Werribee Open Range Zoo Werribee Open Range Zoo News 2023
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PaddyRickMFZ
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Can anyone on this thread tell me how the Sunset Safari works. I’m thinking about going on it Saturday, but I’m not sure if I can leave before 9 o’clock. Am I able to visit the zoo during the day and stay back for the safari? How long does the initial safari bus take and when does it start. @Grant Rhino would be amazing if you could please clear this up for me
You can visit the zoo in the day and then stay for the sunset safari. I think the time of the bus varies, but it generally takes an hour or so. You can also access the African walking trail too, which is pretty cool. I did it a few years ago and it was well worth the experience.
PaddyRickMFZ
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So would I be able to leave whenever I want? Thanks for the info
PaddyRickMFZ
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Good. I thought it might have been a function thing where there’s really no chance to leave. If I end up going I’ll ask some questions earlier in the day, and the sunset Safari could actually present as a good opportunity to ask stuffYep, I don't think they're that strict.
PaddyRickMFZ
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PaddyRickMFZ
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Here’s a couple of note from my visit:
Re. Vervets As far as I know a replacement for Vervet Monkey has not been announced. Interestingly though a volunteer said she would love to see baboons in the exhibit, so I don’t know what to make of that.
Re. New species: Unfortunately I wasn’t able to decipher any new species, just more of the same. I am able to confirm WORZ have interest in adding multiple cheetahs. The elephant walking trail will be very large, and there is so far not much planned for it, aside from maybe some rhino, bison and Nyala. Also, if hyenas are implemented they will not be housed near the Wild Dogs, and a Wild Dog breeding program likely hinges on how much space is available after the elephant expansion.
Re. Hippos: There is so far not a timeline for Brindabella and Pansy’s moves, but they are almost certainly going to acquire a bull in the future.
Wasn’t able to find any information on Rhino or lion breeding, but the vibe I got from the keeper was that neither species are overly close to pregnancies. I was informed they may be interested in housing some more rhinos though
Unfortunately Asian Elephants will likely be an ambassador for African Elephants, and I have been told they will be sticking with the African theme.
Wasn’t able to ask about waterbuck unfortunately.
Elephant construction is so far planned for mid 2024, meanwhile some bison have already been moved from their existing habitat to off display exhibits near where the longhorn were held. The 2 bull Nyala were still held away from the females.
The sky safari is likely abandoned if not heavily postponed due to the huge increase in costs after Covid. Apparently it hinges on member numbers.
Unfortunately there seemed to be more bad news than good news.
That’s all I recall for the moment, but I may have omitted some information so if you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
Re. Vervets As far as I know a replacement for Vervet Monkey has not been announced. Interestingly though a volunteer said she would love to see baboons in the exhibit, so I don’t know what to make of that.
Re. New species: Unfortunately I wasn’t able to decipher any new species, just more of the same. I am able to confirm WORZ have interest in adding multiple cheetahs. The elephant walking trail will be very large, and there is so far not much planned for it, aside from maybe some rhino, bison and Nyala. Also, if hyenas are implemented they will not be housed near the Wild Dogs, and a Wild Dog breeding program likely hinges on how much space is available after the elephant expansion.
Re. Hippos: There is so far not a timeline for Brindabella and Pansy’s moves, but they are almost certainly going to acquire a bull in the future.
Wasn’t able to find any information on Rhino or lion breeding, but the vibe I got from the keeper was that neither species are overly close to pregnancies. I was informed they may be interested in housing some more rhinos though
Unfortunately Asian Elephants will likely be an ambassador for African Elephants, and I have been told they will be sticking with the African theme.
Wasn’t able to ask about waterbuck unfortunately.
Elephant construction is so far planned for mid 2024, meanwhile some bison have already been moved from their existing habitat to off display exhibits near where the longhorn were held. The 2 bull Nyala were still held away from the females.
The sky safari is likely abandoned if not heavily postponed due to the huge increase in costs after Covid. Apparently it hinges on member numbers.
Unfortunately there seemed to be more bad news than good news.
That’s all I recall for the moment, but I may have omitted some information so if you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
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Thank you for this comprehensive update @PaddyRickMFZ. We all greatly appreciate you asking every one of our many questions.
That was an interesting comment from the volunteer re. baboons inhabiting the Vervet monkey exhibit. It’s not spacious enough to accomodate the troop in it’s current state (18 baboons), let alone manage the future expansion of the troop. I’d like to see baboons at Werribee, but on a large scale like is planned at Monarto.
It’s nice to have conformation Werribee plan to hold multiple Cheetah. The provision of multiple males greatly enhances breeding success as it gives the notoriously selective female mate choice.
Interesting to hear Brindabella and Pansy won’t be imminently transferring to Monarto. I was under the impression the facilities were nearing completion, but there must be some delay - likely with the pool.
That’s great news they hope to acquire more Southern white rhinoceros. These will likely come via the Australian Rhino Project, which should see the first batch of rhinos arrive in Australia mid-2024.
Good to hear the elephant complex is still on track for the middle of 2024. African elephants would be nice, but I can understand their decision to focus on Asian elephants. Funding is limited and creating this world class complex is surely an impressive feat in itself.
No further questions from me at this stage.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
For all I know the transfer of Brindabella and Pansy could be imminent. It all hinges on whether they are crate trained. I asked 3 keepers and a volunteer and they all had similar responses.Thank you for this comprehensive update @PaddyRickMFZ. We all greatly appreciate you asking every one of our many questions.
That was an interesting comment from the volunteer re. baboons inhabiting the Vervet monkey exhibit. It’s not spacious enough to accomodate the troop in it’s current state (18 baboons), let alone manage the future expansion of the troop. I’d like to see baboons at Werribee, but on a large scale like is planned at Monarto.
It’s nice to have conformation Werribee plan to hold multiple Cheetah. The provision of multiple males greatly enhances breeding success as it gives the notoriously selective female mate choice.
Interesting to hear Brindabella and Pansy won’t be imminently transferring to Monarto. I was under the impression the facilities were nearing completion, but there must be some delay - likely with the pool.
That’s great news they hope to acquire more Southern white rhinoceros. These will likely come via the Australian Rhino Project, which should see the first batch of rhinos arrive in Australia mid-2024.
Good to hear the elephant complex is still on track for the middle of 2024. African elephants would be nice, but I can understand their decision to focus on Asian elephants. Funding is limited and creating this world class complex is surely an impressive feat in itself.
No further questions from me at this stage.
I understand you guys might want sources so here we go:
1 Volunteer at the Vervet Monkeys
1 Volunteer at the Wild Dog exhibit
1 Volunteer and 2 Keepers at Hippo Beach
1 Keeper on the safari bus (an actual keeper yes, one was signed for each carriage)
Btw these are the sources for all the questions I asked
Fingers crossed they can successfully crate train them. It’s not difficult as they’re naturally food motivated. When Auckland Zoo moved their three hippos to a new exhibit in 1999, they were easily able to crate train them using cabbages and other food treats.
When Werribee eventually acquire a bull - either through import or a Monarto bred bull, it’ll be interesting to see how they manage their breeding programme as Primrose will be in her late 30’s by the time this eventuates. They may retire her and her eldest daughter in a pod of two; and focus on breeding from her youngest daughter, who will subsequently build up her own pod.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
That contradicts what I was told last Tuesday by the Elephant keepers at Melbourne Zoo. They had said that the intial construction for the gondola system was commencing.
And to my understanding (though could be wrong) it is fully funded by the State government as part of the ~$83million upgrade.
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The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
I think from the sounds of it that is the volunteers wishful thinking, rather than any indication either way on WORZ's plans.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
Did a quick search and the Sky Safari gondola is a part being directly funded by Development Victoria. The link below was updated 13th January 2023 and in its overview says:
As such I would imagine that the Sky Safari is guaranteed as it is a key part of the project being state funded.
Development Victoria is delivering several key elements of the redevelopment, including the Sky Safari, the new elephant habitat and the waterhole trail.
Werribee Open Range Zoo Expansion
As such I would imagine that the Sky Safari is guaranteed as it is a key part of the project being state funded.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I certainly hope you are correct, but the keeper told me that prices skyrocketed and they would no longer be able to afford it. I’m holding out hope you’re correct
Yes, my assumption is the volunteer was as much stating what replacement species she’d like to see for the Vervet monkey at Werribee, without giving further consideration to the logistics.
Melbourne advised me they remain committed to Hamadryas baboon and have no plans to phase out this popular exhibit.
The obvious assumption is this project was fully funded under the original plans, but is now only partly covered due to the rise in costs post-Covid (an issue many zoos have faced around the world).
Projects like the elephant complex are priority, so worst case scenario, I’d expect the SkySafari will be delayed. It’s clear Werribee will experience a surge in visitation following the transfer of the elephants - which will assist in covering the outstanding costs; and in the mean time, there’s preliminary construction work on the track the zoo can undertake.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I was honestly thinking the safari would not eventuate as the keeper told me, but the fact that elephants are an imminent arrival gives me hope it will be funded. Of all the keepers and volunteers I spoke to, they all said that hyenas and all the projects are likely still in place except for one, and I’m taking numbers. Also, the baboon was most certainly something she’d like to see, I just meant to say we could broaden our scope from just colobus
It’s all about priorities. There’s only so much funding and priority has to go to projects like the elephant complex. Melbourne are already over capacity and the calves aren’t getting any smaller. With Luk Chai and Man Jai maturing as well, if they can’t transfer out by next years there’s gonna be problems.
The SkySafari isn’t under time constraints and can be added any time. This funding Zoos Victoria received wasn’t a one off - they’ll be eligible to receive more funding down the line and can complete it then.
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