​​New elephant habitat taking shape at Werribee Zoo​

Victoria's new home for Asian Elephants is taking shape at Werribee Open Range Zoo as part of the Victorian State Government's $88 million expansion project.

The expansion includes the construction of two purpose-designed elephant barns, which will soon support the care needs of Zoos Victoria's growing multi-generational herd.

Development Victoria’s Group Head of Civic Infrastructure Hannah Clement said we were proud to be delivering this project in partnership with Zoos Victoria.

The herd and bull barns have been built within the Zoo's 21-hectare elephant habitat, consisting of seven management yards, two mega pools, a visitor walking trail and elephant overpasses.

The all-weather barns have ceilings towering over 9-metres and luxurious two-metre-deep sand flooring for comfortable sleeping mounds.

The barns have also been designed to continue to support ongoing proactive healthcare. A training facility in the barn's rear will allow keepers to train the nine elephants to participate in regular health checks, including blood tests, weigh-ins, and oral health procedures.

The Werribee Open Range Zoo expansion is the same size as the entire Melbourne Zoo, and the equivalent of five MCG stadiums – with the project creating 170 jobs

The new elephant experience is expected to open to visitors in early 2025 after the entire Asian elephant herd moves to their new home later this year.

Find out more on the project page.