This thread will aim to provide an overview of ongoing projects in Australian zoos. Those in bold have been completed. I have already made similar threads for Canada, US and UK. I hope to post others for New Zealand, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany soon. Any errors or improvements you spot or additional advice would be welcomed. Adelaide Zoo Into Africa (Western Lowland Gorillas, Lions, Meerkats, Black and White Colobus Monkey) Darling Downs Zoo New Giant Tortoise enclosure New Hamadryas Baboon enclosure New Pygmy Hippo enclosure - 2018 New Sri Lankan Leopard enclosure New Paddocks (Red Kangaroos, Blackbuck, Dromedary, Addax, Zebra, Nyala, Bongo, Rhinos) New African Lion enclosures Halls Gap Zoo New Southern White Rhino enclosure New Nocturnal house Healesville Sanctuary Reptile house improvements – September 2018 HQ Zoo New Ring-Tailed Lemur island – July 2018 Kuranda Koala Gardens New Large Reptile exhibit New Large Multi species enclosure Mogo Zoo New Gorilla exhibit Repurposing of exhibit for Orangutans Monarto Zoo Wild Africa (safari drive through) New African Elephant enclosure New Madagascan walkthrough experience Moonlit Sanctuary Extension and upgrade of Cockatoo aviaries – March 2018 National Zoo New Squirrel Monkey island – July 2018 Perth Zoo Extension of Lion enclosure – October 2018 Sydney Zoo New Zoo opening (Lions, Zebra, Rhino, Capybara, Giraffe, Ostrich, Cheetahs, Spotted Hyena, Meerkats, African Wild Dogs, Tigers, Asian Elephants, Chimpanzee, Lowland Gorilla, Gibbon, Otters, Red Pandas, Hamadryas Baboons, Tamarins, Emu, Koala, Echidna, Dingoes, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Brush Tailed Rock Wallaby, Crocodiles, Nocturnal House, Penguins, Sharks) – Early 2019 Taronga Zoo New Squirrel Monkey enclosure –August 2018 Australia Habitat phase 1 (Wallabies, Bandicoots, Echidnas, Koalas, Platypus, Potoroos, Bettong) – 2018 Australia Habitat phase 2 – 2021 Congo Forest (Gorilla, Pygmy Hippos, Bongo) New African Savannah (Giraffes, Meerkats, Fennec Foxes, Zebras, Lions) Taronga Western Plains Zoo Wild Herds walkthrough (Prezwalski’s Horse, Fallow Deer)– 3rdJuly 2018 Lion Pride Lands (Lions, Goats) – Easter 2018 Tasmania Zoo New African Hunting Dogs enclosure – May 2018 New Sumatran Tiger enclosure – June 2018 Werribee Open Range Zoo New Elephant exhibit – 2024 Expanded Rhino retreat New Bison enclosure New Meerkat exhibit Enlargement of Lion habitat Watering Hole (Cheetah, African Wild Dog) Renovation of Koala area
On the website it only mentions gorillas, bongo and pygmy hippos. Thats not to say okapi aren't planned to be involved.
I don’t believe African elephants are planned for Monarto. That’s a ‘maybe someday’ idea, that would be many years off if it ever happens. Nearer to the present, there will be a new entrance, located near the carnivore exhibits. At Adelaide Zoo, a new Children’s Zoo will be built next to Nature’s Playground. I’m pretty sure this will happen before Into Africa.
Thanks for the information about the Elephants. Its difficult to establish the difference between firm plans a zoo has and concepts for the future. Are there any other cases where I have mentioned projects that are perhaps unrealistic at the moment? Will the Children's zoo contain exotics?
What would this entail? And what cherished remnant of the brilliant, progressive zoo of my childhood will make way for it?
Their website says they want to obtain Rhinos, Nyala, and Bongos.I believe the ever growing Grants Zebra herd and Addax would be moved over to the new area when completed
I’m not sure about the species in it yet but it will be built near the current reptile house. Since its named ‘Small wonders’ i’m guessing it will have small animals in it. Possibly just a redevelopment of the reptile and frog house.
Good lord, please no. The reptile house and great flight aviary are all I have left, and the aviary is teetering on the brink.
I did read something about Melbourne wanting to build a nocturnal house so its possible this could be it?
That would be nice if the nocturnal house was well-planned, but I remain cynical due to Melbourne Zoo’s mixed results when it comes to new developments....
Here is a proposed new design for the northen end of melbourne zoo. xylem landscape architects - PROJECTS - Melbourne Zoo Future Directions Planning, Zoos Victoria It includes new Australian and African themed zones.
