there's a one-minute video from ZoosVictoria on Youtube uploaded a week or two ago, showing the siamang on their new island. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMN7enSnSzA
One of Melbourne Zoo's trio of male lions has been put to sleep due to a worsening neurological condition. Story here: Vale Zuri | Zoos Victoria
Hey guys, just wondering if anyone knew when they were going to start construction for the new big cat era? Also if there were any plans out on what it's going to look like?
A new precinct called 'Leopard Ridge' is scheduled to open in December 2017 featuring snow leopards, Sumatran tigers (aren't these already in the Asian area?), coatis and Tasmanian devils (a bit of an odd combo): Leopard Ridge Announcement | Zoos Victoria
Well that sounds horrific. There is already a Sumatran tiger exhibit in the Asian trail, but only one enclosure. There is also a Tasmanian devil enclosure in the Australian section, and coatis displayed in both the Treetop Monkeys area, and the little "other" section in the forgotten corner of the zoo.
This whole Carnivore zone at MZ seems like a real mess of species. Given most of the rest of the zoo is mostly zoogeographic-zoned (reptile house aside), the animals selected are a bit of a pick-and-mix... Lazy planning. If the zoo was interested in focusing on snow leopards couldn't they put together leopards, red pandas, some generic pheasants, mandarin ducks (at a stretch), even tahr if they had enough space. And does this mean one of the only brown bears in Aust is taken off display permanently? Okay I know she is old, but.
This news article says that the new area will only be housing male Sumatran tiger Hutan (b. Melbourne 2010). I assume that means his mother and sister will be displayed as normal in the Asian trail? Moving Meo | Zoos Victoria
Along with Meo, female Sumatran tiger Binjai also paid a visit to the vet while being moved for the new development: Tiger Travel | Zoos Victoria This article confirms that Binjai and her daughter Indrah will share the Asian trail exhibit (although I am not sure if this means being together or separately?).
Honey, Melbourne Zoo's last Syrian brown bear, has died at the age of 29. Zoos Victoria - Timeline | Facebook
The article implies Binjai and her daughter are separate as it talks about her rotating with her offspring. Not to say they won't be reintroduced in time if that's possible. Hamilton Zoo have introduced the male, Oz, to the speyed female, Mencari and they happily share. The article incorrectly states that Ramalon and Binjai produced two litters in 2008 and 2010. Their two litters were produced in 2006 and 2010.
Mogo is a non-breeding group so she will not be breeding. A volunteer at Melbourne Zoo has said on Facebook that she was moved to Mogo as Otana "wouldn't accept her back" after being removed for dental treatment.
The only Gorilla I know which has lived on three different Continents (she was 'born in the USA'). I remember her when she was at Jersey and seeing her at Melbourne too. Always very humanised from her early life, I suspect Otana probably never related to her(or vice versa) Its a good/wise move for her but highlights that 'Ganyeki' at Werribee is her only offspring and genetically valuable- G.Anne herself being the only offspring of wild-caught parents. Her move does leave Melbourne with a very small group(4) now. So the next question is, where will young female Kipenzi at Mogo go for breeding- to Melbourne or Sydney?
A campaign supported by Zoos Victoria has resulted in mandatory palm oil labelling to be introduced in Victoria, however, there has been an unfortunate delay in this labelling nation-wide for the time being: Delay on Labelling Decision Disappointing for Australians and Orang-utans | Zoos Victoria
I visited about a week ago and have a couple of small things to report. -The entire top right-hand section of the zoo is closed for renovations. The bear pit, big cat cages and siamang island. -The exhibit in tree top monkeys that formally held tree kangaroos has been joined to the exhibit for spider monkeys and the group of four has access to both. The line-up is now gibbons, spider monkeys X2, capuchin X2, colobus, coati, and the final exhibit is home to a parrot but its exhibit was being cleaned at the time and I only saw it in the holding cage, possibly amazon. -The siamangs have moved to the island in the Japanese garden.
As with his brother earlier this year, male African lion Chaka has also been euthanised due to the same neurological condition: Vale Chaka | Zoos Victoria Melbourne Zoo now has one lion left, their brother Harare.