Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo News 2025

[Zoofan15]

Wow, did not see this one coming!?

What will happen with the Taronga gorilla troupe now?

The transfer of two females has been expected for some time, but there was discussion over whether the third (either Frala or Johari) would go to Mogo. While there will surely be concern over whether Otana will accept the socially deficient Johari, I have full confidence that Frala and Mbeli will greatly enhance the culture of Melbourne’s troop.

The reference to Frala’s age implies she will not be breeding again; and due to Johari’s social issues, I anticipate she’ll remain on contraception. Otana can otherwise breed with Mbeli without issue, with a breeding recommendation hopefully to follow in the next year or so.

Taronga Zoo’s breeding troop has been disbanded with this transfer and their intention for the foreseeable is to hold a bachelor troop:

1.0 Kibali (25/03/2001) Imported 2012
1.0 Mjukuu (30/10/2014) Kibali x Mbeli
1.0 Fabumi (13/05/2015) Kibali x Frala
1.0 Mwamba (02/09/2017 Kibali x Mbeli

 

[Jambo]

Melbourne Zoo has announced that they have received three female gorillas, Mbeli, Frala and Johari from Taronga.

from the email

And then there were five!

Melbourne Zoo is celebrating the arrival of three female Western lowland gorillas from Taronga Zoo, joining 24-year-old Otana, our 187kg silverback gorilla and his daughter, 10-year-old Kanzi.

The new girl group (or ‘troop’) were carefully transported from Sydney and after a period in quarantine, entered Melbourne Zoo’s gorilla habitat for the first time today. There are high hopes for this lovely troop of lowland gorillas.

“They were rolling around, the old girl Frala was walking on a tightrope up high, Johari has a behaviour where she likes to put hessian sacks on her back – they were all exhibiting playful behaviours, which indicates that they were happy and confident on habitat.” says Gill Maxwell, Life Sciences Manger of Primates. “The three girls have such unique personalities, it’s incredible.”

In the coming weeks, Melbourne Zoo's primate keepers plan to introduce Otana and Kanzi to the three new gorillas, first introducing them from a distance, to acclimatise to each other visually and by scent. The keepers will monitor the troupe by remote camera systems so as not to disrupt this critical and exciting time.

While the introductions are underway, the new gorillas might not be on view straight away. Keep coming back for the chance to see them settle in and check the Member Zone for any updates!

Brilliant news to see the transfers gone successfully. And even more delighted to see it's the three Taronga girls, not just two as I was initially told a few months back.

Mbeli and Johari are probably also delighted to be back at Melbourne; Johari of course was born here, and Mbeli spent three years here from 2010 to 2013. With both females transferring out for Kimya. Certainly a full circle moment for both of them.

All three females together do stand the best chance at integrating with Otana, so I don't anticipate any issues there. It'll be interesting to see how introductions go and how they're conducted. I'll absolutely look at visiting the zoo in the coming week or so now, and hopefully catching the three new girls out on habitat.

 

[Zoofan15]

Brilliant news to see the transfers gone successfully. And even more delighted to see it's the three Taronga girls, not just two as I was initially told a few months back.

Mbeli and Johari are probably also delighted to be back at Melbourne; Johari of course was born here, and Mbeli spent three years here from 2010 to 2013. With both females transferring out for Kimya. Certainly a full circle moment for both of them.

All three females together do stand the best chance at integrating with Otana, so I don't anticipate any issues there. It'll be interesting to see how introductions go and how they're conducted. I'll absolutely look at visiting the zoo in the coming week or so now.

Considering Melbourne’s dire need for new females, sending all three was the definitely the best way to go. Due to Frala’s age, there’s no guarantee how long she’ll be around; and even if an integration is achieved, there’s similarly no guarantee how long Johari will be tolerated by Otana. At least by sending three females, there’s an increased chance of Melbourne maintaining a decent sized troop long term.

I assume a back up plan has been made (and if it hasn’t, could easily be arranged) for Johari to transfer to Mogo if integration proves impossible. Having a troop of four females (including Frala and Mbeli, who are both socially savvy) should hopefully keep Otana occupied in the initial stages of introductions.

Otana and Mbeli will be an interesting pairing as while we’ve observed the detached relationship between Otana/Kimya, Mbeli was devoted to Kibale. If Otana fails to develop a strong relationship with Mbeli, then that’s certainly an indictment of his social skills.

 

[Jambo]

Further Updates on the new Gorillas:

“To finally see them on habitat was just so beautiful, we’re just so pleased that they’re here and part of our Melbourne Zoo gorilla family,” says Gill Maxwell, Life Sciences Manger of Primates. “It’s been such a relief and such a privilege.”

The eldest of the new girl group is Frala, a 44-year-old gorilla who is sharply observant and apparently has a penchant for very loud vocalisations. She likes to sunbathe, often with a large pile of lucerne on her belly. Mbeli is a 22-year-old gorilla who loves to climb high, is very food motivated and at Taronga Zoo, was well known for wearing items on her head. Johari, who is 25 years old, was actually born at Melbourne Zoo. She’s known for shaking her arms and legs when she’s particularly excited about something, also giving a low, contented grumble.

“Otana and Kanzi are really excited to meet these three girls. Kanzi is peeking in all the windows to have a look at them and we’re seeing some really fascinating behaviour from Otana. I think he’s trying to play it cool in front of the new ladies in his life, but we know he’s super excited too.”

Photos of the new girls:

Mbeli

Frala

Johari

 

[Zorro]

Melbourne Zoo has announced that they have received three female gorillas, Mbeli, Frala and Johari from Taronga.

from the email

And then there were five!

Melbourne Zoo is celebrating the arrival of three female Western lowland gorillas from Taronga Zoo, joining 24-year-old Otana, our 187kg silverback gorilla and his daughter, 10-year-old Kanzi.

The new girl group (or ‘troop’) were carefully transported from Sydney and after a period in quarantine, entered Melbourne Zoo’s gorilla habitat for the first time today. There are high hopes for this lovely troop of lowland gorillas.

“They were rolling around, the old girl Frala was walking on a tightrope up high, Johari has a behaviour where she likes to put hessian sacks on her back – they were all exhibiting playful behaviours, which indicates that they were happy and confident on habitat.” says Gill Maxwell, Life Sciences Manger of Primates. “The three girls have such unique personalities, it’s incredible.”

In the coming weeks, Melbourne Zoo's primate keepers plan to introduce Otana and Kanzi to the three new gorillas, first introducing them from a distance, to acclimatise to each other visually and by scent. The keepers will monitor the troupe by remote camera systems so as not to disrupt this critical and exciting time.

While the introductions are underway, the new gorillas might not be on view straight away. Keep coming back for the chance to see them settle in and check the Member Zone for any updates!

I believe moving 10 year old Kanzi to mogo would have been a good move

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe moving 10 year old Kanzi to mogo would have been a good move

Long term, I agree. Two of Mogo’s three adult females are 46 years old, so at least one additional female will be needed in the next 5-10 years.

In the meantime, it appears Kanzi will remain in Melbourne’s troop to learn social skills (and maternal skills if/when Mbeli breeds):

Zoo News

The new blended family will do more than delight members and visitors – gorillas typically live in complex, hierarchical social groups comprising of a male silverback like Otana, a group of females and young gorillas. “Having these three new females join the troop provides Kanzi with the opportunity to learn important social behaviours, communication skills, and group dynamics from older, more experienced individuals,” says Gill.

In the coming weeks, Melbourne Zoo's primate keepers plan to introduce Otana and Kanzi to the three new gorillas, first introducing them from a distance, to acclimatise to each other visually and by scent. The keepers will monitor the troupe by remote camera systems so as not to disrupt this critical and exciting time.

 

[Pertinax]

This is big news indeed for the Australian/Melbourne gorillas. I saw a video of the females using the enclosure on another site. Looks like its Frala with the big growth on her shoulder area?
They look quite relaxed, it might all seem a little bit familiar for Mbeli and Johari of course but Frala looks relaxed too.

As to the future, I think the now more mature Otana will accept them readily. If Mbeli was very attracted to the Taronga silverback, then its quite likely she will easily transfer her affections to the new one, Otana. Johari on the other hand will always be an outsider probably, in any group she is in. I thought it was her with the sacks on her even before I read the confirmation, its her 'security blanket'! Given she is only offspring of a w/c mother, it would be very good if they could get her to breed though perhaps its an impossibility. Why would they potentially bother with contraception though? To prevent her coming into oestrus and then not allowing mating, thus frustrating Otana into aggression toward her perhaps?

Anyway, I think this is all a very sensible and positive move for both the zoos involved. The only outstanding issue might be a future move for Kanzi- Mogo being the obvious destination for her if she is ever to breed and if they want that then they shouldn't leave it too long.

 

[Zoofan15]

This is big news indeed for the Australian/Melbourne gorillas. I saw a video of the females using the enclosure on another site. Looks like its Frala with the big growth on her shoulder area?
They look quite relaxed, it might all seem a little bit familiar for Mbeli and Johari of course but Frala looks relaxed too.

As to the future, I think the now more mature Otana will accept them readily. If Mbeli was very attracted to the Taronga silverback, then its quite likely she will easily transfer her affections to the new one, Otana. Johari on the other hand will always be an outsider probably, in any group she is in. I thought it was her with the sacks on her even before I read the confirmation, its her 'security blanket'! It would be very good if they could get her to breed though perhaps its an impossibility. Why would they potentially bother with contraception though? To prevent her coming into oestrus and then not allowing mating, thus frustrating Otana into aggression toward her perhaps?

Anyway, I think this is all a very sensible and positive move for both the zoos involved. The only outstanding issue might be a future move for Kanzi- Mogo being the obvious destination for her if she is ever to breed and if they want that then they shouldn't leave it too long.

I too noticed the growth of Frala’s shoulder. She didn’t have it when I visited her at Taronga nine months ago, so it seems to be a recent thing.

Johari was on contraception at Taronga because being in estrus attracted Kibale’s attention and this made her uncomfortable. While a cycling female may be more readily accepted by Otana than a non-cycling female, the risk of conflict if she doesn’t comply with his attempts to mate with her would outweigh any benefits of that in my opinion. It’d be good if she could produce an infant considering her genetic value; but Melbourne won’t hand rear a gorilla infant and Johari’s competence as a mother is unknown due to her own background.

Frala made the move to Kibale’s troop in 2014 with ease, so I don’t anticipate an issues and similarly for Mbeli. Hopefully they provide some level of support to Johari, though she was very much on the fringes or Taronga’s troop.

 

[Pertinax]

Johari was on contraception at Taronga because being in estrus attracted Kibale’s attention and this made her uncomfortable. While a cycling female may be more readily accepted by Otana than a non-cycling female, the risk of conflict if she doesn’t comply with his attempts to mate with her would outweigh any benefits of that in my opinion. .

Yes, that's exactly why I think maybe contraception is the safest course for her, a pity but there we are. She has a similar background situation as female Asante in Twycross UK (a handraised non-breeder but the only offspring of her wildcaught mother so genetically would be valuable) Asante reacted very badly to introduction to a new silverback(Oumbie) some years ago now and had to be removed due to stress. She was later reintroduced when Oumbie had settled and was calmer and older and has been okay in the group ever since. I don't know if she is contracepted or not.

 

[Jambo]

Visited Melbourne today and have a few updates.

• Gorillas - the new girls are settling in well. I saw Johari and Mbeli sleeping together, and Frala was relaxing in a cave (out of view). During my completion of the Gorilla Rainforest loop, I then was surprised to see Johari emerge from the dens with food and bedding. She sat right at the front of the dens for a while, seemingly quite settled. Frala then came running out with food too, which sent Johari scattering too, but it was good to see the girls active after catching them resting initially.

• Cotton Top Tamarins are very much in the first exhibit in the Treetops Boardwalk. I saw a pair today, despite the exhibit being boarded off. Also saw all three Colobus in the same exhibit for the first time (intros have seemingly gone well).

• I saw all three male Short Clawed Otters, so can confirm they're all still there. Also a little note, but was delighted to see Hutan sleeping right next to one of the viewing windows. This is the first time I've seen any tiger at the viewing windows for as long as I can remember.

• Melbourne also appears to be down to just a single male Squirrel Monkey. I've only seen a single individual during all my visits this year. Potentially another intended phase out..

• Tambi the Giraffe calf has been introduced to the rest of the herd. Klintun (his father) was chasing him around the exhibit, kicking and headbutting him. He still seems to be taking a keen interest in the calf, whether that's out of curiosity, play or dislike, I'm not sure. Tambi spent most of his time standing in a corner away from the herd as a result when I was there, Nakuru seemed content with letting him wander as he pleased.

• Two Freckled Ducks have been born in the GFA.

• The Echidna/Potoroo enclosure was undergoing some refurbishment, so hopefully that indicates the intention to re-open the enclosure for Echidna at least.

• The path at the top of the seal enclosure was blocked off. Not sure as to why, but didn't see seals in the underwater viewing. The seals didn't seem to have access to the main enclosure when I visited a few weeks ago too. Hopefully all seals are well.

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks for the update.

Melbourne also appears to be down to just a single male Squirrel Monkey. I've only seen a single individual during all my visits this year. Potentially another intended phase out.

I’ll be honest, this species would be no great loss to the zoo. There was close to zero engagement from the public across my last four visits; and the exhibit would be better suited to Binturong, which in turn are poorly suited to their exhibit.

Tambi the Giraffe calf has been introduced to the rest of the herd. Klintun (his father) was chasing him around the exhibit, kicking and headbutting him. He still seems to be taking a keen interest in the calf, whether that's out of curiosity, play or dislike, I'm not sure.

That’s pretty typical of first time fathers in giraffes from what I’ve seen. Billy and Zabulu at Auckland each showed keen interest in their first offspring. Like Klintun, both were young fathers; and their offspring were the first newborn calves they’d seen since they were juveniles, so I suspect the novelty factor was there.

The path at the top of the seal enclosure was blocked off. Not sure as to why, but didn't see seals in the underwater viewing. The seals didn't seem to have access to the main enclosure when I visited a few weeks ago too. Hopefully all seals are well.

Hopefully it’s nothing of concern, though given the age of the New Zealand fur seals, it wouldn’t be surprising if one has died.

Since Bella the Australian fur seal is much younger and will inevitably be left alone, I hope Melbourne plan to continue with the exhibit long term. It’s a popular exhibit and with Taronga breeding a succession of New Zealand fur seal pups in recent years, it wouldn’t be difficult to acquire companions for Bella from there.

 

[NathanTheAsian]

• Melbourne also appears to be down to just a single male Squirrel Monkey. I've only seen a single individual during all my visits this year. Potentially another intended phase out..

I saw at least two last week

 

[Zorro]

Since the elephant herd has vacated Melbourne Zoo has that area been updated in the zoos master plan?

 

[Zoofan15]

Since the elephant herd has vacated Melbourne Zoo has that area been updated in the zoos master plan?

Unfortunately there’s no publicly available masterplan and the map shows nothing in that space (only a relabelling of the area to Forests of Wonder).

There’s been a lot of speculation on here, none of which has come to anything of yet; even what appeared to be the obvious move to housing the Brazilian tapir in the bull elephant paddock.

Based on recent developments, I anticipate we’ll see a redevelopment of Treetops before the elephant complex.

 

[Jambo]

I’ll be honest, this species would be no great loss to the zoo. There was close to zero engagement from the public across my last four visits; and the exhibit would be better suited to Binturong, which in turn are poorly suited to their exhibit.

The enclosure itself is poorly designed for engagement for this species anyway. The monkeys are rarely at the front of the enclosure anyway, and they'd surely receive more engagement in one of the Treetop Boardwalk enclosures. As you say, the Binturong would be far more suitable to that enclosure, as they'd sleep in the nest boxes right at the front of the exhibit.

I forgot to mention too that the second Spider Monkey enclosure looked like it was being refurbished. Since the zoo's down to three monkeys of which could theoretically be accommodated in the one enclosure, it'll be interesting to see whether another species is placed here or whether the Spider Monkeys will get access here again.

Hopefully it’s nothing of concern, though given the age of the New Zealand fur seals, it wouldn’t be surprising if one has died.

Since Bella the Australian fur seal is much younger and will inevitably be left alone, I hope Melbourne plan to continue with the exhibit long term. It’s a popular exhibit and with Taronga breeding a succession of New Zealand fur seal pups in recent years, it wouldn’t be difficult to acquire companions for Bella from there.

I at least saw Iha in the back pools when I visited a few weeks ago, and I recall noticing the corridor back of house area behind those pools was unusually blocked off.

Iha is about 19 years old, but I'm not sure about Pania, who could be older than that.

I don't see Melbourne phasing out seals, at least in this point in time. Losing them so soon after losing elephants would just be terrible. I can easily see them at least acquiring another one or two from Taronga in the event they lose both their older NZ girls.

 

[Zoofan15]

I at least saw Iha in the back pools when I visited a few weeks ago, and I recall noticing the corridor back of house area behind those pools was unusually blocked off.

Iha is about 19 years old, but I'm not sure about Pania, who could be older than that.

I don't see Melbourne phasing out seals, at least in this point in time. Losing them so soon after losing elephants would just be terrible. I can easily see them at least acquiring another one or two from Taronga in the event they lose both their older NZ girls.

Re. New Zealand fur seals:

Pania was born at Marineland 16/12/2005; while Iha was a wild rescue taken in by Marineland in June 2007. She was likely born the previous December.

I agree pinnipeds would be a great loss to Melbourne Zoo. Their exhibit isn’t outdated like Adelaide’s, so fortunately I foresee Zoos Victoria having little incentive to phase them out at this point in time.

 

[Jambo]

I saw at least two last week

The zoo was down to just two per last years annual report.

Since the elephant herd has vacated Melbourne Zoo has that area been updated in the zoos master plan?

There's been no updates, and from the looks of it, there's been no renovations ect. Everything's beginning to become overgrown, and I don't see any major changes being made there for the foreseeable (perhaps until they gain funding for a new project there).

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Thanks for the update.

I’ll be honest, this species would be no great loss to the zoo. There was close to zero engagement from the public across my last four visits; and the exhibit would be better suited to Binturong, which in turn are poorly suited to their exhibit.

That’s pretty typical of first time fathers in giraffes from what I’ve seen. Billy and Zabulu at Auckland each showed keen interest in their first offspring. Like Klintun, both were young fathers; and their offspring were the first newborn calves they’d seen since they were juveniles, so I suspect the novelty factor was there.

Hopefully it’s nothing of concern, though given the age of the New Zealand fur seals, it wouldn’t be surprising if one has died.

Since Bella the Australian fur seal is much younger and will inevitably be left alone, I hope Melbourne plan to continue with the exhibit long term. It’s a popular exhibit and with Taronga breeding a succession of New Zealand fur seal pups in recent years, it wouldn’t be difficult to acquire companions for Bella from there.

My understanding is that MZ only intend to hold rescued pinnipeds. So they keep them to recover and release, and then only otherwise hold long-term if they cannot be released.

I could be very mistaken on this but i am sure that is what I was told by a keeper once.

 

[Jambo]

My understanding is that MZ only intend to hold rescued pinnipeds. So they keep them to recover and release, and then only otherwise hold long-term if they cannot be released.

I could be very mistaken on this but i am sure that is what I was told by a keeper once.

Your right, but they also accepted some of the Marineland seals a decade ago of which needed a new home, and so I can easily see them acquiring some Taronga bred seals in the event their colony decreases to one, rather than leaving that seal by itself.

Rescues that remain long term are quite rare, and Melbourne have really only had at least three off memory in the last thirty years. So to sustain a colony, they'd still benefit from bringing in a few other seals from other facilities every now and then.

 

[Zoofan15]

My understanding is that MZ only intend to hold rescued pinnipeds. So they keep them to recover and release, and then only otherwise hold long-term if they cannot be released.

I could be very mistaken on this but i am sure that is what I was told by a keeper once.

Your right, but they also accepted some of the Marineland seals a decade ago of which needed a new home, and so I can easily see them acquiring some Taronga bred seals in the event their colony decreases to one, rather than leaving that seal by itself.

Rescues that remain long term are quite rare, and Melbourne have really only had at least three off memory in the last thirty years. So to sustain a colony, they'd still benefit from bringing in a few other seals from other facilities every now and then.

Taronga receives a steady number of rescue pinnipeds; while New Zealand has the potential to acquire a larger number of pinnipeds than they have the capacity to manage. As an example of this, Auckland filled their four allocated spaces (joining two California sea lions) within the space of 18-24 months and then have since refused any further additions.

I can see Melbourne either acquiring unreleasable rescues; or Taronga bred pups. Taronga must be close to capacity, so I’m inclined to believe they’re breeding all these fur seal pups for a reason.