NathanTheAsian
Well-Known Member
Yes. Also are there nyala in the second paddock? I saw signage but didnt see any despite visiting multiple times throughout the day.
Werribee Open Range Zoo Werribee Open Range Zoo News 2025
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Yes. Also are there nyala in the second paddock? I saw signage but didnt see any despite visiting multiple times throughout the day.
Yeah that would be the same arrangement that's been present since opening day of the new trail, but your right, the male zebras were previously in the habitat the female ostritch are currently in.
Regarding the Nyala, there's not any (or at least I haven't seen any). I don't think they've mixed them with the Zebra, but perhaps there's plans to going forward. The signage (and the map) indicates Zebra in the first exhibit, and then Nyala and Ostritch in the second; so the plan was to have Nyala in with Ostritch but the switch of exhibits has potentially changed that.
Visited Werribee a few days ago and have finally gotten the time to share a few updates.
- First and foremost, it indeed looks like Werribee are preparing to build a new enclosure to the right of the drive through Hippo pool. New fencing was being installed. There's also a new barn and fencing also behind the drive through pool. The construction doesn't look complete though; so it's likely the hippos won't arrive until next year at earliest. On the Hippos, the three girls also weren't in there main enclosure - instead in the middle enclosure.
- Lions - Asali and young Kianga were in the front exhibit. The rest were in the back exhibit. We were told this was to prevent the females from breeding, and the groups are constantly alternated, to give the parents a break to.
- Saw just three Vervets - hopefully the troop hasn't further dwindled from the five they had last year.
- Blackbuck - male Artie has been vasectomised. Werribee's currently at capacity, but if they wished to breed again, they'll just switch one of the bachelor males in for a short period, before moving Artie back into the group. Werribee holds a small bachelor group of six males off display.
- The zoo has eight Takhi on display. Seven females and a desexed male. The zoo recently introduced their stallion again (who lives separately). This is a result of them moving to the new complex on the Upper Savannah which has more space (they previously had to halt breeding due to reaching capacity). Five of the females showed interest, two didn't, so the zoo is hoping for some Takhi babies next year; their first in quite some years.
- White Rhino's, Letaba and Sisi, have been re-integrated with Kipenzi and Jabulani, although they were off in their separate pairs. The zoo is also hoping for another offspring from Kifaru and Kipenzi; who've been engaging in promising behaviours lately.
- Saffron the Dromedary Camel has sadly passed it seems - the zoo only has two girls on display 'Atta' and 'Sahara'.
Thanks for the update.
It’s interesting to hear of separation being used rather than contraception of the lionesses. It could be to improve the chances of Asali and Kianga conceiving themselves in the future; but as an added benefit, it’d reduce conflicts amongst the males from having cycling females in the pride.
It’s good to know Kifaru and Kipenzi have another breeding recommendation. The Kruger/Moesha line is becoming well represented in Australasia with their daughter at Auckland Zoo currently on a breeding recommendation for a fourth calf. Kruger also has a daughter with a breeding recommendation at Monarto Safari Park.
It’s interesting to hear of an apparent expansion to the Common hippopotamus facilities. This could be to accomodate two bulls separately; but it could also be about accomodating breeding. Even if only one cow breeds, that would straight away take the zoo to three pods once the calf is born. If the mother and calf split from the other two females at that point, they’ll then need to factor in separation of the mother/calf upon the birth of a future sibling. If Monarto acquire the other bull, that’ll only leave Dubbo requiring a bull calf of the current holders; so unless new holders emerge, it’ll be on Werribee to accomodate their own surplus.
I am wondering since the opening of the new elephant exhibit/complex if this signals the start of a bit of a rebirth for the Werribee zoo, It appeared to stagnate for a long time. With new work in progress now for two new Hippo bulls and the possible importation of some new white rhinos from European zoos things really seem to be happening, Also I wonder if the resent massive upgrade at Monarto zoo had anything to do with all what is happening at the zoo currently
I agree Werribee stagnated for years behind Dubbo (which I historically would have considered the region’s premier open range zoo). Monarto arguably holds the top spot now due to the sheer scale of their facility and Werribee have undoubtedly been motivated to up their game.
It’s been close to six years since Werribee announced an ambitious masterplan that has been delayed significantly in progress due to Covid and other factors. Nonetheless, they’re working through it and still have lots to come (expanded lion and cheetah facilities, hyena, gondola etc).
Source: Zoos Victoria
Unless I’ve missed something, I believe it’s only Monarto Safari Park who are importing rhinos from Europe (reported to be a trio, with one going to New Zealand). I assume one (probably a new breeding bull) will remain at Monarto; with the third going to either Dubbo or Werribee. Both have a single viable cow, so would benefit from acquiring another female in my opinion.
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Since the African rhino import plan seems all but dead I had assumed that several of the zoos that were going to receive rhinos from that would now look at importing a few rhino each since the African import idea was for a large number from there, If that's all the rhinos they are importing as you stated its not really going to move the dial much for the long term?
Yes, that’s possible. There’s clearly been an influx in breeding recommendations of late, which combined with imports is presumably the plan to address the short fall that would have otherwise been filled by the South African imports. A number of European imports would certainly be welcome.
Even if it’s Monarto coordinating a series of imports, with the rhinos then transferred out to Werribee etc. That would leave Werribee resources freed up to concentrate on the hippopotamus import (with one of their two bulls hopefully coming to Monarto).
I am really glad to see Werribee transforming itself to another level the new elephant exhibit has really given it a kick start and a new lease of life. The new additions should attract a lot more visitors especially when we start to see new babies arrive like elephant, rhino and Hippo calfs that certainly not going to hurt visition numbers.
I can't help thinking that after the massive expansion recently at Monarto zoo that may of help set off a bit of a chain reaction with not just Werribee but Dubbo as well which is all a very positive thing to happen. What I would think would be an added bonus is all 3 open rage zoos were to cooperate in the importation of a couple more new species like Sable antelopes and Impala for their open Savanna exhibits and perhaps both zoos can retire the Indian blackbuck from its Africa exhibits.
Since the IRA for antelopes was completed a few years ago as far as I am aware nothing has been imported so a lot of work and time and now zero imports, some new species would create more interest and attract more public to visit, Imagine seeing Impale and Sable running across the open plains of Monarto
The region will be acquiring a large amount from the UK that will help re-generate the breeding program. I'm unsure whether they're all going to Monarto initially, but they'll be distributed across several facilities within the region (Auckland, Orana, Werribee, Dubbo, Australia likely).
The zoo currently has three habitats, so would definitely need another one to accommodate the four potential groupings - two females, selected breeding female, and the two bulls separately.
It obviously indicates the zoos intention to retain both bulls in the meantime; and long term, the zoo would also have space to accommodate surplus offspring too.
It’ll be interesting to see which female hippopotamus is designated the breeding female, but Lotus is the obvious choice. At 17 years of age, she’s the youngest female and has a long reproductive life ahead of her. She has more than enough time to build up a family pod of her own.
It be desirable if the two females designated non-breeding were close in age (so one is not left alone for a long period of time upon the death of its companion). The closest two are obviously Tulip (2003) and Lotus (2008); but bearing in mind that would leave an ageing 35 year old female as the breeding female, the next best option is Primrose and Tulip.
Finally, Primrose is the highest ranking in the pod; Tulip the lowest. By removing Lotus (in the middle), their rankings remain unchanged. Removing Tulip would have the highest potential for conflict; followed by removing Primrose.
I believe its likely that when calfs are produced in the future that we may see a couple of other zoos take an interest in holding them
Definitely. If Werribee retain both imported bulls, then that’s Monarto and Dubbo straight away who would surely be interested in a bull.
Once a cow is selected for breeding and she’s produced surviving offspring, Werribee can discount needing their other two females as back up breeders, potentially freeing them up as surplus should a new holder within the region arise. Otherwise Dubbo and Monarto are good for females, with cohesive pods of reproductive aged females at each zoo.
It’s possible, but Werribee would struggle to achieve integrated pods given the spatial constraints of the exhibits. The simplest method of increasing pod size is the breeding of a single cow, with each new offspring introduced to its older sibling/s in turn.
If it was deemed Tulip/Lotus were to be a risk to each other’s calves (their nieces), they’d have to run as seperate pods. The bulls would need to live seperate from each other; and unless Primrose could be integrated with one of them (on contraception), that would then be five groupings.
I wouldn't be surprised to see them breed one bull to a daughter and the other to the other. Then ship one of the bulls out to Monarto or Dubbo. Monarto would be best, Dubbo have traditionally had a good relationship with werribbe. So I wouldn't rule that out.
By splitting the bulls and breeding one to each daughter, they will get two calves with similar but different genetics. A daughter can then be bred to the bull that isn't the father producing a calf that is essentially 3/4 imported bloodlines, making it a match for any hippo in Aus bar its parents. If a bull calf is born it will be easily placed, if daughters are born, again easily placed or retained for breeding.
Kulinda, Werribee’s only cheetah has been euthanised. This leaves the park without cheetah and wild dogs currently - reported on social media.
Sad news, but not unexpected given her age.
I look forward to Werribee welcoming both species back in the future. They intend to re-acquire African wild dog and long term they plan to build expanded Cheetah facilities to enable breeding.
Since fresh imports of African wild dog are required for the region and there’s not currently a surplus, it wouldn’t amaze me to see Werribee undertake an import from overseas.
That means that the only Carnivora species that the zoo holds on display (there’s that off display Serval but I can’t count how many times I’ve attempted to attend that keeper talk for it to be canceled) now are Lions and Meerkats. I know that both lost species are intended to be re-acquired but but that’s still absolutely pitiful for a major zoo and it even has less Carnivore species than the small in size and budget Ballarat Wildlife Park nearby.