Werribee Open Range Zoo Werribee Open Range Zoo News 2025

Zoofan15 said:
It’s good to hear that all the cows are living together cohesively:

“Jabulani is a curious young rhino, but it certainly helps when there are eight tonnes of ‘rhino bodyguards’ between him and Kifaru – Jabulani’s mother Kipenzi, grandma Sisi, great grandma Make and herd member Letaba,”

Albeit ahead of Sisi and Letaba transferring to Perth in the future.
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All of the rhinos have been living together cohesively for a few years now.

They initially tried to have the rhinos in groups of three; Umgana, Sisi and Letaba and then, Kifaru, Make and Kipenzi. Perhaps in hope of better breeding success however all rhinos with the exception of Umgana (who now lives off display) have since been re-integrated together.

It's a shame that Sisi and Letaba will be leaving in the future as seeing Werribee's large cohesive herd is always a highlight, although hopefully it gives the zoo more space to continue breeding and hopefully acquire another cow or two.
 
Jambo said:
All of the rhinos have been living together cohesively for a few years now.

They initially tried to have the rhinos in groups of three; Umgana, Sisi and Letaba and then, Kifaru, Make and Kipenzi. Perhaps in hope of better breeding success however all rhinos with the exception of Umgana (who now lives off display) have since been re-integrated together.

It's a shame that Sisi and Letaba will be leaving in the future as seeing Werribee's large cohesive herd is always a highlight, although hopefully it gives the zoo more space to continue breeding and hopefully acquire another cow or two.
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The reintegration of Werribee’s females would have been seen as beneficial to management of the herd in that they can all have access to the main Savannah exhibit and the visitors can reliably see the calf on each visit (as opposed to rotating or the older cows being held permanently off display).

I’ve heard in the past that female Southern white rhinoceros breed poorly in 1.1 pairs, but Jamila at Auckland Zoo has certainly dispelled that theory - producing three calves in four years.
 
Zoofan15 said:
The reintegration of Werribee’s females would have been seen as beneficial to management of the herd in that they can all have access to the main Savannah exhibit and the visitors can reliably see the calf on each visit (as opposed to rotating or the older cows being held permanently off display).

I’ve heard in the past that female Southern white rhinoceros breed poorly in 1.1 pairs, but Jamila at Auckland Zoo has certainly dispelled that theory - producing three calves in four years.
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Werribee would've had the space to accommodate the females essentially off display on the Upper Savannah where Umgana currently is. This complex is completely separate to the Lower Savannah complex where the BTS areas are essentially two large paddocks with sleeping shelters adjacent.

I have wondered whether they were moved back into the main group to maximise breeding success as Kipenzi conceived her first calf around the time her mum and aunty were re-introduced. With Make effectively being post reproductive, Werribee essentially had a 1.1 breeding pair beforehand.
 
Jambo said:
Werribee would've had the space to accommodate the females essentially off display on the Upper Savannah where Umgana currently is. This complex is completely separate to the Lower Savannah complex where the BTS areas are essentially two large paddocks with sleeping shelters adjacent.

I have wondered whether they were moved back into the main group to maximise breeding success as Kipenzi conceived her first calf around the time her mum and aunty were re-introduced. With Make effectively being post reproductive, Werribee essentially had a 1.1 breeding pair beforehand.
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Reintroducing Kifaru to his offspring this month was a cautious approach given the calf is seven months old. For example, Zambezi at Auckland Zoo met his latest offspring at one month of age. Kipenzi is essentially a first time mother given she lost her first calf and the Auckland calf is her mother’s third in four years, so that could be a contributing reason.

Kipenzi should now be cycling again, so if a breeding recommendation has been issued, Werribee could welcome another calf in the second half of next year.
 
Astrobird said:
Has it been announced when the elephants will be on display yet?
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It was originally anticipated the elephants would go on display around a month after their arrival - so could be soon (the last elephants arrived 10/02/2025).

It all depends how long they take to settle in. Staff will be observing them for signs of unease versus confidence and curiosity in their new environment.
 
Astrobird said:
Has it been announced when the elephants will be on display yet?
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It hasn't been announced yet, but I'd recommend keeping an eye on socials.

The elephants have now been on site for more than a month so I'd imagine it's more so the guest side of things aren't quite ready yet.

I'd also assume members will get a day where they'd get to experience the trail first (like Zoos Victoria have done previously with another new complexes).

If not in the coming weeks, perhaps they plan to have them on display come next school holidays (three weeks time).
 
Mlawlor said:
It has been announced that the Elephant Trail will be opening tomorrow. Members will be allowed to enter at 8.30, with the general population allowed at normal opening times.
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Fantastic news!

It’s great to hear the elephants have settled in to the point the complex can now be opened to the public. It was a thrill to see this multigenerational herd up close in Melbourne’s complex; but to see them roaming vast paddocks in Werribee 21ha precinct will be indescribable.

I wish Werribee’s team all the best during this exciting time.

Article about the opening here:

Huge News: Werribee Elephant Trail Open For Visitors
 
Mlawlor said:
It has been announced that the Elephant Trail will be opening tomorrow. Members will be allowed to enter at 8.30, with the general population allowed at normal opening times.
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Members get a good hour and a half in before everyone else!

It's a shame I've got other plans already as it sounds like the perfect time to see the herd and the whole new complex. Hopefully someone else can pop in and get some photos!
 
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Kodak said:

Good video from 7 news of the new elephant enclosure for anyone can't make it tomorrow
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The complex is already open, but thanks for sharing.

It’s a phenomenal facility and I like how the pools will ensure visitors can still see the elephants up close (something I loved about Melbourne’s complex). This could otherwise have become one of the downsides of a 21ha complex that the elephants would be off in the distance somewhere; but the ingenious of the design and strategically placed viewing stations will ensure plenty of opportunity to observe them in their new habitat.
 
ElephasMaximus said:
This new exhibit seems like it's one of the best in the world. Are there any better than this for Asian elephants, or elephants in general? If not, it might set a new standard.
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Jambo said:
Certainly not to this scale. I imagine it will indeed set a new standard for elephant care and display worldwide, but not every zoo can allocate 50 acres to elephants!
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Page 5 of this planning document for the Werribee complex includes a visual size comparison to nine world class facilities (as noted, of a range of sizes):

https://zoolex.org/media/uploads/2020/07/15/2018_werribee_elephant_report_summary.pdf

This study profiles research findings from nine ground-breaking international zoo elephant facilities ranging from smaller, urban and intensively managed facilities such as those in Copenhagen and Dublin to expansive and more passively managed exhibits at Boras Djurpark in Sweden and the very green open range facility at North Carolina Zoo. It includes facilities displaying elephants with other species (Dallas Zoo, Boras Djurpark) and exhibits where elephants, rhinos and other species rotate (time share) in ever- moving circuits (Denver Zoo).
 
Zoofan15 said:
Page 5 of this planning document for the Werribee complex includes a visual size comparison to nine world class facilities (as noted, of a range of sizes):

https://zoolex.org/media/uploads/2020/07/15/2018_werribee_elephant_report_summary.pdf

This study profiles research findings from nine ground-breaking international zoo elephant facilities ranging from smaller, urban and intensively managed facilities such as those in Copenhagen and Dublin to expansive and more passively managed exhibits at Boras Djurpark in Sweden and the very green open range facility at North Carolina Zoo. It includes facilities displaying elephants with other species (Dallas Zoo, Boras Djurpark) and exhibits where elephants, rhinos and other species rotate (time share) in ever- moving circuits (Denver Zoo).
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None of those facilities compare to Werribee size wise though! Maybe besides North Carolina (which has 40 acres for their African elephant herd) - but their 'elephant habitat' is also shared with a variety of other elephant hoofstock.

It seems to me Werribee's barn is heavily inspired by Boras Djurpark's which is something that's quite interesting. It would be nice if they could have indoor viewing at Werribee like they do atBoras Djurpark's.
 
Jambo said:
None of those facilities compare to Werribee size wise though! Maybe besides North Carolina (which has 40 acres for their African elephant herd) - but their 'elephant habitat' is also shared with a variety of other elephant hoofstock.

It seems to me Werribee's barn is heavily inspired by Boras Djurpark's which is something that's quite interesting. It would be nice if they could have indoor viewing at Werribee like they do atBoras Djurpark's.
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That was one of the objectives of the Werribee complex - to design a complex that would meet the needs to their elephants for the next century.

The standards of elephants exhibits are constantly evolving. Taronga and Melbourne previously opened what were then considered state of the art exhibits - which two decades later are no longer equipped to meet the needs of their inhabitants.

It was essential Werribee didn’t just match the world’s best elephant complexes, but rather exceeded them beyond all expectation - thus future proofing their complex for up to a century of use.
 
Jambo said:
None of those facilities compare to Werribee size wise though! Maybe besides North Carolina (which has 40 acres for their African elephant herd) - but their 'elephant habitat' is also shared with a variety of other elephant hoofstock.

It seems to me Werribee's barn is heavily inspired by Boras Djurpark's which is something that's quite interesting. It would be nice if they could have indoor viewing at Werribee like they do atBoras Djurpark's.
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I believe the zoo engaging a number of top overseas elephant experts in the planning/design was a wise move and has paid off dividends!
 
Zorro said:
I believe the zoo engaging a number of top overseas elephant experts in the planning/design was a wise move and has paid off dividends!
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It’s long been a standard approach in the design of world class exhibits/complexes to take inspiration from ground-breaking examples of exhibits around the world. Auckland Zoo’s ape exhibits are a recent example - with inspiration coming from Singapore and other world leaders in exhibiting apes.

Monarto’s complex was designed with input from Andrew Coers and other regional experts and like Werribee, the results speak for themselves.
 
Zoofan15 said:
It’s long been a standard approach in the design of world class exhibits/complexes to take inspiration from ground-breaking examples of exhibits around the world. Auckland Zoo’s ape exhibits are a recent example - with inspiration coming from Singapore and other world leaders in exhibiting apes.

Monarto’s complex was designed with input from Andrew Coers and other regional experts and like Werribee, the results speak for themselves.
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And lets not forget the other International European experts input also not just regional
 
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