Nice, you need to climb the ladder and go into collection planning!.
The Future of Zoos Victoria 2024 (Speculation/Fantasy)
- Thread starter Zoofan15
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Nice, you need to climb the ladder and go into collection planning!.
With the highlighted species, I have always wondered why MZ has never invested into a temperate/cooler climate asian zone as a theme. I know they don't do zones like taronga etc. A temperate theme with otters, red panda, snow leopard, sloth bear and Tahr would be great!. They could also still maintain there tropical asian species and use existing species like tiger, leopard, Francis langur which have species or sub specific variation through temperate and tropical climates ranges, as linking species between zones.
It would also enable the zoo to maintain commitment to regional breeding programs while creating a point of difference between zoos. One of the big issues our zoos face, is with a small number of zoos, most have to cooperate to have regional programs. Which leaves them all holding very similar species lists. However they dont all have to go down the tropical theming we typically see.
As much as I’d love to see more Asian species at Werribee, it’s clear Melbourne Zoo is better equipped to house rainforest species such as Clouded leopard. Many of these are small or medium sized and thrive in well shaded exhibits.
That doesn’t mean Werribee can’t diversify to include Asian plains species, including Indian rhinoceros and various antelopes. Even the Sloth bear, which inhabits the grasslands and dry forests would be well suited to an open range environment.
We also have to remember we come here to talk specifics and speculate. Collection planning and future development is not always going to be front and centre. People are always going to be talking about life, hobbies and what is happening front and centre. Some people will care, some will not. And progress is often slow, so I imagine in that regard. It's like where I work, every day chat is about the here and now, and peoples lives, hobbies etc. Future stuff gets brought up but sporadically and often not until actual plans are laid out. But its maybe 1% of the time sort of deal.
Im actually surprised they havent moved the prezwalski wild horses to and exhibit near the elephants.
For the big zoos, I have never understood why smaller exhibit species are not utilised around cafe areas.
ReturnOfPaddyRick
Well-Known Member
I somewhat agree with that actually. They went to all the effort to move them, might as well have made it correlate geographically. Regardless though their current situation isn’t undesirable
It feels like they’re going for the biome link of grassland (Przewalaki’s horse and Bison) versus the African savannah animals or the elephant complex, which needs no accompaniment.
It’ll be interesting to follow the development of the elephant complex over the decades to come - starting with nine elephants housed in two paddocks.
The Bison and Przewalski's Horses are (or were) actually displayed beside each other in a 'back from the brink of extinction' theme. Both species were always discussed in this aspect during the safari and so keeping them still beside each other albeit on the other side of the zoo, still works for them.
That makes sense as Zoos Victoria have a strong education focus and can use it to educate visitors on the tour regarding their conservation back stories. It was mentioned on the Safari tour I went on last November.
austrlain zoo gower
Well-Known Member
Realistic Expectations
Gorilla Rainforest
The Black and white ruffed lemur and ring tailed Lemur exhibits will probably be unchanged
The gorilla exhibit not changes will be made, the import of some more female would be good
Pygmy Hippo exibit will be unchanged, female import could be on the cards
Mandrill and Cassowary exibit empty, could put colobus or mandirl
Treetop apes and monkeys could do with a renovation, it looks tired with the old wood
Trail of the Elephants
Asian small clawed otter lickley the same
Tiger exhibit the same
Elephants will get a replacement, I speculate organutan expansion, blackbuk, even the possibility of Baird's Tapir, as region appears to be interested
Orangutan sancuty could get expansion similar to Auckland, it currently looks a bit run down, the import of new female possibly
Squirrel monkey exibit probably stay the same, could do with glass instead of mesh because they are hard to see
Growing wild
Whilst it would be great to see a new south america trails with monkeys and capybara this is unlikely for the foreseeable future, with the focus on kids and a lot of schools visit that area of the zoo
Carnivores - this trail is relatively new,
African wild dogs were better in my opinion than dingo, but there alright
Lion exibit is.kinda small but probably won't be expanded
Binutorng are a welcomed addition, however they kinda feel out of place with Carnivours themeing should be in south east Asia area
Snow.leoaprd exibit is great not changes
Tiger exibit is also nice, interested to see what will happen with it once Tiger pass on, they already have nice exobit in Trail of elephant, sun bears would fit ti nice.
Tasmanian Devil exibit is fine and will stay
Main Trail - where things fall apart
Red pandas are fine
Platypus exibt feels dark and dingey
Giraffe exibit is ok, Zebra gone, are gunieo fowl still there
Baboon could do with new plants, looks a bit dull
Tapir exibit is empty
Peccary are a phase out so that will be empty soon
Australian Bush
Have been impressed with changes made and New species brought in, no changes need to be made
Gorilla Rainforest
The Black and white ruffed lemur and ring tailed Lemur exhibits will probably be unchanged
The gorilla exhibit not changes will be made, the import of some more female would be good
Pygmy Hippo exibit will be unchanged, female import could be on the cards
Mandrill and Cassowary exibit empty, could put colobus or mandirl
Treetop apes and monkeys could do with a renovation, it looks tired with the old wood
Trail of the Elephants
Asian small clawed otter lickley the same
Tiger exhibit the same
Elephants will get a replacement, I speculate organutan expansion, blackbuk, even the possibility of Baird's Tapir, as region appears to be interested
Orangutan sancuty could get expansion similar to Auckland, it currently looks a bit run down, the import of new female possibly
Squirrel monkey exibit probably stay the same, could do with glass instead of mesh because they are hard to see
Growing wild
Whilst it would be great to see a new south america trails with monkeys and capybara this is unlikely for the foreseeable future, with the focus on kids and a lot of schools visit that area of the zoo
Carnivores - this trail is relatively new,
African wild dogs were better in my opinion than dingo, but there alright
Lion exibit is.kinda small but probably won't be expanded
Binutorng are a welcomed addition, however they kinda feel out of place with Carnivours themeing should be in south east Asia area
Snow.leoaprd exibit is great not changes
Tiger exibit is also nice, interested to see what will happen with it once Tiger pass on, they already have nice exobit in Trail of elephant, sun bears would fit ti nice.
Tasmanian Devil exibit is fine and will stay
Main Trail - where things fall apart
Red pandas are fine
Platypus exibt feels dark and dingey
Giraffe exibit is ok, Zebra gone, are gunieo fowl still there
Baboon could do with new plants, looks a bit dull
Tapir exibit is empty
Peccary are a phase out so that will be empty soon
Australian Bush
Have been impressed with changes made and New species brought in, no changes need to be made
I agree with most of this.
I really hope Melbourne Zoo import a female Pygmy hippopotamus. There’s now two un-paired females (albeit one is a juvenile) within the region; but there’s no excuse for resorting to inbreeding when there’s the Hippopotamus IRA in progress. I’m optimistic transferring Kamina to DDZ is indicative of plans to source (import) unrelated hippopotami when there’s the opportunity to do so.
I don’t anticipate Melbourne Zoo (or any other zoo in the region) importing Baird’s tapir. I’m not sure of current interest around Brazilian tapir or Malayan tapir.
The Dingo are an uninspiring exhibit that attracted little interest on my visits. A Maned wolf would be the ideal replacement if we’re to consider the exhibit too small for even a small pack of African wild dogs.
The Binturong aren’t a great fit for the Carnivores precinct imo. They’re seldom seen and the exhibit is larger than necessary. I’d rather see them displayed in TreeTops; Colobus in the old Mandrill exhibit; and a more active small mammal in the Biturong exhibit. Perhaps Caracal unless they feel the proximity of the big cats would unsettle them.
austrlain zoo gower
Well-Known Member
Complety agree, the female at darling downs should move to melbourne, as breeding facilites are better, Adelide has interest in tapir, however agree that the import is some time down the road. Dingos are just boring for a carnivours trail, maned wolf, even cheetah could be better, Binturong in squireel monkey or in treetops, even clouded leoaprd
Im actually visiting in 2 weeks so will ask then about breeding
Im actually visiting in 2 weeks so will ask then about breeding
Just to clarify, I don’t mean Kamina (DDZ) should be paired with Felix; but rather than Melbourne should import a female when there’s the opportunity to do so. Our regional Pygmy hippopotamus population is reasonably inbred and it appears that’s been recognised by the regional coordinator. Some imports once the Hippopotamus IRA would be great!
I asked on my visit about orangutan import plans, but the volunteers and keepers I spoke to didn’t have any concrete information beyond an intention to continue with Sumatran orangutan. Whether that would be a mate for Malu or a new pair, I don’t know. I’m surprised a pairing with Perth bred orangutan hasn’t happened yet; but suspect sending Sungai to Sydney Zoo (who hold Malu’s sister) could be an eventuality (my interpretation/speculation).
Re. Orangutans, I'd imagine they'd either go one of two routes here:
A) Import an entirely new pair. This would obviously require an expansion of the current facilities to accommodate additional individuals. If an orangutan expansion does go ahead, this may become reality.
Or, B) Wait until Gabby passes before pairing Malu up. Gabby is in her early 30's so could have up to two decades ahead of her still. By that time, Malu will be much older.
Both good ideas.
Depending on the desire to breed form either Malu or Dewi, they could potentially transfer Malu to Sydney upon the death of Santan to join his mother/sister as a non-breeding group. I would be surprised if there wasn’t some level of interest in breeding from one of the orangutans from this family line but this may be satisfied by breeding from Kluet at Adelaide.
Perth’s complex will influence their holdings, which has been implied to be fewer orangutans held in a more cohesive grouping/larger exhibit space.
Sending Malu to Syndey following Santan's death is an interesting idea. Malu has never met Dewi and has been kept apart from Maimunah for a long time now, so not sure how well they'd respond to him. It would also leave Gabby alone; and Gabby's a very social orangutan so this would surely have repercussions.
I guess another option is if Melbourne decides to send both Malu and Gabby to another facility to live as a non breeding pair, whilst acquiring a new breeding pair. This is probably unlikely though when you consider there isn't really any facilities interested in orangutans at the moment within the region.
Orana Wildlife Park is arguably the most likely new holder to arise considering they don’t wish to hold a breeding troop of gorillas at this point in time. In the event Fataki or Fuzu were to transfer out, this would free up an exhibit and they could exhibit orangutans (as was their original intention). They could be an ideal ‘retirement’ home for Malu/Gabby if it was determined he wasn’t needed for future breeding.
Sadly it appears unlikely Taronga will acquire orangutans now we have confirmation for the elephant redevelopment, so I’ll be watching with interest to see what capacity at Melbourne eventuates.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
This space in Lion Gorge - is it empty or is it being used for a purpose. I've always perceived it as empty, but do think it could be better used and an enclosure put here. Any corrections or ideas?
If combined with the Tasmanian Devil enclosure and the water was treated, they could house Southern River Otter...
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This space in Lion Gorge - is it empty or is it being used for a purpose. I've always perceived it as empty, but do think it could be better used and an enclosure put here. Any corrections or ideas?
If combined with the Tasmanian Devil enclosure and the water was treated, they could house Southern River Otter...
I agree this appears to be empty space, adjacent to the Sumatran tiger exhibit (the water area is even more impressive from an aerial view).
This area alone is big enough for a large otter exhibit, without encroaching on the Tasmanian devil exhibits imo. I’d stick with Asian small-clawed otter and house one group here and one in TOTE. Auckland Zoo had two otter exhibits for many years and in the 2000’s had two breeding females.
Long term, I wouldn’t mind seeing Tasmanian devil phased out of the Carnivores precinct and replaced with Komodo dragon (as was the original intention). It amazes me a zoo of Melbourne’s prestige lacks this species.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
I was thinking a second otter species could be good - and considering the level of vegetation in the proposed location, why not the largest otter species to compliment the smallest species? Giant Otters are social and can live in groups as large as 15-20.
I agree that Komodo would be good to replace Tasmanian Devil. My thoughts would be the first larger exhibit could be joined with the empty water space for Southern River Otter (also benefits as being an addition of a South American predator). The second Tasmanian Devil enclosure could then be an outdoor enclosure for Komodo Dragon, with the Picnic Shelter behind this enclosure being renovated to be an indoor BoH for Komodo Dragon. The grassed area between the Main Trail and the Shelter could then also be a Main Trail facing outdoor exhibit for Komodo Dragon.
I would like to see a Phillipines Crocodile enclosure reestablished in this precinct too.
As for Asian small-clawed Otters - I still think that in the TOTE redevelopment that the otters there should also be given access to part of, or all of the lake in the middle of the precinct. This could either be a connected enclosure space or a second enclosure.