The Future of Zoos Victoria 2024 (Speculation/Fantasy)

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15

(albeit UK not Aus' in London Zoo's case i.e Mappin Terraces) the good old vacant exhibit filler 101 for Australian zoos ''..stick a couple'a 'Roos and Emus in there, 'she'll' be (al)'right''.

Surprised they didn't put some in the vacant Bongo exhibit at Melbourne (or Ostriches). Melbourne Zoo's versions of substituting with Australian animals we all have liked seeing but: Dingos in the Hunting Dog exhibit and Zillie the Cassowary in the old Mandrill exhibit (albeit sounds much better having Zillie in the big Free Flight Aviary which means old Mandrill exhibit freed up for concepts like great ones mentioned on here).

It surprises me that nothing has been done with the old Eastern bongo exhibit - even if it’s putting goats or something in there.

I’m of the belief the death of the female bongo (which led to the phase out the species from Melbourne Zoo) was a freak accident, albeit a very tragic one.

While Lowland nyala are equally flighty (a bull at Wellington Zoo died after running into a fence when it was spooked by fireworks); the exhibit they inhabit at the top of the zoo (old tapir exhibit) sees them in much closer proximity to visitors than the comparatively distanced bongo exhibit would.

Maybe a tapir will be the eventual occupant, with at least two exhibits advisable for management of a breeding pair.

 

[Jambo]

It surprises me that nothing has been done with the old Eastern bongo exhibit - even if it’s putting goats or something in there.

I’m of the belief the death of the female bongo (which led to the phase out the species from Melbourne Zoo) was a freak accident, albeit a very tragic one.

While Lowland nyala are equally flighty (a bull at Wellington Zoo died after running into a fence when it was spooked by fireworks); the exhibit they inhabit at the top of the zoo (old tapir exhibit) sees them in much closer proximity to visitors than the comparatively distanced bongo exhibit would.

Maybe a tapir will be the eventual occupant, with at least two exhibits advisable for management of a breeding pair.

The whole area became quite overgrown in the remaining years when the male was there and then even more after his passing. For that reason, most guests completely forgot there even was an enclosure there until it was cleaned up a few years back, seemingly replanted. It appeared like they were prepping the enclosure for a new species.

Perhaps the Nyala were initially destined there as the map seemed to indicate at the beginning of last year. However following Semangka's passing, they ultimately decided on moving them there as a replacement instead. Filling an otherwise 'empty' space. The former Bongo enclosure had been empty for years already and as I had mentioned, it was an area easily missed by guests.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

That is some singapore zoo type exhibits. It would be phenomenal to do it. But its a bit out of our zoo planners league!. Id be just impressed if they could get some imports and do a nice south American area.

Maybe the entire Gorillas, Hippos and old Mandril enclosure could all be netted over and could have African birds (possibly just Grey Parrots) free fly around as well.

 

[Zoofan15]

Possibility of giraffe births 2025:

I’ll be interested to see if any giraffe births eventuate this year. Reproductive maturity is reached at around three years of age and cows commonly produce their first calf in their fifth year, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Iris deliver a calf this year. If Ntombi conceived soon after the loss of her calf last year, a subsequent birth could come as soon as mid-2025.

It would certainly be exciting to see two giraffe calves born around the same time.

0.1 Nakuru (16/01/2012)
1.0 Klintun (00/12/2018)
0.1 Iris (02/10/2020)

 

[Zoofan15]

Maybe the entire Gorillas, Hippos and old Mandril enclosure could all be netted over and could have African birds (possibly just Grey Parrots) free fly around as well.

Due to the size of the gorilla exhibit, it could be a challenge to source as many birds as to ensure something would be seen at every point and turn. Though I’ll admit the world’s largest gorilla aviary would be a selling point for Melbourne Zoo.

Your idea would work well for the smaller Pygmy hippopotamus and Mandrill exhibits; though I’d be equally excited for the integration of colobus with the Pygmy hippopotamus.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Due to the size of the gorilla exhibit, it could be a challenge to source as many birds as to ensure something would be seen at every point and turn. Though I’ll admit the world’s largest gorilla aviary would be a selling point for Melbourne Zoo.

Your idea would work well for the smaller Pygmy hippopotamus and Mandrill exhibits; though I’d be equally excited for the integration of colobus with the Pygmy hippopotamus.

Maybe they need to get as many Grey Parrots as possible, and then fill up with Guinea Fowl

 

[Zoofan15]

Maybe they need to get as many Grey Parrots as possible, and then fill up with Guinea Fowl

African grey parrots forage in flocks of 20-30 birds during the day; gathering in flocks of up to 1000 to rest overnight, so 20-30 could certainly be a possibility and provide a fascinating insight into their group social interactions.

Orana trialled an experiment of adding chickens to their gorilla exhibits when the two males were briefly living separately. Presumably this was done for enrichment, with the chickens also laying eggs in the exhibit for the gorillas to collect. I didn’t see the chickens on my visit and the brothers had been reintegrated, so clearly the chickens have done their dash for now.

 

[Jambo]

Possibility of giraffe births 2025:

I’ll be interested to see if any giraffe births eventuate this year. Reproductive maturity is reached at around three years of age and cows commonly produce their first calf in their fifth year, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Iris deliver a calf this year. If Ntombi conceived soon after the loss of her calf last year, a subsequent birth could come as soon as mid-2025.

It would certainly be exciting to see two giraffe calves born around the same time.

0.1 Nakuru (16/01/2012)
1.0 Klintun (00/12/2018)
0.1 Iris (02/10/2020)

I'd be surprised if they bred both females at the same time. The new barn they've built is to presumably accommodate a mother and calf following birth, and the time they may need separate from the others, alongside also giving Melbourne a fourth stall extending their capacity to four or so mature giraffes.

With that in mind, Iris would make the most sense. She specifically arrived to breed with Klintun and is now of age where she can conceive. But they may wish to give Nakuru another go in the meantime due to her age (and loss of her previous calf).

 

[Zoofan15]

I'd be surprised if they bred both females at the same time. The new barn they've built is to presumably accommodate a mother and calf following birth, and the time they may need separate from the others, alongside also giving Melbourne a fourth stall extending their capacity to four or so mature giraffes.

With that in mind, Iris would make the most sense. She specifically arrived to breed with Klintun and is now of age where she can conceive. But they may wish to give Nakuru another go in the meantime due to her age (and loss of her previous calf).

Ntombi is 12 years old, so will hopefully have a successful calf in the future. Cows have successfully bred into their 20’s - including Kay at Auckland Zoo who gave birth to Ntombi’s half sister at the age of 21 years.

Being herd animals, the separation time required for the mother and neonate is usually quite minimal. Auckland Zoo managed the birth of their calves (born days apart in 2002) with a single barn (multiple stalls), so hopefully Melbourne’s facilities will allow them to breed both cows concurrently.

 

[austrlain zoo gower]

I recently emailed MZ about the schedule of the elephants moving and if it is on track, I also asked about ehe is going to be replacing them this was the response

"Unfortunately, we don’t have a date for the elephants to leave Melbourne Zoo just yet, we only know that it will happen early next year. Along with this, we haven’t officially announced any plans for the replacement of the Elephant Trail at Melbourne Zoo at this stage.


This is due to a number of factors, as the move relies heavily on the behaviour of the elephants, along with the progress of their enclosure being built. I would recommend that you keep an eye on our social media, as this will be where we’ll announce any updates regarding their relocation"

 

[Zoofan15]

I recently emailed MZ about the schedule of the elephants moving and if it is on track, I also asked about ehe is going to be replacing them this was the response

"Unfortunately, we don’t have a date for the elephants to leave Melbourne Zoo just yet, we only know that it will happen early next year. Along with this, we haven’t officially announced any plans for the replacement of the Elephant Trail at Melbourne Zoo at this stage.


This is due to a number of factors, as the move relies heavily on the behaviour of the elephants, along with the progress of their enclosure being built. I would recommend that you keep an eye on our social media, as this will be where we’ll announce any updates regarding their relocation"

Thank you for sharing. The original goal was to have the elephants moved by the end of 2024 due to the size and age of the calves. The staff have done a phenomenal job crate training them, so hopefully the Werribee complex will be ready to receive the elephants in the next month or so. The calves are entering the EEHV high risk period, so it’d be nice to see them settled sooner rather than later.

As for the plans for the elephant exhibit, it would be good if Zoos Victoria were as open as Zoos South Australia in their planning; but I guess we’ll have to wait and see what eventuates.

 

[Jambo]

Along with this, we haven’t officially announced any plans for the replacement of the Elephant Trail at Melbourne Zoo at this stage.

I would be very, very surprised if a decision hasn't already been made. I wouldn't expect them to have absolutely everything planned for to the cent but an overarching idea like an Orangutan expansion may just be about enough for the mean time with the rest of it worked out as time goes on. I would however, expect an announcement shortly following the elephants departure on the direction they will be heading in.

It seems to me that there will be an extended period where this section of the zoo will be closed off for visitors (pending refurbishment), perhaps years even. Which is good, because ideas along the lines of an Orangutan expansion might be in the air.

 

[Zoofan15]

This thread continues here:

The Future of Zoos Victoria 2025 (Speculation/Fantasy) [Melbourne Zoo]