Werribee Open Range Zoo Werribee Open Range Zoo News 2024

[Zoofan15]

I had no thoughts of elephants eating the trees. More concern of lots of small saplings being in a paddock with big elephants, seeing as they are not always the gentlest with vegetation in general, (whether being consumed or not)

Not a critique of the Melbourne herd as I don't believe I have ever seen them in an enclosure with any vegetation, so can't judge.

The Melbourne exhibits might not have trees, but some overhang one of the paddocks and Luk Chai was intent on browsing from them on my visit. They (and any elephants) would certainly make short work of any vegetation, hence the barren ground of the region’s elephants exhibits.

The "forest" hasn't been planted in an area where the elephants will be housed - but more in an area that's part of the precinct.

Bear in mind that I couldn't tell whether the trees were planted or just in pots in that area - it was too hard to tell.

Just on the paddock planting, I have one idea - which I may have heard someone mention (but can't recall): I watched a tv show on new innovative methods of farming whereby a farmer planted a full field of corn and various other crops and just left it for months - then after it had grown a lot they let the herd of cattle in to eat it all. It's a form of crop rotation too. With these five paddocks they could do something similar with this for the elephants. I seem to remember hearing something about something similar - but I think it would be an awesome idea for some annual enrichment.

That’s not a bad idea. I’ve heard a similar story with cows and turnips. Auckland Zoo have a hillside planted with vegetation and Burma is often taken up there to browse from the trees. Werribee will have a much larger herd (eight in the matriarchal herd) so your idea of crop planting (once it’s gone, it’s gone) would probably be a better alternative than allowing them free-range of a forest, which then requires recovery time.

 

[Zorro]

The "forest" hasn't been planted in an area where the elephants will be housed - but more in an area that's part of the precinct.

Bear in mind that I couldn't tell whether the trees were planted or just in pots in that area - it was too hard to tell.

Just on the paddock planting, I have one idea - which I may have heard someone mention (but can't recall): I watched a tv show on new innovative methods of farming whereby a farmer planted a full field of corn and various other crops and just left it for months - then after it had grown a lot they let the herd of cattle in to eat it all. It's a form of crop rotation too. With these five paddocks they could do something similar with this for the elephants. I seem to remember hearing something about something similar - but I think it would be an awesome idea for some annual enrichment.

An excellent idea hope they do this even give it a trial
I believe this elephant complex/exhibit will give the Werribee zoo a new lease of life, the zoo has stagnated for a few years now but this will lift it to another level not just with increased visitor levels but the zoos importance as a centre for elephant reproduction and care. I hope this will have a kick-on effect with other parts of the zoo to lift the whole zoo to another level.

 

[Zoofan15]

An excellent idea hope they do this even give it a trial
I believe this elephant complex/exhibit will give the Werribee zoo a new lease of life, the zoo has stagnated for a few years now but this will lift it to another level not just with increased visitor levels but the zoos importance as a centre for elephant reproduction and care. I hope this will have a kick-on effect with other parts of the zoo to lift the whole zoo to another level.

Werribee’s elephant complex will be world leading, setting a standard for captive facilities worldwide that will go unsurpassed for some time to come. The benefits of multigenerational matrilineal herds is well documented; but I’m equally interested to see novel approaches to husbandry such as self-managed fission/fusion relationships between the cows and adolescent bull as they mature and transition out of the herd.

Keepers have noted since the transition to protected contact, the elephants have become more independent and have begun making their own decisions. The Werribee complex will offer even greater scope for the herd to run their day as they choose, mirroring the natural social as best one could hope to achieve within a captive environment. It’s a far cry from over a century of housing of 2-3 elephants in city zoos across the region that has preceded this monumental move.

 

[Jambo]

I had no thoughts of elephants eating the trees. More concern of lots of small saplings being in a paddock with big elephants, seeing as they are not always the gentlest with vegetation in general, (whether being consumed or not)

Not a critique of the Melbourne herd as I don't believe I have ever seen them in an enclosure with any vegetation, so can't judge.

I'm assuming these will be areas that will be fenced off from the elephants - to prevent destruction of the vegetation. Perhaps they'll be used largely in between paddocks to form a natural looking fence-line.

Melbourne's enclosure used to have grass, but this was obviously gone in a matter of months after the elephants arrived.

I imagine with the additional amount of space, there will be less damage to the grass itself. Dubbo is a nice example of this. And with the rotation system planned, paddocks will also have periods to regrow as desired.

 

[Zoofan15]

I'm assuming these will be areas that will be fenced off from the elephants - to prevent destruction of the vegetation. Perhaps they'll be used largely in between paddocks to form a natural looking fence-line.

Melbourne's enclosure used to have grass, but this was obviously gone in a matter of months after the elephants arrived.

I imagine with the additional amount of space, there will be less damage to the grass itself. Dubbo is a nice example of this. And with the rotation system planned, paddocks will also have periods to regrow as desired.

That’s a good point. The schematic of Werribee’s complex implies the dividing fence lines will be softened by trees; though the trees shown dotted throughout the paddock are either there as a visual aid; or planned to be behind protective fences, functioning as shade (equally likely).

There’s been no information on the dividing fences; but a keeper access along the length of the fence line is certainly a possibility (and as such, would allow for trees to be planted alongside).

 

[Zorro]

Hopefully in the next couple of years Werribee open range zoo will have a smooth running elephant breeding program with all the options that are now available with this huge impressive new complex can give it.

Also hopefully they can also locate and import a new bull Hippo (and perhaps a new cow) to kick start some breeding which hopefully will be part of a trio of open range zoos having their very own breeding pods working in conjunction with the Western plains zoo and now Monarto zoo.

I would hope the Werribee can and do end up getting a couple of White rhinos from the African shipment to revitalise the group held currently.

Another thing which I believe would help with visitor attraction and add a better aspect to it African exhibit would be to introduce/import and a couple of new antelope species perhaps the same as the alleged new species that have been suggested that Monarto possibly are looking at adding.
Things seem to be looking much brighter for Werribee now than in a long time.

 

[Zoofan15]

Hopefully in the next couple of years Werribee open range zoo will have a smooth running elephant breeding program with all the options that are now available with this huge impressive new complex can give it.

Also hopefully they can also locate and import a new bull Hippo (and perhaps a new cow) to kick start some breeding which hopefully will be part of a trio of open range zoos having their very own breeding pods working in conjunction with the Western plains zoo and now Monarto zoo.

I would hope the Werribee can and do end up getting a couple of White rhinos from the African shipment to revitalise the group held currently.

Another thing which I believe would help with visitor attraction and add a better aspect to it African exhibit would be to introduce/import and a couple of new antelope species perhaps the same as the alleged new species that have been suggested that Monarto possibly are looking at adding.
Things seem to be looking much brighter for Werribee now than in a long time.

The aim of the Werribee elephant complex is to accomodate a growing herd with regular births. The capacity of the complex isn’t infinite, especially factoring in the inevitable production of bull calves; so my assumption is we’ll see cows bred at five year intervals initially. It’s sufficient to maintain their reproductive health, without pushing it to the extremes (nine or ten year birth intervals); or breeding at natural birth intervals, which would soon push the limits to capacity or result in a top heavy age demographic/ageing population in decades to come.

Once the Hippopotamus IRA is approved, there’s every indication Werribee will import a bull hippopotamus. They have three cows already, so I doubt they’ll import an additional cow. Breeding from the youngest daughter (2008) makes sense; while housing her mother (1990) and sister (2003) as a cohesive pair.

 

[Zoofan15]

Lowland nyala birth:

A Lowland nyala was born in April.

Reported on socials.

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

Lowland nyala birth:

A Lowland nyala was born in April.

Reported on socials.

By a baby Nyala did you perhaps mean four?!
Four nyala babies were born recently the zoo announced today. Three of them are males named Nunuberry, Obie, and Teshi and one is a female named Malva.
‘Tiny babies with huge ears!’: Four nyala babies born at Australian zoo | WNCT

 

[Zoofan15]

By a baby Nyala did you perhaps mean four?!
Four nyala babies were born recently the zoo announced today. Three of them are males named Nunuberry, Obie, and Teshi and one is a female named Malva.
‘Tiny babies with huge ears!’: Four nyala babies born at Australian zoo | WNCT

Yes it would have been one of those four.

Tbf to Zoos Victoria, it was mentioned incidentally as opposed to a birth announcement; though a number of ungulate births fly under the radar, sporadically mentioned in bulk due to the frequency.

Either way, it’s good to see their herd thriving. The zoo had 5.12 nyala as of June 2023.

 

[Tiger91]

Yes it would have been one of those four.

Tbf to Zoos Victoria, it was mentioned incidentally as opposed to a birth announcement; though a number of ungulate births fly under the radar, sporadically mentioned in bulk due to the frequency.

Either way, it’s good to see their herd thriving. The zoo had 5.12 nyala as of June 2023.

Im hoping Nyala will phase out the use of blackbuck in our open range zoos as a mixed exhibit antelope. It's good to see there numbers growing.

 

[Zoofan15]

Im hoping Nyala will phase out the use of blackbuck in our open range zoos as a mixed exhibit antelope. It's good to see there numbers growing.

We’re unable to import Indian antelope, so I wouldn’t like to lose our breeding strongholds at zoos like Werribee; though I agree it would be preferable to see Lowland nyala take their place in mixed species savannah exhibits.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

We’re unable to import Indian antelope, so I wouldn’t like to lose our breeding strongholds at zoos like Werribee; though I agree it would be preferable to see Lowland nyala take their place in mixed species savannah exhibits.

Well hopefully the blackbuck will be moved over to the Elephant complex!

 

[Zoofan15]

Well hopefully the blackbuck will be moved over to the Elephant complex!

I did hear that a population will be maintained on the savannah and a herd established within the elephant complex, but I prefer your thinking.

Indian antelope will be a great addition to the elephant complex, especially since it’ll be looking reasonably empty for the first decade or so. Five paddocks and only two groupings of elephants!

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I did hear that a population will be maintained on the savannah and a herd established within the elephant complex, but I prefer your thinking.

Indian antelope will be a great addition to the elephant complex, especially since it’ll be looking reasonably empty for the first decade or so. Five paddocks and only two groupings of elephants!

And surely if they are wanting to keep two distinct herds of blackbuck, then they can just keep them in different paddocks in the Elephant complex.

 

[Zoofan15]

And surely if they are wanting to keep two distinct herds of blackbuck, then they can just keep them in different paddocks in the Elephant complex.

Exactly. All they need is two herds - a breeding herd and a bachelor herd of surplus males.

Although I don’t think we’re in danger of losing them from the region (especially given the numbers Werribee etc. are breeding), it’s worth noting that New Zealand only has a population of 10 males now. Auckland and Wellington phased out decades ago, but Hamilton no longer breeds them and once their remaining males pass, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them house female nyala on the savannah (in addition to the bulls held in a seperate paddock).

 

[Tiger91]

Exactly. All they need is two herds - a breeding herd and a bachelor herd of surplus males.

Although I don’t think we’re in danger of losing them from the region (especially given the numbers Werribee etc. are breeding), it’s worth noting that New Zealand only has a population of 10 males now. Auckland and Wellington phased out decades ago, but Hamilton no longer breeds them and once their remaining males pass, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them house female nyala on the savannah (in addition to the bulls held in a seperate paddock).

They can't maintain there commitment to addax a critically endagered species, but they can have two herds of blackbuck ?. That's is the most nonsensical thinking a zoo has elicited in a while.
While I dont want to see them phased out, and I doubt that will happen when there are a decent amount held privately.
Nyala are a much better fit for the African Savannah and would be more appropriate. As to would addax.

 

[Zoofan15]

They can't maintain there commitment to addax a critically endagered species, but they can have two herds of blackbuck ?. That's is the most nonsensical thinking a zoo has elicited in a while.
While I dont want to see them phased out, and I doubt that will happen when there are a decent amount held privately.
Nyala are a much better fit for the African Savannah and would be more appropriate. As to would addax.

Werribee have a thriving nyala herd which at current numbers, will soon be in the 20’s.

The risk of hybridisation will always complicate which species can be held with which. There’s numerous documented examples of Addax and Scimitar-horned oryx hybrids for example. Both inhabit an arid habitat in the wild so would be a poor geographical fit for a generalised savannah. Werribee have an arid zone paddock (with camels etc) but for the reason above, exhibiting and breeding both those antelopes would be a challenge.

 

[Luke899]

That’s a good point. The schematic of Werribee’s complex implies the dividing fence lines will be softened by trees; though the trees shown dotted throughout the paddock are either there as a visual aid; or planned to be behind protective fences, functioning as shade (equally likely).

There’s been no information on the dividing fences; but a keeper access along the length of the fence line is certainly a possibility (and as such, would allow for trees to be planted alongside).

View attachment 698327

Is that entire highlighted section of the park in that image dedicated to elephants? I heard its 20 hectares.

That is amazing!! It will be beautiful, I will come visit

 

[Jambo]

Is that entire highlighted section of the park in that image dedicated to elephants? I heard its 20 hectares.

That is amazing!! It will be beautiful, I will come visit

Indeed it is. It will be one of the biggest captive elephant complex's worldwide (obviously outside of the elephant sanctuaries in the US and Asia).

At 20 hectares it will include five large paddocks, two barns sustainable for the large herd and also a large waterhole for them as well. Whilst the size will likely make the elephants more difficult to view, it'll be very very impressive to see them in the complex once it's complete!