Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo news 2022

[Zoofan15]

On a Colchester Zoo Facebook group (not official) someone mentioned that they could only see the male lion (Bailey) in the indoor area of Lion Rock when they visited today and they could not see the female (only Naja is/was remaining from when her and her sister Malika arrived with their cousin Bailey from Woburn in April 2010). Someone then replied and mentioned that they had asked and were told that the female (I believe Naja) passed away yesterday. I don't know for sure if Naja has died, but it would certainly not come as a surprise to me. If so R.I.P Naja.
Edit: I am not on facebook, but it is on a public group called "Colchester Zoo" with 7.5k members for anyone interested.

I sincerely hope not, would be such a shame. It does seem as if the old Woburn generation are reaching that point.

Yes I've been on Facebook and it does state this although I'm going to wait for official confirmation from the zoo as its just a comment from a visitor . It would only leave the male Bailey if this is true. I don't know how old any of the trio were/are?

The visitor could be wrong after all, although Naja would've been 18 this year which is quite old for a female lion.

Her sister, Malika died in back in 2020 and their current male, Bailey will be 15 this year.

Naja would be turning 18 this month. She and Malika were born 26/03/2004 at Woburn; while Bailey was born 28/06/2007. 18 is by no means a bad age for this species, though it’s always great when they reach their 20’s.

This was the case for the male they replaced. Subu was born 22/04/1989 (also at Woburn) and was almost 21 years old when he died 01/04/2010.

1.0 Subu (22/04/1989) Died 01/04/2010

0.1 Malika (26/03/2004) Died 13/10/2020
0.1 Naja (26/03/2004)
1.0 Bailey (28/06/2007)

 

[DesertRhino150]

Colchester have announced the death of Naja the lioness, after diagnostic tests revealed she had severe heart disease and possible thrombosis and, despite some early stabilising, her health began to rapidly deteriorate. She was put to sleep on Friday 4th March 2022.

More information can be found in the link below:
Colchester Zoo is saddened by the loss of our lioness, Naja | Colchester Zoo

 

[Mfuwe]

Seems that there are no current plans to find a companion for Bailey, I hope he copes with the adjustment.

 

[Rajang-GOAT]

R.I.P Naja, I suppose we are back in the Subu situation now, Bailey will probably live out the rest of his life here by himself while the zoo make plans to either get more individuals in or upgrade the facilities first. I could not imagine a Colchester without lions- they were the whole reason the zoo was formed! Although Subu lived until he was 21- that would be 6 more years for Bailey!

 

[Mfuwe]

R.I.P Naja, I suppose we are back in the Subu situation now, Bailey will probably live out the rest of his life here by himself while the zoo make plans to either get more individuals in or upgrade the facilities first. I could not imagine a Colchester without lions- they were the whole reason the zoo was formed! Although Subu lived until he was 21- that would be 6 more years for Bailey!

I’d guess 2-3 based off of his siblings, though he still has two brothers / cousins that are still around at 18. I’m sure colchester will prioritise his welfare irrespective of what comes next.
It’s been years since i’ve been to colchester didn’t they upgrade the enclosure a few years back ?

 

[Jambo]

R.I.P Naja, I suppose we are back in the Subu situation now, Bailey will probably live out the rest of his life here by himself while the zoo make plans to either get more individuals in or upgrade the facilities first. I could not imagine a Colchester without lions- they were the whole reason the zoo was formed! Although Subu lived until he was 21- that would be 6 more years for Bailey!

Since Bailey is 15 he still possibly has some years in him left.

I'd imagine following his death they may look to renovate the enclosure (while I don't imagine it will be anything big); before bringing in some new Lions, hopefully a breeding pair this time.

 

[Rajang-GOAT]

I understand what you guys are saying- I am sure Bailey has a few more years left in him and they in fact did upgrade Lion Rock late 2018 or 2019 but this added on section looked nice but was not used to frequently and has now been given to the Babary Macaques as an addition to the Out of Africa enclosure.
I of course do want a breeding group of lions, whatever the species at Colchester Zoo but Lion Rock has been heavily criticised previously, even on here (deservedly?) and a new Lion enclosure to house either the African or Asian species to the best of the zoos ability would not be an unnecessary change. I'm sure others will agree with this analysis.

 

[Zoofan15]

I’d guess 2-3 based off of his siblings, though he still has two brothers / cousins that are still around at 18. I’m sure colchester will prioritise his welfare irrespective of what comes next.
It’s been years since i’ve been to colchester didn’t they upgrade the enclosure a few years back ?

I understand what you guys are saying- I am sure Bailey has a few more years left in him and they in fact did upgrade Lion Rock late 2018 or 2019 but this added on section looked nice but was not used to frequently and has now been given to the Babary Macaques as an addition to the Out of Africa enclosure.
I of course do want a breeding group of lions, whatever the species at Colchester Zoo but Lion Rock has been heavily criticised previously, even on here (deservedly?) and a new Lion enclosure to house either the African or Asian species to the best of the zoos ability would not be an unnecessary change. I'm sure others will agree with this analysis.

Some of the counter criticism I’ve heard for Lion Rock on here related to the amount of available exhibit space African lions actually use in captivity. They sleep for up to 20 hours a day and the majority of their day is spent reclining on the rocks. This is also the case for Wellington Zoo’s lions and Auckland Zoo’s lions who have a Kopje and cave respectively that they can be found 99% of the time.

Colchester Zoo may decide to build a new exhibit, but in the meantime they will have to provide for Bailey’s social needs. Lion introductions are easiest when you have a cycling female of reproductive age. Another option (in addition to transferring him elsewhere) could be to introduce a two year old lioness that will be under seven when Bailey passes and in turn be able to be paired with a new male.

 

[Mfuwe]

The zoo has just released a statement regarding bailey’s welfare, they are considering introducing a new lioness or even moving him. They state that both are risky and may not be in his interest due to age. I would certainly question moving a 15 year old lion to take over a pride. I can see the organisation are definitely exploring all avenues and have his welfare at heart

 

[Mfuwe]

Milo from Port lympne just died so that explains where they got the idea to move Bailey , still too many young males- as in all three prides that don’t have a big male atm.

 

[Tankyboi]

They wouldn’t move Bailey to port lympne to take over milos pride as they have 3 8 month old cubs there still so it be a good 2 years before port lympne decide what they will do with that pride

Bailey probably be best living his life out at Colchester

 

[Mfuwe]

yes that’s why i said too many young males ( plus the one female cub )

 

[Embu]

Would be nice to think there would be a suitable female or two available from Longleat but I'm sure Colchester will work alongside the stud book to find a suitable companion

 

[Tankyboi]

Oh my apologies I miss read it… given lily has had around 10 cubs surly they be better keeping the pride as it is now and maybe making a new pride from the older male khari

than Colchester and aspinall seem to have a good relationship with animal moves maybe they will keep bailey than in a few years take the 2 boy cubs

 

[Mfuwe]

Would be nice to think there would be a suitable female or two available from Longleat but I'm sure Colchester will work alongside the stud book to find a suitable companion

i did think that, technically blair drummond and folly farm also have “spare”. It is a hard decision though, especially if you think most of the recent introductions have taken months to a year or just failed altogether. Would that be time best spent for him if he only lives a year more? Also it is likely whatever companion they choose will never be bred from due to colchester’s facilities so that’s another factor

 

[Jambo]

They wouldn’t move Bailey to port lympne to take over milos pride as they have 3 8 month old cubs there still so it be a good 2 years before port lympne decide what they will do with that pride

Bailey probably be best living his life out at Colchester

I'd imagine it'll be a young female that comes in.

This would make it easier once Bailey dies, as the female will still be young and could further be paired with another male, hopefully for breeding purposes.

 

[banham.tiger]

Whats the need for colchester to have a breeding pair? There are far too many surplus lions as it is. It would be nice for them to phase out of “african” lions and swap to asiatics if they wanted to breed although they would have to upgrade the house for that so it would probably just make sense to keep bailey on his own for now and bring in another sibling group once he has passed.

 

[Mfuwe]

Whats the need for colchester to have a breeding pair? There are far too many surplus lions as it is. It would be nice for them to phase out of “african” lions and swap to asiatics if they wanted to breed although they would have to upgrade the house for that so it would probably just make sense to keep bailey on his own for now and bring in another sibling group once he has passed.

couldn’t agree more

 

[Jambo]

Whats the need for colchester to have a breeding pair? There are far too many surplus lions as it is. It would be nice for them to phase out of “african” lions and swap to asiatics if they wanted to breed although they would have to upgrade the house for that so it would probably just make sense to keep bailey on his own for now and bring in another sibling group once he has passed.

Colchester have already expressed that it's likely a companion would be bought in for Bailey. It dosen't necessarily have to be a female for breeding, but a female companion nonetheless.

 

[Rajang-GOAT]

I think that Bailey would be fine to live out his life by himself at Colchester (just as Subu did), but they may decide to move him somewhere else, or introduce him to some more females at Colchester. I'm sure neither of these options will have too dire of an outcome. I personally would love breeding lions at some point, whatever the subspecies, especially considering the success of the over big cat species in 2019 and 2020, and how significant lions have been in Colchester Zoos history.