We enjoyed the Wildlife HQ Zoo, but a lot of it does feel a bit dated in presentation. Must be hard with Australia Zoo so close! I'd recommend it for sure if you enjoy your animals - they deserve the support! If you enjoyed the video, please give it a Like! Consider Subscribing for more fun videos from Attractions & Theme Parks - both help the channel so much! Thanks for watching! TPO
Couple of corrections/elaborations, if I may: - The monkeys shown at 4:34 are Cottontop Tamarins, not Marmosets. Marmosets are shown at 8:50. - The Spider Monkey enclosure (at 11:26 ) isn’t newer than other sections of the zoo, their newest primate enclosures are the Gibbon (12:11) and the Siamang (1:16). They have, however, renovated some enclosures (e.g. Capybara), so it could be the case it was renovated post-opening. - On a general note, the mesh fencing (‘cage’) is indeed a cheaper method of building an enclosure than some alternatives (as is corrugated iron, which is also used commonly for non-climbing animals that don’t need tall/enclosed fencing). But, its use does not affect the animals any more than glass or moats. It could even be said, in the case of arboreal species (animals that live in trees, eg. most primates there), it provides them with more climbable area, so could be considered beneficial in comparison to other options. But yeah, it’s a cheaper option because Wildlife HQ doesn’t have the budget that Australia Zoo used to have, but it’s not a hindrance to the animals, just more occluded viewing for guests sometimes. What matters for the animals is what’s on the inside of their enclosures, and to me, they seem very enriched, perhaps moreso than some Australia Zoo equivalent enclosures. - As mentioned, the lemurs at 9:10 aren’t Ring-Tailed, they’re Black and White Ruffed. I mention this because Australia Zoo was originally actually meant to have them with their Ring Tailed Lemurs on Bindi’s Island, but they couldn’t safely exhibit them there as they seemed drawn to the natural water barrier around the island, which is unsafe as they can’t swim and therefore were at risk of drowning. Which I mainly mention as it’s another downside of alternative methods of enclosure design. - Minor nitpick (as if that’s not what this whole thing is lol), in the 4:53 timestamp you’ve put ‘Apes’. Wildlife HQ doesn’t have any monkeys that are classified as Apes, they only consist of Chimpanzees, Bonobos, Orangutans, and Gorillas. - The honouring of Bob Irwin at 13:40 is due to his conservation work, and how him & his son have really helped to positively shift the perspective on our native reptiles. The reason Bob doesn’t associate with the popular Irwin’s/Australia Zoo anymore is because he continues to work toward those goals. Whereas (partially in his view, partially inserting my own) Australia Zoo has become a shell of what it once was under their management post-Steve’s passing, delegated to being a tourist trap that markets what it used to be (eg. all the Steve memorabilia, ‘honouring Steve’s legacy’ in every minimal update/project they do both at the zoo and elsewhere, *including Crocodile Hunter NFTS, just quietly*) to fund the popular members of the Irwin family’s extravagant endeavours (eg. the current ‘Steve Irwin Gala’ going on in America), rather than being an educational facility focused on the values that zoos should ideally focus on. As such, unless if that drastically changes, which I don’t think the popular Irwin’s would be too happy about doing, I think it’ll stay the way it is.
Thanks for watching and for the comment, Tric! Always appreciate discussion and hearing feedback Yeah, I made a few goofs in the video regarding the animals. Some were genuine mistakes, whilst others were due to fatigue from work and spending all my free time editing the videos this week. I'll try better in the future to make sure the information is more accurate. I understand and agree with what you’re saying re the exhibits. I perhaps used the wrong words and phrasing to express my thoughts due to the aforementioned reasons. I was mainly talking from a design and presentation perspective, and wasn’t at all insinuating any negativity on the zoo, exhibits or the animals well being. I’m aware of the ‘cages’ pros and cons, and the different budgetary issues compared to larger zoos and tried to allude to it in the video, but perhaps not as well as I could’ve done. Didn’t know that Australia Zoo even had / has Ruffled Lemurs, that’s pretty interesting! Bootiful animals. Shame about the whole Irwin feud situation - having recently had a similar event in my own family, I know how hard and confusing it can be for those involved. I view Australia Zoo in a more positive light, but I understand how some aspects of it can be looked down upon - it is indeed weird seeing Steve flogged around like Colonel Sanders or Walt Disney, and Bindi definitely was too much in the limelight when she was growing up - same with her own daughter right now. From what I’ve seen and who I've talked to though, it’s a net positive for conservation as a whole with the family clearly being passionate about it and doing a lot for the cause. You gotta cover those costs somehow, and if they keep a bit of the profit on the side for themselves from their work, more power to them. I don’t think Steve would mind as long as it helps conservation in the big picture, but he’d definitely be devastated at the feud. Hopefully it can be mended before Bob passes.
I`m gonna go check this place out. Make a change from Australia Zoo with the different animals. Thanks again for a video of somewhere out of the normal. Have you thought of doing a video on Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World?
Thank you, I recommend checking it out for sure! You don't see many of the animals down this neck of the woods, like the Primates. Maleny was on the list to check out, but sadly we didn't have enough time and prioritized other attractions. I'd love to visit next time, looks pretty!
Great little zoo with a variety of animals. This zoo doesn’t have the budget of the Irwin zoo, hence why they can’t build moats instead of ‘cages’ etc. Given their size, they have improved the zoo a lot since it has opened.
For sure, the animals seemed pretty happy and the staff were clearly very passionate about them. I did bring up the limited costs comparison to Australia Zoo in the video - here's hoping the Zoo continues to grow in the future - the Big Pineapple refurbishment should help a lot in upping interest and attendance
We enjoyed the Wildlife HQ Zoo, but a lot of it does feel a bit dated in presentation. Must be hard with Australia Zoo so close! I'd recommend it for sure if you enjoy your animals - they deserve the support!
If you enjoyed the video, please give it a Like! Consider Subscribing for more fun videos from Attractions & Theme Parks - both help the channel so much! Thanks for watching! TPO
09:09 - Small error, those aren't Ring Tailed Lemurs!
Couple of corrections/elaborations, if I may:
- The monkeys shown at 4:34 are Cottontop Tamarins, not Marmosets. Marmosets are shown at 8:50.
- The Spider Monkey enclosure (at 11:26 ) isn’t newer than other sections of the zoo, their newest primate enclosures are the Gibbon (12:11) and the Siamang (1:16). They have, however, renovated some enclosures (e.g. Capybara), so it could be the case it was renovated post-opening.
- On a general note, the mesh fencing (‘cage’) is indeed a cheaper method of building an enclosure than some alternatives (as is corrugated iron, which is also used commonly for non-climbing animals that don’t need tall/enclosed fencing). But, its use does not affect the animals any more than glass or moats. It could even be said, in the case of arboreal species (animals that live in trees, eg. most primates there), it provides them with more climbable area, so could be considered beneficial in comparison to other options. But yeah, it’s a cheaper option because Wildlife HQ doesn’t have the budget that Australia Zoo used to have, but it’s not a hindrance to the animals, just more occluded viewing for guests sometimes. What matters for the animals is what’s on the inside of their enclosures, and to me, they seem very enriched, perhaps moreso than some Australia Zoo equivalent enclosures.
- As mentioned, the lemurs at 9:10 aren’t Ring-Tailed, they’re Black and White Ruffed. I mention this because Australia Zoo was originally actually meant to have them with their Ring Tailed Lemurs on Bindi’s Island, but they couldn’t safely exhibit them there as they seemed drawn to the natural water barrier around the island, which is unsafe as they can’t swim and therefore were at risk of drowning. Which I mainly mention as it’s another downside of alternative methods of enclosure design.
- Minor nitpick (as if that’s not what this whole thing is lol), in the 4:53 timestamp you’ve put ‘Apes’. Wildlife HQ doesn’t have any monkeys that are classified as Apes, they only consist of Chimpanzees, Bonobos, Orangutans, and Gorillas.
- The honouring of Bob Irwin at 13:40 is due to his conservation work, and how him & his son have really helped to positively shift the perspective on our native reptiles. The reason Bob doesn’t associate with the popular Irwin’s/Australia Zoo anymore is because he continues to work toward those goals. Whereas (partially in his view, partially inserting my own) Australia Zoo has become a shell of what it once was under their management post-Steve’s passing, delegated to being a tourist trap that markets what it used to be (eg. all the Steve memorabilia, ‘honouring Steve’s legacy’ in every minimal update/project they do both at the zoo and elsewhere, *including Crocodile Hunter NFTS, just quietly*) to fund the popular members of the Irwin family’s extravagant endeavours (eg. the current ‘Steve Irwin Gala’ going on in America), rather than being an educational facility focused on the values that zoos should ideally focus on. As such, unless if that drastically changes, which I don’t think the popular Irwin’s would be too happy about doing, I think it’ll stay the way it is.
Thanks for watching and for the comment, Tric! Always appreciate discussion and hearing feedback
Yeah, I made a few goofs in the video regarding the animals. Some were genuine mistakes, whilst others were due to fatigue from work and spending all my free time editing the videos this week. I'll try better in the future to make sure the information is more accurate.
I understand and agree with what you’re saying re the exhibits. I perhaps used the wrong words and phrasing to express my thoughts due to the aforementioned reasons. I was mainly talking from a design and presentation perspective, and wasn’t at all insinuating any negativity on the zoo, exhibits or the animals well being. I’m aware of the ‘cages’ pros and cons, and the different budgetary issues compared to larger zoos and tried to allude to it in the video, but perhaps not as well as I could’ve done.
Didn’t know that Australia Zoo even had / has Ruffled Lemurs, that’s pretty interesting! Bootiful animals.
Shame about the whole Irwin feud situation - having recently had a similar event in my own family, I know how hard and confusing it can be for those involved. I view Australia Zoo in a more positive light, but I understand how some aspects of it can be looked down upon - it is indeed weird seeing Steve flogged around like Colonel Sanders or Walt Disney, and Bindi definitely was too much in the limelight when she was growing up - same with her own daughter right now.
From what I’ve seen and who I've talked to though, it’s a net positive for conservation as a whole with the family clearly being passionate about it and doing a lot for the cause. You gotta cover those costs somehow, and if they keep a bit of the profit on the side for themselves from their work, more power to them. I don’t think Steve would mind as long as it helps conservation in the big picture, but he’d definitely be devastated at the feud. Hopefully it can be mended before Bob passes.
I`m gonna go check this place out. Make a change from Australia Zoo with the different animals. Thanks again for a video of somewhere out of the normal. Have you thought of doing a video on Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World?
Thank you, I recommend checking it out for sure! You don't see many of the animals down this neck of the woods, like the Primates. Maleny was on the list to check out, but sadly we didn't have enough time and prioritized other attractions. I'd love to visit next time, looks pretty!
Great little zoo with a variety of animals. This zoo doesn’t have the budget of the Irwin zoo, hence why they can’t build moats instead of ‘cages’ etc. Given their size, they have improved the zoo a lot since it has opened.
For sure, the animals seemed pretty happy and the staff were clearly very passionate about them. I did bring up the limited costs comparison to Australia Zoo in the video - here's hoping the Zoo continues to grow in the future - the Big Pineapple refurbishment should help a lot in upping interest and attendance
The reason why they have the ringtail lemurs around water is because they can't swim.
Makes a lot of sense!