Melbourne Zoo Sucked

[Mayhem]

I just wanted to voice my general dissapointment over Royal Melbourne Zoo - and I couldnt think of any other forum section to fit it in, so I'll cover my gripe about the Reptile collection just to cover the snakes base as well!

Now, before you all have a cry at me about how great it really is, consider that I visited last weekend and was slugged full price, where about 50% of the zoo was actually operational.

That and thier animal collection sucked teh wang.

No chimpanzees, no pandas, no panthers, too many red assed monkeys too count and not enough variety otherwise.

They also had alot of the snakes housed together - eg coastal tipans were housed with brown tree snakes, gaboon vipers with chameleons - and the list goes on.

They diddnt have a Green Python, or Diamonds, or Coastals, or many australian pythons for that matter.

About the only redeeming thing they had on display was the emerald tree boas.

So my gripes are based on:"

a) being charged full price for a half open zoo (other parts were being rebuilt or the animals not on display)
b) a lack of variety of animals to see, especially for such a major zoo
c) really poor herp variety and representation of australian snakes.
d) total lack of any large pythons while i'm having my 2c (retics, burmese etc)
e) housing snakes and lizards in the same enclosure, as well as exotic species of different origin together in the same enclosure
f) the flies. those %$*& flies.

/end rant.

[Jewly]

I have to agree with you there. I visited the Zoo earlier this year and was incredibly disappointed with it.

[Sel]

Hmm, i havent been to Melb Zoo for about 5 years..i didnt think they ever had pandas? Only once they brang them over, but they dont keep them usually? Unless theyve gotten them in the last few years
I dont remember the reptiles, so cant comment.....i thought melbourne zoo was quite good, alot better than others

[DonkeyKong]

If you think that's crap than don't bother with Taronga

[mazzaandbrad]

Was planning on taking my tribe to Melb Zoo when was down next, but dont think i'll bother now... Thanks for the heads up, Cheers, Brad.

[dylan-rocks]

a good zoo for reptiles and marine life and plenty of other animals is the zoo in canberra they have boas, pythons, large fish and sea snakes.
plus they have bears, cheaters, monkeys,lions, tigers the whole thing and they have this thing where u can get a photo taken of u feeding the animals and u can play with the cheaters for only $100 and to get photo and feed only $10
I would strongly recamend going there
cheers dylan

[Brown_Hair]

I went to the Melb zoo a few months ago and it was sweet as! It does sound like you were ripped mayhem and i would be cut too! the only thing i can defend the zoo for is the lack of aussie snakes. IMO you dont go their to see snakes that you can go down to the Living Jungle or Upmarket Pets and see, you want to see the exotics and the elapids.

I supose you didnt use the "buy one get one free" ticket entry to any Melb zoo from like the Coco Pops box?lol

[adelherper]

i agree i went there few years ago and i thought it was worst zoo i been to

[adelherper]

adelaide zoo isnt that great either but now we got pandas

[Raven]

The Zoo is alright.
Here are a few pictures of the reptiles.

[Raven]

More.

[Rox.n.Lix]

If half the animals weren'y on display, you should have taken it up with the customer service about charging full price.
Personally, i have been goign to the melbourne zoo since i was a kid, and imo they have made vast improvements. Especially the walk of the elephants. The elephants used to be on a concrete patch about the size of half a tennis court. they have also really improved the gorilla enclosure too.
They still have a ways to go with some of the other enclosures thats for sure, but they are getting there. and thats probably why you didnt get to see some of the animals? I had always thought they had a good reptile selection? I havent been for about a year, but i'm sure they had a reticulated python. and the frog house was good too.
MzSel is right they have never had pandas. not many zoos in aus do?
They also have good stuff going on behind the scenes, like breeding programs for endangered aussie wildlife like bandicoots, and a good education program for school groups when they come through. they have classrooms with selections of animal the kids can handle and learn about -including reptiles, and stick insects etc.

[pythons73]

The thing that i like to see when i go to a Zoo or wildlife park is Australian reptiles,but i do appreciate the exotics.I like to see what other States have,mainly different Elapids.IMO Gosford reptile park would have to be one of the best,that ive been too.Most of the cages are in a natural setting.AS ive never been to Melbourne Zoo i cant comment..MARK

[Jay84]

Personally I am a huge fan of Melbourne Zoo. Ok, with every zoo there is going to be room for improvement but come on, Melb Zoo isn't that bad.

Firstly, why go to a zoo to see ur own backyard animals? If you want that then go to a local animal sanctuary. Zoos are to see animals of the world.

Also, they do have panthers, jaguars and Pumas, Leopards etc. You must not have seen them. Yes I agree the babboons are crap, but look at all the other small primates and monkeys, such a range of them and in great viewing enclosures, walking through the tree tops.

To be honest I think you are being a little harsh, I havnt travelled to other zoos in Australia, but have heard many say Melb is the best. I have been to a few international Zoos and I think Melb Zoo is right up there.

As for keeping different species of reptile together. Do you think they would do this if they weren't compatible? Or were a risk to the animals? I think not. Alot of keepers on this site will keep geckos with small dragons, or larger dragons with small monitors etc. So as long as the animals are in good care why has it bothered you so much?

I can understand ur frustration in relation to exhibits being closed and certain animals off display, and I think from this your view of the zoo has been tarred. But you need to remember, they may be updating enclosures, building new ones, obtaining new animals.

I go to the Zoo every year, and I am confident that my money is going to be well spent.

[Jungletrans]

Took the kids a while ago and we loved it . The new stuff was great and the new under construction displays will be too . No local snakes but as already said if that was what your after go to a pet shop , they didnt have any dogs or cats either . You just cant please everyone .