I would really consider wether having the Bison are really worth it in the long run, they are not really part of a North American theme and are really a common species that can be found on many farms, this area could be utilised better for other species that could use the extra room.
Werribee Open Range Zoo Future of Werribee Open Range Zoo (Speculation/Fantasy)
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I agree. One constant complaint Werribee have received is the wait times for the Safari buses (especially on popular days).
The Meerkat exhibit will certainly help alleviate this; and would certainly help keep the kids in line there engaged.
What would make this meerkat exhibit the ultimate is an extensive network of underground tunnels for visitors, like Auckland Zoo used to have. Their tunnels, which traversed three exhibits, including the day room, was a phenomenal idea and highly popular with visitors. Imagine three time the size of their network! Kids would probably miss the bus.
Like it or not, they’ve been the focus of a recent redevelopment, which alone implies they’re here to stay. On a positive, they promote the thinking that an open range zoo can diversity from the African theming they seem otherwise committed to. Let’s keep that going, Asian plains next!
PaddyRickMFZ
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I actually quite like the bison, they don’t take up too much space and add much needed diversity. What would be optimal is if they pursued a North American precinct, which they loosely hinted at in the madterplan
Every Safari tour they are mentioned as the species that once was almost extinct down to however many individuals before being brought back to sustainable numbers by zoos ect ect.
They represent everything about conservation; and they carry an important message which I think is why Werribee will be adamant at continuing to display them long term. Additionally, they’re also a species that are surprisingly popular with the public too.
I do believe they have a long term future at Werribee.
How much redevelopment does a grass eating animal need to have part from a grass paddock.
How much redevelopment does a grass eating animal need to have part from a grass paddock.
Well, in all seriousness, the price of fencing alone is astronomical these days. I won’t deny there’s more popular species, but on the plus side they’re a low-cost species to upkeep (like you say, they eat grass), which makes them value for money in Zoos Victoria’s eyes. Cutbacks have already had to be made to more important projects like the elephant complex.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
An Asian precinct would be a dream. Water buffalo, elephants, Nilgai, Indian antelope and Indian rhino could occupy the majority of the precinct and their enclosures don’t exactly have to be masterpieces. It could also present an opportunity for a bear species more suited to an open range zoo, like a brown bear or sloth bear. I’ll remain hopeful despite adversity
The elephant complex can accomodate up to 40 elephants, but it’ll be a couple of decades before they have the groupings to fill all five paddocks (six if they divide). They could use these two decades to accomodate the species you list, while purpose built exhibits are built for the Indian rhinoceros etc. The housing requirements (barns) aren’t dissimilar. The antelope could remain in the elephant complex pending relationships between the two.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
If they don’t remain with the elephants, it’s not difficult to make an exhibit for antelope. And I think the striking appearance of nilgai would be very interesting for visitors
There’s even options with the Indian rhinoceros. Bulls are more tempestuous, but the cows/calves could likely cohabit with Indian antelope without issue; as well as nilgai. As the largest antelope species, they’d need structurally sound housing like the elephants and rhinos.
PaddyRickMFZ
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But like the rhinos and elephants, they don’t have immense requirements outside of structural support. Another left field option I’d like to float is the anoa or gaur. off topic question: do any facilities hold lesser kudu or mountain Nyala?
Not within Australasia. This is all we have:
Banteng (Bos javanicus)
Domestic Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
American Bison (Bison bison)
Barbary Sheep (Ammotragus lervia)
Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus)
Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra)
Eland (Taurotragus oryx)
Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus)
Nyala (Tragelaphus angasii)
Common Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus)
Addax (Addax nasomaculatus)
Scimitar-horned Oryx (Oryx dammah)
Along with nilgai, which may remain in private hands.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Is there any chance of WORZ continuing with addax? I doubt Himalayan Tahr are in the works b it I’d love to see them in Victoria. I anticipate the arrival of Barbary sheep sooner rather than later. Domestic water buffalo seem a decent choice as you stated, potentially offering an opening for banteng, which we know fit zoos Victoria criteria. We now expect to see kudu, sable and potentially impala return to the region, all fitting Werribee.
Another note: Werribee seems to be lagging behind Monarto, at this stage there’s not much WORZ does better than monarto
Werribee has long lagged behind Monarto and Dubbo. It’s single handily the elephant complex that will put it on the map and Monarto have countered this with a complex of their own (albeit 2/3 the size). Arguably, there’s no competing market though as there’s one open range zoo per state.
I don’t foresee addax having a future at Werribee, though I think that’s a shame as they’re critically endangered. Orana has gone the opposite way, phasing out oryx for addax.
Barbary sheep would be a great addition to Werribee, especially if they can combine them with baboons. African leopards would be the icing on the cake, but there’s zero chance when the region is focussed on Sri Lankan leopard.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I thought WORZ were finally ahead with elephants and hippos, and monarto just couldn’t let that be the case, securing their position as the superior facility. I believe it may hav been you that outline the points of difference between each facility, would you be able to do the same again?
Honestly, I’m fine without African leopard provided Melbourne pursue Sri lankans
Point of Difference
Tigers: Dubbo
Chimpanzee: Monarto
Gorilla: Werribee
Otters: Dubbo
Breeding Giraffe: Monarto, Dubbo
Breeding Cheetah: Monarto, Dubbo
Breeding AWD: Monarto
Bongo: Monarto, Dubbo
Gibbon: Dubbo
Serval: Werribee
Indian rhino: Dubbo
Black rhino: Monarto, Dubbo
Hyena: Monarto
Vervet Monkey: Werribee
Elephants: Dubbo
Porcupine: Monarto, Dubbo
Hippopotamus: Werribee, Dubbo
Platypus: Dubbo
PaddyRickMFZ
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Essentially we have one species off display, one on the way out, another potentially on the way out, and one that’s not really a point of difference anymore. Hopefully chimps are in the plans or something
With Monarto now blazing away taking things to a whole new level along with with now Western plains zoo due to start their own expansion its going to put some indirect pressure upon Werribee to upgrade their own park or end up looking like yesterdays dinner.
Yes the new elephant complex should be the biggest and the best in the region and put them in front but its going to take more than just this to lift them out of stagnation.
Yes the new elephant complex should be the biggest and the best in the region and put them in front but its going to take more than just this to lift them out of stagnation.
I think the natural progression for Werribee (long term, since we know their immediate plans) is to develop an Asian plains precinct. It could be differentiated from Monarto’s plans to do the same by the addition of Indian rhinoceros. With their role in the ARP and additional focus on black rhino, I doubt Monarto will be considering this species.
This could even include Sri Lankan leopard; which like the Indian rhino, Asian elephant, Indian antelope and nilgai, is from South Asia. Melbourne would continue with South East Asia.
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