Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo News 2025

[Zoofan15]

Elephant transfer update:

It appears the elephants will be transferring to Werribee late January/early February as the zoo’s socials have mentioned the school holidays (ending late January) are the last chance to see the herd before the move.

The move was previously scheduled for December 2024; with a revised update than stating “early 2025”. Time is of the essence size wise (calves need to fit in transport crate; and having them settled prior to the onset of the high risk EEHV period is preferable), so exciting to know it’s not too far away now!

 

[OzZooJoy]

Melbourne Zoo have received two new Black and White Colubus. Not sure where they came from, but there is one male and one female (Charlie is one of their names) They are currently being introduced to Kipenzi.

 

[Zoofan15]

Melbourne Zoo have received two new Black and White Colubus. Not sure where they came from, but there is one male and one female (Charlie is one of their names) They are currently being introduced to Kipenzi.

That’s great news! Melbourne was in dire need of more colobus, following the reduction of their troop to just Kipenzi.

The female Charlie (2002) would have come from Adelaide. She was effectively an outsider as the nucleus of their troop was Amanda (1994) and her two daughters Zamba (2004) and Adale (2010), who have now bred themselves.

The male is likely Jasiri (2008) given he’s the only adult male in the region unrelated to Kipenzi. My guess is he’s transferred to form a breeding pair with Kipenzi, with Charlie joining them as a non-breeding female.

 

[Jambo]

Melbourne Zoo have received two new Black and White Colubus. Not sure where they came from, but there is one male and one female (Charlie is one of their names) They are currently being introduced to Kipenzi.

That’s great news! Melbourne was in dire need of more colobus, following the reduction of their troop to just Kipenzi.

The female Charlie (2002) would have come from Adelaide. She was effectively an outsider as the nucleus of their troop was Amanda (1994) and her two daughters Zamba (2004) and Adale (2010), who have now bred themselves.

The male is likely Jasiri (2008) given he’s the only adult male in the region unrelated to Kipenzi. My guess is he’s transferred to form a breeding pair with Kipenzi, with Charlie joining them as a non-breeding female.

Great news!

I'd agree with your assessment on the two new arrivals - with Adelaide's recent success breeding it wouldn't be a surprise if they had sent their breeding male Jasiri away. And obviously having Charlie too would have additional benefits socially speaking.

It would be awesome to have an infant Colobus at Melbourne once again; Kipenzi herself being the last, born back in 2012. In the meantime however it'll be nice to see a group of Colobus at Melbourne rather than a single pair, which they've only held for quite a while.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

That is great news that Melbourne is not giving up on colobus monkey, however with 3 of them there exhibit will be cramped, hopefully this is means to move them into the mandrill exhibit in the future.

otherwise maybe connect multiple exhibits in the treetops area, people don’t go and see the colobus because of the dark privacy glass they have making in near there impossible to get a good view of the animals.

 

[Zoofan15]

Great news!

I'd agree with your assessment on the two new arrivals - with Adelaide's recent success breeding it wouldn't be a surprise if they had sent their breeding male Jasiri away. And obviously having Charlie too would have additional benefits socially speaking.

It would be awesome to have an infant Colobus at Melbourne once again; Kipenzi herself being the last, born back in 2012. In the meantime however it'll be nice to see a group of Colobus at Melbourne rather than a single pair, which they've only held for quite a while.

The transfer is a great move for all involved. Since female colobus typically remain in their natal troop and therefore groups usually consist of related females, it was presumably assessed Charlie had no strong ties to the rest of Adelaide’s females (a mother, her two daughters and three grandchildren).

While Charlie and Kipenzi are unrelated, neither is disadvantaged - Kipenzi has the advantage of home turf and future breeding prospects; Charlie has stronger ties to the incoming male.

That is great news that Melbourne is not giving up on colobus monkey, however with 3 of them there exhibit will be cramped, hopefully this is means to move them into the mandrill exhibit in the future.

otherwise maybe connect multiple exhibits in the treetops area, people don’t go and see the colobus because of the dark privacy glass they have making in near there impossible to get a good view of the animals.

The Mandrill exhibit would be the obvious location for relocating the troop imo. The removal of Zillie from this exhibit suggests some sort of plan as she does little to enhance the GFA.

 

[OzZooJoy]

That is great news that Melbourne is not giving up on colobus monkey, however with 3 of them there exhibit will be cramped, hopefully this is means to move them into the mandrill exhibit in the future.

otherwise maybe connect multiple exhibits in the treetops area, people don’t go and see the colobus because of the dark privacy glass they have making in near there impossible to get a good view of the animals.

They are currently housed in two exhibits, one of which has the privacy glass, one has the normal glass, which allows them to choose how much privacy they need at a time.

 

[Jambo]

They are currently housed in two exhibits, one of which has the privacy glass, one has the normal glass, which allows them to choose how much privacy they need at a time.

I was going to mention this, they now have access to the two adjacent exhibits that used to hold the Capuchins. Kipenzi and her father used to as well initially, but almost always chose to stay in just the single habitat.

Both exhibits actually did have privacy glass, but it appears the first exhibit's privacy glass has been removed recently; perhaps for the purpose you mention and to allow for better viewing.

 

[FunnyJamie]

Ah nice someone has reported the new colobus pair. I saw their feeding sheet in the food prep room last visit. In other news on my last visit which was to go meet Khaan, I also happened to see in the reptile house they have several hatchling Chameleons, I am unsure if this had been reported here and I do not know the origin, I wonder if the imported adult was gravid upon arrival.

 

[Zoofan15]

Ah nice someone has reported the new colobus pair. I saw their feeding sheet in the food prep room last visit. In other news on my last visit which was to go meet Khaan, I also happened to see in the reptile house they have several hatchling Chameleons, I am unsure if this had been reported here and I do not know the origin, I wonder if the imported adult was gravid upon arrival.

That’s fantastic news.

The last chameleon import (eight Veiled chameleons) was reported in the news thread in June 2024, with a note they’d be paired up with the zoo’s exisiting population of this species.

Gestation in Veiled chameleon is only 1-2 months, so they would have been bred on site at Melbourne Zoo.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Forest of Wonder Update
Melbourne zoo recently updated there website talking about the Forest of Wonder trail

Seems like the zoo is complacent with having some kid areas

 

[Zoofan15]

Forest of Wonder Update
Melbourne zoo recently updated there website talking about the Forest of Wonder trail

Seems like the zoo is complacent with having some kid areas

In addition, I see elephants have been removed from the map. As recently as yesterday, the zoo made a post on socials inviting everyone to come and see the elephants these school holidays before their move to Werribee, so they’re clearly still at Melbourne.

As uninspiring as Forest of Wonder sounds, the positive here is this is clearly something quick and easy that’s been rigged up at a moment’s notice - a distraction from the soon to be vacant elephant complex. I’m sure something more substantial will materialise long term such as Brazilian tapir in the bull elephant paddock.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

I am visiting the zoo sometime next week, to catch a last glimpse of them. Hopefully getting some new information about what the zoo is planning

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Sorry for the extra post, ( it does not allow me to update the previous post )
I will also be doing my first review of the zoo, along with all my suggestions for the zoo, i am looking forward to writing

 

[Zoofan15]

I am visiting the zoo sometime next week, to catch a last glimpse of them. Hopefully getting some new information about what the zoo is planning

Sorry for the extra post, ( it does not allow me to update the previous post )
I will also be doing my first review of the zoo, along with all my suggestions for the zoo, i am looking forward to writing

We look forward to your review. I’d be particularly interested in knowing the following if you get opportunity to ask (no worries if you don’t):

Melbourne Zoo Questions

Future plans for the old Mandrill exhibit.

Whether there’s a specific reason the old Eastern bongo exhibit has never been reused for another ungulate e.g. a containment issue, a concern of a repeat of incident involving the female bongo.

Replacement for the elephants e.g. Brazilian tapir; and on a related note, timeframe around the import of the tapir (previously reported to be this year).

Whether there’s any interest in importing a female Pygmy hippopotamus.

Confirmation the remaining two coati (off display) are still alive.

Whether they plan to breed from Nakuru the giraffe again; or focus on the younger cow.

Whether there’s any plans to source more female gorillas (either via import or from Taronga etc). There was nothing on the horizon when I asked, but that was over a year ago now.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Ok will try to, I believe that there are some minor changes and renovations in the old zebra, currently used by the giraffe exhibit, was looking today on the webcam and saw a small digger and maintenance, it would make scene to move the nyala into this exhibit, hopefully I can confirm this on my visit

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

Melbourne Zoo Update

Today I took part in part 1 of my Melbourne Zoo visit, I managed to ask some of everybody’s questions.

Confirmed via email and in person Melbourne Zoo have plans to breed their giraffes this year or early 2026. It is still in decision which female will breed at this stage.

The 2 coati are still living back stage.

After speaking to 2 Pygmy Hippo keepers to appear that the region as a whole is looking to import some female hippos. One keeper suggested the end of this year or start of 2026

I will visit again on Monday, I will then ask some
More questions along with upload to comprehensive review with opinions and comments. Hopefully will spot the Khan the Komodo dragon!

 

[Zoofan15]

Melbourne Zoo Update

Today I took part in part 1 of my Melbourne Zoo visit, I managed to ask some of everybody’s questions.

Confirmed via email and in person Melbourne Zoo have plans to breed their giraffes this year or early 2026. It is still in decision which female will breed at this stage.

The 2 coati are still living back stage.

After speaking to 2 Pygmy Hippo keepers to appear that the region as a whole is looking to import some female hippos. One keeper suggested the end of this year or start of 2026

I will visit again on Monday, I will then ask some
More questions along with upload to comprehensive review with opinions and comments. Hopefully will spot the Khan the Komodo dragon!

Wow, great job, you found out lots of info.

They’re clearly looking at giving Nakuru the giraffe a break from breeding following the loss of her calf before making an assessment of whether to breed again. Cows have bred into their 20’s, so there’s no age based reason not to cease breeding from her at 15 years; but her health may have thrown up something we’re unaware of and of course, they’ll be considering things from a genetic stand point. Her sister has recently produced a calf at Wellington Zoo and she has a wealth of descendants via her brother Forest at Australia Zoo; and her half-sister Ntombi at Dubbo.

I believe there’s a shortage of surplus male Pygmy hippopotamus globally, which may be influencing the decision to try and source females instead. It seems we’re correct in identifying Melbourne as a priority (with Felix) given their capacity compared to Taronga and Adelaide.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

I believe Melbourne will be at the forefront of Pygmy hippo breeding in the region. Hopefully on Monday I can get some more information on weather an expansion of the exhibit into the mandrill habitat

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe Melbourne will be at the forefront of Pygmy hippo breeding in the region. Hopefully on Monday I can get some more information on weather an expansion of the exhibit into the mandrill habitat

We’d appreciate that. Future intentions for the Mandrill exhibit has undoubtedly been the second greatest source of curiosity amongst ZooChatters on here with regards to future development at Melbourne Zoo (replacements for the elephants obviously being first). On that note, any information regarding the tapir import would be appreciated if you’re able to ask/share.

I agree Melbourne will surely be at the forefront of Pygmy hippopotamus imports and breeding, possibly acting as a breeding hub considering we may not be able to source males for sometime. Taronga have a mother and daughter (which will likely require separation long term), so with two exhibits, they may well be content to continue as a non-breeding holder until a male bred from the imports becomes available - albeit a relative of their cows assuming any incoming cows are bred with Felix/Obi out of necessity.