A donation of rocks and logs from the Ison Road Overpass project will enhance a new Asian elephant habitat at Werribee Open Range Zoo as part of the Victorian government’s $88 million expansion project.
The project team donated the materials after clearing them to build the overpass, which will help provide residents in the west of Wyndham with a vital link to the Princes Freeway.
The donation supports Major Road Projects Victoria’s (MRPV) commitment to reusing natural resources within project communities wherever possible.
The project team trucked to Werribee Open Range Zoo about 505 tonnes of rocks and logs, equivalent in weight to nearly 100 male Asian elephants.
The purpose-built Elephant Trail will comprise a 21-hectare open range habitat to accommodate Zoos Victoria’s growing Asian elephant herd following its relocation from Melbourne Zoo in late 2024.
The donated rocks and logs will help add natural features to the habitat’s surrounding walking trails.
The Elephant Trail at Werribee Open Range Zoo will feature sandpits and deep-water pools collectively holding two million litres of Class A recycled water. The trail and its pools are large enough to accommodate the growing herd of elephants and will also help improve their skincare, swimming ability and social skills.
Visitors will also be able to view an elephant barn, including a communal area, training yards and breeding facilities. Five outer habitats will retain and build on existing vegetation and significant trees.
Two dedicated overpass bridges will allow the Asian elephants to pass over visitor walking trails between the central management yard and outer habitats.
“It’s wonderful to collaborate with Major Road Projects Victoria to repurpose rocks and logs for the new Elephant Trail at Werribee Open Range Zoo, which will be the gold standard in animal welfare,” said Werribee Open Range Zoo drector Dr Mark Pilgrim
