Australasian Sumatran Tiger Population

[Zoofan15]

Mencari is now the oldest Sumatran tiger in the world:

As reported by @Smaggledagle in the North American Sumatran tiger population thread, Chrissie (1999) passed away at Honolulu Zoo 10/01/2023.

This means that Mencari at Hamilton Zoo is now the oldest living Sumatran tiger in the world. She turned 23 years old that same day (born 10/01/2000).

 

[Zoofan15]

Australia Zoo Update

Juma and Ranu both passed away last year.

They were born at Mogo Zoo 01/04/2004 and were the eldest male tigers in their region.

Juma and Ranu are survived by their littermate, Singha, who is the second eldest Sumatran tiger in the region; as well as their respective offspring (1.1 to Juma; 2.2 to Ranu) - including Delilah, who has recently given birth to triplets (1.2) at Adelaide Zoo.

Oldest Sumatran tigers in Australasia (updated):

0.1 Mencari (10/01/2000) Jambi x Cantic
0.1 Singha (01/04/2004) Lari x Malu
1.0 Satu (28/10/2006) Ramalon x Binjai
0.1 Indah (31/03/2007) Raja x Soraya
1.0 Bashi (04/12/2007) Imported 2008
0.1 Kaitlyn (04/12/2007) Imported 2008

 

[Zoofan15]

Auckland Zoo - Breeding Update

From socials:

Currently, the carnivore team are monitoring tiger Zayana’s oestrus cycles so they can accurately predict when she’s in oestrus. This will be crucially important in deciding the right time for Zayana and Ramah to be introduced as part of our breeding recommendation for this critically endangered big cat.

“Tigers are by nature solitary animals – who come together in the wild primarily for breeding,” explains Kristin. “Zayana and Ramah are yet to fully introduced (with no barrier between them). So far, there’s been really positive signs between the two of them with Ramah chuffing towards Zayana when she’s in season. Introductions are likely to happen first in our back of house areas, but we’ll keep everyone updated with any news.”

———————

It’s good to hear there’s been positive interactions through the mesh. Hopefully a physical introduction can be conducted within the next few months.
Aaa

 

[Zoofan15]

Hamilton Zoo - Mencari

It sounds like Hamilton Zoo are preparing to make a difficult (but kind) decision regarding their elderly tigress, Mencari.

Mencari was born at Wellington Zoo in January 2000 and is the oldest living Sumatran tiger in the world.

Each day, she sets a new longevity record for the Australasian region.

My thoughts are with the Hamilton Zoo team, who every day provide Mencari with an exceptional level of care to ensure she’s comfortable until her time comes.

——————————————————————

From socials:

Our dear Sumatran tiger Mencari recently celebrated her 23rd birthday in January, a remarkable milestone for a tiger. She has been showing her age, and during the past week, the team have noticed her slowing down.

We know beautiful Mencari is not only much loved by the Zoo team but is a firm favourite with all our visitors so we will keep you up to date on how she is doing.

Caring for animals is a privilege that comes with great responsibility. She is being closely monitored by our carnivore and vet team, and has access to the main tiger habitat and her night den if she wants time to herself.

Please send all your good vibes Mencari’s way and come say hi if you’re visiting.
Aaa

 

[Zoofan15]

Hamilton Zoo - Mencari (2000-2023)

Hamilton Zoo have announced the death of Mencari, who at the age of 23 years, 2 months and 14 days was the eldest Sumatran tiger in the world; and now holds the regional record for longevity in Australasia.

She will be much missed - by the staff who care for her; and the public - including myself who have greatly enjoyed visiting this majestic tigress over the years.

Mencari was the last surviving grandchild of Nico and Meta; who are today survived by numerous descendants.

Spoiler: Hamilton Zoo Press Release

Our Zoo whaanau is mourning the loss of a very special girl – much-loved Sumatran tiger Mencari.

While 23 years is a remarkable milestone for a tiger, Mencari had remained active and relatively spritely until recently.

The keepers and vet team have been closely monitoring her and noticed she was slowing down and her usual sassy spirit was no longer there. It became clear it was time to step in to ensure she did not suffer.

The difficult decision was made to euthanise her earlier today, in the company of staff who loved and cared for her.

The oldest Sumatran tiger in current records, her 23rd birthday was celebrated earlier this year, Mencari was a grand old lady. Described by her keepers as a real character with a good dose of attitude, she enjoyed laying around soaking up the sunshine and loved a blood ice block on a hot day.

Born at Wellington Zoo in 2000, she transferred to Hamilton Zoo with siblings Jaka and Molek at 14 months as part of the Australasian breeding programme. The three were the first tigers at the Zoo and moved into a new purpose-built habitat. Over the years Mencari captured the hearts of many - educating visitors and promoting the conservation of these beautiful tigers.

Numbers of Mencari’s wild counterparts have been declining drastically, with estimations at less than 400, due to habitat destruction and poaching for the illegal wildlife trade. They are listed on the IUCN Red List as critically endangered, so the role Mencari has played as an ambassador for her species has been significant.

 

[Zoofan15]

Australia Zoo Holds Fourth Eldest Sumatran Tiger in the World

Following the passing of Mencari at Hamilton Zoo this week, I thought it’d be interesting to assess where our new eldest Sumatran tiger (Singha) ranks globally in terms of longevity.

We have population lists on ZooChat for Europe and North America; as well as Japan, which appears to be the main stronghold for Sumatran tigers in Asia, outside of their native Indonesia.

Using these, I believe Singha is the fourth eldest Sumatran tiger in the world. If anybody knows an older tiger than Singha that is not listed below, please advise their name, DOB and facility.

As shown in the list above (Post #202), our next eldest tiger in the region is Satu at Dubbo (born 2006). There’s a wealth of tigers across Europe and North America born later in 2004 than Singha and throughout 2005, so it’s not worth assessing Satu’s global ranking at this stage.

0.1 Ratna (22/06/2003) Shepreth Wildlife Park
0.1 Dua (27/03/2004) Thrigby Wildlife Gardens
0.1 Satu (27/03/2004) Brno Zoo
0.1 Singha (01/04/2004) Australia Zoo

This list really highlights how remarkable Mencari’s longevity was. The next eldest tiger down from her is 3.5 years younger; and Singha is four years younger and still in the top five eldest Sumatran tigers globally.

 

[Nisha]

Unfortunately Leanne passed away sometime ago. San Francisco are currently without Sumatran's

 

[Nisha]

Satu (Brno) has a sister (Dua) from the same litter. She currently at Thrigby Wildlife Gardens in the UK

Coincidentally, she and Dua are full siblings to Ratna who you mention above. All three were born at Dublin to Indah and Sigra. Ratna was taken away and handreared after her inexperienced mother failed to feed her. Satu and Dua (along with a third sibling who died as a young adult) were born the following year

 

[Nisha]

Puna (B11/6/2004 at Heidelberg) would probably be the next one on the list. She currently resides at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England

 

[Zoofan15]

Satu (Brno) has a sister (Dua) from the same litter. She currently at Thrigby Wildlife Gardens in the UK

Coincidentally, she and Dua are full siblings to Ratna who you mention above. All three were born at Dublin to Indah and Sigra. Ratna was taken away and handreared after her inexperienced mother failed to feed her. Satu and Dua (along with a third sibling who died as a young adult) were born the following year

Thanks @Nisha, I’ve made the changes. Clearly some long lived genes there!

It’s also interesting to note that Singha; along with Mencari, Kemiri (Australasia’s previous record holder) and Djelita (world record holder) have the following in common: all female, all never bred and are all descendants of the Nico-Meta line. Djelita, Kemiri and Mencari are all first cousins and Singha is their niece or second cousin.

 

[Elena]

We have population lists on ZooChat for Europe and North America; as well as Japan, which appears to be the main stronghold for Sumatran tigers in Asia, outside of their native Indonesia.

Using these, I believe Singha is the fourth eldest Sumatran tiger in the world. If anybody knows an older tiger than Singha that is not listed below, please advise their name, DOB and facility.

As shown in the list above (Post #202), our next eldest tiger in the region is Satu at Dubbo (born 2006). There’s a wealth of tigers across Europe and North America born later in 2004 than Singha and throughout 2005, so it’s not worth assessing Satu’s global ranking at this stage.

0.1 Ratna (22/06/2003) Shepreth Wildlife Park
0.1 Dua (27/03/2004) Thrigby Wildlife Gardens
0.1 Satu (27/03/2004) Brno Zoo
0.1 Singha (01/04/2004) Australia Zoo

Chelsea at Zoo Atlanta is the current oldest Sumatran tiger in North America. She was born at the Toronto Zoo on July 10, 2003. Her son, Sanjiv, is the father of Zayana, now at Auckland Zoo.

 

[TigerStripe]

Australia Zoo Holds Fourth Eldest Sumatran Tiger in the World

Following the passing of Mencari at Hamilton Zoo this week, I thought it’d be interesting to assess where our new eldest Sumatran tiger (Singha) ranks globally in terms of longevity.

We have population lists on ZooChat for Europe and North America; as well as Japan, which appears to be the main stronghold for Sumatran tigers in Asia, outside of their native Indonesia.

Using these, I believe Singha is the fourth eldest Sumatran tiger in the world. If anybody knows an older tiger than Singha that is not listed below, please advise their name, DOB and facility.

As shown in the list above (Post #202), our next eldest tiger in the region is Satu at Dubbo (born 2006). There’s a wealth of tigers across Europe and North America born later in 2004 than Singha and throughout 2005, so it’s not worth assessing Satu’s global ranking at this stage.

0.1 Ratna (22/06/2003) Shepreth Wildlife Park
0.1 Dua (27/03/2004) Thrigby Wildlife Gardens
0.1 Satu (27/03/2004) Brno Zoo
0.1 Singha (01/04/2004) Australia Zoo

This list really highlights how remarkable Mencari’s longevity was. The next eldest tiger down from her is 3.5 years younger; and Singha is four years younger and still in the top five eldest Sumatran tigers globally.

If she’s still alive, I believe 0:1 Gloria / Sigli at Lisboa makes the list, being born on the 30/8/2002 at Rotterdam. However, I have reservations about if she is still alive or not…

 

[Zoofan15]

Adelaide Zoo - Tiger Cubs Named

The tiger cubs go on display tommorow.

The male cub has been named Ketambe after a village in Aceh.

The female cubs have been named Marni, meaning loyal and persistent in Indonesian; and Susu, meaning milk in Indonesian.

1.0 Ketambe (21/12/2022) Kembali x Delilah
0.1 Marni (21/12/2022) Kembali x Delilah
0.1 Susu (21/12/2022) Kembali x Delilah

It’s nice to see Adelaide Zoo choose three names that reflect their Indonesian heritage; as well as names that are unique to the region.

Congratulations to Adelaide Zoo on their first litter of Sumatran tiger cubs!

 

[Zoofan15]

Decrease of Holders

Ballarat Wildlife Park will not be rejoining the Sumatran tiger breeding programme. Their female died in 2020 and the male died in 2022. The female was replaced with a hybrid male and it was announced today a hybrid female will arrive shortly - cementing their switch to hybrids for the foreseeable.

It’s a disappointing move that follows the phase out of Sumatran tigers from Symbio Wildlife Park and Sydney Zoo.

In addition, I’m doubtful Dreamworld (which holds two 15 year old females) will continue with this species long term. They appear to be downsizing their holdings and have only bred hybrids over the last decade.

Sumatran tigers are now held at 15 facilities (listed in order of acquisition):

1. Melbourne Zoo (1976)
2. Taronga Zoo (1979)
3. Wellington Zoo (1992)
4. Perth Zoo (1994)
5. Adelaide Zoo (1995)
6. Taronga Western Plains Zoo (1996)
7. Auckland Zoo (1998-2019)/(2022)
8. Mogo Zoo (2001)
9. Hamilton Zoo (2001)
10. National Zoo and Aquarium (2002)
11. Dreamworld (2003)
12. Australia Zoo (2004)
13. Orana Wildlife Park (2006-2019)/(2020)
14. Darling Downs Zoo (2013)
15. Tasmania Zoo (2018)

 

[Zoofan15]

Auckland Zoo - Breeding Update

Exciting news!

Signage around the zoo’s tiger complex advise Zayana is in season and the pair have been introduced for breeding. Indications from staff are that the introductions have gone well.

Since all previous signs/interactions between the cats have been positive, it’s great to see Auckland Zoo progressing with full contact introductions.

If successful, this will be the zoo’s first litter in 15 years and the second litter in their 25 year history of holding Sumatran tigers.

Fingers crossed for cubs this year!

 

[Zoofan15]

Auckland Zoo - Breeding Update

Exciting news!

Signage around the zoo’s tiger complex advise Zayana is in season and the pair have been introduced for breeding. Indications from staff are that the introductions have gone well.

Since all previous signs/interactions between the cats have been positive, it’s great to see Auckland Zoo progressing with full contact introductions.

If successful, this will be the zoo’s first litter in 15 years and the second litter in their 25 year history of holding Sumatran tigers.

Fingers crossed for cubs this year!

Article on introduction for breeding:

Auckland Zoo have now released a comprehensive article on the introduction:

Sumatran tigers successfully introduced for breeding | Auckland Zoo

Spoiler: Sumatran Tiger Introduction (Full Text)

We’re excited to share that Auckland Zoo’s Sumatran tigers Zayana and Ramah have successfully come together to mate over the past week and have demonstrated that they like each other a lot!

Their introduction comes after months of planning, and intensive monitoring and management by our Carnivore keepers to ensure it happened at the optimal time in Zayana’s cycle, and when both cats’ behaviours indicated they were very keen to be together. (Tigers are primarily solitary and in the wild normally only come together to breed).

The pairing of Zayana (4) and Ramah (5) to breed is part of a zoos’ international breeding and conservation advocacy programme for this Critically Endangered big cat that today numbers fewer than 400 animals in the wild.

Reviewing night camera footage each morning has been a key tool in monitoring and informing the steps to their introduction – initially indoors, then out in their Lowlands habitat. Senior Carnivore keeper Nick says classic positive signs from Zayana have been lots of chuffing and calling, increased face pressing up against the mesh barrier that separated the two tigers, and a desire to sleep as near as possible to Ramah.

“Zayana’s also been doing lots of playful rolling around in Ramah’s presence at night, something she never does outside of oestrous – when she doesn’t want a bar of him! Ramah has also called, would face press, and been keen to sleep near Zayana.

“Observing these behaviours and those before, during and after mating are informing when it’s been best for us to separate them and when to reintroduce them outside again for mating over this past week.

“It’s a super exciting and positive step in Zayana and Ramah’s journey to breed. Everything has gone incredibly well, and we’ve seen plenty of mating action, which is great, but we’re mindful that this is their first time together and they’re learning, so it’s early days,” says Nick.

Zayana’s oestrous period should be trailing off soon, and as their behaviour changes due to this, they’ll be happy to be separated. Nick and the team will continue to observe and monitor Zayana over the coming weeks, and we look forward to sharing more updates as things progress.

 

[Abbey]

Auckland Zoo - Breeding Update

Exciting news!

Signage around the zoo’s tiger complex advise Zayana is in season and the pair have been introduced for breeding. Indications from staff are that the introductions have gone well.

Since all previous signs/interactions between the cats have been positive, it’s great to see Auckland Zoo progressing with full contact introductions.

If successful, this will be the zoo’s first litter in 15 years and the second litter in their 25 year history of holding Sumatran tigers.

Fingers crossed for cubs this year!

Article on introduction for breeding:

Auckland Zoo have now released a comprehensive article on the introduction:

Sumatran tigers successfully introduced for breeding | Auckland Zoo

Spoiler: Sumatran Tiger Introduction (Full Text)

We’re excited to share that Auckland Zoo’s Sumatran tigers Zayana and Ramah have successfully come together to mate over the past week and have demonstrated that they like each other a lot!

Their introduction comes after months of planning, and intensive monitoring and management by our Carnivore keepers to ensure it happened at the optimal time in Zayana’s cycle, and when both cats’ behaviours indicated they were very keen to be together. (Tigers are primarily solitary and in the wild normally only come together to breed).

The pairing of Zayana (4) and Ramah (5) to breed is part of a zoos’ international breeding and conservation advocacy programme for this Critically Endangered big cat that today numbers fewer than 400 animals in the wild.

Reviewing night camera footage each morning has been a key tool in monitoring and informing the steps to their introduction – initially indoors, then out in their Lowlands habitat. Senior Carnivore keeper Nick says classic positive signs from Zayana have been lots of chuffing and calling, increased face pressing up against the mesh barrier that separated the two tigers, and a desire to sleep as near as possible to Ramah.

“Zayana’s also been doing lots of playful rolling around in Ramah’s presence at night, something she never does outside of oestrous – when she doesn’t want a bar of him! Ramah has also called, would face press, and been keen to sleep near Zayana.

“Observing these behaviours and those before, during and after mating are informing when it’s been best for us to separate them and when to reintroduce them outside again for mating over this past week.

“It’s a super exciting and positive step in Zayana and Ramah’s journey to breed. Everything has gone incredibly well, and we’ve seen plenty of mating action, which is great, but we’re mindful that this is their first time together and they’re learning, so it’s early days,” says Nick.

Zayana’s oestrous period should be trailing off soon, and as their behaviour changes due to this, they’ll be happy to be separated. Nick and the team will continue to observe and monitor Zayana over the coming weeks, and we look forward to sharing more updates as things progress.

This is great news that the introductions seem to have progressed so quickly and so smoothly. I'm also hopeful that there might be cubs this year, which would be a fantastic outcome not only for Auckland Zoo, but for the whole region.

 

[Zoofan15]

This is great news that the introductions seem to have progressed so quickly and so smoothly. I'm also hopeful that there might be cubs this year, which would be a fantastic outcome not only for Auckland Zoo, but for the whole region.

Auckland Zoo’s handling of the introduction has been commendable. Nobody can accuse them of rushing it (after all it’s been six months since the tigers arrived), but they’ve watched for the positive signs and when they saw them, proceeded. It’s also nice to see a zoo communicate openly about this exciting event.

Cubs in 2023 would be welcome after the zoo’s action packed centenary year in 2022, which was filled with numerous high profile births and arrivals.

Regionally, these cubs will be genetically valuable and will likely go straight into breeding pairs. I suspect the four year old triplets at Taronga and the three year old triplets at Australia Zoo will be high on the list. They’re some of our youngest tigers and otherwise have limited options within the region.

 

[Zoofan15]

Auckland Zoo - Breeding Update

As I noted in the Auckland Zoo news thread, Ramah and Zayana have been introduced again for a second time after she failed to conceive on the first cycle. This was attributed to their inexperience as first time breeders.

Spoiler: Media Release

You’ll likely hear more roars and chuffs from our Sumatran tigers if you’re visiting us over the next few days!

Zayana, who was introduced to mate with male Ramah for the first time last month, came back into oestrus (or ‘season’) early this week. This is the optimal, most receptive, and safe period for her to mate with Ramah.

Indicative behaviours of Zayana being in season have included lots of calling (especially from Ramah), both tigers chuffing and face-rubbing (up against the mesh of their separated inside areas) and Zayana rolling around in front of Ramah.

All going well, in time Zayana will conceive and we hope, go on to contribute to the international breeding programme for her critically endangered species, but successful mating takes time and practice!

“Female Sumatran tigers are ‘induced ovulators,’ which means they need multiple stimulation for ovulation (the release of eggs) to occur, so need to mate many times. Last month Zayana and Ramah mated 95 times, but as this was their first time together, we’re not sure how accurate Ramah was,” says carnivore keeper Nick.

“This month, Ramah has a lot more confidence, and both tigers’ courtship behaviours are much stronger towards one another, and we think Ramah is definitely hitting the mark more this time around! As well as mating outside in their habitat, they’ve also chosen to mate in their inside area. One thing we’ve really noticed and been impressed by is how respectful Ramah has been towards Zayana.”

Our team will continue to monitor their behaviour closely during her period of receptivity (4–7 days). Once this period is over, these primarily solitary big cats will return to their separate habitats.

The tigers had access to the small exhibit (with visitor barriers up) and inside dens on my visit and I did indeed hear a few roars.

Fingers crossed for September cubs! They would be the zoo’s first litter in 15 years.

 

[Zoofan15]

Regional Breeding Programme Update

I was recently able to have a discussion with one of Auckland Zoo’s keepers regarding the regional breeding programme, which included a number of points of interest:

The regional population target is 50 tigers. We currently have 20.21 tigers, but with Auckland planning to breed this year; and Hamilton planning to breed in the next 12 months, that will hopefully take the population to the mid-40’s (allowing for a couple of deaths).

I would expect the holdings at several facilities to increase in the near future. Perth Zoo house a single ageing male in fragile health; I imagine the new (rotational) exhibits at Perth will accomodate at least a sibling pair; while Orana Wildlife Park will have the capacity to import a female and breed once Scout transfers to Hamilton Zoo. I’ve been told breeding with Reggie is a priority due to his genetic value.

The plan is for Ramah and Zayana to breed 2-3 times, depending on the number of cubs produced across the first two litters.

The relatedness of the regional population is an issue. 35 of the 41 tigers in the region are descendants of Nico and Meta. Of the 1.5 that aren’t their descendants, only one (Kaitlyn) has bred; and all five females are now post reproductive. The keeper noted more imports from Indonesia would be ideal, though challenging to secure.