Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo News 2025

[Zoofan15]

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

That’s another possibility. I suppose it depends how soon Melbourne can organise an import from Europe versus arranging an exchange with Taronga.

Taronga have adolescent males, who they’ll need to accomodate on site. With their new exhibit still years away, they may be content to send Melbourne two females and receive one in return. This would give them a breeding troop of 1.2 (with one female breeding); and Melbourne Zoo the same. Then at their leisure (within the next five years), both zoos could import females.

 

[Jambo]

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

The problem they have is they're at capacity with males, not females. A lot of their younger males have had to be castrated in order to remain in their maternal troops.

That’s another possibility. I suppose it depends how soon Melbourne can organise an import from Europe versus arranging an exchange with Taronga.

Taronga have adolescent males, who they’ll need to accomodate on site. With their new exhibit still years away, they may be content to send Melbourne two females and receive one in return. This would give them a breeding troop of 1.2 (with one female breeding); and Melbourne Zoo the same. Then at their leisure (within the next five years), both zoos could import females.

I would've thought had this been the intention - a transfer would've occurred already. I guess it's still possible, but at this point they may as well organise an overseas import (which would need to happen eventually anyway).

Overseas imports do take time, but in the meantime it appears Otana and Kanzi are doing okay together. I'll be visiting this weekend - so will try to ask about this.

 

[Zoofan15]

The problem they have is they're at capacity with males, not females. A lot of their younger males have had to be castrated in order to remain in their maternal troops.

I would've thought had this been the intention - a transfer would've occurred already. I guess it's still possible, but at this point they may as well organise an overseas import (which would need to happen eventually anyway).

Overseas imports do take time, but in the meantime it appears Otana and Kanzi are doing okay together. I'll be visiting this weekend - so will try to ask about this.

Whether Melbourne can exchange with Taronga really hinges on Taronga’s willingness to run two troops as the removal of two adult females would only be possible if Kanzi can be received in exchange and even then, males would then outnumber females 4/2. Taronga’s silverback tolerate the three adolescent males for the time being, so they might be planning to run with that for as long as they can.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see castration of male gorilla infants occur in Australian zoos in the future, with the introduction of new silverbacks into troops with castrated males (as recently at Prague) offering hope this will be a possibility. The alternative is to breed from multiple females with the intention of the silverback transitioning into a bachelor troop with his sons, but troops like Melbourne have failed to generate the required number due to lack of breeding/females.

 

[Tiger91]

The problem they have is they're at capacity with males, not females. A lot of their younger males have had to be castrated in order to remain in their maternal troops.

I would've thought had this been the intention - a transfer would've occurred already. I guess it's still possible, but at this point they may as well organise an overseas import (which would need to happen eventually anyway).

Overseas imports do take time, but in the meantime it appears Otana and Kanzi are doing okay together. I'll be visiting this weekend - so will try to ask about this.

I stilll think there trying to place Otana. So they can then receive the Taronga boys as a bachelor troop.

 

[Zoofan15]

I stilll think there trying to place Otana. So they can then receive the Taronga boys as a bachelor troop.

Certainly another possibility. Kibale sired his three sons at a young age, so together, they’d make for a youthful and energetic quartet that would make good use of Melbourne’s Gorilla Rainforest.

They could send Johari (Taronga) to Mogo; and form a troop at Taronga of Otana, Frala, Mbeli and Kanzi (with Otana and Mbeli as the breeding pair).

 

[Tiger91]

Certainly another possibility. Kibale sired his three sons at a young age, so together, they’d make for a youthful and energetic quartet that would make good use of Melbourne’s Gorilla Rainforest.

They could send Johari (Taronga) to Mogo; and form a troop at Taronga of Otana, Frala, Mbeli and Kanzi (with Otana and Mbeli as the breeding pair).

Wishful thinking. But id love to see one of the Werribee boys sent to Taronga to breed with Mbeli and Kanzi. Two breeding females is better then 1. And the Werribee boys sit on some decent genetics.

Personally with the troubles Otana has had in the past im not sure Taronga would want him. Even keeping kibale to breed with Kanzi would be a decent idea. Again the more breeding females utilised the more potential we can increase our female numbers for troops. The issue is then placing Otana.

 

[Zoofan15]

Wishful thinking. But id love to see one of the Werribee boys sent to Taronga to breed with Mbeli and Kanzi. Two breeding females is better then 1. And the Werribee boys sit on some decent genetics.

Personally with the troubles Otana has had in the past im not sure Taronga would want him. Even keeping kibale to breed with Kanzi would be a decent idea. Again the more breeding females utilised the more potential we can increase our female numbers for troops. The issue is then placing Otana.

The best bet of one of Werribee’s younger males going into a breeding situation would be if Motaba and then the other passes while the third is still relatively young.

The other option in all this to consider is that it might be possible to integrate Taronga’s three adolescent males with Werribee’s troop. Especially with Motaba’s age, it would be advisable to do this sooner rather than later, so he’s not confronted with a prime aged incoming male at his stage of life; but with a big exhibit and Yakini (the silverback) to keep the adolescents in check, never say never. It’d avoid the above scenario of one of the males being left alone if breeding is not in the long term plans for them.

 

[Tiger91]

The best bet of one of Werribee’s younger males going into a breeding situation would be if Motaba and then the other passes while the third is still relatively young.

The other option in all this to consider is that it might be possible to integrate Taronga’s three adolescent males with Werribee’s troop. Especially with Motaba’s age, it would be advisable to do this sooner rather than later, so he’s not confronted with a prime aged incoming male at his stage of life; but with a big exhibit and Yakini (the silverback) to keep the adolescents in check, never say never. It’d avoid the above scenario of one of the males being left alone if breeding is not in the long term plans for them.

If possible it would make a nice exhibit for them to increase the troop size to 6 at Werribee. While giving longevity to the species there. As the older boys age out the newer ones will still be around. I have always wondered how integrating bachelor gorillas goes. Im Assuming adding Otana to the mix would be pushing it too far.

 

[Zoofan15]

IfI have always wondered how integrating bachelor gorillas goes. Im Assuming adding Otana to the mix would be pushing it too far.

That’s a good question. Its been undertaken in Europe and the US and the most successful formula seems to be introducing juvenile and adolescent males into pre-existing bachelor troops. They’re not set in their ways and are used to deferring to their father (the silverback) in their natal troop, so usually make the transition with ease. In many cases, blackbacks join a bachelor troop for 10-15 years and then go into a breeding situation when they’re in their 20’s and have matured socially.

Otana would be a challenge. Even if his social issues have been exaggerated, his mindset is that of leading a family troop (albeit one reduced to him and his daughter). It would be a huge adjustment to go into a bachelor troop and he could well act out aggressively.

 

[Jambo]

@That Aussie Guy confirmed in the Adelaide Zoo News thread that they aren't acquiring Brazilian Tapir.

This essentially confirms the three year old male Brazilian Tapir from Austria is destined for Melbourne. He is apparently being acquired with a female from Germany.

 

[Zoofan15]

@That Aussie Guy confirmed in the Adelaide Zoo News thread that they aren't acquiring Brazilian Tapir.

This essentially confirms the three year old male Brazilian Tapir from Austria is destined for Melbourne. He is apparently being acquired with a female from Germany.

It was previously reported that Adelaide Zoo and Melbourne Zoo would each be importing a breeding pair of Brazilian tapir, so it’s a safe assumption the male tapir from Austria is headed to Melbourne Zoo, further evidenced by the fact that Melbourne Zoo’s old (Malayan) tapir exhibit has recently been vacated, with the nyala moving to the old bongo exhibit.

Long term, Melbourne could work to building a complex for Brazilian tapir elsewhere in the zoo (i.e. the elephant paddocks); or more likely, redevelop the Collared peccary exhibit as a second tapir exhibit.

 

[Abbey]

It was previously reported that Adelaide and Melbourne would each be importing a breeding pair of Brazilian tapir, so it’s a safe assumption the male tapir from Austria is headed to Melbourne Zoo, further evidenced by the fact the old (Malayan) tapir exhibit has recently been vacated.

Long term, Melbourne could work to building a complex for them elsewhere in the zoo (i.e. the elephant paddocks); or more likely, redevelop the Collared peccary exhibit as a second tapir exhibit.

I agree it seems likely the male tapir is being imported by Melbourne (and good news if so, considering the constructive criticism on this forum around the major zoos not importing new animals), but is there any concrete evidence that Adelaide and Melbourne were the only options? Could it be one of the other zoos?

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree it seems likely the male tapir is being imported by Melbourne (and good news if so, considering the constructive criticism on this forum around the major zoos not importing new animals), but is there any concrete evidence that Adelaide and Melbourne were the only options? Could it be one of the other zoos?

Darling Downs Zoo are realistically the only other contender, so it will be interesting to see.

Either way, I’m really glad a number of founders are coming in, which will hopefully see the regional population rejuvenate as it teeters on the brink of dying out.

 

[Tiger91]

I agree it seems likely the male tapir is being imported by Melbourne (and good news if so, considering the constructive criticism on this forum around the major zoos not importing new animals), but is there any concrete evidence that Adelaide and Melbourne were the only options? Could it be one of the other zoos?

Taronga and western plains id say are out. Neither has any real exhibit where they could house them.

 

[Zoofan15]

Taronga and western plains id say are out. Neither has any real exhibit where they could house them.

Long term, Taronga could be a possibility if they rehouse their Pygmy hippopotamus in this new exhibit they’re planning to build (with Brazilian tapir then moving into the Pygmy hippopotamus exhibits).

However, you’re correct that in the here and now, Taronga have no obvious place to hold them.

 

[Jambo]

I agree it seems likely the male tapir is being imported by Melbourne (and good news if so, considering the constructive criticism on this forum around the major zoos not importing new animals), but is there any concrete evidence that Adelaide and Melbourne were the only options? Could it be one of the other zoos?

Darling Downs Zoo are realistically the only other contender, so it will be interesting to see.

Either way, I’m really glad a number of founders are coming in, which will hopefully see the regional population rejuvenate as it teeters on the brink of dying out.

I'm pretty confident it's Melbourne. Aside from the reasons above, a volunteer I talked to at Werribee who works both zoos mentioned Melbourne were importing Tapir. I was planning to seek confirmation when I next visited - sometime during this coming week.

It's also worth noting the pair were scheduled to arrive this month. Unless there's been delays, they may have already arrived, and in quarantine.

 

[Zoofan15]

I'm pretty confident it's Melbourne. Aside from the reasons above, a volunteer I talked to at Werribee who works both zoos mentioned Melbourne were importing Tapir. I was planning to seek confirmation when I next visited - sometime during this coming week.

It's also worth noting the pair were scheduled to arrive this month. Unless there's been delays, they may have already arrived, and in quarantine.

It’ll be interesting to see how Melbourne manage them as many zoos that breed them keep the male and female in seperate exhibits; and when I talked to Hamilton’s keepers about breeding, they said that housing the male and female together resulted in a lack of interest in each other (due to familiarity).

Melbourne could potentially rotate the pair on/off display in the Malayan tapir exhibit; or look to relocate the peccaries (perhaps to Kyerbram or Werribee) to open up the peccary exhibit and BOH for redevelopment.

 

[Jambo]

It’ll be interesting to see how Melbourne manage them as many zoos that breed them keep the male and female in seperate exhibits; and when I talked to Hamilton’s keepers about breeding, they said that housing the male and female together resulted in a lack of interest in each other (due to familiarity).

Melbourne could potentially rotate the pair on/off display in the Malayan tapir exhibit; or look to relocate the peccaries (perhaps to Kyerbram or Werribee) to open up the peccary exhibit and BOH for redevelopment.

A lot of tapir pairs overseas are managed together, so I'd imagine Melbourne may plan to do so at least initially. Long term, a move across to the Elephant Complex makes the most sense once renovations there are complete - which could still be a few years away.

There is a Peccary BTS enclosure that could be utilised, but it isn't the largest enclosure. There is a small off display Tapir paddock too that Semangka lived in off display for a while. They might plan to use this.

 

[Tiger91]

It's also worth noting the pair were scheduled to arrive this month. Unless there's been delays, they may have already arrived, and in quarantine.

Searching about exports to Aus, back in April he was already in quarantine over there for a month to move here. The article I found also stated a companion would be coming from cologne zoo to start up a new breeding program. Both animals may already be here.

 

[Zoofan15]

Searching about exports to Aus, back in April he was already in quarantine over there for a month to move here. The article I found also stated a companion would be coming from cologne zoo to start up a new breeding program. Both animals may already be here.

In that case the male tapir may be close to completing his quarantine here in Australia and could be making his debut soon. Very exciting.

It’s been a while since the Lowland nyala moved out now, so there was obviously a reason for this; though for the record, I’ve long believed the old bongo exhibit made for a better nyala exhibit.