Werribee Open Range Zoo Werribee Open Range Zoo News 2025

Zorro said:
It frustrates me when a zoo goes to the trouble and expense to import and them they phase them out more than likely as @Zoofan15 has pointed out yesterday because the number obtained was likely to small to start with!
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It seems the issue of importing a small founder base is two-fold in that the numbers aren’t there to generate succession; and that the level of inbreeding then becomes a concern to the point breeding is ceased.

Prime examples of the latter are Collared peccary (descended from a single pair), which Melbourne have made the decision to no longer breed; and Rothschild’s giraffe and Grant’s zebra in the 2000’s, where hybridisation with generics was chosen in preference to inbreeding.
 
Jambo said:
Visited Werribee on the weekend and had a great time. Following is a few updates;
  • The old nocturnal house at the beginning of the Australian trail has been converted into a small Reptile House with the following three species displayed; Madagascan Ground Boa in two terrariums, and a shared display with Blue Tongue Lizard and Shingleback Lizard. Truthfully I haven't visited the Australian trail in a while, so not sure how new this is.
  • The Emus also apparently have eggs per a sign at their exhibit - unsure whether these are fertile or not.
  • Only saw a pair of Eastern Grey Kangaroos which was a surprise - unsure where the rest are.
  • Only saw a single Vervet Monkey too - appears numbers are continuing to dwindle. They were at five as of June last year.
  • Main Hippo pond was re-filled. I only saw two hippos today sleeping on the shore in the main enclosure.
  • Only saw two camels - Aloe and Sahara. It appears Saffron the elderly girl may have sadly passed - or is now kept off display in her twilight years.
  • White Rhinos - Only Kifaru, Kipenzi and Jabulani are on the Lower Savannah. Make, Letaba and Sisi have been moved off display onto the upper savannah, alongside Umgana. I saw all four from the Safari Bus.
  • Another baby Nyala has been born - there are now two on display on the Safari Tour.
  • The female Ostrich have switched with the Zebras on the Waterhole Trail, meaning they now are in the first exhibit (which is also visible on the Safari Tour). There are four male Zebras in the second exhibit - presumably still the Melbourne boys.
  • Blackbuck have still not been moved into the Elephant Complex. It appears the bachelor group of males might be the group being moved across, meaning the breeding group will remain on the Safari Tour.
  • Elephant herd is settling in really well - Luk Chai was enjoying a social session with the main herd. It was phenomenal to see a complex on such a large scale.
I'll update this thread with a species list shortly; Werribee Open Range Zoo Species List [Werribee Open Range Zoo]
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This is a nice update. I will note though the small reptile house has been there for years at this point though (at least 5 I think). I dont actually remember it as a Nocturnal House
 
FunnyJamie said:
This is a nice update. I will note though the small reptile house has been there for years at this point though (at least 5 I think). I dont actually remember it as a Nocturnal House
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Yeah since the pandemic began, I haven't really visited Werribee much. And the few times I did, I didn't visit the Australian Trail.

The last time I can recall visiting the Nocturnal House was January of 2020. It used to have Eastern Barred Bandicoots in a mixed species exhibit with Tawny Frogmouths. The last Tawny Frogmouth was transferred out the same year. There was also a display for Eastern Blue Tongued Lizard and Shingleback Lizards - both of which are still present in the building today.
 
Werribee’s last African wild dogs have died:

Some unfortunate news from socials:

Werribee Open Range Zoo is deeply saddened to share the passing of Neo and Madash, the much-loved African Wild Dogs.

Neo the nine-year-old Wild Dog sustained an injury after being challenged by his pack member eight-year-old Madash. Keepers and veterinarians provided urgent care and monitored his condition. However, following a thorough veterinary examination under anaesthetic, they ascertained that Neo’s injury was untreatable and he would not survive, leading them to make the difficult but kindest welfare decision to peacefully euthanise him.

Madash was also euthanised, as there was no chance of him being safely integrated into another highly territorial African Wild Dog pack at another Zoo, and living alone is not an acceptable welfare state for such a social pack animal.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Werribee’s last African wild dogs have died:

Some unfortunate news from socials:

Werribee Open Range Zoo is deeply saddened to share the passing of Neo and Madash, the much-loved African Wild Dogs.

Neo the nine-year-old Wild Dog sustained an injury after being challenged by his pack member eight-year-old Madash. Keepers and veterinarians provided urgent care and monitored his condition. However, following a thorough veterinary examination under anaesthetic, they ascertained that Neo’s injury was untreatable and he would not survive, leading them to make the difficult but kindest welfare decision to peacefully euthanise him.

Madash was also euthanised, as there was no chance of him being safely integrated into another highly territorial African Wild Dog pack at another Zoo, and living alone is not an acceptable welfare state for such a social pack animal.
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Very sad news to hear. I only saw the two males a few weeks back.

I do wonder where Werribee goes from here with this species and the exhibit. There aren't any obvious options for them acquiring further surplus Wild Dogs regionally - with a lack of breeding in recent years. My personal hope would be to see them acquire Spotted Hyena - perhaps one of Monarto's bachelor pairs.
 
Jambo said:
Very sad news to hear. I only saw the two males a few weeks back.

I do wonder where Werribee goes from here with this species and the exhibit. There aren't any obvious options for them acquiring further surplus Wild Dogs regionally - with a lack of breeding in recent years. My personal hope would be to see them acquire Spotted Hyena - perhaps one of Monarto's bachelor pairs.
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Hamilton Zoo has recently found itself in the same situation; and I fear Orana soon will too. When I asked about switching to hyena, I was advised it would require a significant upgrade of the exhibit as the containment requirements are more stringent. Long term, I hope Werribee acquire hyena, as was the original plan to hold both them and African wild dog.

The region only has one viable breeding pair of African wild dog (at Altina). They’ve just produced 1.1 pups, so my hope is that they’ll have a follow up litter (ideally a larger one) next year. A large litter would enable them to supply at least one other holder with a non-breeding pack.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Hamilton Zoo has recently found itself in the same situation; and I fear Orana soon will too. When I asked about switching to hyena, I was advised it would require a significant upgrade of the exhibit as the containment requirements are more stringent. Long term, I hope Werribee acquire hyena, as was the original plan to hold both them and African wild dog.

The region only has one viable breeding pair of African wild dog (at Altina). They’ve just produced 1.1 pups, so my hope is that they’ll have a follow up litter (ideally a larger one) next year. A large litter would enable them to supply at least one other holder with a non-breeding pack.
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Does Monarto not have African Wild Dog breeding pack? I was there several years ago and thought they did have - but I could be making that up.
 
The Sleepy Hippo said:
Does Monarto not have African Wild Dog breeding pack? I was there several years ago and thought they did have - but I could be making that up.
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The Sleepy Hippo said:
Wait - never mind. I did quick research after posting and it appears they switched to non-breeding a while back for the forseeable future.
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Monarto has a pack consisting of a pair and their four offspring:

1.0 Baraka (21/04/2017) Hasani x Kisuri (Perth)
0.1 Bulu (14/01/2016) Jengo x Kibi (Monarto)
1.0 Masikio (27/04/2021) Baraka x Bulu (Monarto)
1.0 Ajani (27/04/2021) Baraka x Bulu (Monarto)
0.1 Amani (27/04/2021) Baraka x Bulu (Monarto)
0.1 Sanaa (27/04/2021) Baraka x Bulu (Monarto)

Bulu (the alpha female) has been desexed, so they’re a non-breeding pack.
 
Jambo said:
Great update for Werribee - Visitor numbers have increased incredibly following the arrival of the elephants from Melbourne in February. Attendance is up by 41% with a record 316,000 visitors passing through gates.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/werribee-zoo-elephants/959870d0-4f76-413b-a8a1-6e05c3b32abf

The news story also features a video of two elephants playing in the water - it's in fact Roi Yim and Aiyara, not Aiyara and Kati as is reported.
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I’m optimistic they’ll be a degree of longevity to Werribee’s visitor increases, rather than this being a fad. The majority of initial visitors would be Victoria locals; but over the next couple of years, I anticipate an increase in people visiting inter-state, as well as international (who wouldn’t have otherwise taken the initiative to do so). As the hype inevitably wares off, they’ll hopefully be a new cohort of calves circa 2028.

Roi-Yim is pretty unmissable with his growing tusks. Aiyara’s tushes are coming through nicely, but nowhere near as pronounced.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I’m optimistic they’ll be a degree of longevity to Werribee’s visitor increases, rather than this being a fad. The majority of initial visitors would be Victoria locals; but over the next couple of years, I anticipate an increase in people visiting inter-state, as well as international (who wouldn’t have otherwise taken the initiative to do so). As the hype inevitably wares off, they’ll hopefully be a new cohort of calves circa 2028.

Roi-Yim is pretty unmissable with his growing tusks. Aiyara’s tushes are coming through nicely, but nowhere near as pronounced.
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I am quite sure any calfs born in the future will see more of the public flock to see them!
 
Zorro said:
I am quite sure any calfs born in the future will see more of the public flock to see them!
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Definitely. Melbourne always experienced a surge in visitation to see their calves. The three calves that formed the current cohort represented the first time three calves had been born so close together in any Australian zoo and more than matched the hype that came with the first calf born at Melbourne Zoo (Mali).

Although the conception and subsequent births of three healthy calves within two months is something Zoos Victoria would be extremely lucky to replicate again, I don’t doubt seeing any newborn calf - the first to be born in the Werribee complex would be a momentous occasion. It’s intended to be their home for the next century after all!
 
Jambo said:
Great update for Werribee - Visitor numbers have increased incredibly following the arrival of the elephants from Melbourne in February. Attendance is up by 41% with a record 316,000 visitors passing through gates.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/werribee-zoo-elephants/959870d0-4f76-413b-a8a1-6e05c3b32abf

The news story also features a video of two elephants playing in the water - it's in fact Roi Yim and Aiyara, not Aiyara and Kati as is reported.
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Has there been a corresponding decrease in Melbourne Zoo's visitation for the same period?
 
Steve Robinson said:
Has there been a corresponding decrease in Melbourne Zoo's visitation for the same period?
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Anecdotally, friends I’ve spoken to have reported it being quieter on their visits; but that’s typical of weekdays outside of school holidays.

Zoos Victoria’s visitor KPI’s are only concerned with visitor numbers overall for Zoos Victoria (not the four individual zoos) and were reported to be 2.8 million during the 2023-2024 year. As long as that number sees an increase, I’m sure they’ll be happy.
 
Cancellation of rhino transfer:

'On elephant time': Move of Perth Zoo's last elephant to SA delayed

As mentioned by @WhistlingKite24 in his April update, the transfer of two female Southern white rhinoceros to Perth Zoo was cancelled.

According to this article, this was due to unexpected health issues:

"The female rhinos that were being considered for transfer to Perth Zoo have had a couple of unexpected health issues," Mr Lemon said.

"They are no longer suitable for road or flight transport. From a health point of view they need to stay at Werribee's Open Range Zoo."
 
Zoofan15 said:
Cancellation of rhino transfer:

'On elephant time': Move of Perth Zoo's last elephant to SA delayed

As mentioned by @WhistlingKite24 in his April update, the transfer of two female Southern white rhinoceros to Perth Zoo was cancelled.

According to this article, this was due to unexpected health issues:

"The female rhinos that were being considered for transfer to Perth Zoo have had a couple of unexpected health issues," Mr Lemon said.

"They are no longer suitable for road or flight transport. From a health point of view they need to stay at Werribee's Open Range Zoo."
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That makes sense, and also explains why they've been retired off display, in the new Upper Savannah Rhino facilities which have recently been renovated/redeveloped.

The two cows were presumably Letaba (1992) and Sisi (1996).

Since the moves cancellation, they've joined Make (1984) who's still doing well in her 40's, leaving young Jabulani and his parents (Kifaru and Kipenzi) on display on the Lower Savannah.
 
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.
 

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