The calves are doing very well, and spend much of the day sleeping. They wake a few times daily to feed from their mothers, who are doing a great job of nurturing their newborn calves.

Zoo keepers have already been up close and personal with the calves for health checks and ear-tagging for identification. This needs to be done early on following the birth, when the Eland mothers hide their calves around the exhibit. In the wild, this is a protection measure to keep the vulnerable offspring safe from predators.

The Eland mothers have been very creative with their hiding spots, and have even been safely ‘stashing’ their babies in the tree guards on exhibit. Zoo keepers are pleased to see great maternal instincts from these experienced mothers.

In the coming weeks, the Eland calves are expected to come out of their hiding spots and form a nursery group with their peers – a great time for visitors to the zoo to see the calves!

There are currently 35 adult Eland on exhibit at the zoo, with at least four more due to give birth between now and the end of the year.

Did you know?

Eland make a distinct clicking sound when they walk – which is thought to come from their knees!

LION PRIDELANDS TAKING SHAPE

The $9 million exhibit is set to be a major drawcard for the zoo, featuring a large 3.5-hectare open expanse where the lion pride will roam, offering a unique visitor experience that will be unrivalled in Australia with a pride of 10-15 Lions, replicating natural family groupings in the wild.

It is the largest investment in an animal exhibit in the zoo’s history, and represents the first major change to the zoo circuit since its opening in 1977.

“Construction has been progressing very well, and we’re pleased to advise that the project is on track to be completed by the end of the year,” Taronga Western Plains Zoo Interim Director Nick Boyle said.

“Extensive earthworks to shape the exhibit are now complete, including kopjes (rock piles) and elevated viewing areas for both people and lions.”

The African-inspired exhibit will also feature a thrilling safari experience for visitors through an encounter from the safety of a purpose-built vehicle.

The visitor area is being built to replicate an African Masai village setting, giving visitors a real insight into, and sensory experience of, being in Africa and the plight of lions in the wild. Lions play an important ecological role as apex predators and Lion Pridelands will highlight the importance of coexistence with nature.