Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo News 2025

[Zoofan15]

It's a shame that they have not gone down the path of forming a breeding troop. Australia's public zoos are shockingly lacking in smaller primates and this is a big missed opportunity.

It’s interesting you mention this as many of us assumed the male transferred to Melbourne with Charlie was Adelaide’s breeding male, who is now represented through offspring at Adelaide. This would have given Melbourne an unrelated pair.

I hope Black and white colobus are in Melbourne’s long term plan, but presumably the intention here is to cater to the welfare of their lone female and give them an exhibit for the next decade while more pressing issues within their collection are addressed.

 

[Tiger91]

It’s interesting you mention this as many of us assumed the male transferred to Melbourne with Charlie was Adelaide’s breeding male, who is now represented through offspring at Adelaide. This would have given Melbourne an unrelated pair.

I hope Black and white colobus are in Melbourne’s long term plan, but presumably the intention here is to cater to the welfare of their lone female and give them an exhibit for the next decade while more pressing issues within their collection are addressed.

That's still a piss week excuse if its what they are going for, baby primates garner public interest at decent levels and far larger ones then a group of only 3 adults sitting there, if your going non breeding why not add more to at least fill out the enclosure more. There not a species that is solitary or only lives in small groups. Zoo's vic is strapped for cash, bringing in breeding animals is a cost effective way to up engagement and garner interest. It is simply a missed opportunity from poor planning from upper exec's who likely don't care. The species needs more holders actively breeding them and housing them, yet we have a holder just doing the bare minimum.

 

[Zoofan15]

That's still a piss week excuse if its what they are going for, baby primates garner public interest at decent levels and far larger ones then a group of only 3 adults sitting there, if your going non breeding why not add more to at least fill out the enclosure more. There not a species that is solitary or only lives in small groups. Zoo's vic is strapped for cash, bringing in breeding animals is a cost effective way to up engagement and garner interest. It is simply a missed opportunity from poor planning from upper exec's who likely don't care. The species needs more holders actively breeding them and housing them, yet we have a holder just doing the bare minimum.

It’s not an excuse. Melbourne Zoo had a solitary female colobus and acquiring a male and female that were surplus to their respective troops was the quickest way to address the issue they had of a social primate living on its own. That’s not to say they don’t have intentions of acquiring more colobus long term (i.e. through importation), but that’s not a quick term solution and would have left this female on her own for a prolonged period.

Australia has breeding holders already, so they may even be content for Melbourne to remain non-breeding for the foreseeable. It depends on the interest from other facilities in the region in receiving any surplus produced.

 

[Tiger91]

It’s not an excuse. Melbourne Zoo had a solitary female colobus and acquiring a male and female that were surplus to their respective troops was the quickest way to address the issue they had of a social primate living on its own. That’s not to say they don’t have intentions of acquiring more colobus long term (i.e. through importation), but that’s not a quick term solution and would have left this female on her own for a prolonged period.

Australia has breeding holders already, so they may even be content for Melbourne to remain non-breeding for the foreseeable. It depends on the interest from other facilities in the region in receiving any surplus produced.

Or they could have transferred her out to Adelaide, imported the current female another of the younger females bred there in recent years to bred with Colby. You know widen genetics. Create a new breeding troupe giving Melbourne the ability to breed. The females born at Adelaide are not going to be partnered back to their father. So a swap of a breeding female for a breeding female seems like a decent move. One I can't see Adelaide complaining about.

 

[Zoofan15]

Or they could have transferred her out to Adelaide, imported the current female another of the younger females bred there in recent years to bred with Colby. You know widen genetics. Create a new breeding troupe giving Melbourne the ability to breed. The females born at Adelaide are not going to be partnered back to their father. So a swap of a breeding female for a breeding female seems like a decent move. One I can't see Adelaide complaining about.

The issue here is that female Black and white colobus aren’t a female dispersal species. Females typically remain in their natal troop and so we can expect to see Adelaide retain their females infants (even if they don’t acquire an unrelated male for several years).

Charlie likely transferred out as she was unrelated to the entire female population of her troop and was effectively an outsider. Transferring Kipenzi into that troop would have put her in a similar position.

All things considered, I don’t think we can find fault with the logic behind these transfers.

 

[Jambo]

Per Newsletter: Melbourne's Giraffes recently settled into the new Giraffe Barn.

Giraffes have called Melbourne Zoo home since 1913, just a couple of years after the original Giraffe barn was built. With the Zoo’s commitment to top-tier care, it was time for an upgrade.

“The heritage-listed barn was no longer fit for modern purpose,” says Luke. The new, sophisticated barn is built for comfort – heated for Melbourne’s chilly months and, as always, designed with safety in mind. “It’s a much larger area, with rubber flooring, providing a safe comfortable space if they need to lie down,” says Luke.

A removable divider lets keepers transform two spaces into one – perfect for breeding and birthing. Specialised chutes allow for easier health checks, while a mezzanine level makes working with the world’s tallest mammals simpler. “We can present food, train and check them at their level,” Luke says.

Despite their flash new digs, Luke says giraffes are not always easily impressed. “Giraffes can be a little… sceptical,” he says. “Klintun took a while to decide he was OK with it, but now he’s in there all the time. Iris, as predicted, was comfortable and eating in there on day two, while Nakuru took about three weeks. Now she owns the barn.”

 

[Zoofan15]

Per Newsletter: Melbourne's Giraffes recently settled into the new Giraffe Barn.

Giraffes have called Melbourne Zoo home since 1913, just a couple of years after the original Giraffe barn was built. With the Zoo’s commitment to top-tier care, it was time for an upgrade.

“The heritage-listed barn was no longer fit for modern purpose,” says Luke. The new, sophisticated barn is built for comfort – heated for Melbourne’s chilly months and, as always, designed with safety in mind. “It’s a much larger area, with rubber flooring, providing a safe comfortable space if they need to lie down,” says Luke.

A removable divider lets keepers transform two spaces into one – perfect for breeding and birthing. Specialised chutes allow for easier health checks, while a mezzanine level makes working with the world’s tallest mammals simpler. “We can present food, train and check them at their level,” Luke says.

Despite their flash new digs, Luke says giraffes are not always easily impressed. “Giraffes can be a little… sceptical,” he says. “Klintun took a while to decide he was OK with it, but now he’s in there all the time. Iris, as predicted, was comfortable and eating in there on day two, while Nakuru took about three weeks. Now she owns the barn.”

An interesting note that the divider will allow the separation of two spaces into one (illustrating the capacity of the barn to manage a maximum of two groups of giraffes). This suggests breeding will be limited, potentially to one cow (Iris), rather than both cows breeding; though they could stagger the births.

Nakuru isn’t particularly genetically valuable on her maternal side; and her paternal line also has a wealth of giraffes in breeding herds. Zabulu’s most genetically valuable offspring were his calves with Kiri and Kay, with Ntombi (daughter of Kay) the mother and grandmother of many calves at Dubbo.

 

[Jambo]

An interesting note that the divider will allow the separation of two spaces into one (illustrating the capacity of the barn to manage a maximum of two groups of giraffes). This suggests breeding will be limited, potentially to one cow (Iris), rather than both cows breeding; though they could stagger the births.

Nakuru isn’t particularly genetically valuable on her maternal side; and her paternal line also has a wealth of giraffes in breeding herds. Zabulu’s most genetically valuable offspring were his calves with Kiri and Kay, with Ntombi (daughter of Kay) the mother and grandmother of many calves at Dubbo.

The initial plan wasn't to breed from Nakuru anyway; the recommended pairing was supposed to be Klintun and Iris, which is what I assume will still be the case going forward. I do wonder whether Nakuru's last pregnancy was accidental.

Anyhow, Iris is now four and a half so she should now be reproductive. Both girls aren't the most fond of Klintun, but I'm sure there won't be any issues there. With the new barn complete too, it's the perfect time for her and Klintun to breed (if they haven't already). A giraffe calf next year for Melbourne would be huge!

 

[Zoofan15]

The initial plan wasn't to breed from Nakuru anyway; the recommended pairing was supposed to be Klintun and Iris, which is what I assume will still be the case going forward. I do wonder whether Nakuru's last pregnancy was accidental.

Anyhow, Iris is now four and a half so she should now be reproductive. Both girls aren't the most fond of Klintun, but I'm sure there won't be any issues there. With the new barn complete too, it's the perfect time for her and Klintun to breed (if they haven't already). A giraffe calf next year for Melbourne would be huge!

Giraffes can breed from around three years of age, so I’m hopeful we’ll hear news of a pregnancy (or birth) from Iris soon. Klintun is a proven breeding bull, so I have confidence breeding will be successful with him and this young cow.

Nakuru is 13 years old and cows within the region have successfully bred into their 20’s, but it seems likely she’ll remain on contraception for the time being.

 

[NathanTheAsian]

Made a visit this morning since I have a break in exams and also my first visit this year due to VCAA trying to break me down mentally. Few minor updates:

• The colobus are settling in nicely. Currently its two in one exhibit and another in the other exhibit. The two were engaging in grooming behaviours so good sign.
• Nyala are still skittish in the old bongo exhibit and hide in the long grasses
• Miska was dragging around a goat leg on the ground today for a few minutes. Couldn't get photos as I was not ground level.
• Both tigers weren't in their exhibits. There were some renovations being done to Indrah's.
• The lions and siamangs were very vocal this morning.
• The two Luzon bleeding hearts are in the noisy pitta enclosure, and a sacred kingfisher is in with the stilts.

Overall luck was against me for photography. The binturongs were out for about 20 seconds and I couldn't get any photos, couldn't get pics of Miska on the ground, only got one shot of the lions roaring because the only time they would vocalise was when i was halfway across the zoo, Malu was hiding in his hole and barely showed his face etc. Frustrating but sometimes luck isnt on your side. Photos will be uploaded to gallery soon.

 

[Jambo]

Made a visit this morning since I have a break in exams and also my first visit this year due to VCAA trying to break me down mentally. Few minor updates:

• The colobus are settling in nicely. Currently its two in one exhibit and another in the other exhibit. The two were engaging in grooming behaviours so good sign.
• Nyala are still skittish in the old bongo exhibit and hide in the long grasses
• Miska was dragging around a goat leg on the ground today for a few minutes. Couldn't get photos as I was not ground level.
• Both tigers weren't in their exhibits. There were some renovations being done to Indrah's.
• The lions and siamangs were very vocal this morning.
• The two Luzon bleeding hearts are in the noisy pitta enclosure, and a sacred kingfisher is in with the stilts.

Overall luck was against me for photography. The binturongs were out for about 20 seconds and I couldn't get any photos, couldn't get pics of Miska on the ground, only got one shot of the lions roaring because the only time they would vocalise was when i was halfway across the zoo, Malu was hiding in his hole and barely showed his face etc. Frustrating but sometimes luck isnt on your side. Photos will be uploaded to gallery soon.

Thanks for the updates.

Did the Colobus have access to both enclosures? It's possible they were just choosing to be in separate spaces rather than actually separated.

Also did you manage to go past the Tapir enclosure (where the Nyalas used to be)? Someone on here I think mentioned there was some construction going on there not long ago.

 

[Zoofan15]

Made a visit this morning since I have a break in exams and also my first visit this year due to VCAA trying to break me down mentally. Few minor updates:

• The colobus are settling in nicely. Currently its two in one exhibit and another in the other exhibit. The two were engaging in grooming behaviours so good sign.
• Nyala are still skittish in the old bongo exhibit and hide in the long grasses
• Miska was dragging around a goat leg on the ground today for a few minutes. Couldn't get photos as I was not ground level.
• Both tigers weren't in their exhibits. There were some renovations being done to Indrah's.
• The lions and siamangs were very vocal this morning.
• The two Luzon bleeding hearts are in the noisy pitta enclosure, and a sacred kingfisher is in with the stilts.

Overall luck was against me for photography. The binturongs were out for about 20 seconds and I couldn't get any photos, couldn't get pics of Miska on the ground, only got one shot of the lions roaring because the only time they would vocalise was when i was halfway across the zoo, Malu was hiding in his hole and barely showed his face etc. Frustrating but sometimes luck isnt on your side. Photos will be uploaded to gallery soon.

That’s interesting to hear of renovations being undertaken on the tiger exhibit. It could be to provide Indrah with a more accessible exhibit as she ages (and could be suffering age related concerns such as arthritis).

I also wonder if consideration would be given to transferring Hutan across to this exhibit to enable redevelopment of the tiger facilities in TOTE. Now would be the ideal time with the elephants gone and redevelopment occurring across the precinct.

 

[Jambo]

That’s interesting to hear of renovations being undertaken on the tiger exhibit. It could be to provide Indrah with a more accessible exhibit as she ages (and could be suffering age related concerns such as arthritis).

I also wonder if consideration would be given to transferring Hutan across to this exhibit to enable redevelopment of the tiger facilities in TOTE. Now would be the ideal time with the elephants gone and redevelopment occurring across the precinct.

Melbourne have previously renovated her exhibit a few times in the past too add new enrichment devices - so I'm wondering if they're looking at doing this again.

On Hutan not being on display - that's the norm for him. He has the choice of being on exhibit or indoors for most of the day, and he often tends to sleep in most mornings. The best time to catch him is mid to late afternoon.

I doubt they'd transfer Hutan across to the Carnivores complex - as it would mean he'd have to rotate with Indrah and that said enclosure doesn't have a BTS enclosure. Therefore it's likely they'll have to wait until either he or Indrah passes before any major renovations can be made.

 

[Zoofan15]

Melbourne have previously renovated her exhibit a few times in the past too add new enrichment devices - so I'm wondering if they're looking at doing this again.

On Hutan not being on display - that's the norm for him. He has the choice of being on exhibit or indoors for most of the day, and he often tends to sleep in most mornings. The best time to catch him is mid to late afternoon.

I doubt they'd transfer Hutan across to the Carnivores complex - as it would mean he'd have to rotate with Indrah and that said enclosure doesn't have a BTS enclosure. Therefore it's likely they'll have to wait until either he or Indrah passes before any major renovations can be made.

Yes, climbing structures with ramps or similar have been effective at Hamilton Zoo for their geriatric tigers in recent years (first Mencari, now Sali). They could look at implementing something for Indrah.

Ultimately it depends what their long term plans are for TOTE. Tigers are notoriously sensitive to noise, so their options are to transfer Hutan across and rotate them; or wait for his to pass. That could easily be five years away and whatever will be replacing the elephants will be in place by then. Depending on how sensitive they’d be to disruption could necessitate moving out Hutan now. He spends most of the time in his den anyway, so he arguably wouldn’t have an issue being BOH in Indrah’s exhibit 50% of the time.

 

[NathanTheAsian]

Thanks for the updates.

Did the Colobus have access to both enclosures? It's possible they were just choosing to be in separate spaces rather than actually separated.

Also did you manage to go past the Tapir enclosure (where the Nyalas used to be)? Someone on here I think mentioned there was some construction going on there not long ago.

There didnt seem to be signs of any ongoing construction.

On Hutan not being on display - that's the norm for him. He has the choice of being on exhibit or indoors for most of the day, and he often tends to sleep in most mornings. The best time to catch him is mid to late afternoon.

Really? My last few visits I've always caught him up and about strolling around at mid-morning, both in cold weather and hot, so I was surprised he wasn't here today.

 

[Zoofan15]

Really? My last few visits I've always caught him up and about strolling around at mid-morning, both in cold weather and hot, so I was surprised he wasn't here today.

Tigers are crepuscular, so the natural time to see either of the tigers would be early morning and late afternoon.

Hutan’s feeding schedule involves him being fed carcasses every 3-5 days and he apparently retires to his den to sleep it off after eating, meaning he’s not on display a great deal. It’s not really the best set up from a visitor perspective. The Sumatran tigers at every other zoo I’ve visited are reliably on display every time I go there.

 

[Jambo]

Really? My last few visits I've always caught him up and about strolling around at mid-morning, both in cold weather and hot, so I was surprised he wasn't here today.

Yeah, I was told that by a keeper and that would explain why I often failed to see any tiger there for quite a few years! When he used to rotate with his mum, he used to often get afternoons. However unlike his mother, when he was on display he makes a great display animal, walking around a good deal.

On the other hand, his sister, Indrah is a morning bird. She's most active right after the zoo opens and spends a lot of time also exploring the habitat, before usually sleeping in the afternoon; the opposite of her brother!

 

[Mark O]

Thanks for the updates.

Did the Colobus have access to both enclosures? It's possible they were just choosing to be in separate spaces rather than actually separated.

Also did you manage to go past the Tapir enclosure (where the Nyalas used to be)? Someone on here I think mentioned there was some construction going on there not long ago.

Do you mean the enclosure next to the rear gift shop with the moat/pond in the front? I went past it on Monday and did not see any construction. I didn't see the tapir either though, it was admittedly 4:50pm when I made it to the back of the zoo.

As far as I can recall I think I saw Colobus in both enclosures. Not the first time through the Arboreal Treetop Walk in the morning, only one was occupied, but I'm pretty sure both were later in the day when I went back through. It was a bit disappointing that a third of the tree top enclosures are empty / boarded up. And also that there are so few gorillas at Melbourne which I just read about here. On Monday I only saw one briefly in the morning - reading here that there are only two gorillas at Melbourne explains why.

Having been to Healesville and Werribee the in the last two weeks, the number of boarded enclosures, plus Forest Of Wonder seeming very "thrown together" at best (though the butterfly house was as always great, and appreciated with the winter Melbourne weather which I'm no longer used to! ) was very noticeable. I know the elephants only just moved, and maybe this is the "only here for a month" part of me talking, but replacing the elephant theme with some bug statues and closing off beyond the butterfly house leaves Melbourne with a far less polished feeling than Healesville and Werribee.

I did finally get a good experience at Lion Gorge (two brothers wrestling, and the indoor viewing area was not packed and noisy - benefit to going on a Monday I guess), so that was definitely a plus at Melbourne this year.

Despite completely skipping Growing Wild and time saved with Forest Of Wonder being a shortened loop we still didn't make it to everything, so I'll be back again in the next two weeks before this vacation is over.

 

[Zoofan15]

Do you mean the enclosure next to the rear gift shop with the moat/pond in the front? I went past it on Monday and did not see any construction. I didn't see the tapir either though, it was admittedly 4:50pm when I made it to the back of the zoo.

Yes, the old Malayan tapir exhibit (near the Rail Gate Entrance) has been speculated to be the location of the new Brazilian tapir exhibit, further evidenced by the Lowland nyala that inhabited it in the interim transferring to the old Eastern bongo exhibit recently.

Melbourne Zoo doesn’t currently good tapir. A male Brazilian tapir is going to be imported into Australia this year, with the destination unconfirmed (will be either Melbourne or Adelaide), but believed to be Melbourne as per above.

As far as I can recall I think I saw Colobus in both enclosures. Not the first time through the Arboreal Treetop Walk in the morning, only one was occupied, but I'm pretty sure both were later in the day when I went back through.

Considering Melbourne Zoo is still in the introductory phase of introducing three Black and white colobus from three troops (one being their female Kipenzi), it’s a wise approach to maximise their space during this time. Long term, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them move to the old Mandrill exhibit.

It was a bit disappointing that a third of the tree top enclosures are empty / boarded up. And also that there are so few gorillas at Melbourne which I just read about here. On Monday I only saw one briefly in the morning - reading here that there are only two gorillas at Melbourne explains why.

Having been to Healesville and Werribee the in the last two weeks, the number of boarded enclosures, plus Forest Of Wonder seeming very "thrown together" at best (though the butterfly house was as always great, and appreciated with the winter Melbourne weather which I'm no longer used to! ) was very noticeable. I know the elephants only just moved, and maybe this is the "only here for a month" part of me talking, but replacing the elephant theme with some bug statues and closing off beyond the butterfly house leaves Melbourne with a far less polished feeling than Healesville and Werribee.

Despite completely skipping Growing Wild and time saved with Forest Of Wonder being a shortened loop we still didn't make it to everything, so I'll be back again in the next two weeks before this vacation is over.

Many of us share your views on Forests of Wonder. With elephants replaced with bugs, the only wonder that’s going on is ZooChat members wondering what the future plans are for this exhibit, which remains unclear.

To be fair to Melbourne, the elephants only left a few months ago, so hopefully within the next year we’ll see some development start to take place in this area.

Melbourne have addressed other shortfalls in their collection including the empty Eastern bongo exhibit (now occupied by Lowland nyala); and it appears Brazilian tapir could soon be moving into the old Malayan tapir exhibit. That leaves the old Mandrill exhibit (ideal for colobus); and a redevelopment of Treetops, which could come with the Xenarthra IRA in a few years.

The reduction of Melbourne’s gorilla troop to 1.1 was unexpected and unfortunate. I’m hopeful of plans for Melbourne to receive more female gorillas in the near future. A swap with Taronga (Frala and Mbeli for Kanzi) would be the simplest way to achieve this.

 

[Zorro]

Yes, the old Malayan tapir exhibit (near the Rail Gate Entrance) has been speculated to be the location of the new Brazilian tapir exhibit, further evidenced by the Lowland nyala that inhabited it in the interim transferring to the old Eastern bongo exhibit recently.

Melbourne Zoo doesn’t currently good tapir. A male Brazilian tapir is going to be imported into Australia this year, with the destination unconfirmed (will be either Melbourne or Adelaide), but believed to be Melbourne as per above.


Considering Melbourne Zoo is still in the introductory phase of introducing three Black and white colobus from three troops (one being their female Kipenzi), it’s a wise approach to maximise their space during this time. Long term, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them move to the old Mandrill exhibit.


Many of us share your views on Forests of Wonder. With elephants replaced with bugs, the only wonder that’s going on is ZooChat members wondering what the future plans are for this exhibit, which remains unclear.

To be fair to Melbourne, the elephants only left a few months ago, so hopefully within the next year we’ll see some development start to take place in this area.

Melbourne have addressed other shortfalls in their collection including the empty Eastern bongo exhibit (now occupied by Lowland nyala); and it appears Brazilian tapir could soon be moving into the old Malayan tapir exhibit. That leaves the old Mandrill exhibit (ideal for colobus); and a redevelopment of Treetops, which could come with the Xenarthra IRA in a few years.

The reduction of Melbourne’s gorilla troop to 1.1 was unexpected and unfortunate. I’m hopeful of plans for Melbourne to receive more female gorillas in the near future. A swap with Taronga (Frala and Mbeli for Kanzi) would be the simplest way to achieve this.

With European zoos at capacity it would be logical to import some females from them Melbournes troop have been on the decline for some time and allowed to hit rock bottom before something is done about it, Its bad management lets not us pretend otherwise