The transfer of Asian elephants from Melbourne Zoo to Werribee Open Range Zoo later this year marks a significant step in managing elephant populations in Australian zoos. The move represents a larger change in how captive elephants are cared for, emphasising animal welfare and conservation. This post explores the reasons for the relocation, the detailed process involved, the impacts on the elephants and the zoos, and the broader importance of elephant conservation in Australia.

Background: Asian Elephants in Captivity

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies Asian elephants as endangered. This is due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. Due to their social structure, intelligence, and physical needs, these elephants require special care in captivity. Zoos worldwide have been evolving their practices to accommodate these animals better. The focus has shifted to larger enclosures, enrichment programs, and social groupings that reflect their natural behaviours.

Melbourne Zoo has been home to Asian elephants since 1883. In recent years, they have played a crucial role in public education and conservation awareness. The elephants have also participated in international breeding programs to bolster the population of this endangered species. However, as knowledge of elephant care has grown, so has the understanding that traditional zoo environments, even well-designed ones, only sometimes provide the space and complexity these animals need to thrive.

The Herd

Elephants are matriarchal, meaning the females live in a herd together while the males live alone or in small bachelor groups in the wild. The multigenerational, cohesive female herd replicates this natural behaviour at Melbourne Zoo and will continue at Werribee Zoo. The new expansion has separate barns for matriarchs and bulls, replicating how they live in the wild. Multiple pregnancies have been achieved since Melbourne Zoo established the Cooperative Conservation Breeding Program upon the arrival of three young elephant cows from Thailand in November 2006. Melbourne Zoo’s first-ever calf, Mali, was the first female elephant born in Australia.

Reasons for the Move

The primary reason for moving the elephants from Melbourne Zoo to Werribee Open Range Zoo is the need for a larger environment. Melbourne Zoo, located in the city’s heart, has limited space. Despite significant efforts to provide a stimulating environment, creating a habitat that fully supports the elephants’ physical and psychological well-being was challenging, given space limitations. Werribee Open Range Zoo, in contrast, is on a more extensive land holding.

Melbourne Zoo, being an inner-city space, has no room for expansion. On the other hand, Werribee Zoo, located on the outskirts of Melbourne, is massive. Werribee Zoo covers 225 hectares (560 acres) alongside the Werribee River. Notably, the zoo utilises only a tiny portion of the available land, so expanding enclosures is not an issue. The large, open-range environment at Werribee Zoo better reflects the elephants’ natural habitat. This transition aligns with modern zoo management practices. It prioritises the creation of spaces that allow animals to exhibit more natural behaviours, such as foraging, roaming, and engaging in social interactions within larger groups.

The Process of Relocation

Relocating the elephants is a complex and carefully managed process that has involved months, if not years, of planning. This planning, which includes input from veterinarians, animal behaviourists, transport specialists, and conservation experts, ensures the safety and well-being of the elephants during the move. The careful attention to detail at every stage of the process provides reassurance about the elephants’ care.

The initial phase of the relocation involves preparing the elephants for the move. This includes helping the elephants adjust to transportation, such as getting them accustomed to the specialised transport crates (donated by the Fox Foundation) used during the move. This acclimatisation process began earlier this year and is crucial for reducing stress and ensuring the elephants are comfortable with their surroundings.

The upcoming relocation, scheduled for later this year, will be carried out with great care. Specially designed crates will be used to accommodate the elephants’ size and weight safely. Throughout the journey, veterinarians and animal care staff will closely monitor the elephants to ensure their well-being. Upon arrival at Werribee Open Range Zoo, the elephants will gradually be introduced to their new environment. This patient approach reduces stress and allows the elephants to explore their new surroundings at their own pace. The new habitat has been designed to enable the elephants to establish their social dynamics in a more spacious environment.

Implications for the Elephants

The relocation to Werribee Open Range Zoo will significantly improve the welfare of the elephants. The larger, more natural environment will give the elephants more opportunities to engage in behaviours essential to their well-being, such as foraging, dust bathing, and interacting with other elephants. The increased space will also enable the elephants to walk greater distances, which is crucial for their physical health, especially joint and foot health.

The move also promotes the psychological well-being of the elephants. Elephants are highly intelligent and social animals. Notably, the new environment at Werribee will allow the elephants a broader range to roam and exhibit natural behaviours. This includes forming more complex social bonds and hierarchies, essential aspects of elephant society.

Trail of the elephants – Melbourne zoo

Melbourne Zoo’s relocation of the elephants represents a significant change in its animal management strategy. While the zoo will no longer house elephants, it will repurpose the old ‘Trail of the Elephants’ to a new enclosure. The potential for new exhibits focusing on other endangered species or immersive experiences highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation is an exciting prospect for the future of the zoo’s conservation initiatives.

“In 2003, when the $15 million Trail of the Elephants opened to great fanfare, the 2.5-hectare exhibit boasted three separate spaces, big wallowing pools, a larger barn and more capacity for “enrichment”, a term that describes ways to physically and mentally occupy and challenge captive elephants, like burying whole vegetables in the sand for the animals to dig out.”

Sydney Morning Herald

However, by 2008, with the arrival of three bulls, they had realised that the space was too small.

New Enclosure at Werribee

For the Werribee Open Range Zoo, the arrival of the elephants represents a significant enhancement of its animal collection. Its commitment to providing world-class care for large, complex animals is a step forward. The move also positions Werribee as a leader in elephant care in Australia. It’s expected to attract visitors keen to see elephants in a more naturalistic setting. Additionally, this move will likely expand Werribee’s role in international elephant breeding and conservation programs. Thus contributing to global efforts to save Asian elephants from extinction.

In preparation for the elephants’ arrival, the Werribee Open Range Zoo is undergoing a 21-hectare expansion at a cost of $88 million. Funded by the Victorian Government, the upgrades will provide visitors with a world-class experience. By size comparison, in total size, Melbourne Zoo has 22 hectares, and Taronga Zoo has 28 hectares. The new open-range habitat will feature a central yard and sandpit. It will also have two 3.5m deep pools holding almost 2 million litres of recycled water. The deep water pools will help to improve their skincare, swimming ability and social skills. 

Visitors will have access to the Elephant barn, which includes communal areas, training yards, and breeding facilities. The barns have also been designed to support ongoing elephant healthcare and well-being. A training facility at the back allows keepers to do regular elephant health checks, such as blood tests, weigh-ins, and oral health procedures. Five outer habitats will also retain and enhance existing vegetation and significant trees. Two dedicated overpass bridges will allow the elephants to cross visitor walking trails between the central yard and outer habitats.

Broader Significance for Elephant Conservation

The relocation of the elephants from Melbourne Zoo to Werribee Open Range Zoo is part of a broader trend in zoos worldwide to prioritise animal welfare and conservation. By providing environments that more closely mimic the animals’ natural habitats, zoos can play a vital role in conservation, education, and research. This move also aligns with the growing recognition that zoos must continually evolve to meet the needs of the animals in their care, particularly for species as complex as elephants.