There's a few decent photos @Zoofan15 took of the construction that he posted in the gallery.
Werribee Open Range Zoo Werribee Open Range Zoo News 2023
- Thread starter Jambo
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Yes, I saw some construction work from the Safari Bus and the barn going up, which is viewable from a distance out on the road.
Elephant complex opening 2024/2025:
I’ll be doing a more comprehensive update in the elephant thread, but they’re aiming to open the elephant complex in late 2024/early 2025 now.
Other Werribee projects:
With regards to other Werribee projects e.g. the lion expansion, I was told when I asked that everything is on hold until the elephant complex is completed due to increasing construction costs.
They’re very much hopeful the lion expansion, hyena exhibits, cheetah exhibits will still happen (as well as the Sky Safari) long term; but the elephant complex is priority.
Agreed with you and Jambo. I really do not understand this without purpose knowingly genetically mix up your hybridised zebra with known pure-bred zebra. The goal should be to maintain a sustainable population of pure-breed Grant's zebra long term. It seems quite the non brainer.
With regards to imports, it would be beneficial to shore up the Grant's zebra population with fresh stock from Africa or from captive sources of known managed populations. I assume the IRA Equids is in order on this?
I am looking forward to your full review.
Some insight into the other projects and when management now plans on bringing those to fruition would be greatly appreciated.
Australian zoos can’t import zebras from any African countries at this point in time. The approved countries are as follows: Austria; Belgium; Canada; Denmark; Finland; France; Greece; Ireland, Republic of; Italy; Luxembourg; Netherlands; New Zealand; Portugal; Singapore; Spain; Sweden; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and United States of America.
That still gives the region plenty of sources for acquiring purebred zebras. Since Grant’s are the predominant subspecies (Burchell’s are down to single digits), it makes sense to run with them imo and build on what has already been achieved.
Unfortunately with regards to the other projects, everything is very up in the air at this stage. The Victorian Government originally allocated $84 million in funding, but with rising construction costs, that will no longer cover everything outlined in the masterplan - including new Cheetah exhibits, Spotted hyena exhibits, the African lion expansion and the Sky Safari among others.
While the elephant complex is taking priority, with decisions to made on if/when to proceed with other projects after (circa 2025); even the elephant complex has been scaled back. While the footprint has remained the same, the number of paddocks has dwindled to five, suggesting dividing fences have been first on the chopping block (understandable when the zoo will only need to manage two groupings of elephants for the next decade).
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What type of construction costs have increased beyond measure (cause we are talking here that the other projects are basically shelved on the back burner)?
Can you explain how these spiralling building costs came about between presentation of the masterplan and the now?
For good purposes I have added the ARM Architecture brief:
Werribee Open Range Zoo Expansion / ARM Architecture
Can you explain how these spiralling building costs came about between presentation of the masterplan and the now?
For good purposes I have added the ARM Architecture brief:
Werribee Open Range Zoo Expansion / ARM Architecture
According to multiple sources, residential construction projects in Victoria have risen by around 30% since the pandemic. It’s reasonable to assume the increase has been similar for construction projects within the zoo industry. Details of specific costs related to this project are not publicly available.
Some more tracation on the subject of elephant habitat and expansion:
1) Major Milestones For Werribee Open Range Zoo Expansion
2) Werribee Open Range Zoo Expansion
I would like to see project breakdown costs ..., and how the costings for this part project have spiralled way beyond the set budget for the elephant project vis a vis all the other projects within the expansion. Anyone with financials background information?
1) Major Milestones For Werribee Open Range Zoo Expansion
2) Werribee Open Range Zoo Expansion
I would like to see project breakdown costs ..., and how the costings for this part project have spiralled way beyond the set budget for the elephant project vis a vis all the other projects within the expansion. Anyone with financials background information?
Our responses partially overlapped. Sorry about that....
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I work in project management ATM and one really would want to know why costings and valuations at the outset of the project which have led to an estimated total investment budget at AUSD84 million have gone way into overspend ...
That generally residential construction costs have risen 30% since the Corona epidemic in 2019/20 may be true, but the essence in is in the detail. Is it labor costs, is it particular component construction materials, engineering issues, delays in delivery of components, more technical advisory costs....
The new Masterplan dates back to 2021?
How is the white rhino calf for Kipenzi doing right now?
Which rhino are now left at Werribee ORZ?
The calf was a female, but sadly passed away in the first week:
A necropsy conducted at the University of Melbourne Veterinarian School confirmed the calf sustained a broken scapula, attributable to interactions with her mother in the immediate hours post-birth. It is suspected that blood clots at the fracture site led to the neurological signs and cardiac arrest. Further test results are pending and due in two weeks.
Werribee Open Range Zoo currently have 2.4 white rhino:
1.0 Umgana (00/00/1988)
1.0 Kifaru (30/04/2009)
0.1 Make (00/00/1984)
0.1 Letaba (00/00/1992)
0.1 Sisi (19/01/1996)
0.1 Kipenzi (30/05/2013)
If I look at the stats for breeding white rhino at Werribee the results are not quite that impressive (all the more surprising given the open range concept) nor sustainable in the long term.
For the males: M Kifaru new breeding male, now proven. M Umgana (proven 2 surviving calves - see below, now probably retired as breeding male)
For the females: 1.1 surviving offspring, M Gianini current breeding male at Australia Zoo (5 surviving calves), F Kipenzi (without any surviving calves)
F Make, F Sisi 1996 - she never bred upon arrival after delivery of her own daughter
F Letaba - 2 calves (M Gianini 2002, M Tawali 2004, transfer to Beerwah and deceased 2009
F Sisi - F Make 1984, M U 2002 (died soon after birth), M U 2006 (died 4 days after birth), F Kipenzi May 2013, M U December 2014 (died from septicimia)
Umgana has been retired as the breeding bull, with breeding efforts focussing on Kifaru and Kipenzi.
Make and Letaba would be infertile by now due to the time elapsed since their previous births; and Sisi similarly hasn’t delivered a calf in almost decade. She bred well in her younger years, but was a poor mother unfortunately. Hopefully Werribee will benefit from the Australian Rhino Project, even if they’re not the direct recipients on the imports.
Unfortunately Werribee has sort of been neglected for quite a long time with little happening in the scheme of things, hopefully now with the construction of the new elephant exhibit/complex this will be a big positive turning point in the zoos history!
The Sleepy Hippo
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Costs for construction Australia wide have spiraled. Materials and labor costs for all construction is up. This is due to inflation. This is due to massive pipelines of infrastructure projects nation wide. This is due to the population boom continuing which means thousands upon thousands of new homes are needed to be built nation wide.
This isn't a zoo having been profligate scenario - this is a case of a dollar doesn't go anywhere near as far now as it did just a few years ago.
In financials, I would like to see consumption index numbers and similarly for project components.
Considering the fact that Werribee are down to a single viable breeding pair (Kifaru and Kipenzi) and Kipenzi hasn't proven to be the best mother yet, Werribee are certainly in need of new individuals, at least a few more females. Taking advantage of the open range setting and space they have is crucial going forward imo. It's been disappointing to see the program be more a less of a failure so far.
In regards to Australia as a whole, we're limited with only five viable, proven breeding females as well;
Australia Zoo - Caballe (1995), Inyeti (2005)
Monarto Safari Park - Umqali (1994)
Taronga Western Plains Zoo - Mopani (1996)
Werribee - Kipenzi (2013)
You can certainly see the benefit in the upcoming rhino project import.
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