, so they've decided to block it off. I don't believe there was ever a path going through that area to Growing Wild - it's always been a loop although there were initial plans to make use of that unused area initially.

You're probably right that you could never go from the elephant path to Growing Wild. Looking at photos from that first trip back after it was redeveloped, I have a photo of the tamarins (across from old elephants), then meerkats, so despite my memory of going through the gate, we probably had to walk around. My memory of the first time I saw Growing Wild is probably of thinking it was dumb that you couldn't use the gate.

I was there yesterday, and got to check it out although I didn't manage to get any photos as I was rushing. It's really nice to walk through that area again. It's a relatively small path but I'm really glad that Growing Wild is now a trail we can follow (without having to backtrack)! Perhaps I'll be visiting Growing Wild more now.

That sounds cool. How does the trail go? Nevermind, I just looked at the current online map. Wow, it's about time they did that. When we were there Growing Wild was blocked off past the building with the reptiles (you couldn't get to the giant tortoises and whatever else is back there these days), I wonder if it was because they were finishing off making that loop. I really wish that had been open two weeks ago when I was there!

I believe your talking about the little bridge above the pond? I've been lucky to go over it a few times in previous years. It does appear it's been a little bit and off with being blocked off, but it is actually now the 'exit' from the new Dino trail, so I guess it is actually finally 'officially' accessible. I always wondered what use they were going to make of that area behind the small bridge (a small precinct would've been nice), but I guess a Dinosaur trail is better than nothing!

Yes, I think it went over a pond, or some small body of water. My memory of it is so vague at this point, I'm not even sure I went over it in the 2000's. Hmm, yep, it looks like on the current map the Dino trail now goes over it. Man, if only I'd been in Melbourne a couple of weeks later (or longer) I would have really loved to get to see that area again. I'd love to see video or pictures of that pond area if anyone is able to take some and post it.

 

[Mark O]

That sounds cool. How does the trail go? Nevermind, I just looked at the current online map.

Speaking of which; does anyone have a copy of the PDF map that would have been online on March 17th? I typically save them, and snagged a copy of the Healesville one that night. I forgot to do so after going to Melbourne, and noticed yesterday that the one now online has already been updated (for Dinos at the Zoo).

The paper one I got at the zoo (thankful that I did) has Baby Meerkats on the front, so it's the PDF version of that I'm looking for. Both Trove and the Wayback Machine seem to only have one from November 2023, which seems to be an earlier map (Pygmy Possum on the front).

 

[Jambo]

That sounds cool. How does the trail go? Nevermind, I just looked at the current online map. Wow, it's about time they did that. When we were there Growing Wild was blocked off past the building with the reptiles (you couldn't get to the giant tortoises and whatever else is back there these days), I wonder if it was because they were finishing off making that loop. I really wish that had been open two weeks ago when I was there!

Growing Wild is definitely empty nowadays; past the Meerkats and the small Reptile building there's only the Giant Tortoises. Not even Brush Turkeys (or Kookaburras) in that aviary nowadays, and the former Mara enclosure has been sitting empty for over a decade now.

The path goes in between those two spaces and then follows the old path that ran alongside the elephant enclosure up towards the Japanese Garden. It's the same path that would've connected to the Coati/Tamarin dead-end, but it detours across to the small bridge and pond there.

Yes, I think it went over a pond, or some small body of water. My memory of it is so vague at this point, I'm not even sure I went over it in the 2000's. Hmm, yep, it looks like on the current map the Dino trail now goes over it. Man, if only I'd been in Melbourne a couple of weeks later (or longer) I would have really loved to get to see that area again. I'd love to see video or pictures of that pond area if anyone is able to take some and post it.

The bridge looks really really old too and is very small, so I'd be very interested as to when exactly it was placed there. I'll make sure to take photos when I next visit!

Speaking of which; does anyone have a copy of the PDF map that would have been online on March 17th? I typically save them, and snagged a copy of the Healesville one that night. I forgot to do so after going to Melbourne, and noticed yesterday that the one now online has already been updated (for Dinos at the Zoo).

The paper one I got at the zoo (thankful that I did) has Baby Meerkats on the front, so it's the PDF version of that I'm looking for. Both Trove and the Wayback Machine seem to only have one from November 2023, which seems to be an earlier map (Pygmy Possum on the front).

Unfortunately not. It was up a few days back, although I was given the current dino one when I visited. I checked the online one after my visit and it had not yet changed to the new Dino one, which I assume was recently put out in time for school holidays.

 

[Mark O]

Growing Wild is definitely empty nowadays; past the Meerkats and the small Reptile building there's only the Giant Tortoises. Not even Brush Turkeys (or Kookaburras) in that aviary nowadays, and the former Mara enclosure has been sitting empty for over a decade now.

The path goes in between those two spaces and then follows the old path that ran alongside the elephant enclosure up towards the Japanese Garden. It's the same path that would've connected to the Coati/Tamarin dead-end, but it detours across to the small bridge and pond there.

The bridge looks really really old too and is very small, so I'd be very interested as to when exactly it was placed there. I'll make sure to take photos when I next visit!.

Thanks for that info!

Provided it's the same bridge as when I was a kid, I would say it was probably added in the 70's. As far as I can remember, it was always there - so definitely 80's if not the 70's. It (and the water underneath it) is shown on the 1984 map that is here on ZooChat. I recall at least one Zoo Family scene shot on it also - so definitely there in '84 / '85, and I would guess probably earlier than that as I have no memory of it being "new".

That path used to cross that bridge, then kind of curved towards the zoo shop (essentially coming out where you enter Growing Wild these days). I think you could see into the backside some of the exhibits opposite the old elephants, and there was some sort of building closer up to where the red panda exhibit was. On the other side it was just lawn (where the Morten Bay Fig is). Back in the day, as seen on the 1984 map, there was a FOTZ wishing well. I could be wrong, but I think they used it to drum up funds for the bear exhibit at the time. I don't know when that disappeared, but I would say in the 80's - my memory of it is very much of being a kid, I don't feel like I'd seen that wishing well since.

 

[Jambo]

Provided it's the same bridge as when I was a kid, I would say it was probably added in the 70's. As far as I can remember, it was always there - so definitely 80's if not the 70's. It (and the water underneath it) is shown on the 1984 map that is here on ZooChat. I recall at least one Zoo Family scene shot on it also - so definitely there in '84 / '85, and I would guess probably earlier than that as I have no memory of it being "new".

That path used to cross that bridge, then kind of curved towards the zoo shop (essentially coming out where you enter Growing Wild these days). I think you could see into the backside some of the exhibits opposite the old elephants, and there was some sort of building closer up to where the red panda exhibit was. On the other side it was just lawn (where the Morten Bay Fig is). Back in the day, as seen on the 1984 map, there was a FOTZ wishing well. I could be wrong, but I think they used it to drum up funds for the bear exhibit at the time. I don't know when that disappeared, but I would say in the 80's - my memory of it is very much of being a kid, I don't feel like I'd seen that wishing well since.

That would make sense as the map I discovered from 1978 essentially doesn't label it and seems to indicate a 'small mammal' area in that general vicinity. And your right, the path does seem to then go straight down towards the zoo entrance, exiting next to the Capybara exhibit.

It seems the area above the Capybaras was later used to build the Tree Kangaroo/Red Panda enclosures; with the Meerkats seemingly replacing the Capybara sometime in the late 90's.

Looking back at older maps it also seems there was a Kiosk building opposite the Moreton Bay fig where the education building was later (in the 80's), and is now the location of Keeper Kids.

 

[Alby]

The paper one I got at the zoo (thankful that I did) has Baby Meerkats on the front, so it's the PDF version of that I'm looking for.

You can grab it here, I tried Wayback and got lucky!
https://cms-prod2019.zoo.org.au/media/8101/40295_zv-summer-map_mz_v3-web.pdf

 

[Mark O]

You can grab it here, I tried Wayback and got lucky!
https://cms-prod2019.zoo.org.au/media/8101/40295_zv-summer-map_mz_v3-web.pdf

Awesome! Thank you very much!

 

[MRJ]

I suppose these additions are there to make up breeding groups or pairs?

Melbourne is already a participant in the orange-bellied parrot native species program, I believe!? So, this must be to pair up birds for future breeding (as they kept single sex before ...)?

Werribee and Melbourne Zoos just hold display birds, with the Werribee facility a large number of surplus birds.

 

[MRJ]

To answer your questions:

The rescued male Koala is living by himself, Melbourne's other pair are a mother/son.

The female echidnas aren't breeding (they're Melbourne's only echindas), and the same goes for the female emus. Melbourne previously had neither.

The four Orange Bellied Parrots are presumably non breeding too. They are breed at both Werribee and Healesville though.

Werribee does not breed OBP's, just hold.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

How did we not know this was happening?
Or did I miss it in the thread?
Renovations in the Orangutans!!! New towers!!!
From socials:

Zoos Victoria on Instagram: "Have you seen the Orangutans swing into action in the new tree-mendous towers at Melbourne Zoo? 23-year-old male, Malu, and 34 year-old female, Gabby, can be seen regularly climbing the seven and 12-metre tall structures to survey their surroundings and get the best view of the Zoo!"

Overtures for post Elephant expansions, perhaps?

 

[Zoofan15]

How did we not know this was happening?
Or did I miss it in the thread?
Renovations in the Orangutans!!! New towers!!!
From socials:

Zoos Victoria on Instagram: "Have you seen the Orangutans swing into action in the new tree-mendous towers at Melbourne Zoo? 23-year-old male, Malu, and 34 year-old female, Gabby, can be seen regularly climbing the seven and 12-metre tall structures to survey their surroundings and get the best view of the Zoo!"

Overtures for post Elephant expansions, perhaps?

Wow, that’s really exciting. I would have to agree they’re in anticipation of an expansion into the elephant paddocks following their departure as the orangutans already have a number of platforms/sway poles, so the towers aren’t essential in that regard.

It’s easy to see further towers dotted through the precinct in the future, with the idea of linking them via aerial lines. Auckland has certainly started a trend here! It’s a brilliant concept and not only extends the orangutan’s exhibit; but makes efficient use of space.

 

[Tigergal]

Fijian Crested Iguanas born

Announced via Instagram, Melbourne Zoo has successfully bred 11 Fijian Crested Iguanas. They’ve all hatched over the last few months, and are on display in the reptile house.