New $84 million elephant sanctuary to be developed at Victoria’s Werribee Zoo

In a move that will make it a “world-class animal facility”, Victoria’s Werribee Open Range Zoo is set to receive $84 million funding to develop a new elephant sanctuary.

Announced yesterday by Victorian Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, the $84 million for the project will be part of the state’s 2020/21 budget.

The investment will include a new elephant sanctuary, with six Asian elephants to be moved to Werribee Zoo’s 22 hectares from the two hectares at Melbourne Zoo.

The development will also include a 1.6 kilometre treetop gondola boasting 360-degree views of the grounds, an expanded rhinoceros retreat, treetop canopy walk, prairie landscape for bison and a new hyena clan.

Explaining that the development will make the attraction the leading open range zoo in Australia Zoos Victoria Chief Executive Dr Jenny Gray stated “the opportunity with the elephants moving here is to do something remarkable.”

Commenting on the funding, Minister D’Ambrosio explained “(this) announcement will take this fantastic zoo to an ultimate new level.

“The gondola Sky Safari will have a fantastic 360-degree view of the CBD and the Werribee river. It’s going to be a world-class facility.”

The four-year Werribee Zoo redevelopment project is set to start construction next week.

Images: Zoos Victoria