Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo News 2024
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I was only half listening at the start of the discussion, until they mentioned the Brazilian tapir. It was mentioned they need to do a bit of work down there, may have even mentioned the peccaries but can’t confirm it. They did say that they need to make some more room and have two areas to help when it is breeding time, so there is a chance they are plans for the peccaries.
Brazilian tapir can be held in pairs - Hamilton Zoo did this for many years; though they trialled separating them outside of the female’s cycle in the hope that would stimulate breeding when reunited. They would also want to seperate the mother and offspring from the male prior to the birth to give her maximum privacy.
It’s been noted on here by frequent visitors that there are BOH facilities at the Malayan tapir/Collared peccary exhibits. The peccary BOH is extensive by all accounts; and with them being phased out within the coming years, would likely be incorporated into the tapir area.
NathanTheAsian
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There was a period of time where the Nyala had been brought to Melbourne but were housed in the back area while the exhibit was being refurbished.
An upgrading of the current facilities will be required either way as they have been present for a while. Expansions possible as there is the BOH Peccary exhibit next door, and the Peccary exhibit if they do wish to move them on.
The off display paddock for the Tapir is on the small side and it's surprising Semangka lived there off display for so long. This is the reason why Arturo was moved to Adelaide; to give her more space.
Was this back in 2021? I believe it's actually the same girls.
I was also told today a new female Red Panda is at the zoo and is acclimatising/waiting for the holiday crowds to die down a bit to be put on display. It was a volunteer that told me this, so not sure the accuracy of the information. They said she came from Adelaide and her name is Scarlett, but I couldn’t see any record of a red panda with that name. I was also told she has come in the replace the female who died a few months ago. I am not sure of all the details though, but thought it was interesting to note.
This would be Scarlett from Australia Zoo. She had just been transferred out of the zoo a few days prior to my last visit.
Sad to hear Roshani has passed. She would've been sixteen years old, a very admirable age.
Hopefully the plan is for Seba and Scarlett to form a new breeding pair. It's been nine years since Melbourne last had Red Panda cubs!
Fittingly, Scarlett’s grandmother (Bo) was born at Melbourne Zoo in 2009. She was sent to Auckland Zoo, where she produced several cubs with their now deceased male, Sagar (a valuable founder imported from India).
It’s always nice to see zoos receive descendants of individuals who lived there decades prior. Auckland Zoo’s last breeding female red panda was the great granddaughter of their orignal breeding pair, Mario and Tashi; and marked a return of this lineage to the zoo after the import of the aforementioned Sagar and Bo to produce the previous generation. Her 1.1 offspring are their great great grandchildren and remain at the zoo.
The Sleepy Hippo
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I was at the zoo today, which was my first visit since the nyala went on show. It was particularly exciting watching them and also knowing that tapir are coming to that enclosure soon!
It was also my first time seeing the quokka in Melbourne. I've drawn a blank multiple times, but this afternoon it was visible and active for an extended period.
Does anybody have much success seeing the long-nosed potoroo in the echidna enclosure? I assume as a nocturnal animal in an outdoor enclosure it's a tough spot.
There was great feeding behaviour from the platypus today. Quite a lot of people were enjoying watching him repeatedly scooping up and biting one of the yabbies.
It was also my first time seeing the quokka in Melbourne. I've drawn a blank multiple times, but this afternoon it was visible and active for an extended period.
Does anybody have much success seeing the long-nosed potoroo in the echidna enclosure? I assume as a nocturnal animal in an outdoor enclosure it's a tough spot.
There was great feeding behaviour from the platypus today. Quite a lot of people were enjoying watching him repeatedly scooping up and biting one of the yabbies.
Usually get lucky with the Quokka in the afternoon as well. It's usually always on display.
The Long Nosed Potoroo is also a difficult one to spot. I haven't seen it yet after a few visits.
Also nice to hear Sam's still going well; he's one of the most active platypuses I've ever seen.
Melbourne Zoo have a fantastic Platypus House, especially considering its age. I too enjoyed watching Sam fossicking for food amongst the pebbles. It’s not a huge exhibit, but he clearly finds it enriching and you get a great view.
I’m used to seeing nyala in much larger (breeding) herds, with the exception of Hamilton’s trio of bulls, but I’m glad that Melbourne have filled a vacant exhibit. The Brazilian tapir will be an even better replacement!
MissBee
Member
While enjoying watching Hutan sitting centre front of the exhibit, I got talking to one of the volunteers. He said that due to funding constraints that Trail of the Elephants will be redeveloped as a new kids play space with high ropes course. I was so disappointed to hear that there is not something more exciting happening to make up for the loss of Elephants. The zoo is already feeling quite empty.
That would be an extremely disappointing outcome. While our dreams of Indian rhinoceros and Sloth bears may have been a little ambitious, there’s been multiple reports from regular visitors of multiple smaller exhibits replacing the elephants.
However, there is another way to look at this. The elephant complex at Werribee is the priority right here and now. The Werribee masterplan also details countless other projects, which are equally important with the elephant precinct bringing Werribee to the world stage. A high ropes course at Melbourne Zoo is something relatively simple that can be rigged up in a short space of time. One possibility is that it’s a stop gap solution until funding allows redevelopment of the precinct into world class exhibits. Let’s not lose hope just yet.
I was told something similar yesterday from a volunteer, but also they also said it will have opportunities for kids to play with the animals. This part of it was unlikely, and have also been told other things from volunteers in the past that haven’t been very accurate, so didn’t take it too seriously. A rope course may fit in with an orangutan extension though.
The one thing I think that hasn’t been taken into account here is the state of the Victorian budget and how it will affect plans, at least in the short term. The Werribee plans may well be delayed outside of the elephants, which couldn’t be delayed any longer. Working in a brand new complete overhaul of an area may be some time away still. If this happens, it probably wouldnt be a case of what Zoos Victoria want, but the best they could expect currently
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
Not really a Victorian budget issue. Queensland and NSW are in the exact same predicament budget wise, and the federal government far worse considering the trillion dollar debt (with nothing to show for it). Its a world wide budgetry problem at the moment.
I was meaning more around the current climate with things like the Commonwealth Games being scrapped and potential delays in other big projects, including the gondolas at Werribee, it may be hard for Zoos Victoria to move up the line in big ticket projects. Rope courses and other temporary and cheaper options may be helpful in the short term.
Victoria is currently operating in a budget deficit as well, unlike federal and Queensland governments, so big ticket items are harder to currently get (sorry for the boring economic chat, back to other more fun things)
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
Queensland lives off of coal mining royalties.
Deficits aren't a problem if they are used to build infrastructure which Victoria's is. The Federal debt was built by an LNP government wasting 100s of billions in deficits that built nothing - that's not the case in Victoria. The whole hysteria about Victoria's economic outlook is pumped by Murdoch press.
Not saying I think further big handouts will be readily forthcoming, but thats down to perceptions drummed up in the media, and not the reality of the economic outlook.
Ontop of that, money spent on zoos is seen as for the people and recreational. Large monetary projects for zoos are often accepted. Look at Taronga and there recent developments, all approved and carried out while the state is struggling, especially after covid. On top of that it creates jobs which both sides of government love to have as a selling piece.
It's just unfortunate that being in debt has been indoctrinated into many australians as a bad thing. When it is the right kind of debt that works for you/the state/ the government. It isnt all doom and gloom.
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