Both in Aus. Common marmosets and squirrel monkeys. They already have a single individual of the latter behind-the-scenes, though who knows if they could socialise it with others. I think Melbourne are waiting for the region to make a decision, one way or the other, between commons and Bolivians.
Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo
- Thread starter Simon Hampel
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Both in Aus. Common marmosets and squirrel monkeys. They already have a single individual of the latter behind-the-scenes, though who knows if they could socialise it with others. I think Melbourne are waiting for the region to make a decision, one way or the other, between commons and Bolivians.
animal kid
Well-Known Member
I have a few questions after a visit the other day,
What is planned for the old baboon enclosure and will the zoo accquire any more syrian brown bears or are they just waiting for the current bear to die and then use the exhibit for something else?
Does the zoo still have a tapir, the enclosure where it was kept has been cleaned up and there is now a proper viewing area with all the bamboo cut back but nothing on display?
The zoo has alot of unused exhibit space at the moment their is space where the peccaries were originally kept across from the zebra which is now overgrown but a small exhibit could be made here, the island across from the bistro, the old penguin pool seems empty now, as the ring tailed lemurs used only 1 corner of the 2 islands they have couldn't the zoo seperate the 2 islands and have another species there and the old maned wolf exhibit which is currently unused due to the building of the new conference center are their plans for these area.
There is also quite a large area between the new baboon exhibit and bongo exhibit was this intentional or just a waste?
and one last thing the 2 gibbons on display have they ever bred? or is it planned?
What is planned for the old baboon enclosure and will the zoo accquire any more syrian brown bears or are they just waiting for the current bear to die and then use the exhibit for something else?
Does the zoo still have a tapir, the enclosure where it was kept has been cleaned up and there is now a proper viewing area with all the bamboo cut back but nothing on display?
The zoo has alot of unused exhibit space at the moment their is space where the peccaries were originally kept across from the zebra which is now overgrown but a small exhibit could be made here, the island across from the bistro, the old penguin pool seems empty now, as the ring tailed lemurs used only 1 corner of the 2 islands they have couldn't the zoo seperate the 2 islands and have another species there and the old maned wolf exhibit which is currently unused due to the building of the new conference center are their plans for these area.
There is also quite a large area between the new baboon exhibit and bongo exhibit was this intentional or just a waste?
and one last thing the 2 gibbons on display have they ever bred? or is it planned?
The syrian bears are a phase out species, the region is concentrating on sun bears.
Are you talking about the white cheeked gibbons? They are an old pair that have bred in the past. The female at Adelaide zoo which has just given birth is their daughter and one of the animals at Wellington zoo is theirs as well. I think that one of the Perth animals is also theirs.
Well, looks like LA Zoo is sending some Komodo Dragons toAustralia, so this is the most likely destination.
Electus Parrot
Well-Known Member
I know Adelaide has been looking for some for a while, maybe some will go there aswell.
What is your source that says LA Zoo is exporting Komodos to Australia?
There are no fewer than 12 zoos in Australia looking to acquire Komodo dragons. Unless they are juvenile animals that can live in the reptile house for the next couple of years, they are unlikely to be destined for Melbourne Zoo, for the simple fact that Melbourne has no exhibit ready for them.
Yes they are juvenile animals born this year. The source is here: http://www.zoochat.com/22/zoo-news-2-a-220693/index2.html under the video of the giant otter pups, which is sourced from Facebook.
Sorry, I didnt mean to sound like I was positive that they were going to Melbourne but I thought that wase the most likely destination considering:
-Taronga's male has killed his previous two mates
-I believe Adelaide's exhibit is currently inhabited by baboons
-I am not aware that Perth is planning to acquire them (in the near future)
The only other option I thought of is Australia Zoo which could be likely.
Thanks for that. You make a good case, though I'd caution that that little mention is by no means confirmation that more Komodos are on their way to Australia. With Australian zoos, nothing is certain until they've cleared customs.
If indeed some are coming, it's a bit wide open where they could be going:
- Adelaide Zoo has a standing recommendation to 'import cooperatively'. There's a bit of empty space near the reptile house that could be turned into a Komodo enclosure at moderate cost.
- Auckland Zoo lists Komodo dragons for acquisition 'after 2012'. But the sentence said 'Australia', not New Zealand.
- Australia Zoo wants to significantly expand their holdings from 2.1 to 3.6. Reasonable chance.
- Australian Reptile Park is seeking 1.1 and has not had a major acquisition since the initial re-build of the collection after the fire. Possible.
- Cairns Tropical Zoo is seeking 1.1, and, interestingly, edited that listing only a couple of weeks ago. A dark horse?
- Darling Downs Zoo is still an Associate Member, so unlikely but... anything you're not telling us, Steve?
- Melbourne Zoo is in much the same boat as Adelaide. The area potentially ear-marked for Komodo dragons is not ready for them, but if they are juveniles...
- National Zoo and Aquarium are also listed as 'import co-operatively'. But I kinda doubt it - all of their capital is most likely being stockpiled for the new expansion, which will have an African, rather than Asian focus.
- Perth Zoo has a listing for Komodo dragons, but apparently not until after 2015. So doubtful.
- Snakes Downunder Reptile Park is only an Associate Member and there is no way they have the wherewithal or probably stature to be dealing with LA Zoo. Surely the longest odds of the entire field.
- Taronga Western Plains Zoo has an 'acquire long term' intention for Komodos. It's possible that they may get one or two in concert with Taronga, but other than that I doubt it's a species they would be pursuing very aggressively.
- Taronga Zoo is probably my quiet favourite. I didn't know what you said about the male there killing female mates. How long ago was this? I wonder if his genes are represented anywhere else in the world. If not, studbook keepers may well take a look at a clutch of 21 or whatever dragons at Los Angeles, and think it's worth taking a punt on one or two females in the hope of a successful breeding.
Overall, I think Taronga and Australia Zoo are the favourites. Melbourne and Adelaide after that. National Zoo and Aquarium, Western Plains, Australian Reptile Park and Cairns Tropical Zoo somewhere in the middle. Perth and Auckland are out-siders. Darling Downs, barring a shock revelation from Mr Robinson, and Snakes Downunder are at very long odds.
You Victorians really do take your Spring racing carnival to heart!! To continue with your horseracing theme:
Komodos are certainly in the program for DDZ.
However, there are a number of other starters in the boxes before Komodos will ever face the judges here.
The odds will shorten after we achieve accreditation with ZAA.
Jabiru96 is correct - the male at Taronga has killed a potential mate, possibly two. Hix would know how many.
Komodos are certainly in the program for DDZ.
However, there are a number of other starters in the boxes before Komodos will ever face the judges here.
The odds will shorten after we achieve accreditation with ZAA.
Jabiru96 is correct - the male at Taronga has killed a potential mate, possibly two. Hix would know how many.
Electus Parrot
Well-Known Member
If juveniles are being sent over, Adelaide definitely has the space and means to keep them, even if in such exhibits like the Fijian crested iguana outdoor exhibit during summer. There would be enough time between them becoming adults for a larger more prominent exhibit to be built.
zooboy28
Well-Known Member
Much as I would love to see Auckland get Komodo Dragons (or indeed any monitors - we have no Varanids at all in NZ), they do not currently have anywhere suitable and will be concentrating all resources on elephants I think. Once the elephant enclosure and import is complete, I suspect a separate Asian precinct will be developed and that dragons will be part of this (after 2015).
So a very outside chance then
So a very outside chance then
mstickmanp
Well-Known Member
Only if Australia would give the LA Zoo some platypuses or Tassie Devils in return... 
animal kid
Well-Known Member
The area that included the tree kangaroos, baboons old enclosure, red panda has been fenced off and work is begining
What are they building?
normaeinstein
Active Member
I went to the zoo yesterday and would love to know what they are building up at the old baboon enclosure end. Anyone know?
They are also building a new exit ramp for the big walk through aviary, which I think is great.
They are also building a new exit ramp for the big walk through aviary, which I think is great.
Well Taronga is importing seven Komodo dragons so maybe a few will we going to Melbourne?
normaeinstein
Active Member
ugh.....disappointing