Werribee Open Range Zoo Werribee Open Range Zoo News 2023

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Zorro said:
Don't forget there are more zoos that would like rhinos than just 3 open range zoos ,we have a host of regional zoos now that are more than likely love to have them, also Australia Zoo may need new animals and have the room to do so.
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Absolutely. Hamilton Zoo have ceased breeding due to the representation of their rhinos and Auckland Zoo have a family group, where both young females are the daughters of the only bull in the herd. There’ll be endless potential for shift arounds, which will no doubt stimulate some underperforming herds to breed. A new bull is often enough to resume cycling in some cows.
 
As mentioned by @Osedax in the Dubbo thread, two male giraffes have recently arrived from Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

It’ll be interesting to get exact confirmation of which two bulls arrived, but these two give Werribee eight males now (presuming none have recently passed). These are also Werribee’s first giraffe additions in over a decade!
 
Jambo said:
As mentioned by @Osedax in the Dubbo thread, two male giraffes have recently arrived from Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

It’ll be interesting to get exact confirmation of which two bulls arrived, but these two give Werribee eight males now (presuming none have recently passed). These are also Werribee’s first giraffe additions in over a decade!
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The acquisition of these bulls confirms Werribee’s status as a bachelor holder for the foreseeable. Hamilton are in a similar position (three older bulls), but I’m hoping they’ll let these die out; before functioning as a quarantine facility to supply Australian zoos with imports from outside the region.

The two obvious Dubbo candidates are:

1.0 Wayo - born July 2022
1.0 Zambezi - born October 2022

The next bull up was born 2019, so was probably removed from the herd prior to the birth of the 2022-2023 cohort of five calves (which includes the above two). It’s easier for newcomers to join a new herd as a pair, so transferring two juveniles from the same cohort makes sense.
 
Lion Introductions

Nilo’s triplets have now been introduced to both of the other adult lions in the pride, Sheru and Asali.

Nilo, Asali and the triplets were seen on exhibit together by @PaddyRickMFZ in late September; and now a video on socials shows Sheru meeting his cubs.

It’s interesting to note the two male cubs (Jango and Mwezi) are darker coloured; while their sister (Kianga) is lighter coloured. There’s been similar variation within the regional population, with no obvious genetic link.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Lion Introductions

Nilo’s triplets have now been introduced to both of the other adult lions in the pride, Sheru and Asali.

Nilo, Asali and the triplets were seen on exhibit together by @PaddyRickMFZ in late September; and now a video on socials shows Sheru meeting his cubs.

It’s interesting to note the two male cubs (Jango and Mwezi) are darker coloured; while their sister (Kianga) is lighter coloured. There’s been similar variation within the regional population, with no obvious genetic link.
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The cubs have been introduced to Sheru for a while now; but he's spent time away from them as he prefers the back exhibit, being a very shy male.

If i'm not mistaken, it seems like this video was taken in the farther enclosure; so it'll be interesting to see what arrangements are made regarding this grouping. An option is to retire Nilo (and Asali) following this litter, and acquire completely new females to be paired with Melbourne's males.
 
Jambo said:
The cubs have been introduced to Sheru for a while now; but he's spent time away from them as he prefers the back exhibit, being a very shy male.

If i'm not mistaken, it seems like this video was taken in the farther enclosure; so it'll be interesting to see what arrangements are made regarding this grouping. An option is to retire Nilo (and Asali) following this litter, and acquire completely new females to be paired with Melbourne's males.
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My preference is for Melbourne’s males to head up a breeding pride at Werribee. None of Nairibi’s cubs are in breeding prides and since it’s unknown whether she’ll successfully breed at the National Zoo (she’s getting on in years), it’d be good to see her line represented.

The adolescent males at Monarto (Chad and Ruka) would be ideal replacements for Melbourne’s males and unlikely to ever be needed for the breeding programme. They have eight full siblings at Monarto.
 
Jambo said:
Werribee have received a further two young male giraffes from Australia Zoo (alongside the two who recently arrived from Dubbo as well).

Werribee now have nine male giraffes.:)

Giraffe pokes its head from back of truck on busy Sydney highway
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It’s nice to see Werribee increase the size of their bachelor herd. They’re clearly happy functioning as a non-breeding facility, which serves the region well. It also allows them to hold a breeding herd of zebra on exhibit with them, which is good.

Many city zoos that hold giraffe comment their city zoo raised giraffe are better display animals versus the open range zoo raised giraffe, which are more skittish. This likely explains why so many city zoos (Auckland, Melbourne, Wellington, Perth etc) breed giraffe compared to lions which are almost totally bred by open range zoos nowadays (bar Taronga).
 
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Nile Hippo Expert said:
This certainly must be the largest captive bachelor giraffe herd in the world if I'm not mistaken.
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I believe Monarto have a similar sized breeding herd; but Werribee's new additions will certainly move them up there.

It'll be exciting to see a herd of nine giraffe and it's likely these new additions are being brought in as the five current males are beginning to reach their teens.
 
Zoofan15 said:
It would be one of the largest, though Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Monarto Safari Park have similar sized bachelor herds in addition to their sizeable breeding herds.
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Jambo said:
I believe Monarto have a similar sized breeding herd; but Werribee's new additions will certainly move them up there.

It'll be exciting to see a herd of nine giraffe and it's likely these new additions are being brought in as the five current males are beginning to reach their teens.
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Sorry what I meant to say was most male giraffes at a zoo without a female giraffe. Werribee has a very big exhibit built SPECIFICALLY for males so I'm not surprised by that.
 
Female zebra dies in transit:

Zebra and fish deaths highlight perils for zoo animals

Werribee Open Range Zoo was transferring two female plains zebras to another zoo by ferry.

One of the zebras was loaded into a crate and the other on to a trailer, before the pair were driven to the docks.

The zebras appeared calm during the process but a loud bang was heard from the crate about 90 minutes after their arrival at the docks.

"Staff quickly checked on the zebra and found her lying on her side with a suspected fractured neck.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Female zebra dies in transit:

Zebra and fish deaths highlight perils for zoo animals

Werribee Open Range Zoo was transferring two female plains zebras to another zoo by ferry.

One of the zebras was loaded into a crate and the other on to a trailer, before the pair were driven to the docks.

The zebras appeared calm during the process but a loud bang was heard from the crate about 90 minutes after their arrival at the docks.

"Staff quickly checked on the zebra and found her lying on her side with a suspected fractured neck.
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By ferry would obviously indicate a potential transfer across to Tasmania. I would assume this was to Zoodoo; unless Tasmania have recently acquired their first zebras.

If so, I would hope this wasn't for breeding intentions as Zoodoo currently hold a purebred Grants herd and Werribee's group are all hybrids.
 
Jambo said:
By ferry would obviously indicate a potential transfer across to Tasmania. I would assume this was to Zoodoo; unless Tasmania have recently acquired their first zebras.

If so, I would hope this wasn't for breeding intentions as Zoodoo currently hold a purebred Grants herd and Werribee's group are all hybrids.
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I too hope we don’t see hybridisation of the purebred Grant’s stock. Enough founders were imported to sustain the region for 30 years or so and by undertaking minor inbreeding, up to half a century.

Zebras aren’t difficult to breed and producing more hybrids is completely unnecessary when there’s surplus purebred Grant’s stock within the region (as well as the option to import).

Assuming the region’s Grant’s zebra are 100% verified purebreds, I wouldn’t actually mind seeing a moratorium on the production of hybrids. One of the open range zoos (ideally Monarto, who currently holds four herds) could produce large numbers if they were to obtain a handful of purebred Grant’s from DDZ/ZD and contribute to supplying the region’s zoos. In the meantime, they all have enough generics to sustain them for the next decade or so for display purposes.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Female zebra dies in transit:

Zebra and fish deaths highlight perils for zoo animals

Werribee Open Range Zoo was transferring two female plains zebras to another zoo by ferry.

One of the zebras was loaded into a crate and the other on to a trailer, before the pair were driven to the docks.

The zebras appeared calm during the process but a loud bang was heard from the crate about 90 minutes after their arrival at the docks.

"Staff quickly checked on the zebra and found her lying on her side with a suspected fractured neck.
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Annual Report

The source for this is now available via Zoos Victoria’s Annual Report.

https://www.zoo.org.au/media/7968/2022-2023-annual-report.pdf

Other news items include:

Werribee Open Range Zoo relocated more than 60 animals from eight different species to make way for the new 21-hectare elephant habitat that is due to be completed in 2024. This included the relocation of 20 American Bison and Asian Wild Horses to their new home on the other side of the river that runs through the zoo. It also marked the completion of Stage 1 of the Werribee Open Range Zoo Expansion project. Extensive pre- and post-translocation conditioning took place to ensure a smooth move for all animals.

The Koala habitat on Werribee Open Range Zoo’s Australian Trail received a makeover with new Koala shelters and misters being installed to help keep the Koalas cool in summer, as well as protect them from harsh wind and rain.

Werribee Open Range Zoo 2 Expansion project marked major milestones with Australian company Fairbrother appointed to deliver the works on the 21-hectare Asian Elephant habitat, which will house the herd that will be relocated from Melbourne Zoo.

In October the Werribee River flooding event isolated Werribee Open Range Zoo Animal Paddocks on the western side of the Werribee River. The Lower Savannah Paddock was largely inundated, but with flood plans in place, animals were given access to higher ground and none were adversely affected. There was some infrastructural damage that was subsequently repaired.
 
Werribee News Update

Update from my visit (30/11/2023):

Brindabella and Pansy (Common hippopotami) have left the building! They were safely transferred to Monarto Safari Park two days ago.

The African lions are now a fully integrated pride. Asali has been taken off contraception and the keepers are hoping she might be pregnant after witnessing mating behaviour. The aim is to have both litters born within a 12 month period (Nilo’s cubs are six months old next week).

The zoo have three new bull giraffe. Two bulls came from Australia Zoo (Dave and Jesse); one bull came from Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Wayo). It would appear Dave is the mystery calf born at Australia Zoo.

A Plains zebra foal was born last night to Zola (2020). This is her first foal.

I will post an elephant complex update in the elephant population thread.

Photos from my visit are here: Werribee Open Range Zoo - ZooChat
 
Zoofan15 said:
The African lions are now a fully integrated pride. Asali has been taken off contraception and the keepers are hoping she might be pregnant after witnessing mating behaviour. The aim is to have both litters born within a 12 month period (Nilo’s cubs are six months old next week).
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This seems to be something Werribee like to do; having their females breed around a year apart. It's a shame as it would be really cool to see two litters grow up together but apparently Werribee just doesn't have the facilities to accomodate two litters of cubs at one time. Hopefully the proposed Lion expansion (that was said to follow the elephants) will allow for this to change.
Zoofan15 said:
The zoo have three new bull giraffe. Two bulls came from Australia Zoo (Dave and Jesse); one bull came from Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Wayo). It would appear Dave is the mystery calf born at Australia Zoo.
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Have these bulls been introduced to the others yet?

Werribee now have eight giraffe bulls; a full house!
Zoofan15 said:
A Plains zebra foal was born last night to Zola (2020). This is her first foal.
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Surprising to see Zola conceive quite young; but nonetheless good news for the succession of Werribee's herd long term, especially as this is the third foal born this year.
 
Jambo said:
This seems to be something Werribee like to do; having their females breed around a year apart. It's a shame as it would be really cool to see two litters grow up together but apparently Werribee just doesn't have the facilities to accomodate two litters of cubs at one time. Hopefully the proposed Lion expansion (that was said to follow the elephants) will allow for this to change.
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Yes, I understand the lack of dens is the issue. It would indeed be nice to see two lionesses produce litters at the same time as they would in the wild. I believe Lion Hill at Auckland Zoo has at least four dens, which allowed them to isolate Kura and Amira in their own dens with their respective litters when they both gave birth in March and April 2004. The litters born to Kura and Sheeka in May and August 2001 were easier to manage as Kura’s cubs began their integration into the pride the month before Sheeka gave birth.
Jambo said:
Have these bulls been introduced to the others yet?

Werribee now have eight giraffe bulls; a full house!

Surprising to see Zola conceive quite young; but nonetheless good news for the succession of Werribee's herd long term, especially as this is the third foal born this year.
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No, the three new giraffe are currently seperate from the adult bulls.

Zebra fillies can conceive at two years, so factoring in a 12 month gestation, Zola is right on schedule. I did see a few older foals in the herd.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Werribee News Update

Update from my visit (30/11/2023):

Brindabella and Pansy (Common hippopotami) have left the building! They were safely transferred to Monarto Safari Park two days ago.

The African lions are now a fully integrated pride. Asali has been taken off contraception and the keepers are hoping she might be pregnant after witnessing mating behaviour. The aim is to have both litters born within a 12 month period (Nilo’s cubs are six months old next week).

The zoo have three new bull giraffe. Two bulls came from Australia Zoo (Dave and Jesse); one bull came from Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Wayo). It would appear Dave is the mystery calf born at Australia Zoo.

A Plains zebra foal was born last night to Zola (2020). This is her first foal.

I will post an elephant complex update in the elephant population thread.

Photos from my visit are here: Werribee Open Range Zoo - ZooChat
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Did you get to see much of the elephant complex?
 
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