Werribee Open Range Zoo Werribee Open Range Zoo News 2025

[Zoofan15]

Today I visited Werribee and while on safari our guide mentioned the construction happening in the drive through hippo pond was in preparation for a Male arriving from France. No other information was shared but I have attached some photos of said construction.

Thanks for sharing @ReaganM.

It was announced in the media that Werribee would be importing the bull this year; and @Jambo was advised on a visit that in fact two bulls were planned to be imported. Young bulls Kiboko (2018) and Pablo (2021) are both likely candidates.

It’ll be interesting to see whether the second bull is imported as well; and if so, whether the plan all along has been for him to transfer out (following quarantine) to either Dubbo or Monarto. Both scenarios would explain the implication given to you/other visitors that only one bull is coming.

 

[Jambo]

Thanks for sharing @ReaganM.

It was announced in the media that Werribee would be importing the bull this year; and @Jambo was advised on a visit that in fact two bulls were planned to be imported. Young bulls Kiboko (2018) and Pablo (2021) are both likely candidates.

It’ll be interesting to see whether the second bull is imported as well; and if so, whether the plan all along has been for him to transfer out (following quarantine) to either Dubbo or Monarto. Both scenarios would explain the implication given to you/other visitors that only one bull is coming.

Hopefully it is two new bulls arriving from France. Obviously plans can change, but the construction indicates the zoo is preparing for the import in the coming months which is very promising.

It looks like additional BTS accommodation is being built on the right side of the pond potentially, which might even give them the ability to utilise the right hand side of the pond again, as they once used to. This would allow the two bulls to be accommodated on display, alongside allowing one of the designated females to have her own space for breeding too.

 

[Zoofan15]

Hopefully it is two new bulls arriving from France. Obviously plans can change, but the construction indicates the zoo is preparing for the import in the coming months which is very promising.

It looks like additional BTS accommodation is being built on the right side of the pond potentially, which might even give them the ability to utilise the right hand side of the pond again, as they once used to. This would allow the two bulls to be accommodated on display, alongside allowing one of the designated females to have her own space for breeding too.

Husbandry guidelines recommend bulls are a minimum of five years old before they’re introduced to an adult cow for breeding. Pablo (2021) will turn five years old next year; but Kiboko (2018) would be the better candidate given full size in this species is reached by seven years and Primrose and her daughters are large cows.

Demographically, splitting the cows into Primrose (1990)/Tulip (2003) and Lotus (2008); or Tulip (2003)/Lotus (2008) and Primrose (1990) would make the most sense. Tulip (the least dominant cow) would likely be the least hostile to a bull; though if utilising a fully mature bull of seven years, I have confidence he would breed with Primrose or Lotus.

 

[Zorro]

Husbandry guidelines recommend bulls are a minimum of five years old before they’re introduced to an adult cow for breeding. Pablo (2021) will turn five years old next year; but Kiboko (2018) would be the better candidate given full size in this species is reached by seven years and Primrose and her daughters are large cows.

Demographically, splitting the cows into Primrose (1990)/Tulip (2003) and Lotus (2008); or Tulip (2003)/Lotus (2008) and Primrose (1990) would make the most sense. Tulip (the least dominant cow) would likely be the least hostile to a bull; though if utilising a fully mature bull of seven years, I have confidence he would breed with Primrose or Lotus.

I would say its highly likely the second import bull in "my guess" would be sent to Monarto, I believe for the sake of new bloodlines I would have liked the 3 open range zoos to have imported a new bull each (3 bulls) if possible

 

[Zoofan15]

I would say its highly likely the second import bull in "my guess" would be sent to Monarto, I believe for the sake of new bloodlines I would have liked the 3 open range zoos to have imported a new bull each (3 bulls) if possible

I agree that seems likely, especially since Monarto Safari Park intend to acquire a bull and breed in the future.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s four cows are held in two groups of 0.1 and 0.3. A bull would add a third grouping, stretching them beyond capacity once any calves arrived. They may wait until Cuddles passes and then assess their situation with the remaining cows.

I imagine the idea behind importing two bulls (aside from one being a back up should the other die) is for one to sire offspring to the daughters of the other long term if both are to remain at Werribee.

 

[Jambo]

Husbandry guidelines recommend bulls are a minimum of five years old before they’re introduced to an adult cow for breeding. Pablo (2021) will turn five years old next year; but Kiboko (2018) would be the better candidate given full size in this species is reached by seven years and Primrose and her daughters are large cows.

Demographically, splitting the cows into Primrose (1990)/Tulip (2003) and Lotus (2008); or Tulip (2003)/Lotus (2008) and Primrose (1990) would make the most sense. Tulip (the least dominant cow) would likely be the least hostile to a bull; though if utilising a fully mature bull of seven years, I have confidence he would breed with Primrose or Lotus.

I imagine the idea behind importing two bulls (aside from one being a back up should the other die) is for one to sire offspring to the daughters of the other long term if both are to remain at Werribee.

I imagine you may be spot on as to why Werribee are planning to import two bulls. Especially when you consider the younger bull Pablo won't be able to breed right away, so could easily be retained with the intention of then pairing him with first generation offspring born at Werribee.

That gives them a clear avenue for breeding going forward, and would allow them to sustain their pod for at least another thirty to forty years before importing new bull/s without having to resort to inbreeding. Werribee will certainly want to avoid a repeat of inbreeding after previously having to breed Harry with his two daughters following the deaths of their mothers in quick succession.

 

[Zorro]

I agree that seems likely, especially since Monarto Safari Park intend to acquire a bull and breed in the future.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s four cows are held in two groups of 0.1 and 0.3. A bull would add a third grouping, stretching them beyond capacity once any calves arrived. They may wait until Cuddles passes and then assess their situation with the remaining cows.

I imagine the idea behind importing two bulls (aside from one being a back up should the other die) is for one to sire offspring to the daughters of the other long term if both are to remain at Werribee.

The TWPZ could always modify and or extend their hippo holdings as is Werribee if needed if they wished to do so!

 

[Zoofan15]

The TWPZ could always modify and or extend their hippo holdings as is Werribee if needed if they wished to do so!

That’s correct. Bar the extended Savannah, Taronga have communicated little information on their future plans at their Dubbo site, so it’s possible a hippopotamus expansion has been added to the plans - especially now we have the ability to import again. I’m sure many of us would appreciate this over a Savannah extension.

It’d be interesting to see how Dubbo in particular managed breeding as Cuddles is the most genetically valuable cow in Australasia and is only 23 years old, so has plenty of reproductive years ahead of her. Unlike Werribee, who I’m inclined to believe will focus breeding on one or both of their younger cows, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dubbo attempted to breed from Cuddles as a starting point.

 

[Jambo]

Male Waterbuck are highly territorial, so if there’s three males on site, I’d expect at least one to be held separately from the others (if not all three held separately).

If two bulls are on exhibit together, is it a possibility one is castrated as even in a large exhibit I’d expect confrontation between two intact bulls.

I believe there is an older male who is castrated from memory, and then a younger male who's not. I have in my notes that I saw one male and four females, but it would make sense in the case that one of the males is castrated (and therefore looks like a female).

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe there is an older male who is castrated from memory, and then a younger male who's not. I have in my notes that I saw one male and four females, but it would make sense in the case that one of the males is castrated (and therefore looks like a female).

From what you describe, I’d say it’s likely that the older male is castrated (perhaps the previous breeding bull), with the other possibly being his son (an intact bull either way). Werribee brought in a female from Monarto last year, so presumably have the intention to breed in the near future.

 

[Jambo]

From what you describe, I’d say it’s likely that the older male is castrated (perhaps the previous breeding bull), with the other possibly being his son (an intact bull either way). Werribee brought in a female from Monarto last year, so presumably have the intention to breed in the near future.

Werribee last breed Waterbuck around a decade ago from what I can remember. Werribee sent a male to Auckland (named Roy) and transferred another male in 2020 (likely to Monarto or Altina), so they were obviously previous males bred at the park.

I've remembered the name of the former breeding male - Hide. He's been there for a long time; Tour Drivers have mentioned him for as long as I can remember. I believe they stopped breeding them once they moved Hide and his group from the Waterhole drive through to the Main Savannah (circa 2017).

 

[Zoofan15]

Werribee last breed Waterbuck around a decade ago from what I can remember. Werribee sent a male to Auckland (named Roy) and transferred another male in 2020 (likely to Monarto or Altina), so they were obviously previous males bred at the park.

I've remembered the name of the former breeding male - Hide. He's been there for a long time; Tour Drivers have mentioned him for as long as I can remember. I believe they stopped breeding them once they moved Hide and his group from the Waterhole drive through to the Main Savannah (circa 2017).

Roy was imported by Auckland Zoo as a three year old in October 2019, so he would have been born 2016. From what you say, it appears his birth would have been one of the last at Werribee and tied in with the Waterbuck moving exhibits.

It’s possible at that point Hide was castrated to both restrict breeding and to enable his integration with the species on the Savannah.

 

[Astrobird]

 

[Astrobird]

This photo was from a few weeks back, taken from across the river by the mansion. 2 males are clearly shown, with 3 girls. Whilst I was watching them, they stayed close together as a group, but 1 male always kept himself between the other male and the girls, without being outwardly aggressive, it was mostly posturing with an occasional head shake towards the other male.

 

[Zoofan15]

View attachment 824848

This photo was from a few weeks back, taken from across the river by the mansion. 2 males are clearly shown, with 3 girls. Whilst I was watching them, they stayed close together as a group, but 1 male always kept himself between the other male and the girls, without being outwardly aggressive, it was mostly posturing with an occasional head shake towards the other male.

You’re correct, that’s clearly a group of 2.3 Waterbuck. Bulls don’t become territorial until they’re around six years of age, so depending on what individuals they have on site, perhaps the bulls are young and still approaching maturity.

The new female arrived as a one year old 16 months ago, so should be sexually mature now. Factoring in the eight month gestation, they could potentially have a new calf next year.

 

[Zorro]

You’re correct, that’s clearly a group of 2.3 Waterbuck. Bulls don’t become territorial until they’re around six years of age, so depending on what individuals they have on site, perhaps the bulls are young and still approaching maturity.

The new female arrived as a one year old 16 months ago, so should be sexually mature now. Factoring in the eight month gestation, they could potentially have a new calf next year.

Imagine what a small import of 6-8 could do to the regional population

 

[Zoofan15]

Imagine what a small import of 6-8 could do to the regional population

Absolutely. If the import of 1.2 that was made 30 years ago has got the region to where it is today (an inbred, yet sizeable population of Waterbuck); then bringing in 3.4 or 3.5 Waterbuck would sustain the region for close to a century if similar levels of inbreeding were tolerated.

Werribee is well placed to coordinate a group import along with the other holders.

 

[Zorro]

Absolutely. If the import of 1.2 that was made 30 years ago has got the region to where it is today (an inbred, yet sizeable population of Waterbuck); then bringing in 3.4 or 3.5 Waterbuck would sustain the region for close to a century if similar levels of inbreeding were tolerated.

Werribee is well placed to coordinate a group import along with the other holders.

Yes it certainly would but going by the activity level of Zero since the Bovine IRA was completed I don't hold out much hope of anything happening

 

[Jambo]

View attachment 824848

Thanks for that confirmation @Astrobird. I saw at least one male and four females when I visited in June and per the 2024 inventory, Werribee had 3.3. So if one of the males is castrated, that would essentially give what looks to be two males and four females. Perhaps the male that you mention to be constantly pushed away was off on his own when I visited. It's good to know that they have five individuals at least.

You’re correct, that’s clearly a group of 2.3 Waterbuck. Bulls don’t become territorial until they’re around six years of age, so depending on what individuals they have on site, perhaps the bulls are young and still approaching maturity.

The new female arrived as a one year old 16 months ago, so should be sexually mature now. Factoring in the eight month gestation, they could potentially have a new calf next year.

Werribee haven't had any transfers in within the last five years, so I think the males would be Hide + any male sons of his. The sons would have to be fully mature by now, certainly more than six years of age.

 

[Tiger91]

Is Werribee going to maintain this species or phase them out it just seems that they are stagnating at the zoo. I wonder if the plan is to use another species once they are gone that is more tolerable.