The Future of Zoos Victoria 2024 (Speculation/Fantasy)

Jambo said:
With Nyala moving into the former Tapir exhibit, I can't help but notice this would create an extension of the small African themed zone Melbourne has, following the Giraffes and Baboons.

Whilst the peccaries could still have years ahead of them, it's got me thinking; what African species would be a feasible replacement for them. The one that springs to mind is African Crested Porcupine, who aren't yet held at Zoos Victoria and should be a species of interest. They would fit the current Peccary enclosures quite well with minimal renovations required; and would follow align with the African theming, forming a more consistent trail. Additionally, the multiple exhibits would allow for breeding if that was to be considered.
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It would make a lot of sense for the upper section of the Main Trail to be rethemed as an African Trail - with the Savannah and Arid biomes represented. For a greater sense of cohesion, the Lowland nyala should really occupy the old bongo exhibit; as opposed to being in the middle of two Arid exhibits (porcupine and baboons); but since the peccaries could easily have another five years in them, that could be a long term plan.

Cape porcupine don’t make the best display animals outside of a nocturnal setting, but that’s easily remedied by building a small nocturnal viewing hut as an annex off the main exhibit - this serves Hamilton Zoo well at least.
 
Melbourne Zoo Fantasy Future
Main Trail
Capybarra
Peccaries
Giraffe
Nyala
Ostrich
Coatis
Reptiles And Frogs


Wild Sea
Fish
Seals
Penguins

Lion Gorge
Mained Wolf
Lions
Tiger
Snow Leopard
Clouded Leopard

Aussie Trail
Koalas
Quokka
Kangaroos
Aussie Bird Aivary
Swans
Owls
Kookubarra
Wallabies
Emus
Potoroos
Echidna

Trail Of The Elephants Gateway Changed To Asian Trail
Otters
Birds
Tiger
Orangutan Plus Exhibit Expansion
Siamangs
Asian Golden Cat
Binturong
Leoard Cat
Gibbon
Komodo Dragon
Turtles


Gorilla Rainforest
Lemurs
Gorillas
Pygmy Hippos
Tapir if space is big enough
Capuchins
Tree Kangaroos
Gibbons
Marmosets

Growing Wild
Meerkats
Giant Tortoise
Tamarins
Brush Turkeys
 
Michael The Zoo Dude said:
Any theories for replacements for elephants they will most likely be small animals that will be replacing the elephants as I asked the keeper
my theory is to get more cat species
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New Species for Melbourne Zoo

If Melbourne Zoo are to acquire new species, the clues can likely be found in the species interests of the region:

Primates:

Melbourne Zoo already hold a number of primate species. There’s plans to import Red ruffed lemur into the region; and De Brazza’s were recently imported into Australia. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Melbourne acquire either of them in the coming years

Felids:

The felids currently held in the region are as follows:

African lion
Sumatran tiger
Snow leopard
Sri Lankan leopard
Cheetah
Clouded leopard
Fishing cat
Serval
Caracal

If Melbourne Zoo acquires a fourth felid species, it will almost certainly be one from the above list. Clouded leopard are the strongest likelihood in my opinion; with Cheetah able to be ruled out entirely (and probably Caracal/Serval).
 
Zoofan15 said:
New Species for Melbourne Zoo

If Melbourne Zoo are to acquire new species, the clues can likely be found in the species interests of the region:

Primates:

Melbourne Zoo already hold a number of primate species. There’s plans to import Red ruffed lemur into the region; and De Brazza’s were recently imported into Australia. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Melbourne acquire either of them in the coming years

Felids:

The felids currently held in the region are as follows:

African lion
Sumatran tiger
Snow leopard
Sri Lankan leopard
Cheetah
Clouded leopard
Fishing cat
Serval
Caracal

If Melbourne Zoo acquires a fourth felid species, it will almost certainly be one from the above list. Clouded leopard are the strongest likelihood in my opinion; with Cheetah able to be ruled out entirely (and probably Caracal/Serval).
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That would be an amazing idea but we know that will never happen or at least not any time soon
 
Michael The Zoo Dude said:
Also, I wrote Zoos Victoria a message and then they replied with this
Hi Michael,



Thank you for your email and reaching out to us at Zoos Victoria.



Unfortunately, we don’t have all the answers for these questions yet, as things are still in the planning stage.

However, I’ll help with what I can:

The Nyalas are here! Unfortunately, they very skittish animals and we’re keeping them off display at the moment. They’re getting used to things in the former tapir exhibit, and we aren’t planning on moving them anywhere just yet.

Felix is part of the pygmy hippo breeding program, and if a genetically compatible mate becomes available, we’ll do everything we can to ensure he gets a companion. Unfortunately, we don’t know if that means they’ll come here or if he’ll move on – but there are no plans in motion at the moment.

The Zebras are part of a breeding program too, however while our herd at Werribee were pregnant we didn’t want to risk introducing them (especially as there was the brief risk of foot and mouth disease a few years back). Once the fowls were born and they had a bit of time to bond we felt it was time to move our Melbourne Zebras on to Werribee – this will help to protect the genetic diversity of the herd as a whole.

At the moment they haven’t told us what is going into the cassowary or monkey enclosures, but I believe they’ve started to refurbish them, so hopefully we’ll have announcements soon.

Part of the elephant enclosure is going to be remodelled and upgraded to make room for our Siamangs who are currently residing near the Japanese Gardens.


Please feel free to contact us on 93402788 or via email if you have any further queries.



Have a lovely day!



Kind Regards,

Michael L
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It’s interesting they plan to move the elderly Siamang into TOTE. This appears to be a long term plan (2025) as the elephants won’t be leaving until later this year and it will involve a redevelopment of their exhibit. It seems likely they will retain both Siamang pairs as otherwise now would be the time to transfer the elderly pair out; and they presumably plan to retain the younger (potential) breeding pair.

From here, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the white-cheeked gibbon pair move to the Japanese Garden exhibit. This would afford them more privacy and free up Treetop Apes/Monkeys for a long overdue redevelopment.

With Sumatran orangutan and Siamang confirmed for TOTE; and Sumatran tiger and Asian-small clawed otter also housed in this precinct, I imagine they will stick with the South East Asian theme. Binturong are a likely addition (moving across from Carnivores); and new additions such as Clouded leopard and Fishing cat can’t be ruled out.
 
Zoofan15 said:
It’s interesting they plan to move the elderly Siamang into TOTE. This appears to be a long term plan (2025) as the elephants won’t be leaving until later this year and it will involve a redevelopment of their exhibit. It seems likely they will retain both Siamang pairs as otherwise now would be the time to transfer the elderly pair out; and they presumably plan to retain the younger (potential) breeding pair.

From here, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the white-cheeked gibbon pair move to the Japanese Garden exhibit. This would afford them more privacy and free up Treetop Apes/Monkeys for a long overdue redevelopment.

With Sumatran orangutan and Siamang confirmed for TOTE; and Sumatran tiger and Asian-small clawed otter also housed in this precinct, I imagine they will stick with the South East Asian theme. Binturong are a likely addition (moving across from Carnivores); and new additions such as Clouded leopard and Fishing cat can’t be ruled out.
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And in such a scenario, I'd hope they would build a second on display tiger exhibit on the elephants side of the BoH, and then repurpose Indrah's exhibit on carnivores for something else.

When indrah and hutan pass on, the zoo has expressed some interest in continuing with Tigers, and having a second on display enclosure adjacent to their breeding BoH would surely be better than somewhere on the other side of the zoo.
 
The Sleepy Hippo said:
And in such a scenario, I'd hope they would build a second on display tiger exhibit on the elephants side of the BoH, and then repurpose Indrah's exhibit on carnivores for something else.

When indrah and hutan pass on, the zoo has expressed some interest in continuing with Tigers, and having a second on display enclosure adjacent to their breeding BoH would surely be better than somewhere on the other side of the zoo.
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The only thing to be mindful of here is that small cats are usually stressed by being housed next to apex predators. Building an additional tiger exhibit at the elephant end of TOTE effectively precludes housing Clouded leopard or Fishing cat in this precinct. They’re already precluded from Carnivores and don’t fit the other precincts, so this is the only opportunity.

I’d personally rather see Fishing cat and Clouded leopard housed at the elephant end of TOTE.
 
Zoofan15 said:
From here, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the white-cheeked gibbon pair move to the Japanese Garden exhibit. This would afford them more privacy and free up Treetop Apes/Monkeys for a long overdue redevelopment.
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I was thinking the same - especially given the Japanese Garden island will provide Li Lian especially with the privacy that she may require for successful mating.

This may be part of the reason why the older Saimang pair will be moving back to TOTE. If at least one of the elephant enclosures will be used as an extension of the current facilities, we can assume the opposite island probably will finally be put to use as well; which is perfectly sized and placed for an additional exhibit too. That would give them four main exhibits, suitable for two groups of Saimang and two groups of Orangutans.
 
Zoofan15 said:
With Sumatran orangutan and Siamang confirmed for TOTE; and Sumatran tiger and Asian-small clawed otter also housed in this precinct, I imagine they will stick with the South East Asian theme. Binturong are a likely addition (moving across from Carnivores); and new additions such as Clouded leopard and Fishing cat can’t be ruled out.
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I'm certainly starting to imagine we will see a new species apart of this. It wouldn't do much engagement wise if Melbourne just ended up expanding their current Orangutan and Tiger facilities. The public need something new. Sun Bears would probably be the best option but with the difficulty acquiring them, this can probably be ruled out. One species that springs to mind is Komodo Dragons, especially following the recent hatchlings at the ARP. The barn could easily be converted into an indoor holding space for them.
 
Jambo said:
I'm certainly starting to imagine we will see a new species apart of this. It wouldn't do much engagement wise if Melbourne just ended up expanding their current Orangutan and Tiger facilities. The public need something new. Sun Bears would probably be the best option but with the difficulty acquiring them, this can probably be ruled out. One species that springs to mind is Komodo Dragons, especially following the recent hatchlings at the ARP. The barn could easily be converted into an indoor holding space for them.
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Komodo dragons are a great idea. Aside from the fact it’s baffling how a zoo of Melbourne’s prestige doesn’t hold this species, it ties in nicely to the islands them. Sumatran tiger and Sumatran orangutan etc. represent the island of Sumatra; Komodo dragons from the Komodo islands.
 
From a $ perspective, the easiest animal's to replace the elephants and able to reuse many of the facilities would be a mix of herbivores such as water buffalo, bantang, chital or sambar deer and blackbuck. Something i personally would love to see. And i wish the aviarys would be restocked with pheasants and asian parrots.
 
Astrobird said:
From a $ perspective, the easiest animal's to replace the elephants and able to reuse many of the facilities would be a mix of herbivores such as water buffalo, bantang, chital or sambar deer and blackbuck. Something i personally would love to see. And i wish the aviarys would be restocked with pheasants and asian parrots.
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This is why so many of us wondered whether Indian rhinoceros would be replacing the elephants. There would have been potential to house them in the elephant complex with comparatively minor modifications needed. This was tied in with ideas of Indian antelope etc. which otherwise wouldn’t have been considered a sufficient replacement by the general public on their own.

It sounds like we can rule out Indian rhinoceros, Banteng or anything large; but considering only Giant panda can rival elephants for popularity, 2-3 third tier species appear the happy medium between cost and space efficiency. Factoring in what we have access to and the list is relatively small - Sri Lankan leopard, Komodo dragon etc.
 
Zoofan15 said:
This is why so many of us wondered whether Indian rhinoceros would be replacing the elephants. There would have been potential to house them in the elephant complex with comparatively minor modifications needed. This was tied in with ideas of Indian antelope etc. which otherwise wouldn’t have been considered a sufficient replacement by the general public on their own.

It sounds like we can rule out Indian rhinoceros, Banteng or anything large; but considering only Giant panda can rival elephants for popularity, 2-3 third tier species appear the happy medium between cost and space efficiency. Factoring in what we have access to and the list is relatively small - Sri Lankan leopard, Komodo dragon etc.
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Even I made a theory that Indian rhinos could replace elephants, but it seems it won't happen
Just think of small Asian animals because thats what it will most likely be lots of small animals
Komodo dragons are likely as i asked a keeper what do you think Melbourne Zoo will look like in 2030 then of course she said Dragons
 
Michael The Zoo Dude said:
Even I made a theory that Indian rhinos could replace elephants, but it seems it won't happen
Just think of small Asian animals because thats what it will most likely be lots of small animals
Komodo dragons are likely as i asked a keeper what do you think Melbourne Zoo will look like in 2030 then of course she said Dragons
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Another possibility is that the small monkeys (tamarins etc). could move across to TOTE, with the Treetops redeveloped for Black and white colobus. It depends how devoted Melbourne is to geographic cohesion, but they could either go the African rainforest them with Western lowland gorilla, Pygmy hippo, De Brazza’s and colobus; or retain Gorilla Rainforest as a precinct with South American monkeys and devote TOTE to South East Asian species.

Either way, I can see spider monkeys being phased out. It’s recognised they’re better off in large troops and Melbourne is unlikely to want to dedicate the space to accomodate this. The baboon exhibit is about the only location I could see them being housed long term (if/when baboons are phased out).
 
Astrobird said:
From a $ perspective, the easiest animal's to replace the elephants and able to reuse many of the facilities would be a mix of herbivores such as water buffalo, bantang, chital or sambar deer and blackbuck. Something i personally would love to see. And i wish the aviarys would be restocked with pheasants and asian parrots.
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Very true, but I've been told Melbourne higher ups are quite against replacing elephants with further large species (even Indian rhinos). Deer or Blackbuck would be nice, but unlikely in that case; especially when they're already held at Werribee and would do little to enhance visitor engagement.

I do like the idea of further aviaries in this section as I feel Melbourne does lack when it comes to Exotic birds. Fashioning one or two small walkthrough aviaries around the current TOTE is certainly achievable with the non elephant space they still have there.
 
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