Monarto Safari Park South Asian theme at Monarto

[Grant Rhino]

{Note from mods - this thread split from here: Monarto Safari Park News 2022 [Monarto Safari Park]}




I love Monarto but my one single criticism of the place is that it does not display a single species of monkey!

Seriously - a zoo without a species of monkey???? It's like a pub with no beer!

As I said recently in the Melbourne Zoo thread, an India theme is surely fairly easy to do in basically any zoo in Australia with a combo of the following:

1. Elephant
2. Tiger (very easy to get - who cares if they aren't Bengal Tigers)
3. Indian Rhino
4. Blackbuck (very easy to get)
5. Chital (Axis Deer) (very easy to get)
6. Hog Deer (easy to get - Altina has heaps)
7. Common Langur (should be easy to import)
8. Leopard (everyone else is getting Sri Lankan leopards, so easy enough)
9. Red Panda (easy to get but perhaps not appropriate for Monarto)
10. Snow Leopard (probably not appropriate for Monarto)
11. Rhesus Macaque (should be easy to import)

Even with six of seven from that list you could create a great India precinct.

Both Common Langurs and Rhesus Macaques live in the dry and arid areas throughout India (I've seen them there several times) as well as wetter parts of the country - so they would fit well with Monarto's climate.

Please Monarto - get a species of monkey!!!!

 

[Zoofan15]

Common langurs would be absolutely perfect for Monarto.

I love Monarto but my one single criticism of the place is that it does not display a single species of monkey!

Seriously - a zoo without a species of monkey???? It's like a pub with no beer!

I'm not convinced that Monarto needs a species of bear at all, but if they are going to have one then Sloth Bears would certainly be the most appropriate - especially if an India theme is going to be adopted.

As I said recently in the Melbourne Zoo thread, an India theme is surely fairly easy to do in basically any zoo in Australia with a combo of the following:

1. Elephant
2. Tiger (very easy to get - who cares if they aren't Bengal Tigers)
3. Indian Rhino
4. Blackbuck (very easy to get)
5. Chital (Axis Deer) (very easy to get)
6. Hog Deer (easy to get - Altina has heaps)
7. Common Langur (should be easy to import)
8. Leopard (everyone else is getting Sri Lankan leopards, so easy enough)
9. Red Panda (easy to get but perhaps not appropriate for Monarto)
10. Snow Leopard (probably not appropriate for Monarto)
11. Rhesus Macaque (should be easy to import)

Even with six of seven from that list you could create a great India precinct.

Both Common Langurs and Rhesus Macaques live in the dry and arid areas throughout India (I've seen them there several times) as well as wetter parts of the country - so they would fit well with Monarto's climate.

Please Monarto - get a species of monkey!!!!

Their first monkey species will likely be Hamadeyas baboon, with the troop from Adelaide transferred over as per the masterplan.

We have large populations of Crab-eating and Pig-tailed macaque in research facilities, but they're native to SE Asia. Bonnet macaque or Rhesus macaque would both be more suitable for an Indian precinct. The latter is held in small numbers, but not enough to breed up a troop for Monarto. Like you say, they could both be imported. They're a CITES II species, so less drama than CITES I.

Ultimately it depends how geographically accurate they want to be. One of the macaque species from SE could represent the South Asian species as you describe Sumatran tigers standing in for Bengal tiger; or the Indian precinct could be broadened to an Asian precinct to encompass South East Asia and South Asia.

 

[Zorro]

Common langurs would be absolutely perfect for Monarto.

I love Monarto but my one single criticism of the place is that it does not display a single species of monkey!

Seriously - a zoo without a species of monkey???? It's like a pub with no beer!

I'm not convinced that Monarto needs a species of bear at all, but if they are going to have one then Sloth Bears would certainly be the most appropriate - especially if an India theme is going to be adopted.

As I said recently in the Melbourne Zoo thread, an India theme is surely fairly easy to do in basically any zoo in Australia with a combo of the following:

1. Elephant
2. Tiger (very easy to get - who cares if they aren't Bengal Tigers)
3. Indian Rhino
4. Blackbuck (very easy to get)
5. Chital (Axis Deer) (very easy to get)
6. Hog Deer (easy to get - Altina has heaps)
7. Common Langur (should be easy to import)
8. Leopard (everyone else is getting Sri Lankan leopards, so easy enough)
9. Red Panda (easy to get but perhaps not appropriate for Monarto)
10. Snow Leopard (probably not appropriate for Monarto)
11. Rhesus Macaque (should be easy to import)

Even with six of seven from that list you could create a great India precinct.

Both Common Langurs and Rhesus Macaques live in the dry and arid areas throughout India (I've seen them there several times) as well as wetter parts of the country - so they would fit well with Monarto's climate.

Please Monarto - get a species of monkey!!!!

Any holder for Sri Lankan leopards here have to be accepted onto the EEP first so have to go through the channels first, regarding monkeys Australia zoo has no monkeys lol

 

[Zoofan15]

Any holder for Sri Lankan leopards here have to be accepted onto the EEP first so have to go through the channels first, regarding monkeys Australia zoo has no monkeys lol

Sri Lankan leopard would be an exciting addition to a South Asian or general Asian precinct at Monarto, though I assume they'll only be held at Adelaide.

Simply put, Zoos SA will want Monarto to be good, but not so good that nobody wants to visit Adelaide again. Sri Lankan leopards will be one of Adelaide's points of difference.

 

[Grant Rhino]

regarding monkeys Australia zoo has no monkeys lol

Yes - I've always found that completely strange actually... it annoys me like a kitchen draw that is left open by one centimetre..... All they need to do is get a pair of tamarins or something and then that metaphorical drawer is closed....

 

[Zoofan15]

Yes - I've always found that completely strange actually... it annoys me like a kitchen draw that is left open by one centimetre..... All they need to do is get a pair of tamarins or something and then that metaphorical drawer is closed....

Good point. It's especially annoying when you consider the potential for the larger zoos, especially the open range zoos who could build exhibits on a scale the small city zoos can't. Monarto could have a huge baboon exhibit like at Singapore, housing close to 100 baboons; while large walk through exhibits could be built for the tamarin species we have in the region - each separated of course.

 

[Zorro]

Yes - I've always found that completely strange actually... it annoys me like a kitchen draw that is left open by one centimetre..... All they need to do is get a pair of tamarins or something and then that metaphorical drawer is closed....

I believe they did have some cotton topped tamarins some year’s ago from what I can remember I believe they were not on public show.Also I believe no antelope has ever been at the zoo nor even a lion. The African exhibit is very sparse indeed not even one Ostrich in sight

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe they did have some cotton topped tamarins some year’s ago from what I can remember I believe they were not on public show.Also I believe no antelope has ever been at the zoo nor even a lion. The African exhibit is very sparse indeed not even one Ostrich in sight

The most frustrating thing about their Savannah saga is how easy it is to remedy. Like you suggest, ostrich could be added; as well as social ungulates including Nyala and female Waterbuck. It would greatly enhance the exhibit at a comparatively minimal cost.

Austrlia Zoo have never held lion. Generic tigers, Sumatran tigers and Cheetah are the only felons to ever be held on site - and the latter never even got an exhibit.

 

[Zorro]

The most frustrating thing about their Savannah saga is how easy it is to remedy. Like you suggest, ostrich could be added; as well as social ungulates including Nyala and female Waterbuck. It would greatly enhance the exhibit at a comparatively minimal cost.

Yes not that hard I guess I am missing something

 

[Zoofan15]

Yes not that hard I guess I am missing something

Furthermore, they have no small cats. Both Serval and Caracal are inexpensive to keep and after the initial expenses of an exhibit, would make for an a charismatic species.

 

[Grant Rhino]

I believe they did have some cotton topped tamarins some year’s ago from what I can remember I believe they were not on public show.Also I believe no antelope has ever been at the zoo nor even a lion. The African exhibit is very sparse indeed not even one Ostrich in sight

That zoo started out as a zoo for crocodiles, reptiles and Australian animals though - I don't think it was ever originally about African species. That stuff came later as Steve Irwin became more well known etc. It doesn't really bother me if a zoo like that doesn't have antelope. It would be a bit of a worry if they didn't have crocodiles though... Horses for courses...

 

[Zorro]

That zoo started out as a zoo for crocodiles, reptiles and Australian animals though - I don't think it was ever originally about African species. That stuff came later as Steve Irwin became more well known etc. It doesn't really bother me if a zoo like that doesn't have antelope. It would be a bit of a worry if they didn't have crocodiles though... Horses for courses...

It was a reptile park with a few native animals now moved on with elephants rhinos and tigers ect yes it has developed into a zoo but has gap’s to fill if desired

 

[Zoofan15]

That zoo started out as a zoo for crocodiles, reptiles and Australian animals though - I don't think it was ever originally about African species. That stuff came later as Steve Irwin became more well known etc. It doesn't really bother me if a zoo like that doesn't have antelope. It would be a bit of a worry if they didn't have crocodiles though... Horses for courses...

It was a reptile park with a few native animals now moved on with elephants rhinos and tigers ect yes it has developed into a zoo but has gap’s to fill if desired

Comapred to other small town Australian reptile parks (which it began as), Australia Zoo is phenomenal.

However, this is were the frustration comes in. With Steve’s direction and passion and Terri’s marketing skills, we saw Australia Zoo on track to becoming something great. They were half way there when Steve tragically died and sadly (and perhaps understandably), that’s where the zoo stagnated. Australia Zoo progressed very little beyond that point and so a number of us are frustrated because we saw the potential for the zoo and see it now as a shadow of what it could of been.

 

[Jambo]

I believe they did have some cotton topped tamarins some year’s ago from what I can remember I believe they were not on public show.Also I believe no antelope has ever been at the zoo nor even a lion. The African exhibit is very sparse indeed not even one Ostrich in sight

They did hold Cotton Tops I believe.

Original plans for their Savannah precinct included a variety of antelope and ostrich too. Of course these plans never eventuated as they imported some giraffe, rhino and a few zebra and decided that was enough! At least a Lion enclosure would surely compliment the Savannah.

 

[Zoofan15]

They did hold Cotton Tops I believe.

Original plans for their Savannah precinct included a variety of antelope and ostrich too. Of course these plans never eventuated as they imported some giraffe, rhino and a few zebra and decided that was enough! At least a Lion enclosure would surely compliment the Savannah.

At a minimum the African precinct (which is really just a low key savannah exhibit) should have included a Cheetah exhibit. Australia Zoo focus on the interactive aspects and this would have been the perfect opportunity to educate visitors on the interactions between Cheetah and Namibian farmers, tied in with the role of the Anatolian shepherd dog. As a species that can be walked around the zoo etc. they missed a huge opportunity to bring this to the front and centre of the African precinct.

 

[Grant Rhino]

They did hold Cotton Tops I believe.

Original plans for their Savannah precinct included a variety of antelope and ostrich too. Of course these plans never eventuated as they imported some giraffe, rhino and a few zebra and decided that was enough! At least a Lion enclosure would surely compliment the Savannah.

True - but that said, I'd much rather see an African Savannah exhibit consisting of giraffe, rhino and zebra (without antelope and ostrich) than one consisting of nyala, eland and ostrich - with no rhino, giraffe, zebra etc... If an exhibit is going to be smaller or more 'incomplete' I'd rather it have more high profile animals than the 'B-graders' such as ostrich.

That said, maybe the powers that be saw the tamarins, marmosets, langurs etc that I like as 'B-graders'.... I guess no zoo can please everybody...

 

[Zoofan15]

True - but that said, I'd much rather see an African Savannah exhibit consisting of giraffe, rhino and zebra (without antelope and ostrich) than one consisting of nyala, eland and ostrich - with no rhino, giraffe, zebra etc... If an exhibit is going to be smaller or more 'incomplete' I'd rather it have more high profile animals than the 'B-graders' such as ostrich.

That said, maybe the powers that be saw the tamarins, marmosets, langurs etc that I like as 'B-graders'.... I guess no zoo can please everybody...

When it comes to exotics, Australia Zoo have undoubtably focussed on the megafauna - tigers, elephants, cheetah, giraffes and rhinoceros. There were also plans for gorillas and orangutans. There’s a few smaller exotics, but these are mostly charismatic species such as red pandas and otters.

This is likely part of their marketing strategy as these species are the most enabling and will bring in more visitors than golden cats, langurs and nyala ever will. Sydney Zoo has taken a similar approach.

 

[Jambo]

At a minimum the African precinct (which is really just a low key savannah exhibit) should have included a Cheetah exhibit. Australia Zoo focus on the interactive aspects and this would have been the perfect opportunity to educate visitors on the interactions between Cheetah and Namibian farmers, tied in with the role of the Anatolian shepherd dog. As a species that can be walked around the zoo etc. they missed a huge opportunity to bring this to the front and centre of the African precinct.

I could've defenitely seen Australia incorporating an 'Irwin Cheetah Presentation', which would've also included a cheetah run, showcasing their incredible speed. Zoos in the US do this, and I would love for some zoos over here to introduce such presentation here too.

When it comes to exotics, Australia Zoo have undoubtably focussed on the megafauna - tigers, elephants, cheetah, giraffes and rhinoceros. There were also plans for gorillas and orangutans. There’s a few smaller exotics, but these are mostly charismatic species such as red pandas and otters.

This is likely part of their marketing strategy as these species are the most enabling and will bring in more visitors than golden cats, langurs and nyala ever will. Sydney Zoo has taken a similar approach.

I agree, this is behind Australia Zoo's thinking. Showcase native Australian fauna and only exotic megafauna. Rather than going into smaller, lesser known exotics that most of the general public will show virtually no interest in. If Australia did manage to get Gorillas/Orangutans, they would have no need to hold a smaller species of monkey. I've always thought though, a species like Cotton Top Tamirans could integrate well into Bindi's Island.

 

[Grant Rhino]

When it comes to exotics, Australia Zoo have undoubtably focussed on the megafauna - tigers, elephants, cheetah, giraffes and rhinoceros. There were also plans for gorillas and orangutans. There’s a few smaller exotics, but these are mostly charismatic species such as red pandas and otters.

This is likely part of their marketing strategy as these species are the most enabling and will bring in more visitors than golden cats, langurs and nyala ever will. Sydney Zoo has taken a similar approach.

Yes - I like this approach. However, I'd also include a monkey species amongst the 'A-listers' with the red pandas, otters etc.

 

[Zoofan15]

Yes - I like this approach. However, I'd also include a monkey species amongst the 'A-listers' with the red pandas, otters etc.

True, monkeys can be very charismatic. The Golden lion tamarin are a particularly striking primate that always seem to be the most popular monkey at Auckland Zoo; though my personally preference would be baboons. Given Terri’s North American connections, it’s surprising they’ve never considered Mandrill. They tick just about every box and would have also been available via Adelaide and Melbourne Zoo throughout the 2000’s.