Wellington Zoo Wellington Zoo New Masterplan (2023-2043)

[WhistlingKite24]

Wellington Zoo has now released a more prescriptive plan for their masterplan leading into the next 20 years. Animal wise, major focus of the plan involves the new lion habitat, a development of the savannah area with giraffe and entrance plaza with the primate entrance islands (gibbon/mouse deer; and capybara/agouti/spider monkey). Additional more specific aspects to the plan:

• the first point raised involved opening up the entry plaza that links directly to the heart of the zoo and create a new tree house learning centre.

• the nocturnal house – kiwi and tuatara – will be rebuilt and serve as the bottom level of a two-storey “climate action hub”.

• two new hillside habitats for lion with two visitor overhead meshed tunnels. They aim for an "expanded pride".

• expand the giraffe habitat through the previous lion enclosure.

• a relocation of the Tasmanian devils to in order to create an accessible visitor loop that utilizes boardwalks and through-habitat walkways to link the Top of the Hill habitats together.

• renovation of the existing lemur and Australian animal enclosures.

• a boardwalk section for new enclosures for small monkeys to allow for eye-level visitor viewing.

• new otter habitat for the entry plaza.

• the four major stages are lion (stage 1), savannah (stage 2), climate hub with new nocturnal house (stage 3) and entry (stage 4).

New Lion enclosure drawing:



Giraffe with glamping:


Climate action hub (kiwi and tuatara on bottom level):







New entry plaza:



Masterplan document: https://www.wellingtonzoo.com/assets/Resources/wzt-master-plan-2023-2043.pdf

 

[ElephasMaximus]

This looks spectacular! Some really good plans coming over the next 20 years. I was at Wellington Zoo a few months ago, and this actually ties into what a keeper told me about plans to expand the savannah into the lion enclosure.

Some thoughts/questions:

• The small deer on the gibbon island are presumably meant to be mouse-deer: I thought those were typically housed indoors in tropical houses? Does Wellington Zoo intend to keep them outdoors?
• The use the term "Madagascan animals" rather than lemurs - I might be reading too much into this, but would an import of fossa be out of the question?
• With an expansion of the savanna area, I wonder if the zoo might bring zebra back! It's been so long since they last had them. Would white rhinoceros be out of the question, with the land area they're planning to have? They're the only major zoo in NZ that doesn't have them.
• I'm slightly disappointed to see they're planning on continuing to have such a large space devoted to domestic animals in "Meet the Locals", but I guess since they don't want to display native birds to compete with Zealandia they don't have many other options. I've floated the idea to put a rescue/rehabilitation enclosure for seals in that area on this forum before, but it might be too expensive for the zoo to consider.
• Last time I was at the zoo, a keeper mentioned that Binturong had been floated as a replacement for Sasa when she passed, although it seemed that this was little more than an idea. Still, it doesn look like they'd rather continue using the enclosure for a separate species, rather than expand the tiger enclosure as has been floated on here in the past. I know Sun Bears are hard to source right now, but I really hope they continue on with the species after Sasa passes.

 

[Jambo]

The small deer on the gibbon island are presumably meant to be mouse-deer: I thought those were typically housed indoors in tropical houses? Does Wellington Zoo intend to keep them outdoors?

They're not the best adapted to cold climates, so they are usually kept in indoor exhibits in zoos within colder regions. In Wellington, it's likely only the warmer months that they could be displayed outdoors. So I'm not sure what the plan exactly is there, they do seem to intend to keep them outdoors.

The use the term "Madagascan animals" rather than lemurs - I might be reading too much into this, but would an import of fossa be out of the question?

It would be exciting - but likely just refers to the two species of Lemur. The plans seem to show two exhibits and a trail that will supposedly allow visitors to enter a small portion of both enclosures.

With an expansion of the savanna area, I wonder if the zoo might bring zebra back! It's been so long since they last had them. Would white rhinoceros be out of the question, with the land area they're planning to have? They're the only major zoo in NZ that doesn't have them.

Zebra would be a good bet with the expanded Savannah imo. The space is set to double, but still would be rather small for White Rhino, unless they end up acquiring a single male.

• Last time I was at the zoo, a keeper mentioned that Binturong had been floated as a replacement for Sasa when she passed, although it seemed that this was little more than an idea. Still, it doesn look like they'd rather continue using the enclosure for a separate species, rather than expand the tiger enclosure as has been floated on here in the past. I know Sun Bears are hard to source right now, but I really hope they continue on with the species after Sasa passes.

The masterplan still shows Sun Bear there, but that's likely just showing there's no intention replace Sasa whilst she's still alive. Binturong would be disappointing considering the size of the enclosure. She's twenty next year, so could live another decade. I am of the opinion it will eventually become a third Tiger exhibit to allow for breeding again.

 

[Zoofan15]

This looks spectacular! Some really good plans coming over the next 20 years. I was at Wellington Zoo a few months ago, and this actually ties into what a keeper told me about plans to expand the savannah into the lion enclosure.

Some thoughts/questions:

• The small deer on the gibbon island are presumably meant to be mouse-deer: I thought those were typically housed indoors in tropical houses? Does Wellington Zoo intend to keep them outdoors?
• The use the term "Madagascan animals" rather than lemurs - I might be reading too much into this, but would an import of fossa be out of the question?
• With an expansion of the savanna area, I wonder if the zoo might bring zebra back! It's been so long since they last had them. Would white rhinoceros be out of the question, with the land area they're planning to have? They're the only major zoo in NZ that doesn't have them.
• I'm slightly disappointed to see they're planning on continuing to have such a large space devoted to domestic animals in "Meet the Locals", but I guess since they don't want to display native birds to compete with Zealandia they don't have many other options. I've floated the idea to put a rescue/rehabilitation enclosure for seals in that area on this forum before, but it might be too expensive for the zoo to consider.
• Last time I was at the zoo, a keeper mentioned that Binturong had been floated as a replacement for Sasa when she passed, although it seemed that this was little more than an idea. Still, it doesn look like they'd rather continue using the enclosure for a separate species, rather than expand the tiger enclosure as has been floated on here in the past. I know Sun Bears are hard to source right now, but I really hope they continue on with the species after Sasa passes.

They're not the best adapted to cold climates, so they are usually kept in indoor exhibits in zoos within colder regions. In Wellington, it's likely only the warmer months that they could be displayed outdoors. So I'm not sure what the plan exactly is there, they do seem to intend to keep them outdoors.

It would be exciting - but likely just refers to the two species of Lemur. The plans seem to show two exhibits and a trail that will supposedly allow visitors to enter a small portion of both enclosures.

Zebra would be a good bet with the expanded Savannah imo. The space is set to double, but still would be rather small for White Rhino, unless they end up acquiring a single male.

The masterplan still shows Sun Bear there, but that's likely just showing there's no intention replace Sasa whilst she's still alive. Binturong would be disappointing considering the size of the enclosure. She's twenty next year, so could live another decade. I am of the opinion it will eventually become a third Tiger exhibit to allow for breeding again.

One of the exhibits shown in the Madagascar section is the existing Ring-tailed lemur exhibit (former Hamadryas baboon exhibit). I would assume the adjacent exhibit (extending into the current Capybara exhibit if not a subdivision of the Ring-tailed lemur exhibit) will be used to manage a bachelor troop of Black and white ruffed lemur (the zoo have recently acquired a new male). It’s possible this exhibit will also hold surplus male Ring-tailed lemur, which can cohabit with male Black and white ruffed lemur without issue.

Tasmanian devil are planned to be housed where the Black and white ruffed lemurs are now (former small cat cages); with Capybara moving to an island exhibit.

I agree with both of you that zebra are a likely addition to the Savannah. Orana Wildlife Park are the only breeding facility in New Zealand at the moment; but long term, Hamilton Zoo plan to house a breeding herd and a bachelor herd. With this in mind, I can see Wellington Zoo joining as a non-breeding holder of either geldings, mares or both.

I can say with near certainty that Southern white rhinoceros will not be in the plans. Wellington Zoo have had to put their breeding female giraffe back on contraception after only one calf due to a lack of space. They’re no doubt hoping to resume sporadic breeding of this species with expanded facilities. This would also tie in with my assumption of them not housing a breeding herd of zebra (specifically an intact stallion, which are notoriously aggressive to other hoofstock).

 

[ElephasMaximus]

They're not the best adapted to cold climates, so they are usually kept in indoor exhibits in zoos within colder regions. In Wellington, it's likely only the warmer months that they could be displayed outdoors. So I'm not sure what the plan exactly is there, they do seem to intend to keep them outdoors.

It would be exciting - but likely just refers to the two species of Lemur. The plans seem to show two exhibits and a trail that will supposedly allow visitors to enter a small portion of both enclosures.

Zebra would be a good bet with the expanded Savannah imo. The space is set to double, but still would be rather small for White Rhino, unless they end up acquiring a single male.

The masterplan still shows Sun Bear there, but that's likely just showing there's no intention replace Sasa whilst she's still alive. Binturong would be disappointing considering the size of the enclosure. She's twenty next year, so could live another decade. I am of the opinion it will eventually become a third Tiger exhibit to allow for breeding again.

Maybe the zoo is intending to build a dayroom for the gibbons, and the room will include space for mouse-deer during the winter months.

Yeah, I agree, I just think the sheer amount of space in my plans and the ambiguous title got my hopes up for a sec.

If they do go with binturong, maybe they'd partition the current enclosure and use one section for binturong and another for a third tiger exhibit. I don't know if binturong do well if housed near large carnivores. I'm not giving up hope for a sun bear import though.

One of the exhibits shown in the Madagascar section is the existing Ring-tailed lemur exhibit (former Hamadryas baboon exhibit). I would assume the adjacent exhibit (extending into the current Capybara exhibit if not a subdivision of the Ring-tailed lemur exhibit) will be used to manage a bachelor troop of Black and white ruffed lemur (the zoo have recently acquired a new male). It’s possible this exhibit will also hold surplus male Ring-tailed lemur, which can cohabit with male Black and white ruffed lemur without issue.

Tasmanian devil are planned to be housed where the Black and white ruffed lemurs are now (former small cat cages); with Capybara moving to an island exhibit.

I agree with both of you that zebra are a likely addition to the Savannah. Orana Wildlife Park are the only breeding facility in New Zealand at the moment; but long term, Hamilton Zoo plan to house a breeding herd and a bachelor herd. With this in mind, I can see Wellington Zoo joining as a non-breeding holder of either geldings, mares or both.

I can say with near certainty that Southern white rhinoceros will not be in the plans. Wellington Zoo have had to put their breeding female giraffe back on contraception after only one calf due to a lack of space. They’re no doubt hoping to resume sporadic breeding of this species with expanded facilities.

The keeper from my visit did mention they hope to hold more giraffes once the exhibit is expanded. I can't remember his exact wording, but I got the impression both imports and breeding were on the table. He also mentioned the possibility of holding more species in the savanna, but there aren't any definite plans for any specific species. I agree that zebras are both the most likely and the most preferable option: another antelope species would be possible too, and long-term they might add both species, but zebra would add more to the savanna that it doesn't already have.

I know rhinos were a longshot, but I couldn't resist the speculation. As a kid I always lamented Wellington's lack of pachyderms. These plans are for the next 20 years, so maybe there'll be need to house a single bachelor male a la Sydney Zoo - but I admit it's unlikely. Ah, well, a man can dream!

 

[Zorro]

Wow I like the idea of mouse deer in the region, what's happened has Wellington got a new director or something else?

 

[Zoofan15]

Maybe the zoo is intending to build a dayroom for the gibbons, and the room will include space for mouse-deer during the winter months.

Yeah, I agree, I just think the sheer amount of space in my plans and the ambiguous title got my hopes up for a sec.

If they do go with binturong, maybe they'd partition the current enclosure and use one section for binturong and another for a third tiger exhibit. I don't know if binturong do well if housed near large carnivores. I'm not giving up hope for a sun bear import though.



The keeper from my visit did mention they hope to hold more giraffes once the exhibit is expanded. I can't remember his exact wording, but I got the impression both imports and breeding were on the table. He also mentioned the possibility of holding more species in the savanna, but there aren't any definite plans for any specific species. I agree that zebras are both the most likely and the most preferable option: another antelope species would be possible too, and long-term they might add both species, but zebra would add more to the savanna that it doesn't already have.

I know rhinos were a longshot, but I couldn't resist the speculation. As a kid I always lamented Wellington's lack of pachyderms. These plans are for the next 20 years, so maybe there'll be need to house a single bachelor male a la Sydney Zoo - but I admit it's unlikely. Ah, well, a man can dream!

Melbourne Zoo house Binturong adjacent to big cat exhibits; though not in the proximity of a subdivided exhibit. It would also severely limit the available space for the tiger, which would be adequately housed on the footprint of the current sun bear exhibit (with a major overhaul of the fencing obviously).

An overhead tunnel could connect the third tiger exhibit (sun bear exhibit) to the main tiger exhibit. The set up they have at the moment is adequate for breeding. They have two den buildings and from 2000-2001, held their breeding male, breeding female (with triplet cubs) and the offspring from the breeding pair’s first litter separately at a stretch (the second litter transferred out at 12 months).

A set up like Auckland Zoo’s tiger exhibits (three exhibits) would enable the housing of a breeding pair and their young into adulthood; as well as allowing said groupings to rotate exhibits.

Giraffe imports would be great. I remain disappointed we’ve yet to see an import from outside the region following the completion of the Giraffe/Okapi IRA.

Wow I like the idea of mouse deer in the region, what's happened has Wellington got a new director or something else?

Wellington Zoo’s Chief Executive Karen Fifield will be resigning effective April 2026.

I agree it’s nice to see some development scheduled. Bar the new Snow leopard exhibit, there’s been little to write home about over the past decade; as well as the disappointment of multiple phase outs including African wild dog, Serval, Caracal and Hamadryas baboon (with a sun bears phase out now on the horizon).

Even the new sun bear exhibit (2012) came at the expense of it lacking a maternity annex like the previous set up.

 

[ElephasMaximus]

One thing that just occurred to me is that the masterplan seems to depict the agouti living on the same island as the spider monkeys and capybaras, even though they're typically an indoor species and are currently housed indoors at the zoo. This suggests they're making some kind of plan to house small tropical mammals in largely outdoor environments.

 

[Zoofan15]

One thing that just occurred to me is that the masterplan seems to depict the agouti living on the same island as the spider monkeys and capybaras, even though they're typically an indoor species and are currently housed indoors at the zoo. This suggests they're making some kind of plan to house small tropical mammals in largely outdoor environments.

Agouti are held outside all year round at Hamilton Zoo without issue.

Wellington is colder, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they built something like this (this is for Wellington’s otters):



The option would be there for the Agouti etc to seek the warmth of their heated accomodation; but they would otherwise have access to the outdoor exhibit year round.

The primates have adjoining houses they can retire to if they desire; but presumably the allure of the outdoor exhibit/ropes etc means being outside is more desirable.

 

[ElephasMaximus]

On the whole, I quite like the new masterplan. There aren't any areas where I think they're being uninspired or lazy. My only real criticism is that they're leaving Meet the Locals unchanged. Still, there's not a lot else they could put in the barnyard section besides farm animals. Wellington plays a bit faster and looser with exhibit theming than Auckland, but it'd still be a bit weird to have, say, a South American species sandwiched in-between little blue penguins on the one side and kea on the other. The only options that I think could work with their current and planned layouts are:

1. A rescue/rehab enclosure for fur seals, such as we've discussed on this forum before. However, such a facility would likely be very expensive. It's also worth noting that there are a bunch of wildlife rescue-and-rehab facilities around the country, but none are capable of taking in seals. The last facility with such capabilities was Marineland, and since no replacement has been sought since it closed that suggests that DOC isn't interested in having such facilities for pinnipeds.
2. An extension of the snow leopard enclosure. I love the snow leopards, but their enclosure always struck me as a bit small, and it might be good if it could be expanded down the hillside. They could even keep the current walkway where it is, and use tunnels to connect the current enclosure with a new netted facility.

 

[Jambo]

Maybe the zoo is intending to build a dayroom for the gibbons, and the room will include space for mouse-deer during the winter months.

One thing that just occurred to me is that the masterplan seems to depict the agouti living on the same island as the spider monkeys and capybaras, even though they're typically an indoor species and are currently housed indoors at the zoo. This suggests they're making some kind of plan to house small tropical mammals in largely outdoor environments.

One thing that's noteworthy is that the zoos in particular that hold Agouti, Mouse Deer ect. in indoor exhibits have winters where it's cold and snows. Wellington's aren't that cold, so they're close to it.

Wellington's also not that much colder than Hamilton which hold their Agouti outdoor year round, so I'd assume worst case there would be indoor accommodation for the colder days, but they'd largely be housed on the island.

 

[Chlidonias]

One thing that just occurred to me is that the masterplan seems to depict the agouti living on the same island as the spider monkeys and capybaras, even though they're typically an indoor species and are currently housed indoors at the zoo. This suggests they're making some kind of plan to house small tropical mammals in largely outdoor environments.

The agoutis at Wellington are not housed "indoors". They are housed with the Squirrel Monkeys and with the tamarins.