Werribee Open Range Zoo Werribee Open Range Zoo News 2024

The Sleepy Hippo said:
Werribee Open Range Zoo welcomes a new male Southern White Rhino to the world. He's to be named by a public competition.

Melbourne zoo welcomes rare southern white rhino calf to the world
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That’s fantastic news!

All going well, this will be Werribee’s first surviving calf in 11 years; and a welcome addition after the loss of Kifaru and Kipenzi’s first calf in March 2023.

Kifaru’s parents, Kruger and Moesha, live at Hamilton Zoo; his sister, Jamila, lives at Auckland Zoo and has two daughters of her own.
 
The Sleepy Hippo said:
Werribee Open Range Zoo welcomes a new male Southern White Rhino to the world. He's to be named by a public competition.

Melbourne zoo welcomes rare southern white rhino calf to the world
Click to expand...
Amazing news! Fingers crossed this little one thrives - it would also be Werribee's first surviving male calf in almost two decades.

It's also nice to see Kipenzi ended up conceiving almost immediately after the passing of her previous calf. Being Werribee's only current breeding female, the future of their herd really relies on her, until other cows can be imported.
 
Tiger91 said:
Good news to see and new rhino!. The program is certainly stagnating.
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Yes, unfortunately there’s not a huge number of viable cows in the region. Regular breeding is necessary to maintain reproductive viability and many cows have either never bred; or have gone a significant amount of time since their last birth, indicating they may now be non-viable breeders.

The San Diego and Whipsnade herds housed multiple cows, who seemingly were unaffected by estrus suppression. It’ll be interesting to see if similar herd sizes are held at the open range zoos (following imports from the Australian Rhino Project) if they’re equally successful.

The outcome may be that the city zoos (where estrus suppression has been particularly prevalent) end up housing the majority of the non-viable cows.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Yes, unfortunately there’s not a huge number of viable cows in the region. Regular breeding is necessary to maintain reproductive viability and many cows have either never bred; or have gone a significant amount of time since their last birth, indicating they may now be non-viable breeders.

The San Diego and Whipsnade herds housed multiple cows, who seemingly were unaffected by estrus suppression. It’ll be interesting to see if similar herd sizes are held at the open range zoos (following imports from the Australian Rhino Project) if they’re equally successful.

The outcome may be that the city zoos (where estrus suppression has been particularly prevalent) end up housing the majority of the non-viable cows.
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I would be good to see them start moving cows around. See if we can break the oestrus suppression we see in rhino. It would also be interesting to see if pharmacologically we can break it. They were doing a lot of AI type experimenting with white rhino. Especially at Dubbo before the mass deaths of the cows. It would be interesting to see if we can begin to bring them out of it that way, we use it for stock animals a lot. It might be useful for this species.
 
Tiger91 said:
I would be good to see them start moving cows around. See if we can break the oestrus suppression we see in rhino. It would also be interesting to see if pharmacologically we can break it. They were doing a lot of AI type experimenting with white rhino. Especially at Dubbo before the mass deaths of the cows. It would be interesting to see if we can begin to bring them out of it that way, we use it for stock animals a lot. It might be useful for this species.
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There’s a really interesting study regarding estrus induction in white rhinoceros, which has been used successfully to aid conception:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/scien...ation,the captive white rhinoceros population.

Interestingly, the study notes that historically only 26% of wild females have successfully bred; and 18% of captive bred females.

Regionally, we’ve had a number of captive bred females successfully breed including Kito (2000), Tamu (2002), Jamila (2012) and Kipenzi (2013). All these cows have produced at least two offspring to date and one of them has bred with two different bulls.

It was encouraging to see Zambezi and Jamila successfully mate at Auckland Zoo, dispelling any myths cows of this species can’t breed in 1.1 pairs. Though it’s been a pleasure to see the family herd of four on my visits (parents plus juvenile daughters), it’s undoubtedly in the best interests of the daughters reproductive health to transfer out of their natal herd by adolescence.
 
Zoofan15 said:
There’s a really interesting study regarding estrus induction in white rhinoceros, which has been used successfully to aid conception:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0093691X12003056#:~:text=In conclusion, CMA in combination,the captive white rhinoceros population.

Interestingly, the study notes that historically only 26% of wild females have successfully bred; and 18% of captive bred females.

Regionally, we’ve had a number of captive bred females successfully breed including Kito (2000), Tamu (2002), Jamila (2012) and Kipenzi (2013). All these cows have produced at least two offspring to date and one of them has bred with two different bulls.

It was encouraging to see Zambezi and Jamila successfully mate at Auckland Zoo, dispelling any myths cows of this species can’t breed in 1.1 pairs. Though it’s been a pleasure to see the family herd of four on my visits (parents plus juvenile daughters), it’s undoubtedly in the best interests of the daughters reproductive health to transfer out of their natal herd by adolescence.
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It's interesting that they can actually do it. I wonder if we utilise it here in Aus enough to have sustained breeding. In the wild young female rhinos leave there mother around 12 to 18 months old then find a different female and become a satellite calf. This would be a reason you dont see oestrus suppression in game reserves. Hopefully our open range zoos can move to this sort of set up and see if it can work in a captive setting and see if things change.
 
Tiger91 said:
It's interesting that they can actually do it. I wonder if we utilise it here in Aus enough to have sustained breeding. In the wild young female rhinos leave there mother around 12 to 18 months old then find a different female and become a satellite calf. This would be a reason you dont see oestrus suppression in game reserves. Hopefully our open range zoos can move to this sort of set up and see if it can work in a captive setting and see if things change.
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To my knowledge estrus induction hasn’t been used in Southern white rhinoceros within the region, though I could be mistaken. Reproductive technologies have certainly been used for the black rhinoceros at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Two of Hamilton’s cows (Moesha and Kito) reportedly ceased cycling prior to the arrival of Kruger from Auckland (2007); while another cow produced four calves with the resident bull during 2002-2007.

Following the birth of a surviving/mother-raised calf, a common birth interval within the region has been 23-25 months. Considering zoos represent ideal conditions (food of adequate nutrition etc). the birth interval in the wild is typically longer (with females maturing later). Calves (male and female) are driven off by their mother immediately prior to the birth of the next calf.

If a subsequent calf doesn’t follow, the calf usually remains with its mother for an extended prior. This has been observed in captivity as well as the wild.
 
Southern white rhinoceros naming competition:

Voting is now open on the rhino calf’s name:

Rhino calf naming competition

Jabulani (jah-boo-lah-nee) - Zulu meaning ‘rejoice/be happy/bringing joy’

Lwazi (l-wa-zee) - Zulu meaning ‘knowledge/wisdom’

Kwesi (kweh-see) - African meaning ‘born on a Sunday/morning star’

My vote would be for Kwesi considering Jabulani is the name of the previous Southern white rhinoceros calf born in the region (at Dubbo); and Lwazi (African lion) is a relatively notable individual within the region.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Southern white rhinoceros naming competition:

Voting is now open on the rhino calf’s name:

Rhino calf naming competition

Jabulani (jah-boo-lah-nee) - Zulu meaning ‘rejoice/be happy/bringing joy’

Lwazi (l-wa-zee) - Zulu meaning ‘knowledge/wisdom’

Kwesi (kweh-see) - African meaning ‘born on a Sunday/morning star’

My vote would be for Kwesi considering Jabulani is the name of the previous Southern white rhinoceros calf born in the region (at Dubbo); and Lwazi (African lion) is a relatively notable individual within the region.
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The name Kwesi also aligns nicely with 'Kipenzi' - so that too would be my vote.

Not sure why Lwazi is an option when Werribee themselves named a Lion cub Lwazi not too long ago. I'm also surprised 'Jabulani' is also an option too; Dubbo used that name for their calf who was only born just last year.:rolleyes:
 
Jambo said:
The name Kwesi also aligns nicely with 'Kipenzi' - so that too would be my vote.

Not sure why Lwazi is an option when Werribee themselves named a Lion cub Lwazi not too long ago. I'm also surprised 'Jabulani' is also an option too; Dubbo used that name for their calf who was only born just last year.:rolleyes:
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Considering there’s countless African place names, trees and geographical features (mountains, rivers etc); in addition to the more commonly used names like you’d find on online baby naming sites, it never ceases to amaze me how many double ups we have of names:

Within the regional African lion population:

Two zoos have a lion called Jabari
Two zoos have a lion called Bahati
Two zoos have a lion called Bakari
Two zoos have a lion called Jelani
Two zoos have a lioness called Malika
Two zoos have a lioness called Zuri

Jabari and Zuri are probably the most overused African names in the region across all species. We also have three Hamadryas baboons called Jabari.
 
Tiger91 said:
They have entire languages and dialects to use, and we seem to be getting the same name options. Do they just do a quick google search ?
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The vast majority of names seem to be like the ones you find on baby name list sites. I love it when zoos use more unique names, with inspired meanings.

Among the most commonly used:

Swahili:

Jabari - Brave
Hasani- Handsome
Rafiki - Friend
Bakari - Noble
Bahati - Lucky
Kianga - Light
Zuri - Beautiful
Zalika - Royalty
Malika - Queen

Indonesian:

Berani - Brave
Budi - Reason
Jaya - Victorious
Melati - Jasmine
Dewi - Goddess
Rahni - Queen
Cinta - Love
 
Zoofan15 said:
The vast majority of names seem to be like the ones you find on baby name list sites. I love it when zoos use more unique names, with inspired meanings.
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As do I, there are so many wonderful names from these languages. Zoos report that they are honouring the regions the animals come from, yet is it really honouring the region when the same names continually come up. The most disappointing thing, we live in a country where people are easily found that speak these languages or know the name of things one these regions. There is no reason for the continual use of a small set of names except laziness.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Southern white rhinoceros naming competition:

Voting is now open on the rhino calf’s name:

Rhino calf naming competition

Jabulani (jah-boo-lah-nee) - Zulu meaning ‘rejoice/be happy/bringing joy’

Lwazi (l-wa-zee) - Zulu meaning ‘knowledge/wisdom’

Kwesi (kweh-see) - African meaning ‘born on a Sunday/morning star’

My vote would be for Kwesi considering Jabulani is the name of the previous Southern white rhinoceros calf born in the region (at Dubbo); and Lwazi (African lion) is a relatively notable individual within the region.
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Southern white rhinoceros calf named:

The Southern white rhinoceros calf has been named Jabulani:

1.0 Jabulani (18/08/2024) Kifaru x Kipenzi

Reported on socials.
 
ReturnOfPaddyRick said:
Does anyone know what’s happening with the arid section of the safari tour? With the elephants going on exhibit sometime early next year, the arid section was slated to be reformed at a similar time right? Honestly haven’t visited in a awhile so would be interesting to see what it’s currently looking like
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I believe you’re referring to the Waterhole precinct.

upload_2024-10-1_22-38-9.jpeg
Source: Zoos Victoria

It was originally scheduled to be completed ahead of the elephant complex in September 2022; with the first phase of the elephant complex opening December 2023. As we know, the elephant complex (which will now be opening all in one go) has fallen behind schedule and construction costs have increased significantly in the meantime.

I was told when I asked on my visit that the Waterhole, the lions, the hyena (basically everything that’s not elephants) has been shelved to give 100% focus to getting the elephant complex open by January 2025. That’s not to say the other projects won’t happen (even the gondola isn’t necessarily out the question), but they’re not a priority at this point in time.
 

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Some updates from the 2023-2024 inventory report for Werribee that provides transfers, deaths and births from that reporting period. There were no species losses or gains.

Link: https://cdn-site.zoo.org.au/media/55ylpgyv/zv-inventory-2023-24-1.pdf

Updates below:
  • Eight male Plains-Wanderer chicks hatched at Werribee off-show.
  • Ten (4.6) new ostrich were acquired in total.
  • the Vervet Monkey troop have shrunken to just five (2.3) left in Australasia with four male deaths.
  • three African Wild Dogs remain with a single male death.
  • 0.3 Plains Zebra have been born during the reporting period.
  • 3.1 Nyala calves and 3.3 Scimitar-horned Oryx calves (not all survived) have been born.
 
ReturnOfPaddyRick said:
Does anyone know what’s happening with the arid section of the safari tour? With the elephants going on exhibit sometime early next year, the arid section was slated to be reformed at a similar time right? Honestly haven’t visited in a awhile so would be interesting to see what it’s currently looking like
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Arid drivethrough Section is still present; it's just the right hand side (where the Bison and Przewalski's Wild Horse used to be) that is no longer there. The former Addax enclosure (where the Zebra males from Melbourne currently are) has been done up a bit, and there is a new wooden house in the center of the exhibit, which I presume is their night quarters.

Just before this enclosure, a fair bit of construction has taken place. Looked mainly just like a walking trail, heading towards the elephant complex which is further right. A lot of horticulture work was also being undertaking but it unfortunately didn't look like there were any animal exhibits (at least from what I could see)
 
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