I believe that Adelaide zoo were originally interested in importing a pair of them but it appears that they have lost interest in them or at least the importing of them unfortunatelyThat’s awesome, bright future ahead hopefully . If only Melbourne were in the running for them
Melbourne Zoo The Future of Zoos Victoria 2025 (Speculation/Fantasy)
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That’s awesome, bright future ahead hopefully . If only Melbourne were in the running for them
Sri Lankan leopard would be a great fit for Melbourne Zoo. I’ve heard nothing to suggest they plan to acquire them however, which is a shame as the elephants leaving presented the ideal opportunity to do so.
Sri Lankan leopards are generally unphased by living in close proximity to other big cats, so housing them in the Carnivores precinct could have also been an option - though I personally believed they’d be overshadowed by the Snow leopards.
Adelaide no longer have plans to acquire Sri Lankan leopard. The previous masterplan indicated plans for an exhibit for a male and female leopard; but the revised masterplan no longer features them (with plans instead for a third Sumatran tiger exhibit).
Rather than import, I understand Adelaide planned to receive first generation Australian bred leopards.
I ♥︎ Big Cats
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Yes exactly, given the exit of the elephants I would love to see a draw card like a Leopard come in to Melb. There’s a few areas it would slot nicely into really. It is much more of a wish than a prediction though, as it seems unlikely that anything of the sort will happen. It’s a shame Adelaide pulled out/revised their plans, do we know why? Are they particularly hard to house?
I agree. Melbourne once had an impressive felid (and primate) collection.
It’s a great shame Adelaide decided to abandon plans to acquire Sri Lankan leopards. It would have been great to have had a third breeding holder; though I hope in time Tasmania Zoo will be able to acquire a female.
No official reason has been given, but the replacement of the Sri Lankan leopard exhibit with plans for an expansion of their Sumatran tiger facilities implies they see greater value in investing in this species. Personally I believe leopards would be a greater draw than a third exhibit of a species they already have; but it will increase their capacity and enable more frequent breeding.
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Yeah perhaps they wanted to set up facilities etc for breeding potential in the future. I
Tigers just as much as the next big cat lover but I definitely see great value in an expansion into some different cats in addition moving forward. It would be a great way to keep interest and diversify the more popular species available to be conserved and admired here in Aus.
Yeah perhaps they wanted to set up facilities etc for breeding potential in the future. I
In addition to their breeding pair, Adelaide Zoo has 1.2 offspring born December 2022. The male cub is due to be exported to the US in the coming months and one of the females is transferring out. The fact the remaining female cub is no longer living with the mother suggests she could be off contraception (with the intention of future breeding). Either way, there’s every indication Adelaide Zoo plan to breed again in the future.
Variety is appreciated by the general public and zoo enthusiasts alike. Big cats and great apes are the among the main crowdpullers and seeing multiple species of big cat is sure to be a draw. I would further assert having Adelaide as a breeding hub is somewhat unnecessary given the facilities at Auckland Zoo, Australia Zoo, the National Zoo and Taronga Zoo; not to mention Melbourne Zoo having an excellent set up to breed again in the future.
More imports of Sumatran tigers would be welcome and Melbourne is my main hope for the import of a breeding pair, upon the passing of their ageing siblings.
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So even with the Leopards breeding and the future looking promising, it looks like it’s going to be a trip to Adelaide to catch a glimpse. There’s definitely room in Melbourne for Leopards, but it doesn’t seem to be a priority for now. I’m still grateful for the chance to admire the two Sumatran beauties we have at the moment and hopefully they continue to breed them in their well equipped facilities Aus-wide. I do wonder how long it will be until the next big cat update at Melb Zoo, who knows…
Just to be clear, the post above is referring to Sumatran tigers at Adelaide Zoo (Adelaide Zoo doesn’t have Sri Lankan leopard; nor are they planning to acquire them). Five zoos hold Sri Lankan leopard: National Zoo and Aquarium, Darling Downs Zoo, Mogo Wildlife Park, Tasmania Zoo and Zambi Wildlife Retreat.
Three Sumatran tigers are being sent to the US:
1.0 Penmanah (2019) Taronga Zoo
0.1 Mawar (2019) Taronga Zoo
1.0 Ketambe (2022) Adelaide Zoo
With regards to Melbourne Zoo, the next birth may be Snow leopards if their pair receive another breeding recommendation. This will depend on regional demand, which currently isn’t there.
Otherwise, Melbourne Zoo has two 15 year old Sumatran tigers, which will likely pass on in the next five years or so. Following their deaths, there’ll be the opportunity for Melbourne Zoo to assess their future with the species - which I hope could involve importing a breeding pair from overseas (unconfirmed/speculation on my part).
Billabong on the mid north coast is said to be continuing with the species, so I wouldn't be surprised to see melbourne breed again in the next year or so. Especially now isnt Melbournes older female passed, essentially freeing up extra space.
Very true. Billabong held 2.2, but are now down to 2.0, which are both elderly. Melbourne’s older female (Tashi/Sundar) is indeed deceased, so Melbourne could theoretically breed at any point and retain the offspring into adulthood, though would need to account for the possibility of a litter of up to four cubs (which would require at least two to transfer out at adolescence).
There’s been talk of Billabong importing from Europe, but when regional demand is so low, it seems pointless. Melbourne’s pair could supply Billabong with a sibling pair; and Tasmania Zoo may be happy to maintain a single male (focussing instead on breeding Sri Lankan leopard).
Didn't Tasmania zoo import or were in the works to import a mate for there one. If they did that, and Melbourne breed again. Billabong and melbourne could then use the offspring to create new breeding pairs at a lesser cost.
If Melbourne bred again, it would be best to see single sex pairs moved and retained, if the litter was large. Billabong have the capacity for 4 that we know of. It would depend on what the set up is like. Is it capacity for 4 with two pairs held. Or is it 4 actual exhibits/holding areas. That would be the main determining factor.
Essentially melbourne will likely breed again, and retain at least 1 of the offspring long term as part of future breeding. If there pair are able to cohabitate together it makes it easier to accomodate a larger litter. If Tas do indeed import, there offspring of there pair can then be used to supply melbourne and billabong for mates for future breeding.
That's also assuming they are not sent of shore. I can't remember if our snow leopards are also part of another regions SMP/SSP
Australasia’s Snow leopards are part of the European breeding programme.
Yes, Billabong could theoretically accomodate all four cubs it that was the litter size of Melbourne’s next litter. I agree it’s likely Melbourne would want to retain a cub for their next breeding pair, which would ideally be a male since his parents are by no means old animals (given them longer to work with).
Tasmania are yet to import a female Snow leopard, but their male is the son of Melbourne’s pair, so his offspring could never be paired with a future cub of Kang Ju and Miska.
I believe Billabong only have one on display exhibit but they have room to hold more off display - they did hold four individuals in the past as you say.
Melbourne's pair won't be able to cohabite, as Snow Leopards are naturally a solitary species. However they do have quite a lot of space to accommodate surplus off display. At least one decent sized exhibit from what I can remember - and maybe a few more smaller spaces (not including the actual Big Cat BTS area behind the Tiger complex in TOTE).
I’d like to see this too. Werribee has the space to construct a decent set up for Indian rhinoceros and while I don’t foresee them ever being held at Melbourne Zoo, they’d certainly compliment the elephants and water buffalo at Werribee - as well as boosting the regional population of the species. On that note, I’d hope they’d import rather than just acquiring the next calf of Dora and Amala. A second founder pair would be beneficial to establish a population that’s at least semi-sustainable.
I had originally wondered whether Indian rhinoceros would inhabit the elephant complex in the first decade, before all the paddocks were needed to be used; but Zoos Victoria have since confirmed the cows will have the run of three paddocks (allowing them to choose how to run their day).
The Waterhole precinct would be perfect for Indian Rhino - as I've mentioned they do have at least one paddock along the trail that is currently inhabited by a bachelor group of Zebra who likely won't have placement there long term.
A breeding pair would be preferable indeed, and Werribee certainly do have the space. They could even give the male access to the drive through waterhole precinct - it would be an amazing sight to see one swimming in the central lake there!
dylan downward
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So I headed out to Werribee today to look at the new elephant exhibit and waterhole area and I can say they have definitely set a world class facility here it’s probably hands down my favourite area of the zoo now
I think the only let downs would be I’d love to see more trees and shelters out on trail as I think if it rains a lot people wouldn’t head out there and I think more trees would make it look better but overall it’s amazing exhibit I think I definitely would love to see Werribee add more animals to the area to I think the area definitely needs it as I definitely don’t think more play areas are needed I think animals like maned wolfs and lemurs could be a good animal species to add to get it started off the ground I personally believe if they were to added lemurs it shouldn’t be a walk through exhibit like Melbourne I’d definitely be interested to see what other animals could be introduced to that area though
I think the only let downs would be I’d love to see more trees and shelters out on trail as I think if it rains a lot people wouldn’t head out there and I think more trees would make it look better but overall it’s amazing exhibit I think I definitely would love to see Werribee add more animals to the area to I think the area definitely needs it as I definitely don’t think more play areas are needed I think animals like maned wolfs and lemurs could be a good animal species to add to get it started off the ground I personally believe if they were to added lemurs it shouldn’t be a walk through exhibit like Melbourne I’d definitely be interested to see what other animals could be introduced to that area though
The shelters is certainly one thing they could add - I can see watch you mean from the videos. Also there were a decent amount of trees planted on the site (but obviously they will need time to grow). Give the area another decade or so and it would start to look much better imo.
The long term plan was to add Blackbuck into the complex. I believe the intention was to mix them with the elephants, and this will likely still be a few years away at least as I'd assume they'd give the elephants some time to settle in before that point.
dylan downward
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I had a feeling that be the case with the trees that they need to grow still
I just feel like there was a lot of empty areas that could be filled with more animals in decent size exhibits on the way to the elephants they currently have zebra and ostriches on the way atm with also views into first drive through area were the bus goes
I really hope Red ruffed lemurs are eventually imported into Australia. Werribee could build lemur walk through with exhibits for a breeding pair of Red ruffed lemur (with male offspring retained); a breeding troop of Ring-tailed lemur (with female offspring retained) and then a third exhibit to manage surplus of either species. Female Red ruffed lemur could transfer to Melbourne long term to replace their Black and white ruffed lemur; and male Ring-tailed lemur could replace the males in Melbourne’s exhibit as numbers decease.
I’d love to see Maned wolf at Werribee; but am less optimistic given their obsession with remaining African centric.
dylan downward
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Is Werribee still at the start of there master plans