zooboy28
Well-Known Member
In late December 2013 both Melbourne Zoo and Taronga Zoo opened multi-million dollar exhibits - both walk-through ring-tailed lemur exhibits to be precise, which are the first in Australasia. This follows a recent(?) history of the two zoos opening similar exhibits at similar times, including seal and penguin complexes and South-east Asian rainforest exhibits. Some have said there is competition between the two zoos (the largest in Australia), if so Taronga definitely won the seal and penguin contest, and while the winner of the rainforest contest is much harder to pick, my vote goes to Melbourne - so that's one win each.
I have visited both zoos in the last month, and there is very definitely a clear winner between the two walk-through lemur exhibits. One is world-class, and the other rather embarrassing.
Melbourne Zoo - Lemur Island:
Melbourne Zoo's lemur exhibit is actually the first exhibit seen upon entering the zoo, and replaces old gorilla exhibits that have been empty for a while. The exhibit starts with a wicker tunnel of all things, at the end of which is a large netted exhibit with a group of ring-tail lemurs. This is themed as an arid zone, with small palms and other plants dotted around the stone and bark exhibit, through which winds the visitor's path and a couple of bridges across a nice stream (which is basically the old gorilla moat). There are a number of dead tree type climbing structures, connected by a series of ropes.
The exit leads to the rather bizarre, but quite cool too, wicker tree house. I'm not sure why they went with a wicker theme, perhaps raffia wasn't suitable for some reason (Interesting Fact: Apparently "raffia" is the only Malagasy word to have entered the English language). From the tree house you can look into the second lemur exhibit, which is contained by the moat and a large wall. This houses the breeding group, and is dominated by a stunning large tree.
Overall, this is a really nice naturalistic exhibit, with plenty of room for animals and visitors, although it could have a little more signage. One of the best visitor's features are just past the exit, where both enclosures can be viewed, and are a series of metal lemurs, each with speakers so you can hear the different calls lemurs make, and what they mean. There's room to add a couple of reptile exhibits in the main enclosure, i.e. terrariums for day geckos and Madagascar boas, which would be awesome.
Photos by astrobird here: http://www.zoochat.com/51/lemur-island-351859/
Taronga Zoo - Lemur Forest Adventure:
Unfortunately for Taronga Zoo, its new lemur exhibit is built on the old seal pools, which are heritage listed, making for a rather bizarre exhibit. Essentially, it is long and narrow, with a steep wall dug into the hillside at the back, and paths on both sides - so everyone can see the whole thing at any time. It is split into three parts, the first being a "rainforest conservation bush walk" - a 10 metre bark path through some lush plantings with a few signs. A observation bridge leads up from this, giving views over the main exhibit, before a staircase descends into the second part. Which is a playground. Which actually isn't that bad, and is only the third one in the whole zoo, and I can cope with that as long as they don't add anymore.
The third part is the actual exhibit. This is contained by a steep back wall, a moat, and some extreme industrial fencing. It has a bit of an arid theme, including some sand, a couple of trees and gardens, and some lawn areas. Enrichment includes a jungle-gym, some ropes, and they can access some rock ledges on the wall. There are two groups of lemurs here, in an area that is far too small, and not yet open as a walk-through.
Overall, I was extremely disappointed by this exhibit. Its an unfortunate mix of function and naturalism, and the modern and industrial materials used look awful. If it was up to me, I would have scrapped the rainforest conservation bush walk bit (especially given it isn't really relevant to an arid desert exhibit), and extended the animal's space, adding more trees and climbing opportunities. It would have been easy to net over, this would probably have been better too.
Photos here: http://www.zoochat.com/34/walk-through-entry-lemur-forest-adventure-353752/
So in the exhibit wars, looks like Melbourne has definitely won this contest!
I have visited both zoos in the last month, and there is very definitely a clear winner between the two walk-through lemur exhibits. One is world-class, and the other rather embarrassing.
Melbourne Zoo - Lemur Island:
Melbourne Zoo's lemur exhibit is actually the first exhibit seen upon entering the zoo, and replaces old gorilla exhibits that have been empty for a while. The exhibit starts with a wicker tunnel of all things, at the end of which is a large netted exhibit with a group of ring-tail lemurs. This is themed as an arid zone, with small palms and other plants dotted around the stone and bark exhibit, through which winds the visitor's path and a couple of bridges across a nice stream (which is basically the old gorilla moat). There are a number of dead tree type climbing structures, connected by a series of ropes.
The exit leads to the rather bizarre, but quite cool too, wicker tree house. I'm not sure why they went with a wicker theme, perhaps raffia wasn't suitable for some reason (Interesting Fact: Apparently "raffia" is the only Malagasy word to have entered the English language). From the tree house you can look into the second lemur exhibit, which is contained by the moat and a large wall. This houses the breeding group, and is dominated by a stunning large tree.
Overall, this is a really nice naturalistic exhibit, with plenty of room for animals and visitors, although it could have a little more signage. One of the best visitor's features are just past the exit, where both enclosures can be viewed, and are a series of metal lemurs, each with speakers so you can hear the different calls lemurs make, and what they mean. There's room to add a couple of reptile exhibits in the main enclosure, i.e. terrariums for day geckos and Madagascar boas, which would be awesome.
Photos by astrobird here: http://www.zoochat.com/51/lemur-island-351859/
Taronga Zoo - Lemur Forest Adventure:
Unfortunately for Taronga Zoo, its new lemur exhibit is built on the old seal pools, which are heritage listed, making for a rather bizarre exhibit. Essentially, it is long and narrow, with a steep wall dug into the hillside at the back, and paths on both sides - so everyone can see the whole thing at any time. It is split into three parts, the first being a "rainforest conservation bush walk" - a 10 metre bark path through some lush plantings with a few signs. A observation bridge leads up from this, giving views over the main exhibit, before a staircase descends into the second part. Which is a playground. Which actually isn't that bad, and is only the third one in the whole zoo, and I can cope with that as long as they don't add anymore.
The third part is the actual exhibit. This is contained by a steep back wall, a moat, and some extreme industrial fencing. It has a bit of an arid theme, including some sand, a couple of trees and gardens, and some lawn areas. Enrichment includes a jungle-gym, some ropes, and they can access some rock ledges on the wall. There are two groups of lemurs here, in an area that is far too small, and not yet open as a walk-through.
Overall, I was extremely disappointed by this exhibit. Its an unfortunate mix of function and naturalism, and the modern and industrial materials used look awful. If it was up to me, I would have scrapped the rainforest conservation bush walk bit (especially given it isn't really relevant to an arid desert exhibit), and extended the animal's space, adding more trees and climbing opportunities. It would have been easy to net over, this would probably have been better too.
Photos here: http://www.zoochat.com/34/walk-through-entry-lemur-forest-adventure-353752/
So in the exhibit wars, looks like Melbourne has definitely won this contest!
