Werribee Open Range Zoo Werribee Open Range Zoo News 2023

[Jambo]

Thanks for the updates!

4 Melbourne zebras held in addax paddock

Is this in the arid area?

Former Mongolian horse and bison exhibits under construction

Would make sense as this entire area is scheduled to be used apart of the new waterhole trail.

Only 4 camels (not sure how many there were)

Werribee had five as of a few weeks ago. It's possible there may have been a death as one of the camels (Safron) is elderly, but again, it's possible one just may have been BTS for some reason or another (it's not unusual for the savannah animals).

5 rhinos on Savannah (was 3 not long ago)

Would agree with @Zoofan15 in that this group would've been Kifaru and the girls. I hope Umgana's still around and doing well.

Mongolian horses and bison are now near the upper Savannah , and construction is observable behind their exhibit.

That would be the new rhino retreat! Glad to hear it's under construction now; I would've thought it would've followed the elephant complex but perhaps the new rhino imports will be encouraging the fast tracking of this complex.

There will be dedicated breeding for endangered species around the waterhole. Meerkats may also get an expansion in this area,

The said dedicated breeding area apart of the waterhole trail will be for Cheetah, African Wild Dog and Spotted Hyena. Hopefully additional species as well.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Thanks for the updates!

Is this in the arid area?

Would make sense as this entire area is scheduled to be used apart of the new waterhole trail.

Werribee had five as of a few weeks ago. It's possible there may have been a death as one of the camels (Safron) is elderly, but again, it's possible one just may have been BTS for some reason or another (it's not unusual for the savannah animals).

Would agree with @Zoofan15 in that this group would've been Kifaru and the girls. I hope Umgana's still around and doing well.

That would be the new rhino retreat! Glad to hear it's under construction now; I would've thought it would've followed the elephant complex but perhaps the new rhino imports will be encouraging the fast tracking of this complex.

The said dedicated breeding area apart of the waterhole trail will be for Cheetah, African Wild Dog and Spotted Hyena. Hopefully additional species as well.

To the right of the arid area from the entrance to the arid zone, next to the former bison and Mongolian horse exhibits. How certain are we of hyena breeding? It’s also odd that the keeper specifically mentioned that there were 4. Also, you guys are correct in that those were the individuals on the Savannah, couldn’t remember the names off the top of my head

 

[Zoofan15]

To the right of the arid area from the entrance to the arid zone, next to the former bison and Mongolian horse exhibits. How certain are we of hyena breeding? It’s also odd that the keeper specifically mentioned that there were 4. Also, you guys are correct in that those were the individuals on the Savannah, couldn’t remember the names off the top of my head

This article implies hyena will not be breeding:

Grand plans for Werribee Open Range Zoo | Wyndham

A Watering Hole focused specifically on breeding for two endangered species (cheetahs and African wild dogs).

This is further supported by the fact we have four holders already with potential breeding pairs - Sydney, Mogo, Altina and Monarto. The latter have three females who may currently be expecting. I made a post about this yesterday (see hyena thread), where I predicted Werribee would receive a retired breeding pack (Forest will be retired, following a final litter):

0.1 Forest (24/10/2007) Mwenka x Kigali
1.0 Gamba (02/03/2003) Imported 2007 (Singapore)
1.0 Jabali (26/08/2022) Gamba x Forest

Plus offspring born 2023…(Forest may be expecting)

 

[Jambo]

To the right of the arid area from the entrance to the arid zone, next to the former bison and Mongolian horse exhibits. How certain are we of hyena breeding? It’s also odd that the keeper specifically mentioned that there were 4. Also, you guys are correct in that those were the individuals on the Savannah, couldn’t remember the names off the top of my head

That was also the recent Mongolian Horse exhibit (prior to their move to the upper savannah). The addax have been off display for a while now, hopefully their boys are still around and well.

Re. the Hyenas, they are to be apart of a 'breeding' complex, so I'd imagine they would be breeding, but again can't be certain. It would be great to see Hyena cubs at Werribee though.

One thing Werribee has lacked in the last decade is births. Besides the Lions, they haven't welcomed any other births to the major animals - the only I can think of would be the Zebra, that's it. I therefore can't wait for this proposed purpose built endangered breeding facility.

 

[Jambo]

This article implies hyena will not be breeding:

Grand plans for Werribee Open Range Zoo | Wyndham

A Watering Hole focused specifically on breeding for two endangered species (cheetahs and African wild dogs).

This is further supported by the fact we have four holders already with breeding pairs - Sydney, Mogo, Altina and Monarto. The latter have three females, who may currently be expecting. I made a about this yesterday (see hyena thread), where I predicted Monarto would receive a retired breeding pack:

Hyenas were a later add on to the plans of being apart of the precinct. I think I have an old zoo newsletter somewhere that might sine further light on them being included into plans as I can remember the addition of them - I'll have to dig around later.

In saying that, judging the regions demographics, it does seem it would be more beneficial to the region if Werribee held a non breeding group.

 

[Zoofan15]

Hyenas were a later add on to the plans of being apart of the precinct. I think I have an old zoo newsletter somewhere that might sine further light on them being included into plans as I can remember the addition of them - I'll have to dig around later.

In saying that, judging the regions demographics, it does seem it would be more beneficial to the region if Werribee held a non breeding group.

Cool, any updated information is appreciated. I agree though that I can’t see Werribee breeding considering the demographics of the region. To put it another way, Perth is the only current holder without a potential breeding pair! They’re a species which appears to be very dynamic in their relationships (frequent fall outs), so the region will be conscious of not breeding more than they can house. Hamilton and Werribee could join Perth as non breeding holders; with the other four maintaining small family packs.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Also thought I’d add:
Was great to see the cubs on exhibit today, accompanied by two lionesses. They didn’t seem to wary of humans which is good. Saw a male visible in the second enclosure which the kids loved

 

[Jambo]

Also thought I’d add:
Was great to see the cubs on exhibit today, accompanied by two lionesses. They didn’t seem to wary of humans which is good. Saw a male visible in the second enclosure which the kids loved

Good to hear the cubs are doing well; they would have been with mum, Nilo and older sister, Asali.

Was the male in the back exhibit? It's interesting to hear that Sheru was back there but he is a very very shy male so would probably feel more comfortable in that enclosure.

I wonder what this would mean long term; as obviously they'd like to have the family group in the front exhibit. Potentially pairing him with Nilo as a non breeding pair in that enclosure might work and then acquiring Monarto's young males to be paired with Asali and Kianga?

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Good to hear the cubs are doing well; they would have been with mum, Nilo and older sister, Asali.

Was the male in the back exhibit? It's interesting to hear that Sheru was back there but he is a very very shy male so would probably feel more comfortable in that enclosure.

I wonder what this would mean long term; as obviously they'd like to have the family group in the front exhibit. Potentially pairing him with Nilo as a non breeding pair in that enclosure might work and then acquiring Monarto's young males to be paired with Asali and Kianga?

Have monartos young males been shipped off yet?

 

[Zoofan15]

Good to hear the cubs are doing well; they would have been with mum, Nilo and older sister, Asali.

Was the male in the back exhibit? It's interesting to hear that Sheru was back there but he is a very very shy male so would probably feel more comfortable in that enclosure.

I wonder what this would mean long term; as obviously they'd like to have the family group in the front exhibit. Potentially pairing him with Nilo as a non breeding pair in that enclosure might work and then acquiring Monarto's young males to be paired with Asali and Kianga?

The plan was of recent to breed from Sheru and Asali, so I’d assume that will happen shortly. They’ll want to allow an overlap of Nilo returning to the pride and Asali being removed to give birth, so there’s not a direct overlap (too much time apart).

Asali and Kianga are close relatives of the Monarto pride via Nilo (mother of Monarto’s breeding males), so this would need to be a non breeding pride. If Sheru and Nilo are to be retired, they may not want two non breeding prides.

 

[Zoofan15]

Have monartos young males been shipped off yet?

No, they’re still there as of this week (update by @Swanson02), but reported to be moving to a Victorian zoo. I went in to more detail in my lion thread, but I proposed them heading up a non breeding pride at Werribee in the second exhibit - joined by lionesses from either Dubbo or Monarto (their sisters).

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

That was also the recent Mongolian Horse exhibit (prior to their move to the upper savannah). The addax have been off display for a while now, hopefully their boys are still around and well.

Re. the Hyenas, they are to be apart of a 'breeding' complex, so I'd imagine they would be breeding, but again can't be certain. It would be great to see Hyena cubs at Werribee though.

One thing Werribee has lacked in the last decade is births. Besides the Lions, they haven't welcomed any other births to the major animals - the only I can think of would be the Zebra, that's it. I therefore can't wait for this proposed purpose built endangered breeding facility.

Other than the Rhino calf

 

[Swanson02]

No, they’re still there as of this week (update by @Swanson02), but reported to be moving to a Victorian zoo. I went in to more detail in my lion thread, but I proposed them heading up a non breeding pride at Werribee in the second exhibit - joined by lionesses from either Dubbo or Monarto (their sisters).

The keeper mentioned Victoria stating "They could possibly go to Victoria", in no way a guarantee
he could've been using it as an example rather than an actual destination. I'm sure other facilities region-wide would also need a young pair of male lions

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

The keeper mentioned Victoria stating "They could possibly go to Victoria", in no way a guarantee
he could've been using it as an example rather than an actual destination. I'm sure other facilities region-wide would also need a young pair of male lions

Even within Victoria, they could go to Halls Gap Zoo instead of Werribee.

 

[Zoofan15]

The keeper mentioned Victoria stating "They could possibly go to Victoria", in no way a guarantee
he could've been using it as an example rather than an actual destination. I'm sure other facilities region-wide would also need a young pair of male lions

Even within Victoria, they could go to Halls Gap Zoo instead of Werribee.

There’s countless options, especially if we consider it was intended as an example. There several zoos with elderly pairs of lions that could receive them in their place (Canberra, Mansfield and Adelaide); though as I previously mentioned, Adelaide will happily cease holding lions to upgrade their facilities. The alternative is they could replace more genetically valuable males e.g. Ariel and Judah (unrepresented founders) at Shoalhaven, who would then enter the regional breeding programme.

Second breeding pride at Werribee:

However, there is one option to consider and that’s Melbourne’s males. We were all quick to discount them, but thinking about it more, they’re the sons of Nairibi (a founder). While her half sister has a multitude of descendants and has even bred again herself; none of Nairibi’s offspring have bred and her daughters likely never will. Without knowing how successful she’s been/will be at breeding again at the National Zoo, they may want to place her sons in a breeding pride. In any case, they’re more genetically valuable than Chad and Ruka, who would replace them.

Perhaps Ndidi and Zuberi will be coming to Werribee!

1.0 Zuberi (12/12/2016) Johari x Nairibi
1.0 Ndidi (12/12/2016) Johari x Nairibi

The strongest candidates for joining them would be the daughters of Milo and Misty at Billabong (born 2019).

 

[Zorro]

Hopefully the new elephant exhibit/complex will kick off a rejuvenation of the rest of the Werribee zoo which appears to have gone into some stagnation for years. If the Safari savannah exhibit is enlarged with more species added could start to attraction more visitation.

 

[Zoofan15]

Hopefully the new elephant exhibit/complex will kick off a rejuvenation of the rest of the Werribee zoo which appears to have gone into some stagnation for years. If the Safari savannah exhibit is enlarged with more species added could start to attraction more visitation.

This is a list of current projects at Werribee:

Grand plans for Werribee Open Range Zoo | Wyndham

The waterhole precinct is the one I’m most excited for (after elephants). Spotted hyena have since been added to the plans and it will enable the breeding of both cheetah and African wild dog. An exciting development, considering Werribee hasn’t bred either of these species before. Open range zoos are ideal for breeding cheetah, as long as they’re housed away from lions and other big cats.

 

[Jambo]

Hopefully the new elephant exhibit/complex will kick off a rejuvenation of the rest of the Werribee zoo which appears to have gone into some stagnation for years. If the Safari savannah exhibit is enlarged with more species added could start to attraction more visitation.

Savannah can't be expanded unfortunately. In saying that, I do hope that there will be a smaller scale savannah sort of exhibit apart of the waterhole trail.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Savannah can't be expanded unfortunately. In saying that, I do hope that there will be a smaller scale savannah sort of exhibit apart of the waterhole trail.

It could be expanded species wise though, yes? Sable and Kudu already in the works and would fit right in at WORZ.
It’s just the mixture of northern hemisphere animals that alway gets me. What else could there be? I feel like at this stage it’s probably not gonna happen. Also, where are these exhibits being expanded to because at this stage I believe they’re smaller than they’re current exhibits

 

[Zoofan15]

It could be expanded species wise though, yes? Sable and Kudu already in the works and would fit right in at WORZ.
It’s just the mixture of northern hemisphere animals that alway gets me. What else could there be? I feel like at this stage it’s probably not gonna happen. Also, where are these exhibits being expanded to because at this stage I believe they’re smaller than they’re current exhibits

Yes, additional species could certainly be integrated into the savannah exhibits. Most bull antelopes are territorial (sitatunga is an exception), so there’s that to factor in; as well as eliminating the possibility of antelopes hybridising e.g. kudu and nyala. However, both these issues can be addressed via seperate housing of the bulls.

I’d personally like to see Indian antelope mixed with the Asian elephants, in addition to the anticipated/speculated nilgai. These two antelope cohabit in the wild and there’s sufficient space across the 21ha complex to manage both species in addition to the elephants. It’ll take a while to fill all five paddocks with elephants, so it’ll bring life to the complex in the meantime.