Werribee Open Range Zoo Werribee Open Range Zoo News 2023

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Jambo said:
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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It’s a shame the region has struggled to generate any sort of succession. The female population has been decimated by mass death events at Auckland and Dubbo; combined with a high mortality rate of calves at Werribee and Monarto.

It was hoped the swap of Savannah (2011) and Kibibi (2012) would disrupt the effects of estrus suppression, but both females are yet to produce a calf; Imani (2007) at Hamilton refuses to let the bull mate with her; and Orana’s first generation San Diego bred females have yielded a single calf between them before lapsing intro non-viability.

Curiously, New Zealand’s three viable proven cows are all first generation cows (typically poor breeders as per above): Kito (born 2000 at Auckland Zoo) has produced four calves at Hamilton Zoo between 2010 and 2020; Jamila (born 2012 at Hamilton Zoo) has produced two calves at Auckland Zoo in 2020 and 2022; and Tamu (born 2002 at Perth Zoo) has produced three calves at Orana Wildlife Park between 2010 and 2017.
 
Nisha said:
Moving Nyah from Auckland to Werribee would be a very sensible move. She's a perfect age for such a transfer and Werribee would benefit from another young female to mix with Kibibi
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Werribee's breeding bull currently is Kifaru who is the full brother of Nyah's mother, Jumilah.

In saying that she *could* be paired with Umgana who's a valuable male, but that would just mean she would be grouped in the herd with the older cows and not with Kipenzi.
 
Nisha said:
Moving Nyah from Auckland to Werribee would be a very sensible move. She's a perfect age for such a transfer and Werribee would benefit from another young female to mix with Kibibi
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Kifaru (2009) and Nyah (2020) are related as Nyah’s mother is the younger sister of Kifaru. With Jamila breeding so well at Auckland Zoo, they may well be happy to swap Kifaru out for a new bull in a few years (with him perhaps siring a calf to Kipenzi in the meantime).

Either way, Nyah should transfer out before reaching reproductive age. Even with Auckland receiving additional rhinos, she’ll be subject to estrus suppression from her mother.
 
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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Article on new bull giraffes:

Thank you to @WhistlingKite24 for finding this comprehensive article on the new bull giraffes:

https://fortemag.com.au/werribee-open-range-zoo-welcomes-three-new-little-giraffes/

Since my visit they’ve begun introductions to the zoo’s four adult bull giraffe.
 
 
Some updates from the 2021-2023 inventory reports available on the website:
  • Werribee’s last brolga died.
  • male giraffe Kona did indeed die recently.
  • the Vervet Monkeys are down to nine (6.3) individuals following a female death in 2021/2022.
  • there were no ungulate births from 2022-2023 period except for five (2.3) zebras and the single rhino that didn't survive. Their final two addax died marking the end of a long history with the species.
 
Sad to hear about the two deaths.

Sam the brolga had been living by himself for the last seven or so years following the passing of his mate, Delilah. Will certainly miss catching him in the wetland plains section of the Australian walkthrough.

Kona was sixteen and the second oldest of the Werribee boys so his death doesn't come as much of surprise. Obviously the new giraffe arrivals come at the right time as the other herd members are getting on in age too.
 
Jambo said:
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.
Click to expand...
@Jambo, I can only second your own observations on the status of southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum) in Australian/New Zealand zoos.

It is worth mentioning that the ARP project did start as a private initiative way back in 2013. Without the acknowledgement of these fired up private individuals we may never have seen the ARP project see the light of day in a part zoo setting:
Source: Rhino Conservation Australia - The Australian Rhino Project


Unfortunately, the major issues threatening the South African white rhino population persist and huge numbers of rhino have succumbed to the rhino trade Industry through illegal poaching that has continued unabated over the last decade.

The situation has become so bad that poaching syndicates find it more difficult to operate in Kruger National Park and ventured into other protected rhino habitats, spilled across borders into Mocambique and Zimbabwe (first) and on to Botswana and Namibia.Time for action is now, it has gone on for far too long without an effective response.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
Some updates from the 2021-2023 inventory reports available on the website:
  • Werribee’s last brolga died.
  • male giraffe Kona did indeed die recently.
  • the Vervet Monkeys are down to nine (6.3) individuals following a female death in 2021/2022.
  • there were no ungulate births from 2022-2023 period except for five (2.3) zebras and the single rhino that didn't survive. Their final two addax died marking the end of a long history with the species.
Click to expand...
Regarding the phase out of addax at Werribee: I just remain flabbergasted at this Werribee and ZAA decision.

Scimitar-horned oryx:
All the more surprising Werribee is continueing to maintain a species management program for scimitar horned oryx (formerly regarded as EXTINCT and just recently re-assigned as ENDANGERED in 2023 by IUCN Red List reviewers).
FYI: The current released population in Chad is now estimated at 575 individuals with an estimated 340-400 mature individuals. The estimate had however a 95% confidence limit of 227-1,452 individuals, so IUCN population experts has put the 2023 wild population at the 95% lower end of the estimate at 227 individuals with just 140-160 mature individuals.
SOURCE: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Addax:
Addax on the other hand remain CRITICALLY ENDANGERED on the IUCN Red List (with a wild population less than 30-90 in the last IUCN Red List review in 2016. This was shortly after the last killing spree on the Termit Tin Toumna in Niger and neighbouring Djourab Sand Sea in Chad.

I can fill you all in on the last Chad in situ conservation activities and population developments at the Ouadi Achim Ouadi Rime site with addax re-establishment at the reserve, but that would only deflect away from the points above I am trying to make.

So, how a serious ex situ conservation institution can even justify a management decision like that is totally beyond me. I certainly cannot, all the more so since the Australian arid and steppe environment is just so climatewise well suited to manage this species in assurance colonies and managed ex situ species population program.
SOURCE: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

It seems that aridland antelope conservation is now down to a few open range zoos and other "smaller" zoo facilities that are intested in the species or feel the need to conserve threatened and critically endangered species in captivity.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Regarding the phase out of addax at Werribee: I just remain flabbergasted at this Werribee and ZAA decision.

Scimitar-horned oryx:
All the more surprising Werribee is continueing to maintain a species management program for scimitar horned oryx (formerly regarded as EXTINCT and just recently re-assigned as ENDANGERED in 2023 by IUCN Red List reviewers).
FYI: The current released population in Chad is now estimated at 575 individuals with an estimated 340-400 mature individuals. The estimate had however a 95% confidence limit of 227-1,452 individuals, so IUCN population experts has put the 2023 wild population at the 95% lower end of the estimate at 227 individuals with just 140-160 mature individuals.
SOURCE: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Addax:
Addax on the other hand remain CRITICALLY ENDANGERED on the IUCN Red List (with a wild population less than 30-90 in the last IUCN Red List review in 2016. This was shortly after the last killing spree on the Termit Tin Toumna in Niger and neighbouring Djourab Sand Sea in Chad.

I can fill you all in on the last Chad in situ conservation activities and population developments at the Ouadi Achim Ouadi Rime site with addax re-establishment at the reserve, but that would only deflect away from the points above I am trying to make.

So, how a serious ex situ conservation institution can even justify a management decision like that is totally beyond me. I certainly cannot, all the more so since the Australian arid and steppe environment is just so climatewise well suited to manage this species in assurance colonies and managed ex situ species population program.
SOURCE: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

It seems that aridland antelope conservation is now down to a few open range zoos and other "smaller" zoo facilities that are intested in the species or feel the need to conserve threatened and critically endangered species in captivity.
Click to expand...
I would have to agree with @Kifaru Bwana , phasing out Addax is unnecessary and short sighted a bad move I do believe, But I guess they are still holding on the the domestic camels?
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
@Jambo, I can only second your own observations on the status of southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum) in Australian/New Zealand zoos.

It is worth mentioning that the ARP project did start as a private initiative way back in 2013. Without the acknowledgement of these fired up private individuals we may never have seen the ARP project see the light of day in a part zoo setting:
Source: Rhino Conservation Australia - The Australian Rhino Project


Unfortunately, the major issues threatening the South African white rhino population persist and huge numbers of rhino have succumbed to the rhino trade Industry through illegal poaching that has continued unabated over the last decade.

The situation has become so bad that poaching syndicates find it more difficult to operate in Kruger National Park and ventured into other protected rhino habitats, spilled across borders into Mocambique and Zimbabwe (first) and on to Botswana and Namibia.Time for action is now, it has gone on for far too long without an effective response.
Click to expand...

The most curious phenomenon with Southern white rhinoceros has been the idiosyncrasies of their reproduction:

Our regional population which has dwindled to the small number of viable (proven) cows identified by @Jambo above are the product of a large number of founders. Compare this to our thriving giraffe population, which is descended by less than 10 founders over the course of a century; or even our Asian elephant population, where only one of the eight cows imported since the turn of the century has been identified as non-viable.

There’s endless theories as to the causes and solutions to estrus suppression in female Southern white rhinoceros; but the fact remains, a small percentage of founder cows have produced a large percentage of the first generation offspring. A number of cows (both founder and first generation) are simply not breeding. Additionally, cows are subject to sterility following extended periods of non-breeding (which necessitates short inter-generational gaps in cows).

All going well, the ARP will see the import of 35 rhinos (most of them female). It will be interesting to see if knowledge gained around their reproduction can be applied to see a better representation of a larger number of founders over the decades to come.
 
Zorro said:
I would have to agree with @Kifaru Bwana , phasing out Addax is unnecessary and short sighted a bad move I do believe, But I guess they are still holding on the the domestic camels?
Click to expand...
They do still have their Dromedary Camels.

Not sure why they phased out their Addax. Hopefully they'll return to Werribee going forward, I'm hoping the move was simply made to even out and improve the regional population genetically with Werribee being the facility relinquishing their individuals to the other facilities.
 
Osedax said:
Wow, I had no idea it was that low. That's terrifying.
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Jambo said:
They do still have their Dromedary Camels.

Not sure why they phased out their Addax. Hopefully they'll return to Werribee going forward, I'm hoping the move was simply made to even out and improve the regional population genetically with Werribee being the facility relinquishing their individuals to the other facilities.
Click to expand...

I remember being disappointed by Orana’s decision to phase out Scimitar-horned oryx after three decades of breeding success with the species (they replaced Scimitar-horned oryx with Addax); but the statistics supplied by @Kifaru Bwana provide justification for doing so if there was a requirement to choose between the two.

Addax naturally live in herds of 5-20 individuals; whereas oryx herd can number up to 1000, so potentially that influenced Werribee’s decision. Nonetheless, I agree it would be great to see them return to Werribee!
 
Jambo said:
They do still have their Dromedary Camels.

Not sure why they phased out their Addax. Hopefully they'll return to Werribee going forward, I'm hoping the move was simply made to even out and improve the regional population genetically with Werribee being the facility relinquishing their individuals to the other facilities.
Click to expand...


It would be good, if with the new import availability. That they have just cleared space for a potential import of new genetics. Importing a new breeding herd would service the region better then zoos importing only a hand full of males etc. Now they have the space for it.

Otherwise it is a very odd endeavour to stop holding a critically endangered species when more common species like blackbuck could have been phased out. If it was a space/cost issue.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I remember being disappointed by Orana’s decision to phase out Scimitar-horned oryx after three decades of breeding success with the species (they replaced Scimitar-horned oryx with Addax); but the statistics supplied by @Kifaru Bwana provide justification for doing so if there was a requirement to choose between the two.

Addax naturally live in herds of 5-20 individuals; whereas oryx herd can number up to 1000, so potentially that influenced Werribee’s decision. Nonetheless, I agree it would be great to see them return to Werribee!
Click to expand...
The Addax group actually learnt to tiptoe over the cattle grates so had to be moved out of the mixed species arid area. I'm not sure if this exactly influenced their decision but when you consider the Scimitar Horned Oryx were able to be in the mixed zone and also able to reproduce and live in bigger numbers, it sort of makes sense.
 
Tiger91 said:
It would be good, if with the new import availability. That they have just cleared space for a potential import of new genetics. Importing a new breeding herd would service the region better then zoos importing only a hand full of males etc. Now they have the space for it.

Otherwise it is a very odd endeavour to stop holding a critically endangered species when more common species like blackbuck could have been phased out. If it was a space/cost issue.
Click to expand...
Certainly not a cost issue. With the new elephant complex being built there's a possibility it could've been a space issue but then again, I don't see why an enclosure couldn't be built for them elsewhere along the safari.
 
Jambo said:
The Addax group actually learnt to tiptoe over the cattle grates so had to be moved out of the mixed species arid area. I'm not sure if this exactly influenced their decision but when you consider the Scimitar Horned Oryx were able to be in the mixed zone and also able to reproduce and live in bigger numbers, it sort of makes sense.
Click to expand...

Following on from the numbers theory, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them acquired again in the future in a smaller exhibit as part of the walking trail. Clearly not a priority project; but given their critically endangered status, a reasonable likelihood for the long term.
 
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