Australasian African Lion Population

Jambo said:
From what I've seen trio litters are usually predominantly one sex (male or female) too, so this is a very rare occurrence! It'll be interesting to see how the dynamics play out and the individual personalities of each individual; Nilo's offspring historically have been quite cautious and quiet cubs, not really the outgoing type.

I believe the next step should be to breed from Asali, but it seems like Werribee likes to have a year in between each litter (not exactly sure why). Anyhow, we can probably expect a litter from Asali next year if anything. With an additional empty exhibit that they have in their hands they can actually afford to breed without having to worry about placement issues down the line.
Click to expand...

I was told the year long gaps between Werribee’s litters was due to the dens being unable to accomodate two litters at once, but it was surprising to see them undertake introductions of three month old cubs to their 12-15 month old half siblings and potentially risky.

On the plus side, males usually outstay their welcome around 24 months, so two litters born a year apart could see males from both litters transition out of the pride together - potentially into the second exhibit you mention.
 
Monarto Safari Park - pregnancy announcement:

DOUBLE PREGNANCY!!!

As reported by @marmolady in the Monarto thread, Husani and Makena are both pregnant! This will be Makena’s first litter and Husani’s third.

It’s especially exciting news considering Makena has shown reluctance to allow the males to breed her in the past and I had concerns she may have been a behavioural non breeder. She and her twin brother, Mlinzi (also in a breeding pair), are the last living reproductively viable descendants of the Melbourne line.
 
Fate of Amari (Auckland/Mogo):

Kura gave birth to 2.2 cubs at Auckland Zoo in 2004 and the fate of one of the male cubs (Amari) has been a mystery to many of us, after his export to Mogo Zoo. I can sadly confirm Amari died at Mogo Zoo in 2005.

With the death of Malik and Kibira, Tiombe is now the sole survivor of this litter and has recently turned 19 years of age. Tiombe is also the only cub from this litter with reproductively viable descendants. Her daughter Husani is expecting her third litter at Monarto.

I thought people would be interested to know Amari’s fate as there’s been speculation in the past he was renamed Mac and became Mogo’s breeding male; but I can confirm these were different lions. It’s likely Mac was born at Mogo, who bred several litters around the timeframe of his birth.
 
@Zoofan15

A long awaited (albeit sad) answer to a long pondered curiosity (well can't say personally knew of him but glad you got an answer about him after caring and being curious for a lengthy time). Am sorry Amari ended up dying so very young (wonder if the move so young stressed him). Did you get a long sought reply from Mogo from the sounds of it?
 
steveroberts said:
@Zoofan15

A long awaited (albeit sad) answer to a long pondered curiosity (well can't say personally knew of him but glad you got an answer about him after caring and being curious for a lengthy time). Am sorry Amari ended up dying so very young (wonder if the move so young stressed him). Did you get a long sought reply from Mogo from the sounds of it?
Click to expand...

It was good to finally get an answer after so many years. Amari and his littermates were the last litter of lions born at Auckland Zoo and the six cubs (including twins born the month prior) made for an active exhibit. They featured heavily in The Zoo series.

1.0 Zulu (04/03/2004) Lazarus x Amira - Died 2021
0.1 Zalika (04/03/2004) Lazarus x Amira - Alive (Dubbo)
1.0 Amari (18/04/2004) Lazarus x Kura - Died 2005
1.0 Malik (18/04/2004) Lazarus x Kura - Died 2021
0.1 Tiombe (18/04/2004) Lazarus x Kura - Alive (Dubbo)
0.1 Kibira (18/04/2004) Lazarus x Kura - Died circa 2018

Due to limited space, all six cubs transferred out and I’ve enjoyed following the others through the years. The other two males lived most of their life at Wellington, but spent two years at Orana where one of them sired seven cubs; and the three females went to Monarto, with them one of them giving birth to two litters.
 
World Lion Day

A rather disappointing World Lion Day - no births or pregnancies announced, though we do of course have Monarto’s litters to look forward to later this month; and the pair at the National Zoo will hopefully get a move on while Nairibi is still of reproductive age.

A couple of the zoo did share posts and videos on identifying details of their lions, which may be of interest to people:

Taronga Zoo:

Taronga Zoo posted a video which detailed the five adolescents in their pride:

1.0 Khari (2021) and 1.0 Luzoko (2021):

Khari is described as the rebel and troublemaker in the pride; while Luzoko is calmer and more reserved. Luzoko is larger and has a fuller mane, which is interesting as this usually correlates to dominance.

0.1 Ayanna (2021), 0.1 Malika (2021) and 0.1 Zuri (2021):

Ayanna is the equivalent of Khari and the troublemaker. She’s described as a white lion by the staff, a term apparently used to describe her pale coat.

Malika and Zuri are described as being very close to each other.

Ironically, Ayanna was the only cub to remain in the exhibit during last year’s escape, though the close bond between her sisters explains why one followed the other.

Auckland Zoo:

Auckland Zoo posted profiles of their lionesses to socials:

0.1 Aziza (2016):

Aziza – whose name means powerful, beloved and precious in Swahili. She is the largest of the three lions and the dominant female - you can identify her by the scars on the tips of her ears.

Aziza is a great leader of the pride and is always quick to assist the other two females and give them a gentle nudge if need be. She is often seen up the trees in her habitat - watching what is happening in Western Springs Park!

0.1 Kibibi (2016):

Kibibi means 'little lady’ in Swahili. She has the darkest honey colouring of all three females, and is the most food motivated (which means she is slightly heavier than the others).

Personality wise, she is quiet and very watchful. You can see her casting her eye over the giraffe and rhinoceros habitats – especially on the nyala calves.

0.1 Ilola (2017):

Her name means to 'grow strong' in the Lesotho language. Not only the youngest, she is also the smallest of the three. Her nose is the pinkest with less markings and she is the most playful.

Ilola initiates play by stalking and then jumping on her half-sisters and often gets distracted with enrichment when our carnivore keepers ask the girls to come inside.
Aaaaa
 
Jambo said:
Monarto update - Makena is due any day now. Would expect a cub announcment very very soon assuming everything goes well. Husani is also due this month (albeit a little later on).
Click to expand...

Monarto have been prompt at announcing lion births in recent years, so hoping for some good news soon.

At 10 years of age, Makena will be one of the eldest first time mothers in the region upon the birth of her litter (if not, the eldest). Bella at Paradise Valley Springs was three months younger when she delivered her first litter in May 2021.
 
Werribee Open Range Zoo - Cubs Named

The cubs have been named Mwezi, Jango and Kianga.

Werribee’s pride now numbers 3.3 lions:

1.0 Sheru (19/11/2016) Lazarus x Maya
0.1 Nilo (17/03/2012) Imported 2014 (Denmark)
0.1 Asali (12/08/2017) Johari x Nilo
1.0 Mwezi (04/06/2023) Sheru x Nilo
1.0 Jango (04/06/2023) Sheru x Nilo
0.1 Kianga (04/06/2023) Sheru x Nilo
Aaa
 
Zoofan15 said:
Monarto Safari Park - Birth Announcement

Makena has given birth!

Cub-tastic News for First Time Mum Makena - Monarto Safari Park

Fantastic news! Makena has delivered a healthy cub (12/08/2023). A larger litter would have been nice, but any offspring from this genetically valuable female is good news!

Husani is due late August.
Click to expand...
Awesome to see she's finally successfully given birth! She's a very valuable female being one of the last living descendants of the Melbourne pride.

One cub is very rare to have and I'm wondering if it probably had littermates that didn't survive? In saying that prior to Husani's recent births, Monarto's pride has had a track record of unusually small litters.
 
Luke899 said:
4 Healthy cubs today, husani doing well at Monarto. No word on cub sex's yet. Currently snuggling in the den.
Click to expand...

Australasian Lion Births (2023)

It’s shaping up to be a great year for lion births in the region!

Werribee Open Range Zoo:

1.0 Mwezi (04/06/2023) Sheru x Nilo
1.0 Jango (04/06/2023) Sheru x Nilo
0.1 Kianga (04/06/2023) Sheru x Nilo

Monarto Safari Park:

0.0.1 Unnamed (12/08/2023) Unknown x Makena

0.0.1 Unnamed (08/09/2023) Unknown x Husani
0.0.1 Unnamed (08/09/2023) Unknown x Husani
0.0.1 Unnamed (08/09/2023) Unknown x Husani
0.0.1 Unnamed (08/09/2023) Unknown x Husani
 
An update that Husani’s litter of four cubs were born 30/08/2023, not today as previously reported.

Death of Makena’s cub/future breeding plans:

Unfortunately, Makena’s cub has died. While she demonstrated positive maternal behaviour, she accidentally laid on the cub, which led to its death.

The loss of Makena’s cub is particularly tragic given the genetic value of Makena’s line. She and her brother Mlinzi are the only reproductive aged descendants of the Melbourne line.

I hope with this in mind (and Makena’s age), Makena will be allowed to mate with the males when she enters estrus this month and can have another shot at motherhood - hopefully a larger litter.
 
Zoofan15 said:
An update that Husani’s litter of four cubs were born 30/08/2023, not today as previously reported.

Death of Makena’s cub/future breeding plans:

Unfortunately, Makena’s cub has died. While she demonstrated positive maternal behaviour, she accidentally laid on the cub, which led to its death.

The loss of Makena’s cub is particularly tragic given the genetic value of Makena’s line. She and her brother Mlinzi are the only reproductive aged descendants of the Melbourne line.

I hope with this in mind (and Makena’s age), Makena will be allowed to mate with the males when she enters estrus this month and can have another shot at motherhood - hopefully a larger litter.
Click to expand...
Tragic news regarding Makena's loss, but it's also very exciting to hear Husani's had another successful litter of cubs. Four will certainly help boost the prides numbers, and females would be beneficial long term.

I'm hopeful Makena will conceive again soon. Being a valuable female, let's hope we can see a litter from her before next year.:)
 
Update: Cubs are doing well down here at Monarto!

Are suckling/sleeping with husani and putting on weight.
Sexes are to be announced soon along with name competition. Husani, as an experienced mother, hasn't sat on them just yet.

Fingers crossed they get past the first few weeks.
 
Luke899 said:
Update: Cubs are doing well down here at Monarto!

Are suckling/sleeping with husani and putting on weight.
Sexes are to be announced soon along with name competition. Husani, as an experienced mother, hasn't sat on them just yet.

Fingers crossed they get past the first few weeks.
Click to expand...

Husani is an experienced mother, so I’m optimistic for the survival of this litter. It’ll be interesting to see if the cubs fit the usual trend of all male/all female or an even split of 2.2 cubs.

It was noted following the loss of her litter, Makena would be returning to the pride after a few days. I’m hopeful they took advantage of her entering post-partum estrus and we can expect a second litter from her later this year. The longer they leave it, the older Husani’s cubs will get. All cubs being born within three months is preferable.
 
Swanson02 said:
Chad and Ruka have been recently separated and were on exhibit alone today. The keeper said they will likely be leaving following a recommendation in the next 6 or so months. He said Victoria, I'm not 100% sure whether he was using it as an example, or as the destination they'd most likely be headed :)
Click to expand...
Update from @Swanson02 above regarding Monarto's two boys; Chad and Ruka, who are now transitioning out of the pride.

It's interesting 'Victoria' was mentioned as a destination for them. Victoria currently only has three facilities with lions; Melbourne, Werribee and Mansfield.

Melbourne can be ruled out, as they don't have the space to accommodate an additional pride. Conversely, Werribee do, with an empty exhibit following Jarrah's death two years ago. I was under the assumption this may be used for Nilo's young cubs when they reach adulthood, but there's a chance Werribee may be wanting to fill up that enclosure sooner rather than later.

Mansfield is potentially a strong candidate; especially with an ageing pair who's enclosure will obviously be soon vacated following their deaths.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top