The elephants with room to move and trumpeting their happy habitat
Fencing in the habitat was designed using recycled rail track and elevator cables and subjected to very specific stress testing, specifically being able to withstand a five-tonne male bull elephant running at the fence.
Werribee Open Range Zoo director Mark Pilgrim said creating a habitat that enables elephants to live as naturally as possible – even if behind a fence – was the key principle guiding the design.
'We wanted the elephants to make decisions, particularly the matriarch, she can now make choices as to where she's going each day with the herd, where she's going to take them,' Pilgrim said.
'That's exactly what a matriarch in a wild herd would be doing, taking the herd to a different area to find food. And that's pretty groundbreaking.'
Asian elephants in the wild roam across great distances. Research varies, but suggests the herd can travel about 10 kilometres on an average day.
At Werribee, food is placed in different areas of the habitat each day so the elephants have to search as they would in the wild.
Pilgrim moved from the UK to lead the zoo after working in elephant welfare and said there was 'huge global interest' in what the zoo had done.
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'It's really raised the bar for elephant welfare across the world,' he said. 'It's not just the open space, it's what that allows you to do in terms of having different habitats, giving them different activities at different times. So these are hugely intelligent animals and just being able to challenge them on a day-to-day basis is hugely important.'
The habitat was created using an $88 million state government grant and is the same size as the entire Melbourne Zoo site.
Previously the elephants were contained on two hectares of land, space which became even more constrained with the birth of the zoo's calves.
Howard said she cried when the elephants entered the habitat for the first time and the calves ran to explore their new surroundings.
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Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The elephants with room to move and trumpeting their happy habitat
'You can't put visitors over the top of elephants because there's an implied superiority there, so what we did was we put the elephants over the humans,' Howard said. Fencing in the habitat was designed using recycled rail track and elevator cables and subjected to very specific stress testing, specifically being able to withstand a five-tonne male bull elephant running at the fence. Werribee Open Range Zoo director Mark Pilgrim said creating a habitat that enables elephants to live as naturally as possible – even if behind a fence – was the key principle guiding the design. 'We wanted the elephants to make decisions, particularly the matriarch, she can now make choices as to where she's going each day with the herd, where she's going to take them,' Pilgrim said. 'That's exactly what a matriarch in a wild herd would be doing, taking the herd to a different area to find food. And that's pretty groundbreaking.' Asian elephants in the wild roam across great distances. Research varies, but suggests the herd can travel about 10 kilometres on an average day. At Werribee, food is placed in different areas of the habitat each day so the elephants have to search as they would in the wild. Pilgrim moved from the UK to lead the zoo after working in elephant welfare and said there was 'huge global interest' in what the zoo had done. Loading 'It's really raised the bar for elephant welfare across the world,' he said. 'It's not just the open space, it's what that allows you to do in terms of having different habitats, giving them different activities at different times. So these are hugely intelligent animals and just being able to challenge them on a day-to-day basis is hugely important.' The habitat was created using an $88 million state government grant and is the same size as the entire Melbourne Zoo site. Previously the elephants were contained on two hectares of land, space which became even more constrained with the birth of the zoo's calves. Howard said she cried when the elephants entered the habitat for the first time and the calves ran to explore their new surroundings.
The Age
06-07-2025
- The Age
Melbourne is no longer a haven for Jews
Childcare staff churn I have worked in the early years' sector for almost 40 years as an educator, coordinator, lecturer and consultant. I take comfort knowing that most educators around the country are committed and dedicated early childhood teachers and educators who provide extraordinary education and care for children every day. Department spot checks have always been the norm and a 'no phone policy' is usual best practice. No amount of CCTV cameras will stop paedophiles and no educator wants to work under surveillance. Having at least two educators supervising children at all times is unrealistic. Family day care and some remote services would not be able to operate. Other professions such as aged care, disability and nursing do not require supervision. The issue is the multi-national corporations who own up to 400 centres. Their main goal is profit for owners or shareholders. This results in minimum staffing and poor working conditions for educators, high staff turnover and more relievers are required just to operate. When breaches occur, the fine is paid and they are allowed to open more centres. This has been the problem since the Howard government de-regulated the market in the '90s. Remember the ABC centres? We can only hope that these terrible recent events that have shocked our sector result in immediate action from all levels of government to stop this private sector growth, pay educators more so they stay in the profession and increase funding for services to improve 'educator to child' ratios. Profits should never be put before children's safety. Louise Dorrat, Carlton Unease lingers As a parent of now teenage children who spent their early years in private childcare centres, I've been reflecting on that time with a new sense of unease. I find myself revisiting old memories – wondering if certain incidents were more than just harmless moments, questioning whether some educators were trustworthy. I can only imagine how today's parents must feel. Justine Loe, Elsternwick Bans solve nothing Re banning males from childcare work. After watching ABC TV's Four Corners where two women laugh as one filmed the other smacking a crying baby, why not ban all females? Come to think of it, if we ban all babies in the first place – no childcare needed, no more aged care and perhaps no more wars! Brilliant solutions to so many problems. Joan Lynn, Williamstown Kneejerk logic If we follow the logic proposed by those advocating for a ban on male childcare workers, then surely we must ban male priests given the history of child sexual abuse within the church. Male coaches and teachers could be next. The sad fact is even fathers abuse their children, so why are we so quick to call for a ban on men in the caring professions but silent when the professions involved are ones of power and authority? Lisa McArley, Witta, Qld Play it with ambiguity Jennifer Parker's analysis of a potential war over Taiwan is a sensible contribution to this complex topic (' As China prepares to invade Taiwan, a reality check: sitting on the sidelines won't help us ', 6/7). But the issue is more complex than a simple military equation. For a start, almost no countries of any consequence recognise Taiwan – that was traded away decades ago when we recognised the People's Republic, and opened embassies in Beijing. While the US provides some military equipment and support to Taiwan, it has no formal military agreement. Its last formal military agreement with Taiwan was cancelled in 1980 by President Carter. There are alternatives for China to direct military action – like a blockade. Taiwan's economy probably wouldn't last more than a couple of months under a sustained blockade. And the West's response – while not ruling out a military one, the normal response is trade sanctions, followed by a counter-blockade if the sanctions don't work. Australia would be at the forefront of trade sanctions given that 35 per cent of our exports go directly to China. For the US and EU, that number is around 10 per cent – economically easier for them to do sanctions, harder for Australia. Finally, in recent times, both Biden and Trump administrations have warned China that the US will get involved in any conflict over Taiwan. One wonders how strong that US resolve will be once the sophisticated chip factories have been rebuilt in the US or other friendly country. Once again, Australia needs to be careful making absolute commitments. Perhaps we need to maintain some sort of strategic ambiguity. One would hope that our government is testing all of these scenarios, to make sure we don't just respond with the simplistic binary approach of we are in, or we are out of the conflict. Ian McKenzie, Canterbury Disappointment mounts Surveys show that the vast majority of Victorians value national parks. The Allan Government does not. (″ Hopes dashed for new national park ″, 4/7). It has made the political calculation with the support of red-necked unions that a Great Forest National Park, as well as the creation of parks across Victoria, are not to be countenanced. Simultaneously, Parks Victoria is being run down. It is so disappointing that science, multiple environmental assessments, and the most recognised way to manage precious ecological assets are ignored on multiple fronts. Russell Carrington, Williamstown Ugly has no borders On the same day that Trump's ″Big Beautiful Bill″ was passed, dozens of people have drowned in Texas. This so called ″Beautiful Bill″ cuts funding for climate change initiatives. If there was ever a glimpse into our future, this is it. Our planet doesn't have borders. All people, all countries and all governments need to act. This bill may appear shiny on the outside but in many ways is very ugly. Mick Hussey, Beaconsfield Beyond Portland Most South Australian readers of The Age are resigned to the eastern states view that Australia ends at Portland, but it's hard to accept the lack of coverage of the environmental catastrophe occurring here on our coastline. From dolphins, penguins and sharks to leafy sea dragons and shellfish, our beaches are carpeted in dead and dying marine life as a result of the devastating algal bloom spreading along the coasts. Apart from species loss, livelihoods are endangered, and health threats increase. Barely a peep from the media or government. Perhaps, when Coffin Bay oysters are no longer available in Melbourne restaurants or Bell's Beach is unsafe for surfers, will the big states take notice. Kathy Keech, Beaumont, SA Bot gets person al Malcolm Knox's ' Customer Service A Conflict Zone ' (5/7) refers to the current way complaints are handled, by a bot issuing warnings about civility before you settle in for a long and frustrating wait listening to promotions for possibly the very thing you are complaining about. If a human response eventually comes, you have had to jump through so many hoops by then that you are pre-disposed not to be exactly happy with non-answers that sound just like a shopping list being read out to you. There are two issues here: If the provider had a range that was less faulty, there would be less complaints; and secondly, if the supplier's contact-me service was more efficient, it would not attract such hostility. How perfectly ironic that the very thing that is (supposedly) put in place to handle dissatisfaction, is, in fact, the cause of it. As if that wasn't enough, one recent request from a well-known insurer for my review of their inability to provide the necessary information for me to renew my policy, was withdrawn from my screen, together with its parent email as soon as I gave them a low score. I was not even able to fill in the section that asked why I had given that score. I took that personally. Pete Dunne, Highett Bring call centres home Qantas says to me and to millions of other Qantas frequent flyers, that its ″focus is on doing all we can to support you″ in relation to the hacking of six million customers' personal information. The best and most secure thing Qantas could do for its customers is to end its outsourcing of all its ″Qantas airline contact centres″, and return all Qantas call centres to in-house, and based in Australia, along with all Qantas data centres. Merv Keehn, Melbourne Carlton's coaching Football reporter Jake Niall blames Carlton's lack of depth matching up against Collingwood's AFL team. Yet, the VFL Carlton team was competitive, beating the Magpies on Saturday night in an entertaining contest. Maybe the pundits' view of the Blues' lack of success should focus on coaching and physical preparation. Andrew Smith, Leongatha AND ANOTHER THING Melbourne attacks How do aggressive acts of antisemitism in Melbourne help the cause of peace in the Middle East, or anywhere for that matter? Jane Sullivan, Kew East Oh, the irony. Netanyahu decries recent attacks on Jewish establishments in Melbourne, while he goes about destroying an entire region and its people, with impunity. Maureen Goldie, Blackwood, SA Donald Trump Your correspondent (Letters, 6/4) says that Donald Trump is a racist. Trump's claim that he didn't know the implications of the term Shylock, however, is entirely credible. The man is not only racist, he's illiterate. Juliet Flesch, Kew Recent Churchillian successes, culminating in his 'big, beautiful bill', decisively entrench President Trump as undisputed king of the global castle. Maybe it's time he read the Book of Proverbs (16/18): 'Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.' Kevin Burke, Sandringham Trump's new bill is big and beautiful if you happen to be a billionaire. Doug Springall, Yarragon Furthermore ″Mars colonisation is a necessary step for the survival of humanity,″ says Elon. What self-interested nonsense! Surely, it's time to stop the fighting (globally), stop destroying the environment, and learn to live together. Ian Cooper, Bendigo I thought we were meant to be headed towards a cashless society, so why are most businesses now charging fees for using a debit card? Neale Woods, Wattle Glen Re: the John Silvester article headline (5/6). The proof isn't in the pudding; the proof of the pudding is in the eating! Norma Togneri, Ivanhoe
The Age
02-07-2025
- The Age
The role of communities in childcare
To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@ Please include your home address and telephone number. No attachments, please include your letter in the body of the email. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. Like many, I am shocked and sickened by the latest allegations of abuse occurring in childcare centres. I was involved in campaigns for universal, affordable, quality childcare in the '70s and '80s when services were largely provided by community groups, churches and local government with funding from federal sources. We campaigned successfully for a range of services to meet community needs. There were clear regulations about space, staff-child ratios, quality of food provision, and there was oversight. The Howard government changed the framework by opening the sector to for-profit organisations. The service attracted big corporations and childcare chains – there were corporate collapses, such as ABC Learning, often inadequate staffing and accusations of financial misconduct. For-profits now provide 75 per cent of childcare centres and there has obviously been inadequate oversight and regulation. Too often profit comes before care. So we are all justly horrified by the latest accusations of abuse. Childcare is an essential service for families. It is part of early childhood learning and good for children's development. The Albanese government recognises this and has raised wages for poorly paid workers and has put more funds into the sector. It is a community responsibility, as are our schools. We must ensure that the staff are well-trained and paid, that there are ratios, that it is well-regulated and supported, and provided where needed. And we need to rethink our priorities. Where do we want our tax dollars to go: to universal, affordable, quality community childcare or more daycare nightmares? For me, I want it in community hands. Anne Sgro, Coburg North Many good men work in the sector I, too, was devastated with the news of the daycare nightmare allegations. All parents have the right to safe and happy childcare for their children. The Age reports (' Innocent male workers will leave sector in charges wake ', 2/7) that parents 'took to social media to decry men working in the learning learning sector' and that parents are considering removing their children from centres if a male educator worked there. This is not the solution. Many good men work in the child care industry, and at kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools. And we need men in these areas. We need kind, good male role models for our children throughout their lives. This horrendous accusation should not negate the importance of our children experiencing the support of both good female and male educators throughout their lives. Mary-Jane Boughen, Murrumbeena No check will ever be foolproof The allegations of child sexual abuse by a childcare worker are truly horrific, and my heart goes out to those parents and children affected. It has led to calls for stricter or changed Working with Children checks, and while the checks would be improved by cross border co-operation, no check will ever catch all future alleged abusers. Whether it is comprehensive checks for working with children, police checks for directors, checks for gun licences, or any other, all a clear comprehensive check really tells us is that the person hasn't offended yet, or hasn't been caught yet. There is no check which can ensure a person will not offend in the future in whatever field the check covers. We cannot make childcare risk free; we can only mitigate the risk. It will also be very unfortunate if this case results in fewer men in childcare. There have been cases of female child sexual abusers, and we must take the risk that women will offend or be without childcare entirely. Children need both female and male role models in their lives, as safe as we can make them, but unfortunately life cannot be entirely risk free. Louise Kloot, Doncaster THE FORUM Call out racism In the land that proudly calls itself multicultural, the ugly shadow of racism still lingers. From casual slurs whispered in workplaces, to systemic inequalities affecting First Nations peoples, migrants, and refugees, it is time we acknowledged racism is not a relic of the past — it is still very much alive in Australia. Many of us grew up hearing that Australia was the ″fair go″ country — a place where everyone had a chance to succeed. And yet, there is discrimination because of skin colour, religion, name, accent or cultural background. I have endured most of this in my almost 70 years here. Media must do far more to amplify diverse voices and challenge stereotypes, and criticise those politicians who promote racism. To remain silent is to be complicit. As citizens, we have a moral responsibility to confront racism — in our institutions, in our communities, and within ourselves. Australia must do better. Not just for those who suffer the sting of racism every day, but for the country we aspire to be. Ange Kenos, Niddrie Women, rise up If you look at the countries at the forefront of all the major conflicts in the world all are led by men. This despite the fact that women make up roughly half the population on the planet. The only way this can ever change is if women rise up and challenge this imbalance and take their rightful equal place in the leadership of countries. Providing quotas in a democratic country is just one small step towards achieving this. David Parker, Geelong West Wrong priorities Development Victoria has announced the construction of a $350 million three-storey building in the Albert Park reserve. The proposed development is presented as a community/sports centre rather than a pit building and entertainment space for the annual four-day F1 car racing. Victoria has far more urgent needs. Geoff Gowers, Merricks North
