Werribee Open Range Zoo Werribee Open Range Zoo News 2023

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Jambo said:
Here’s an article on the calf’s birth:

Victorian zoo welcomes birth of rare rhino calf
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A southern white rhino calf has been born at the Werribee Open Range Zoo for the first time in almost a decade.

First-time mother Kipenzi gave birth to the female calf about 4am on Tuesday after a 16-month pregnancy.

Kipenzi and her newborn did not bond straight away, so the calf was brought to the zoo's vet clinic for medical checks and supplementary feeding.

The calf, who is yet to be named, is receiving round-the-clock feeds of his mother's colostrum.

"The calf's health has begun to improve and it is now in the process of being reintroduced to mum," zoo director Mark Pilgrim said in a statement.

However, it will continue to remain under veterinary care during these critical early days."

"The arrival of this precious calf is an important achievement in the fight to save the species from extinction," Dr Pilgrim said.

"We are excited that visitors will be able to view the pair once we have navigated these typically high-risk early days following the birth."

He said the calf will be named in coming weeks through a voting competition for Zoos Victoria members.
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Do we know when the calf will be on display? Would be a great addition to the rhino retreat
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
Do we know when the calf will be on display? Would be a great addition to the rhino retreat
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No, but it probably won’t be for another few months unfortunately. It’ll rely on if/when the calf bonds with mum.

Hopefully with the upcoming South African import Werribee will be able to acquire a female or two to join the herd as right now Kipenzi’s their only breeding female.
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
Do we know when the calf will be on display? Would be a great addition to the rhino retreat
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They usually go on display within 10 days of the birth. Probably more towards the 10 day end of the scale due to being an open range zoo (larger exhibit to navigate), but will depend as much on the mother, who will be given the option to choose when to bring the calf out.
 
Jambo said:
Rhino birth!!!!

First time mum, Kipenzi (2013) delivered a healthy female calf on Tuesday morning!:)

The calf was sired by first time father Kifaru (2009) and is Werribee’s first calf in almost a decade.
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Great news. Werribee has long struggled to build up a herd and this pair has also taken a while to conceive. Kifaru is the son of two wild born founders; though they’re both relatively well represented in the region. Kruger has six surviving calves (including two with Moesha); and their daughter is now a mother of two young calves at Auckland Zoo. The import of the founders from South Africa this year will further devalue what rhinos we have.
 
Zoofan15 said:
They usually go on display within 10 days of the birth. Probably more towards the 10 day end of the scale due to being an open range zoo (larger exhibit to navigate), but will depend as much on the mother, who will be given the option to choose when to bring the calf out.
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The calf is currently being hand raised by the looks of it, so I’d assume it’ll be much longer. It does make sense as Kipenzi was hand raised herself.

Kipenzi didn’t go on display until she was much older (six or seven months); so unfortunately it’s likely it’ll be a while before visitors will have the opportunity to see this little girl on Safari.
 
Jambo said:
The calf is currently being hand raised by the looks of it, so I’d assume it’ll be much longer. It does make sense as Kipenzi was hand raised herself.

Kipenzi didn’t go on display until she was much older (she would’ve had to be six or seven months); so unfortunately it’s likely it’ll be a while before visitors will have the opportunity to see this little girl on Safari.
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I’m hopeful she can be reintroduced, though the next few days will be critical. If a bond isn’t established early on, Kipenzi won’t suddenly develop a maternal instinct weeks or months down the track - so it’s now or never.

Hamilton Zoo had a similar issue when a female gave birth to a calf with a range of health issues (including temporary blindness). They were able to milk her (as they have with Kipenzi to get colostrum) but in that instance the calf remained with the mother.
 
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New Bison and Przewalski's Horse Exhibits Open

Reported on socials:

The Bison and Przewalski's horse have been moved via a service lane into their new habitat as part of the Werribee expansion project. The new habitat includes two management yards, new paddocks and specialist veterinary facilities for the two priority conservation species.

The move makes way for further construction on the elephant trail, still on track for completion in mid-2024.
 
Zoofan15 said:
New Bison and Przewalski's Horse Exhibits Open

Reported on socials:

The Bison and Przewalski's horse have been moved via a service lane into their new habitat as part of the Werribee expansion project. The new habitat includes two management yards, new paddocks and specialist veterinary facilities for the two priority conservation species.

The move makes way for further construction on the elephant trail, still on track for completion in mid-2024.
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Is this part of a walking trail or are they still only observable from the safari
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
Just saw the clip from socials. The bison seem to be loving their new exhibit
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Bison have a low tolerance to high density herd living, so this exhibit will more than meet their needs - allowing the herd to further expand.

The regional Bison population is becoming increasingly inbred, descending from imports in the early 1900’s, so I’m hopeful in the future, semen can be imported from North America as Hamilton Zoo were planning to undertake a few years ago.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Bison have a low tolerance to high density herd living, so this exhibit will more than meet their needs - allowing the herd to further expand.

The regional Bison population is becoming increasingly inbred, descending from imports in the early 1900’s, so I’m hopeful in the future, semen can be imported from North America as Hamilton Zoo were planning to undertake a few years ago.
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Can bison not be imported?
 
The Sleepy Hippo said:
Will be good when the walking trail is built.
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The walking trail will really open Werribee up as a whole day destination. Currently it’s a three or four hour visit maximum, with several exhibits seen from the 40 minute safari bus tour.

It’s exciting to see Werribee developing from an open range zoo that’s been relatively unknown (outside of Victoria) for decades into an internationally recognised attraction.
 
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