Werribee Open Range Zoo Werribee Open Range Zoo News 2024

Jambo said:
Indeed it is. It will be one of the biggest captive elephant complex's worldwide (obviously outside of the elephant sanctuaries in the US and Asia).

At 20 hectares it will include five large paddocks, two barns sustainable for the large herd and also a large waterhole for them as well. Whilst the size will likely make the elephants more difficult to view, it'll be very very impressive to see them in the complex once it's complete!
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Its such a fantastic zoo, and the climate is just perfect for asian elephants, they'll have a wonderful time. They're utilizing the entire site to the fullest now. Sounds like this is the last expansion for a long time for werribee. They'll have to buy more land in future.
 
Luke899 said:
Its such a fantastic zoo, and the climate is just perfect for asian elephants, they'll have a wonderful time. They're utilizing the entire site to the fullest now. Sounds like this is the last expansion for a long time for werribee. They'll have to buy more land in future.
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I'm also glad Werribee's maximising the entire property as well. The area where they're currently going to be has been off limits for more than a decade now. Formerly, a walking native trail was here but this didn't cover much of the area as the new elephant complex will.

If they were to consider an expansion long term it would have to be on the west side of the property (behind the upper savannah). The freeway behind the zoo doesn't help with this, and there's farms and the Werribee Manor precinct on the other sides of the property as well.
 
Luke899 said:
Is that entire highlighted section of the park in that image dedicated to elephants? I heard its 20 hectares.

That is amazing!! :) It will be beautiful, I will come visit
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Yes, it will be a total of 21ha comprising five paddocks. There will presumably be scope for further dividing the paddocks over time as the original schematics showed plans for seven paddocks.

The long term plan is for the herd numbers to be reviewed 5-10 yearly to develop an ongoing plan over the next century. I doubt they’ll ever reach 40 (the capacity of the complex), but we could one day see a matriarchal herd in the 20’s!

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Zoofan15 said:
Yes, it will be a total of 21ha comprising five paddocks. There will presumably be scope for further dividing the paddocks over time as the original schematics showed plans for seven paddocks.

The long term plan is for the herd numbers to be reviewed 5-10 yearly to develop an ongoing plan over the next century. I doubt they’ll ever reach 40 (the capacity of the complex), but we could one day see a matriarchal herd in the 20’s!
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Sorry for the late reply. What Werribee are doing for elephant populations in Asiatic region is remarkable, I wasn't aware of the extent that Werribee were going to.

40 elephant capacity is insane compared to the current capacity. As one of you said previously, its good that there will be three large elephant facilities to help keep a stable insurance population.

I'm not sure if Dubbo zoo plans to increase their elephant exhibit, seems great as It is.

Monarto will eventually try to expand its elephant habitat to something similar to werribee have in its "phase 2", but most definitely won't have as many elephants as Werribee and nowhere near to the quality of that beautiful new Werribee enclosure. I also think Putra Mas should move to Werribee instead and get to work making calves, much better use.

There's really no competition with what Werribee will have, they will be the elephant paradise! :)

It looks like a 5-star elephant hotel!!


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Luke899 said:
I'm not sure if Dubbo zoo plans to increase their elephant exhibit, seems great as It is.
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There have been, but for now they plan to build an entirely new cow barn more suitable for a larger matriarchal herd. I'd imagine that would be step one if there was to ever be an expansion of Dubbo's elephant facilities.
Luke899 said:
I also think Putra Mas should move to Werribee instead and get to work making calves, much better use.
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Putra Mas is unrelated to Werribee's cows, so this is feasible. In saying that, he has clear application at Monarto breeding with Pak Boon. Worst case scenario, Pak Boon isn't able to conceive, Monarto may consider sending him to Werribee but that is the only situation I can foresee that happening.
 
Luke899 said:
Sorry for the late reply. What Werribee are doing for elephant populations in Asiatic region is remarkable, I wasn't aware of the extent that Werribee were going to.

40 elephant capacity is insane compared to the current capacity. As one of you said previously, its good that there will be three large elephant facilities to help keep a stable insurance population.

I'm not sure if Dubbo zoo plans to increase their elephant exhibit, seems great as It is.

Monarto will eventually try to expand its elephant habitat to something similar to werribee have in its "phase 2", but most definitely won't have as many elephants as Werribee and nowhere near to the quality of that beautiful new Werribee enclosure. I also think Putra Mas should move to Werribee instead and get to work making calves, much better use.

There's really no competition with what Werribee will have, they will be the elephant paradise! :)

It looks like a 5-star elephant hotel!!


.
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Taronga Western Plains Zoo are planning to build a new barn to manage their matriarchal herd inside over an extended period during the colder weather. I believe this is still several years away and there’s no plans for an expansion on the paddocks at this stage.

When I asked, I was told Werribee are more likely to receive a younger bull elephant that could be mentored by Luk Chai prior to taking on the role of breeding bull. It instantly made me think of Kavi/Ashoka. Putra Mas could soon have 2-3 offspring at Monarto (in addition to his line at Dubbo continuing through Kanlaya). I think it’s more likely Werribee and Monarto will avoid merging the lines for at least the subsequent generation, but will perhaps send a son of Putra Mas to Werribee down the line. The US would also no doubt be keen to import a bull calf from his line. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Sabai head there long term either.
 
Construction update on Werribee’s elephant exhibit:

Rocking zoo's new elephant enclosure | Wyndham

A donation of rocks and logs from the Ison Road Overpass project will enhance a new Asian elephant habitat at Werribee Open Range Zoo as part of the Victorian government’s $88 million expansion project.

The project team trucked to Werribee Open Range Zoo about 505 tonnes of rocks and logs, equivalent in weight to nearly 100 male Asian elephants.
 
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ReturnOfPaddyRick said:
Early last year I was told waterbuck breeding was still on the horizon, so seemingly this confirms it
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Female waterbuck can conceive as young as 2.5 years, so Nziza will be reaching reproductive age within the next 12-18 months (which is perfect as she’ll have many reproductive years ahead of her within this herd).

Waterbuck aren’t held at many facilities regionally - just Werribee, Monarto and Altina in Australia; and Orana and Auckland in New Zealand. Auckland has two elderly females and I don’t hold high hopes they’ll continue with the species (or breed them) long term.
 
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