Werribee Open Range Zoo Werribee Open Range Zoo News 2025

[Jambo]

Is Werribee going to maintain this species or phase them out it just seems that they are stagnating at the zoo. I wonder if the plan is to use another species once they are gone that is more tolerable.

The acquisition of a young female from Monarto last year indicates the intention to breed, and maintain this species in the future.

Considering there's been no imports in the last five years at least, it indicates the group was likely related; being the former breeding male, his females and some of their offspring. The new female obviously gives the males an opportunity to breed now.

 

[Zoofan15]

Is Werribee going to maintain this species or phase them out it just seems that they are stagnating at the zoo. I wonder if the plan is to use another species once they are gone that is more tolerable.

There’s strong indications they intend to continue with Waterbuck. They transfered in a one year old female last year from Monarto Safari Park, with intentions to breed from her once mature.

Monarto and Altina have had births this year, so the species is doing well in the region at present.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Is Werribee going to maintain this species or phase them out it just seems that they are stagnating at the zoo. I wonder if the plan is to use another species once they are gone that is more tolerable.

Didn't they get a new female in the past year?

Edit: just saw Jambo & Zoofan15's response above.

 

[Zoofan15]

Didn't they get a new female in the past year?

Edit: just saw Jambo & Zoofan15's response above.

Her name is Nziza and she came from Monarto Safari Park in May 2024:

Little waterbuck melts hearts | Wyndham

 

[Astrobird]

Thanks for that confirmation @Astrobird. I saw at least one male and four females when I visited in June and per the 2024 inventory, Werribee had 3.3. So if one of the males is castrated, that would essentially give what looks to be two males and four females. Perhaps the male that you mention to be constantly pushed away was off on his own when I visited. It's good to know that they have five individuals at least.

Werribee haven't had any transfers in within the last five years, so I think the males would be Hide + any male sons of his. The sons would have to be fully mature by now, certainly more than six years of age.

Castrating a male antelope won't result in it looking like a female as such, it will still grown horns, unlike in deer, where the antler growth is stopped. Some antelope species might develop female colouring/fail to develop male colouring if sexes differ... Blackbuck and Nyala will both do that. Ive also noticed castrated blackbucks horns often grow in random shapes or directions.

 

[Kudu21]

Castrating a male antelope won't result in it looking like a female as such, it will still grown horns, unlike in deer, where the antler growth is stopped. Some antelope species might develop female colouring/fail to develop male colouring if sexes differ... Blackbuck and Nyala will both do that. Ive also noticed castrated blackbucks horns often grow in random shapes or directions.

Indeed. Male antelope from sexually dimorphic species (like waterbuck and blackbuck) will still develop horns, but the horns will not develop normally, as described by @Astrobird. The difference in horn growth is less pronounced in species where both sexes grow horns.

 

[Zorro]

I recall reading some years ago that Werribee had Greater Kudu one bull and seven cows (could of been in the 1980s) I believe they were the only ones in the country of which the "manager" directed the bull castrated regardless of the 7 females perhaps counter productive?

 

[Jambo]

I recall reading some years ago that Werribee had Greater Kudu one bull and seven cows (could of been in the 1980s) I believe they were the only ones in the country of which the "manager" directed the bull castrated regardless of the 7 females perhaps counter productive?

This was later than the 80's - perhaps early 2000's? The group was seemingly acquired in the 90's sometime though - perhaps alongside some of the other hoofstock imports Werribee conducted that decade.

 

[Zoofan15]

I recall reading some years ago that Werribee had Greater Kudu one bull and seven cows (could of been in the 1980s) I believe they were the only ones in the country of which the "manager" directed the bull castrated regardless of the 7 females perhaps counter productive?

This was later than the 80's - perhaps early 2000's? The group was seemingly acquired in the 90's sometime though - perhaps alongside some of the other hoofstock imports Werribee conducted that decade.

Werribee imported 1.2 Greater kudu from Honolulu Zoo in 1996. The last male (who was indeed castrated) died in 2008, leaving behind seven females. The last female died in 2016.

 

[Zorro]

This was later than the 80's - perhaps early 2000's? The group was seemingly acquired in the 90's sometime though - perhaps alongside some of the other hoofstock imports Werribee conducted that decade.

Yes very likely losing track of the time!

 

[Jambo]

From a members email - it was announced that currently vacant African Wild Dog exhibit will soon be occupied again. It appears from the wording that it will be a new AWD pack moving in soon, but the email didn't explicitly state that, so it could also be a new species (like Hyena?).

 

[Zoofan15]

From a members email - it was announced that currently vacant African Wild Dog exhibit will soon be occupied again. It appears from the wording that it will be a new AWD pack moving in soon, but the email didn't explicitly state that, so it could also be a new species (like Hyena?).

Excellent news. Werribee do intend to acquire more African wild dogs, so I’m inclined to agree it will be this species.

There’s a possibility they may have sourced young dogs from any of the packs in the region that may have experienced a fall out; but due to the relatedness of the Australasian population, I really hope Zoos Victoria have undertaken an import from overseas. Many zoos have ageing packs and the import of some founders would be immensely beneficial in repopulating the other holders as their packs die out.

 

[Jambo]

Excellent news. Werribee do intend to acquire more African wild dogs, so I’m inclined to agree it will be this species.

There’s a possibility they may have sourced young dogs from any of the packs in the region that may have experienced a fall out; but due to the relatedness of the Australasian population, I really hope Zoos Victoria have undertaken an import from overseas. Many zoos have ageing packs and the import of some founders would be immensely beneficial in repopulating the other holders as their packs die out.

An imported breeding pair would be awesome, especially as Werribee have only ever held single sex groups of this species; females and later males, both from Dubbo.

And as you note, besides Altina, none of the other regional facilities have a breeding pair at the moment, so a new imported pair would be of huge benefit to the region.

 

[Zoofan15]

An imported breeding pair would be awesome, especially as Werribee have only ever held single sex groups of this species; females and later males, both from Dubbo.

And as you note, besides Altina, none of the other regional facilities have a breeding pair at the moment, so a new imported pair would be of huge benefit to the region.

It would be nice to see Werribee breed. When the exhibit opened and they acquired nine females in 2008, it was mentioned they planned to bring in males for breeding the following year. This would be a highly irregular starting ratio, so presumably the plan was to split the females; but either way, they have the capacity to breed.

Endangered wild dog exhibit opens at Werribee Zoo

Dubbo and Orana house the elderly sisters of Werribee’s deceased males, so they’ll be requiring new dogs in the not too distant future.

An import of 3-5 dogs with no more than one of the opposing sex of the other would be an ideal importing/starting ratio e.g 2.1, 2.2, 3.2 etc.

 

[Zorro]

I believe if Werribee extended the Asian theme exhibit from the current elephant exhibit would be a good move and a logical one they could easily build a really awesome Indian rhino habitat that would be a major drawcard besides adding a second pair which is badly needed in the country and they are available overseas, I understand some European zoos have halted breeding as all current holders are full, Werribee did suffer a long stagnation for a long time until the new Asian elephant exhibit was built which seems to have energised the zoo again

 

[NathanTheAsian]

Made my first visit to Werribee this year (better late than never thanks to VCE). A few minor updates/comments:

• ostriches and zebras have swapped enclosures on the elephant trail
• In the morning, Sheru, Nilo and Asali were separated from the "cubs", however in the afternoon all six were sleeping together in the front enclosure. Sheru and his sons were also showing good signs, such as sleeping next to each other and head rubbing.
• Only saw four out of the five vervets today
  
• Roi Yim's tushes are starting to really come through now, along with Jabulani's second horn and the manes of the two lion boys. They definitely seem to be taking after Sheru's ama(ne)zing genetics.

The elephant complex is really spectacular and words can’t describe how amazing it is. My only minor pet peeve is that photography is a nightmare in most of the exhibits if the elephants are close due to the amount of wires. The only way I found to shoot without interference is if luck’s on your side and the elephants are far back enough to be viewed through the gaps, where you can then zoom in with a telephoto. Shooting with a wide aperture does help soften the wires as long as they aren't too close, but it’s still very tricky. Aside from that, the exhibit is a fantastic addition, and I really wish Bong Su and Man Jai had lived long enough to see it.

Photos will be posted to the gallery soon.

 

[Zoofan15]

Made my first visit to Werribee this year (better late than never thanks to VCE). A few minor updates/comments:

• ostriches and zebras have swapped enclosures on the elephant trail
• In the morning, Sheru, Nilo and Asali were separated from the "cubs", however in the afternoon all six were sleeping together in the front enclosure. Sheru and his sons were also showing good signs, such as sleeping next to each other and head rubbing.
• Only saw four out of the five vervets today
  
• Roi Yim's tushes are starting to really come through now, as is Jabulani's second horn.

The elephant complex is really spectacular and words can’t describe how amazing it is. My only minor pet peeve is that photography is a nightmare in most of the exhibits if the elephants are close due to the amount of wires. The only way I found to shoot without interference is if luck’s on your side and the elephants are far back enough to be viewed through the gaps, where you can then zoom in with a telephoto. Shooting with a wide aperture does help soften the wires as long as they aren't too close, but it’s still very tricky. Aside from that, the exhibit is a fantastic addition, and I really wish Bong Su and Man Jai had lived long enough to see it.

Photos will be posted to the gallery soon.

Thanks for the update. Sounds like a good visit!

It’s interesting to hear how the lions were managed that way. Unless the adolescents were off display for a training session, it sounds like they’re adopting a fission-fusion management style which Taronga were using at one stage with their pride.

I thought the same regarding Werribee’s elephants complex and photography. Ditto for the elephants being a distance away, though the design of the complex is so that the elephants are motivated to be near the front where the action is (especially within the fidget spinner paddock; and the bull’s pool). I’ve often said I can only imagine the use Luk Chai and Man Jai would have got out of that pool together.

 

[Jambo]

Thanks for the update!

ostriches and zebras have swapped enclosures on the elephant trail

Do you mean the Ostriches being in the first paddock and then Zebras in the second?

In the morning, Sheru, Nilo and Asali were separated from the "cubs", however in the afternoon all six were sleeping together in the front enclosure. Sheru and his sons were also showing good signs, such as sleeping next to each other and head rubbing.

It appears this is a usual thing - I also saw the groups separated when I visited a few months back, but on my most recent visit, they were all together. I agree with @Zoofan15, its likely they're being managed separately on occasion for whatever reason.

Only saw four out of the five vervets today

That's still a better catch than I've seen as of late! With the Vervet's all now in their twenties, I wouldn't be surprised if another has passed. Werribee lost four males between 2023 and last year.

though the design of the complex is so that the elephants are motivated to be near the front where the action is (especially within the fidget spinner paddock; and the bull’s pool).

Indeed, but the elephants can easily move far off away from the public if they wish. I've only been lucky to catch the matriarchal herd up close when they're either in the barn, or heading to it. The fidget spinner paddock is really the only paddock that's designed with amiable viewing, and therefore Luk Chai's usually the most photographed elephant when he's there (at least from what I've seen on socials).

 

[Zorro]

@Jambo Has the vegetation grown much since all the plantings I know it's not been that long but will look even better when it all gets going and matures!

 

[Jambo]

@Jambo Has the vegetation grown much since all the plantings I know it's not been that long but will look even better when it all gets going and matures!

Not really, most of it was only planted late last year from the looks of it. Give it another few years and I think the precinct will start look a bit different - but it will likely be a long way before everything matures.