Werribee Zoo to be expanded under new plans

They’re one of the most popular attractions, but Melbourne Zoo’s six elephants are migrating to a bigger and better new home as part of a massive expansion that’s set to bring 200 new jobs to Werribee. And it’s not the only big change on the way.

Melbourne Zoo’s herd of elephants is on the move.

The six Asian elephants are migrating west, to a far bigger and better new home at ­Werribee Open Range Zoo.

The move is part of an eight-year expansion plan bolstered by $1.6 million of extra government cash.

Werribee zoo director Glen Holland said it would be “special” to have the ­elephants there.

“They will move from a couple of hectares to about 20 hectares,” he said.

“It makes sense if you look at all three zoos and where we’ll be going in the future — we’ve got all the space.”

Melbourne Zoo’s life ­science manager for its Trail of the Elephants attraction, Dominic Moss, said there was no better place for the herd.

Melbourne Zoo's elephant enclosure is on the move to Werribee Open Range Zoo. Picture: David Caird

“It’s really exciting,” he said. “Werribee provides the ideal opportunity to expand the herd and they have the space. There will be massive paddocks for the elephants to decide what they want to do.

“One of the big things is having a unified bond ­between the herd.

“Elephants are constantly evolving — we need detailed welfare and philosophy plans. This is an endangered species and we need to highlight what’s happening to them.”

Elephants have long been one of Melbourne Zoo’s biggest attractions, especially since the birth of Mali in 2010, the first elephant born at the zoo. Her arrival was followed by that of little brother Man Jai, born in late 2013.

A second lion pride will be introduced. Picture: David Caird

Mr Moss remained tight-lipped on what animal would replace the gentle giants in Parkville, but said something “exciting” was in the works.

“We certainly think and hope all our members and visitors will appreciate why we’re doing this,” he said.

“It’s going to be great for the elephants and great for the staff. But watch this space.”

The new 20ha space in Werribee, which will accommodate up to 15 elephants, will give the herd’s three ­female elephants more room to breed. Plans include ­expansive water areas, bushland and special fields of wild vegetables that will be opened to the herd on occasion in a spectacle for visitors.

The expansion hopes to cement the Zoo as one the world’s best open range zoos. Picture: David Caird

The view from the proposed Gondola.

EXPANDED ZOO TO BE PRIDE OF WEST

Werribee Zoo will undergo a major expansion to accommodate more than a million visitors — after a million-dollar funding boost was secured recently — to make it one of the world’s best.

The expansion is part of a “future-proofing” plan to give animals and visitors the best experience, boost tourism and raise conservation efforts.

It can be revealed Werribee Open Range Zoo has just received an extra $1.6 million in last-minute funding aid from the Victorian government.

It follows an initial $1 million secured last year from the state government for the expansions, which are estimated to cost $86 million in total over an eight-year period.

The Zoo’s staff will double to cater for new animal additions. Picture: David Caird

Werribee Open Range Zoo director Glen Holland said the proposal had given the zoo an “amazing buzz”.

Giving visitors the best possible views and showcasing the “amount of work we put into the care and compassion” of the animals were priorities.

“It’s great for visitors, it’s great from a commercial product point of view, for revenue and it’s great for the animals.”

The open-plan site stretches over 250ha, half of which is ­currently being used, but under new plans, the site would ­increase by 40-50ha.

Visions of a red-sand “Kalahari Desert”, breakfast with the meerkat colony, after-hours explorations of the savanna, carpark expansions and new eateries are also included in the plans.

The zoo’s staff of about 200 would double.

Mr Holland said the redevelopment could take eight or more years to complete and would need the support of the community, business, philanthropists and Zoos Victoria.

“It will be one of the most exciting zoos in the world,” Mr Holland said.

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The zoo’s biggest move will be shifting Melbourne Zoo’s herd of elephants to Werribee’s proposed 20ha sanctuary.

With an expanding population across Melbourne’s west, the plans cater to larger numbers of visitors while increasing tourism across the board.

It will also help fund conservation efforts in Australia and around the world.

The Sunset Safari, trialled last year, focused on engaging the local African community, and the Wild Nights experience gave visitors a taste of the zoo after dark. Both broke daily visitor records.

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