Big news from Werribee Open Range Zoo: three Asian Elephant calves are on the way!
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos has confirmed herd members Num-Oi, Dokkoon and Mali are all pregnant, with calves expected to arrive around April 2027. It is a major milestone for the zoo’s growing elephant program and a win for local wildlife lovers.
The arrivals will build on the momentum of the new Elephant Trail, opened last year. The $88 million, 21-hectare precinct has helped drive a 37 per cent surge in visitation, drawing a record one million visitors in a single year.
The Elephant Trail, roughly the size of the entire Melbourne Zoo, gives the nine-member herd room to roam, with expansive walking tracks, shaded habitats and two mega pools designed to keep the elephants cool and thriving. The space supports strong social bonds and long-term health, while offering visitors an up-close experience.
The elephant calves join a broader baby boom across Victorian zoos, including a recent giraffe birth following Tambi’s arrival in 2025.
With kids under 16 going free on weekends, public holidays and school holidays, there has never been a better time for families to make a day of it.
