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Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2022 (Speculation / Fantasy)

Discussion in 'Australia' started by austrlain zoo gower, 3 May 2022.

  1. Jambo

    Jambo Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    They will yes. Melbourne may or may not receive a replacement for them not sure. I’d love to see an overpass to allow the Lions to access that enclosure as well. Such overpass would be similar to one used for Tigers at Auckland.

    The Colobus monkeys are a related pair, non breeding.
     
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  2. austrlain zoo gower

    austrlain zoo gower Well-Known Member

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    Jewels of Asia and India
    Trail could consist of
    Asian small clawed otter
    Sumatran tiger
    Indian rhino
    Blackbuk or water buffaloes
    Malayan tapir
    Orangutan
    Siamang
    It would be nice to see a bit more foliage in the elephants area

    I would love Melbourne to focus on orangutan a bit more by putting siamangs in the area but I guess they lost 3 of 6
     
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  3. austrlain zoo gower

    austrlain zoo gower Well-Known Member

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    Ok jambo
    Thanks that lion idea would be so cool
    I beI’ve in 2008 a couple of colubus monkey bred properly a different pair
    Maned wolf would be cool in wild dog enclosure
     
  4. austrlain zoo gower

    austrlain zoo gower Well-Known Member

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    Thanks zoofan 15
    So could get water buffaloes
     
  5. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    I wouldn’t be concerned about Melbourne transferring three of their orangutans to Sydney Zoo. They were all surplus to the breeding programme (retired pair and their daughter); and the zoo plans to import a female Sumatran orangutan in the future to pair with Malu. The hybrids will remain at the zoo as ambassador animals.

    Long term, it’d be nice to see Melbourne expand their orangutan facilities via an aerial pathway. It makes efficient use of space given it has a minimal footprint on the zoo and vastly expands the distances they can traverse. Having visited a similar set up at Auckland, I can confirm it’s highly enriching for the apes and visitors alike!
     
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  6. Jambo

    Jambo Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    That would make the Carnivores precinct so much better imo.

    Yes, that pair is now deceased. The remaining pair are both females:
    0.1 Mkasu (unk x unk) 00-00-1996 at Melbourne Zoo**
    0.1 Kipenzi (Brodie x Clover) 00-00-2012 at Melbourne Zoo**

    I too would love to see Melbourne get Maned Wolf's back. They would suit the Wild Dog enclosure nicely.
     
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  7. Jambo

    Jambo Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    For me here's how the precinct should look (in order from trail entrance):

    -Asian Short Clawed Otter
    -Two small aviaries for Asian birds (both were empty when I last visited)
    -Sumatran Tiger (breeding pair hopefully!)
    -An aviary in between here for larger Asian birds, such as Peacocks
    -Malayan Tapir
    -Butterfly House
    -South East Asian themed plaza
    -Indian Rhino + Blackbuck (two adjacent enclosures)
    -Binturong
    -Orangutan + Saimang (make use of the island opposite, for a secondary Orangutan enclosure)

    For me, simply putting the Orangutans on the island which is in the centre pretty much (can be viewed at the end, and just after the entrance near the tigers), will make the whole precinct much more attractive and lively. Especially an overhead Orangutan aerial pathway connecting both enclosures.
     
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  8. austrlain zoo gower

    austrlain zoo gower Well-Known Member

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    I would love to the the orangutan sanctuary expansions they could run it so they orangutans could see the rhinos ect
    Ithis would provide great enrichment
     
  9. austrlain zoo gower

    austrlain zoo gower Well-Known Member

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    Spot on jambo the island which doesn’t really do anything would be a great home for the orangutan
    Could they combined the siamang and orangutan togeather
     
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  10. austrlain zoo gower

    austrlain zoo gower Well-Known Member

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    Ok that’s great for trail of elephants what do you want to do next
     
  11. Jambo

    Jambo Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    It was originally planned for Pelicans, but it has been a nuisance lately as local birds have taken over the island and pooped all over it, so they've had to cut down all of the trees. The island could be a natural experience for them, a mix of climbing poles and ropes and even natural trees as well. They would also be able to see the Tigers on the other side of the lake, and the Indian Rhinos in the distance.

    The saimang and Orangutan could be combined, although the specific individuals have had issues with them in the past. I don't see why an attempt isn't made to introduce Malu and his future female companion though. The issues in the past mainly stemmed from the hybrids (Gabby and Kiani).
     
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  12. austrlain zoo gower

    austrlain zoo gower Well-Known Member

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    The carnivores trail in my opinion should consist of in order
    Maned wolf
    Lions
    Coati?
    Digested area
    Snow leopard
    Tiger
    Tasmanian devil

    Would coati still be around
     
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  13. austrlain zoo gower

    austrlain zoo gower Well-Known Member

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    Where could maned wolfs be sourced from
     
  14. Jambo

    Jambo Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Note: The Asian Trail will likely be the next point of focus for Melbourne, as losing the Elephants means losing a keystone species thats part of that trail. It's called the Trail of Elephants for a reason, and half of it is mainly based around the Elephants anyway. I think we can expect some redevelopments here.
     
  15. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    The entire Coati population in the region is elderly and related. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re phased out in the near future from all zoos.
    These facilities all hold Maned wolf: Adelaide, Altina, Crocodylus, Darling Downs, Hunter Valley, Mansfield, Shoalhaven, Wildlife HQ.

    Altina have had multiple successes in breeding them in recent times and are a logical source for surplus stock. Hunter Valley and Darling Downs have also bred recently. Many of the others hold non breeding animals.
     
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  16. austrlain zoo gower

    austrlain zoo gower Well-Known Member

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    Agree they would be losing probably there biggest drawcard
     
  17. austrlain zoo gower

    austrlain zoo gower Well-Known Member

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    Coati false out maybe
    Animals suitable for coati exhibit
    Red panda
    Bintarong
    But going with the carnivores them there isn’t much and Bintarong should go in Asian area
    And they probably wont want to move red panda from pretty notable area
     
  18. Jambo

    Jambo Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    My plan for the Carnivores precinct would be:

    - Two Lion enclosures (connected via overhead overpass), gives more overall space for the Lions and is much more enticing for the public.
    - Caracal / Serval- this enclosure which currently holds Coati would be suitable for a species of cat that likes to climb
    - Snow Leopard
    - Sun Bear
    -Komodo Dragon

    Coati will likely die out within the next five or so years. Again, I don't see Melbourne getting them back. I'd remove Sumatran Tigers and Tasmanian Devils from the precinct (both are double-ups, and have other enclosures within enough space).
     
    Last edited: 6 May 2022
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  19. Jambo

    Jambo Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    I'd like to see Binturong in the Asian precinct instead. Red Panda have a suitable hope near the Japanese Garden, it gives them much more climbing space then they would have in the Coati enclosure.
     
  20. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    I’d actually favour renovating the Coati exhibit into an aviary for a bird of prey. Mammals are of much more interest to me than birds and reptiles, but even I’ll admit the Carnivores Precinct is too mammals dominated.

    An owl species could be ideal for this area given it wouldn’t require much space and would provide an interesting point of contrast.
     
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