Mogo Wildlife Park Mogo Zoo lions

This is a brief history of white lions in Australia as I understand it to be. There are a few missing pieces in the story, which I’ve listed as questions at the end. Any corrections are welcome.

White Lions in Australia

In 2004 Mogo Zoo imported 1.2 white lions from South Africa, Tim, Bella and Snow. In 2006 Bella gave birth to 1.1 Purr and Joe. Snow also produced 1.1 in 2006, Mafuta and Numbi, who were hand-raised. They are still at Mogo where visitors can hand-feed them as part of the white lion encounter. Snow was given the chance to mother again, and in 2007 she produced 5.0 cubs. In 2008 these males were known as the ‘brat pack' and were transferred to the National Zoo in Canberra, along with half-brother Joe (now called Megalou). In 2012, Djuma and Matimba went to Mansfield Zoo, where they still live. In 2016 the other 4 brothers, Narky, Timba, Vati and Megalou, were transferred to Tasmania Zoo. They are still there.
A fourth litter of 2.2 were born at Mogo on 22nd January 2012. Lika, Apple, Tahba and Makulu were reported to be destined for export to the UK.
Tim and Bella from the original Mogo import were transferred to Altina Wildlife Park in 2012. In 2014 they produced 2.2 cubs, Holden, Kimba, Elsa and Neferity, who are still at Altina. In June 2017, males Holden and Kimba travelled to Queensland and were on display at Dreamworld for 2 weeks. Tim and Bella both died in 2018. Tim is now a taxidermic specimen on display in Altina's museum.
On 9th August 2012, Snow, who remained at Mogo, had a third litter, 1.1 cubs with tawny male Mac. The cubs were tawny. Snow had a fourth litter in 2014, 2 tawny females Zuri and Chitwa, sired by Mac.
Chitwa had a tawny male cub, Phoenix, in 2019.
Chitwa’s sister, Zuri, died due to birthing complications in 2020, one tawny female cub, Maji, survives.
In 2009 Zoodoo and Darling Downs Zoo imported 2.2 white lions from South Africa. Shaka (M) and Shenzi (F) went to Darling Downs Zoo. Bakari (M) and Kiara (F) went to Zoodoo.
Male, Kwanza was born at Darling Downs in 2012. On 13th January 2015, 1.2 cubs were born at Darling Downs Zoo. Lazy Boy, Mummy's Girl and The Terror. 1.1 of this litter, renamed Kovu and Nala, were transferred to Hunter Valley Zoo in 2016. The other female, Msichana, is still at Darling Downs.
The first litter at Zoodoo was born in 2013. The 2 brothers, Zuri and Aarali, were transferred to Crocodylus Park in 2014. They are still there. On 13th January 2014 Bakari and Kiara produced a second litter with 2.2 cubs, Jabari, Kibwana, Gimbya and Jaja. These four lions went to Shoalhaven Zoo in 2016 and still live there.
Also in 2009, the National Zoo imported 1.1 white lion siblings from Tygerberg Zoopark in South Africa, Jake (M) and Mischka (F). No white lions have ever been bred at the National Zoo.
There have been nine white lion litters born in Australia. 4 at Mogo, 2 at Darling Downs, 2 at Zoodoo and 1 at Altina, as well as 2 tawny litters at Mogo to white lioness, Snow. The last white lions to be born in Australia were the 1.2 litter at Darling Downs in 2015.

What happened to Purr?
What happened to the 4th Mogo litter from 2008?
Snow's 2012 cubs names?
Other cubs for Chitwa and Zuri?
Who were the other 2 white lions that were displayed at Dreamworld?
 
Last edited:
akasha said:
This is a brief history of white lions in Australia as I understand it to be. There are a few missing pieces in the story, which I’ve listed as questions at the end. Any corrections are welcome.

White Lions in Australia

In 2004 Mogo Zoo imported 1.2 white lions from South Africa, Tim, Bella and Snow. In 2006 Bella gave birth to 1.1 Purr and Joe. Snow also produced 1.1 in 2006, Mafuta and Numbi, who were hand-raised. They are still at Mogo where visitors can hand-feed them as part of the white lion encounter. Snow was given the chance to mother again, and in 2007 she produced 5.0 cubs. In 2008 these males were known as the ‘brat pack' and were transferred to the National Zoo in Canberra, along with half-brother Joe (now called Megalou). In 2012, Djuma and Matimba went to Mansfield Zoo, where they still live. In 2016 the other 4 brothers, Narky, Timba, Vati and Megalou, were transferred to Tasmania Zoo. They are still there.
A fourth litter of 2.2 were born at Mogo on 22nd January 2012. Lika, Apple, Tahba and Makulu were reported to be destined for export to the UK.
Tim and Bella from the original Mogo import were transferred to Altina Wildlife Park in 2012. In 2014 they produced 2.2 cubs, Holden, Kimba, Elsa and Neferity, who are still at Altina. In June 2017, males Holden and Kimba travelled to Queensland and were on display at Dreamworld for 2 weeks. Tim and Bella both died in 2018. Tim is now a taxidermic specimen on display in Altina's museum.
On 9th August 2012, Snow, who remained at Mogo, had a third litter, 1.1 cubs with tawny male Mac. The cubs were tawny. Snow had a fourth litter in 2014, 2 tawny females Zuri and Chitwa, sired by Mac.
Chitwa had a tawny male cub, Phoenix, in 2019.
Chitwa’s sister, Zuri, died due to birthing complications in 2020, one tawny female cub, Maji, survives.
In 2009 Zoodoo and Darling Downs Zoo imported 2.2 white lions from South Africa. Shaka (M) and Shenzi (F) went to Darling Downs Zoo. Bakari (M) and Kiara (F) went to Zoodoo.
Male, Kwanza was born at Darling Downs in 2012. On 13th January 2015, 1.2 cubs were born at Darling Downs Zoo. Lazy Boy, Mummy's Girl and The Terror. 1.1 of this litter, renamed Kovu and Nala, were transferred to Hunter Valley Zoo in 2016. The other female, Msichana, is still at Darling Downs.
The first litter at Zoodoo was born in 2013. The 2 brothers, Zuri and Aarali, were transferred to Crocodylus Park in 2014. They are still there. On 13th January 2014 Bakari and Kiara produced a second litter with 2.2 cubs, Jabari, Kibwana, Gimbya and Jaja. These four lions went to Shoalhaven Zoo in 2016 and still live there.
Also in 2009, the National Zoo imported 1.1 white lion siblings from Tygerberg Zoopark in South Africa, Jake (M) and Mischka (F). No white lions have ever been bred at the National Zoo.
There have been nine white lion litters born in Australia. 4 at Mogo, 2 at Darling Downs, 2 at Zoodoo and 1 at Altina, as well as 2 tawny litters at Mogo to white lioness, Snow. The last white lions to be born in Australia were the 1.2 litter at Darling Downs in 2015.

What happened to Purr?
What happened to the 4th Mogo litter from 2008?
Snow's 2012 cubs names?
Other cubs for Chitwa and Zuri?
Who were the other 2 white lions that were displayed at Dreamworld?
Click to expand...

Chitwa only has one son - Phoenix born Dec 2019.

Zuri has one surviving daughter - Maji born December 2020. Zuri died December 2020.
 
Tafin said:
Chitwa only has one son - Phoenix born Dec 2019.

Zuri has one surviving daughter - Maji born December 2020. Zuri died December 2020.
Click to expand...

Phoenix and Maji were sired by Baako from Taronga Western Plains Zoo. He’s the son of South African imports - Lazarus and Maya.

Baako heads up the pride of Snow, Chitwa and Phoenix. Since she was handraised, Maji is not currently part of this pride.

1.0 Baako (28/02/2015) Lazarus x Maya
0.1 Chitwa (10/08/2014) Mac x Snow
1.0 Phoenix (23/12/2019) Baako x Chitwa
0.1 Maji (11/12/2020) Baako x Zuri
 
From what I know the main lion pride at Mogo is usually displayed in 2s, not sure if this Is the permanent arrangement or just from what I’ve seen but it was Baako and Snow on display when I went a few weeks ago and Chitwa and Phoenix from what I’ve seen in social media posts.
 
Riley said:
From what I know the main lion pride at Mogo is usually displayed in 2s, not sure if this Is the permanent arrangement or just from what I’ve seen but it was Baako and Snow on display when I went a few weeks ago and Chitwa and Phoenix from what I’ve seen in social media posts.
Click to expand...

Your right, in most social media posts they are kept in two groups; Chitwah and Phoenix, and Baako and Snow.

It'll be interesting to find out why they're kept in these two groups. Maybe its the fact that they don't want Chitwah to fall pregnant again anytime soon?
 
Riley said:
From what I know the main lion pride at Mogo is usually displayed in 2s, not sure if this Is the permanent arrangement or just from what I’ve seen but it was Baako and Snow on display when I went a few weeks ago and Chitwa and Phoenix from what I’ve seen in social media posts.
Click to expand...

Unless the introductions of Phoenix to the pride has regressed, it could be because they’re attempting introductions with Maji to the pride. Building up her relationship with Chitwa and Phoneix is an obvious starting point.

According to this article, they’ve began introductions with Maji and Phoenix: First cub for lioness brings joy to Mogo during bushfire disaster
 
Zoofan15 said:
Unless the introductions of Phoenix to the pride has regressed, it could be because they’re attempting introductions with Maji to the pride. Building up her relationship with Chitwa and Phoneix is an obvious starting point.

According to this article, they’ve began introductions with Maji and Phoenix: First cub for lioness brings joy to Mogo during bushfire disaster
Click to expand...

I believe Phoenix and Maji have only been introduced to each other with a fence in between. They haven't had full contact yet.
 
Jambo said:
I believe Phoenix and Maji have only been introduced to each other with a fence in between. They haven't had full contact yet.
Click to expand...

There’s where they were up to in the video (dated January). It’s worth noting that that’s probably because Maji was a few weeks old; Phoenix was 13 months old. It would be wise to wait until Maji is at least 6-9 months before any direct contact introductions.

Hopefully once she’s big enough, they make quicker progress with their introductions than Wellington Zoo. :p
 
akasha said:
This is a brief history of white lions in Australia as I understand it to be. There are a few missing pieces in the story, which I’ve listed as questions at the end. Any corrections are welcome.

White Lions in Australia

In 2004 Mogo Zoo imported 1.2 white lions from South Africa, Tim, Bella and Snow. In 2006 Bella gave birth to 1.1 Purr and Joe. Snow also produced 1.1 in 2006, Mafuta and Numbi, who were hand-raised. They are still at Mogo where visitors can hand-feed them as part of the white lion encounter. Snow was given the chance to mother again, and in 2007 she produced 5.0 cubs. In 2008 these males were known as the ‘brat pack' and were transferred to the National Zoo in Canberra, along with half-brother Joe (now called Megalou). In 2012, Djuma and Matimba went to Mansfield Zoo, where they still live. In 2016 the other 4 brothers, Narky, Timba, Vati and Megalou, were transferred to Tasmania Zoo. They are still there.
A fourth litter of 2.2 were born at Mogo on 22nd January 2012. Lika, Apple, Tahba and Makulu were reported to be destined for export to the UK.
Tim and Bella from the original Mogo import were transferred to Altina Wildlife Park in 2012. In 2014 they produced 2.2 cubs, Holden, Kimba, Elsa and Neferity, who are still at Altina. In June 2017, males Holden and Kimba travelled to Queensland and were on display at Dreamworld for 2 weeks. Tim and Bella both died in 2018. Tim is now a taxidermic specimen on display in Altina's museum.
On 9th August 2012, Snow, who remained at Mogo, had a third litter, 1.1 cubs with tawny male Mac. The cubs were tawny. Snow had a fourth litter in 2014, 2 tawny females Zuri and Chitwa, sired by Mac.
Chitwa had a tawny male cub, Phoenix, in 2019.
Chitwa’s sister, Zuri, died due to birthing complications in 2020, one tawny female cub, Maji, survives.
In 2009 Zoodoo and Darling Downs Zoo imported 2.2 white lions from South Africa. Shaka (M) and Shenzi (F) went to Darling Downs Zoo. Bakari (M) and Kiara (F) went to Zoodoo.
Male, Kwanza was born at Darling Downs in 2012. On 13th January 2015, 1.2 cubs were born at Darling Downs Zoo. Lazy Boy, Mummy's Girl and The Terror. 1.1 of this litter, renamed Kovu and Nala, were transferred to Hunter Valley Zoo in 2016. The other female, Msichana, is still at Darling Downs.
The first litter at Zoodoo was born in 2013. The 2 brothers, Zuri and Aarali, were transferred to Crocodylus Park in 2014. They are still there. On 13th January 2014 Bakari and Kiara produced a second litter with 2.2 cubs, Jabari, Kibwana, Gimbya and Jaja. These four lions went to Shoalhaven Zoo in 2016 and still live there.
Also in 2009, the National Zoo imported 1.1 white lion siblings from Tygerberg Zoopark in South Africa, Jake (M) and Mischka (F). No white lions have ever been bred at the National Zoo.
There have been nine white lion litters born in Australia. 4 at Mogo, 2 at Darling Downs, 2 at Zoodoo and 1 at Altina, as well as 2 tawny litters at Mogo to white lioness, Snow. The last white lions to be born in Australia were the 1.2 litter at Darling Downs in 2015.

What happened to Purr?
What happened to the 4th Mogo litter from 2008?
Snow's 2012 cubs names?
Other cubs for Chitwa and Zuri?
Who were the other 2 white lions that were displayed at Dreamworld?
Click to expand...

Did you ever find out the names of Snow's cubs in 2012?
 
Here is an interesting case from The Age newspaper in 1961, over a decade before McBride's discovery of white lions at Timbavati. I don't know if this cub was a true albino, or a leucistic individual. Does anyone know where Juliana came from?

5th July 1961

Our Rarest Animal- An Albino Lion

ADELAIDE, Tuesday- Australia's rarest animal- a four-day-old albino lioness- is one of three cubs being hand reared by Mrs. Charlie Adkins, wife of the Adelaide Zoo's head keeper.
The albino has to be fed milk with an eye dropper, as it is too weak to suck from a bottle.
Mrs. Adkins and her husband have been fighting to save the valuable albino and another cub since Saturday, when the pair, cold, limp and almost dead, were removed from their neglectful mother, Juliana.
Mrs. Adkins also took over the hand rearing of a third cub after the fourth cub of the litter had died because of the mother's neglect.
The albino is little more than the half the size of the other cubs.

7th July 1961

Albino Lion Cub Dies; Only One Left

ADELAIDE, Thursday- The albino lioness and another of the unwanted litter of four, born to Juliana at Adelaide's Zoo, died early this morning.
Their deaths occurred after an all-night effort by Mrs. C Adkins, wife of the zoo's head keeper, to save them.
Zoo attendants are fighting to save the life of another tiny lion cub, the last of the litter of four, which was taken from Juliana last Saturday.
The albino cub, nick-named Whitey, was believed to be the only albino lion in captivity in the world.
Mrs. Adkins nursed the dying cubs until after midnight this morning and fed them with an eyedropper every three or four hours.
The cubs were placed on a blanket, in a box in the laundry of Mrs. Adkins home at the zoo.
The director of the Zoo (Mr. V Haggard) said that the cubs would not have lived had they been left with Juliana.
 
akasha said:
This is a brief history of white lions in Australia as I understand it to be. There are a few missing pieces in the story, which I’ve listed as questions at the end. Any corrections are welcome.

White Lions in Australia

In 2004 Mogo Zoo imported 1.2 white lions from South Africa, Tim, Bella and Snow. In 2006 Bella gave birth to 1.1 Purr and Joe. Snow also produced 1.1 in 2006, Mafuta and Numbi, who were hand-raised. They are still at Mogo where visitors can hand-feed them as part of the white lion encounter. Snow was given the chance to mother again, and in 2007 she produced 5.0 cubs. In 2008 these males were known as the ‘brat pack' and were transferred to the National Zoo in Canberra, along with half-brother Joe (now called Megalou). In 2012, Djuma and Matimba went to Mansfield Zoo, where they still live. In 2016 the other 4 brothers, Narky, Timba, Vati and Megalou, were transferred to Tasmania Zoo. They are still there.
A fourth litter of 2.2 were born at Mogo on 22nd January 2012. Lika, Apple, Tahba and Makulu were reported to be destined for export to the UK.
Tim and Bella from the original Mogo import were transferred to Altina Wildlife Park in 2012. In 2014 they produced 2.2 cubs, Holden, Kimba, Elsa and Neferity, who are still at Altina. In June 2017, males Holden and Kimba travelled to Queensland and were on display at Dreamworld for 2 weeks. Tim and Bella both died in 2018. Tim is now a taxidermic specimen on display in Altina's museum.
On 9th August 2012, Snow, who remained at Mogo, had a third litter, 1.1 cubs with tawny male Mac. The cubs were tawny. Snow had a fourth litter in 2014, 2 tawny females Zuri and Chitwa, sired by Mac.
Chitwa had a tawny male cub, Phoenix, in 2019.
Chitwa’s sister, Zuri, died due to birthing complications in 2020, one tawny female cub, Maji, survives.
In 2009 Zoodoo and Darling Downs Zoo imported 2.2 white lions from South Africa. Shaka (M) and Shenzi (F) went to Darling Downs Zoo. Bakari (M) and Kiara (F) went to Zoodoo.
Male, Kwanza was born at Darling Downs in 2012. On 13th January 2015, 1.2 cubs were born at Darling Downs Zoo. Lazy Boy, Mummy's Girl and The Terror. 1.1 of this litter, renamed Kovu and Nala, were transferred to Hunter Valley Zoo in 2016. The other female, Msichana, is still at Darling Downs.
The first litter at Zoodoo was born in 2013. The 2 brothers, Zuri and Aarali, were transferred to Crocodylus Park in 2014. They are still there. On 13th January 2014 Bakari and Kiara produced a second litter with 2.2 cubs, Jabari, Kibwana, Gimbya and Jaja. These four lions went to Shoalhaven Zoo in 2016 and still live there.
Also in 2009, the National Zoo imported 1.1 white lion siblings from Tygerberg Zoopark in South Africa, Jake (M) and Mischka (F). No white lions have ever been bred at the National Zoo.
There have been nine white lion litters born in Australia. 4 at Mogo, 2 at Darling Downs, 2 at Zoodoo and 1 at Altina, as well as 2 tawny litters at Mogo to white lioness, Snow. The last white lions to be born in Australia were the 1.2 litter at Darling Downs in 2015.

What happened to Purr?
What happened to the 4th Mogo litter from 2008?
Snow's 2012 cubs names?
Other cubs for Chitwa and Zuri?
Who were the other 2 white lions that were displayed at Dreamworld?
Click to expand...
do you have any specific dates?
 
In March 2011, as part of Dreamworld’s 30th birthday celebrations, Jake and Mischka from the National Zoo were introduced to The Lair. They were on display from 9th April to 9th May. Two other white lions, Achilles and Agamemnon, went on display from 16th May to 7th August.
In June 2017, males Holden and Kimba from Altina went on display at Dreamworld for 2 weeks.

My question is, who are Achilles and Agamemnon? This Dreamworld reference is the only mention I can find of them in Australia. I’m wondering if they are 2 of the brat pack from the National Zoo? (Perhaps Djuma and Matimba who ended up at Mansfield?) Maybe they were given ‘cool’ names for advertising purposes?
 
Achilles and Agamenon, were of course the names of the wild twarny lions that fathered the 1st 3 white lions in the Timbavati game reserve that all white lions now decend from. The 3 white lion cubs and 1 twarny cub from the same litter were captured and sent to Pretoria zoo in the 1970s.
 
Astrobird said:
Achilles and Agamenon, were of course the names of the wild twarny lions that fathered the 1st 3 white lions in the Timbavati game reserve that all white lions now decend from. The 3 white lion cubs and 1 twarny cub from the same litter were captured and sent to Pretoria zoo in the 1970s.
Click to expand...
Yes, which makes me think they renamed these Aussie lions for their visit to Dreamworld because they themed the whole exhibit around Timbavati.
 
Jambo said:
Your right, in most social media posts they are kept in two groups; Chitwah and Phoenix, and Baako and Snow.

It'll be interesting to find out why they're kept in these two groups. Maybe its the fact that they don't want Chitwah to fall pregnant again anytime soon?
Click to expand...
I’ve been to Mogo recently and there’s been a bit of movement with the prides and where they’re placed. Chitwa, Snow and Baako are all together across from the Cheetah/Deer, with Phoenix not on display with them. Mafuta and Numbi have been moved from near the Primate Islands up to the Lion exhibit from 5+ years ago, near the Tigers. There’s nothing in the exhibit near Primate Island and nothing noted to be updated or upgraded. Maji was also not on display and they weren’t able to give me an update on how she’s reintegrating into the pride or meeting Phoenix
 
Tigergal said:
I’ve been to Mogo recently and there’s been a bit of movement with the prides and where they’re placed. Chitwa, Snow and Baako are all together across from the Cheetah/Deer, with Phoenix not on display with them. Mafuta and Numbi have been moved from near the Primate Islands up to the Lion exhibit from 5+ years ago, near the Tigers. There’s nothing in the exhibit near Primate Island and nothing noted to be updated or upgraded. Maji was also not on display and they weren’t able to give me an update on how she’s reintegrating into the pride or meeting Phoenix
Click to expand...

Phonenix and Maji are now aged 24 and 12 months respectively. If mesh contact introductions have been progressing well then now would be an ideal time to introduce them that Maji is robust enough to defend herself during play and Phoenix is still immature himself. It will be of great detriment to her social development if she does not assimilate herself into a pride, albeit a small one.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Phonenix and Maji are now aged 24 and 12 months respectively. If mesh contact introductions have been progressing well then now would be an ideal time to introduce them that Maji is robust enough to defend herself during play and Phoenix is still immature himself. It will be of great detriment to her social development if she does not assimilate herself into a pride, albeit a small one.
Click to expand...
I was thinking they might become a third pride at the zoo and occupy the exhibit near the Primate Islands but I guess we’ll have to wait and see
 
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