Australasian Leopard Population

[Zoofan15]

Mandla the generic leopard has died:

Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary have sadly announced the death of their elderly leopard, Mandla.

Mandla was New Zealand’s only leopard, so his death reduces the number of regional holders to two facilities - both of which hold Sri Lankan leopards.

Hopefully leopards will one day return to New Zealand via the Sri Lankan leopard breeding programme.

Spoiler: Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary Media Release

The KWS family is saddened that we have lost a much loved family member.

Mandla has had a rapid decline in health over recent couple of weeks. We made the very sad decision to let him sleep.

Mandla was just over 20 years old and until this, he had been active and engaged with us in his very special Manni personality ways.

It was clear it was time to ensure he did not suffer and our options very limited. This was an incredibly difficult decision but the best for Manni.

We hope he's enjoying his favorite coffee, and chillin in his hamock.

We feel the loss deeply. It is up to us to give our best care and ensure the animals in our care do not suffer.

Rest easy Mandla, you are loved and missed

Aaaa

 

[Zoofan15]

Sri Lankan Leopard Population Update

————————————————

Birth Announcement

Last April, the National Zoo and Aquarium welcomed their second Sri Lankan leopard litter. The litter consisted of a single female cub.

The young female is now 12 months old and has been named Kelani. The Kelani River is one of the main rivers in Sri Lanka.

0.1 Kelani (05/04/2022) Ankesh x Yakalla

Her birth is welcome news as its only the third time Sri Lankan leopards have been bred in Australasia and she’s the only surviving female cub to date. It will be interesting to see if a pairing is made between Kelani and Banduka, the young male at Darling Downs Zoo in time.

————————————————

Updated Population List (2023)

National Zoo and Aquarium:

1.0 Ankesh (13/08/2016) Imported 2019
0.1 Yakalla (20/05/2011) Imported 2019
1.0 Asanka (24/12/2020) Ankesh x Yakalla
1.0 Chatura (24/12/2020) Ankesh x Yakalla
0.1 Kelani (05/04/2022) Ankesh x Yakalla

Darling Downs Zoo:

1.0 Ecko (16/07/2016) Imported 2021
0.1 Maysha (13/03/2017) Imported 2021
1.0 Banduka (26/03/2022) Ecko x Maysha

Total regional population: 5.3 leopards

————————————————

 

[Abbey]

Sri Lankan Leopard Population Update

————————————————

Birth Announcement

Last April, the National Zoo and Aquarium welcomed their second Sri Lankan leopard litter. The litter consisted of a single female cub.

The young female is now 12 months old and has been named Kelani. The Kelani River is one of the main rivers in Sri Lanka.

0.1 Kelani (05/04/2022) Ankesh x Yakalla

Her birth is welcome news as its only the third time Sri Lankan leopards have been bred in Australasia and she’s the only surviving female cub to date. It will be interesting to see if a pairing is made between Kelani and Banduka, the young male at Darling Downs Zoo in time.

————————————————

Updated Population List (2023)

National Zoo and Aquarium:

1.0 Ankesh (13/08/2016) Imported 2019
0.1 Yakalla (20/05/2011) Imported 2019
1.0 Asanka (24/12/2020) Ankesh x Yakalla
1.0 Chatura (24/12/2020) Ankesh x Yakalla
0.1 Kelani (05/04/2022) Ankesh x Yakalla

Darling Downs Zoo:

1.0 Ecko (16/07/2016) Imported 2021
0.1 Maysha (13/03/2017) Imported 2021
1.0 Banduka (26/03/2022) Ecko x Maysha

Total regional population: 5.3 leopards

————————————————

This is wonderful news! And great to finally have confirmation of her birth.

I saw Kelani on exhibit at the National Zoo in late January:

Kelani, female Sri Lankan Leopard cub (taken 28/01/2023)

• Abbey
• 12 Apr 2023

 

[Zoofan15]

This is wonderful news! And great to finally have confirmation of her birth.

I saw Kelani on exhibit at the National Zoo in late January:

Kelani, female Sri Lankan Leopard cub (taken 28/01/2023)

• Abbey
• 12 Apr 2023

I really hope we’ll see additional holders come on board in the near future to support the work the National Zoo and Darling Downs Zoo have done in establishing this breeding programme.

First generation leopards, Banduka and Kelani, are the obvious choice for a breeding pair - perhaps at Adelaide who have previously expressed an intention to hold a pair.

From here, there’s several options with the founders - breed them again; breed them again but mix up the pairs (i.e. pair Ankesh/Maysha and Ecko/Yakalla); or retire them from breeding.

Either way, Yakalla is 12 years old next month, so a decision will have to be made soon on whether she’s retiring from the breeding programme as she enters her post-reproductive years.

 

[Zoofan15]

Adelaide Zoo will not be acquiring Sri Lankan leopard:

https://www.zoossa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AZ_masterplan_addendum_2023.pdf

A disappointing update to the Zoos SA masterplan that Adelaide Zoo will not be acquiring Sri Lankan leopard. Their original plan was to receive a breeding pair from within Australia.

It’s a disappointing setback, but I’ve received information another facility within the region has applied to hold them (I’m unable to disclose who), so at least the breeding programme will still be expanding in the near future.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

T

Adelaide Zoo will not be acquiring Sri Lankan leopard:

https://www.zoossa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AZ_masterplan_addendum_2023.pdf

A disappointing update to the Zoos SA masterplan that Adelaide Zoo will not be acquiring Sri Lankan leopard. Their original plan was to receive a breeding pair from within Australia.

It’s a disappointing setback, but I’ve received information another facility within the region has applied to hold them (I’m unable to disclose who), so at least the breeding programme will still be expanding in the near future.

Indeed unfortunate but at least another facility will hold them. Might I ask, was this information disclosed on a personal level?

 

[Zoofan15]

T

Indeed unfortunate but at least another facility will hold them. Might I ask, was this information disclosed on a personal level?

Yes, and I was asked not to disclose the facility sorry.

I’m hopeful that the Sri Lankan leopard breeding programme will take off to the point where we become sustainable as a region. Three decades on from the founding of the Sumatran tiger breeding programme in 1992, we have a regional population exceeding 40 animals and imports from outside the region are only occasionally needed.

Unfortunately, I suspect many zoos will have a Snow leopard or Sri Lankan leopard mentality and realistically speaking, I doubt they’ll ever achieve the same popularity of Sumatran tigers. An additional three or four holders over the next decade is more realistic - and progress nonetheless.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Yes, and I was asked not to disclose the facility sorry.

I’m hopeful that the Sri Lankan leopard breeding programme will take off to the point where we become sustainable as a region. Three decades on from the founding of the Sumatran tiger breeding programme in 1992, we have a regional population exceeding 40 animals and imports from outside the region are only occasionally needed.

Unfortunately, I suspect many zoos will have a Snow leopard or Sri Lankan leopard mentality and realistically speaking, I doubt they’ll ever achieve the same popularity of Sumatran tigers. An additional three or four holders over the next decade is more realistic - and progress nonetheless.

They’re great picks for city zoos and with many undergoing renovations within the next decade I see it feasible for many new facilities come on board. All that’s left is to get some Zanzibar leopards in the region

 

[Zoofan15]

They’re great picks for city zoos and with many undergoing renovations within the next decade I see it feasible for many new facilities come on board. All that’s left is to get some Zanzibar leopards in the region

Zanzibar leopards? Not seen in the wild since the 1980’s and believed to be extinct? That said, an African subspecies would have undoubtably received more support from the open range zoos than has been given to the Sri Lankan subspecies. Sumatran tigers could similarly be accommodated at Monarto and Werribee.

At least Werribee are planning to receive Asian elephants as ambassadors for their African counterparts. Potentially Monarto could apply the same logic to exhibiting Sri Lankan leopard.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Zanzibar leopards? Not seen in the wild since the 1980’s and believed to be extinct? That said, an African subspecies would have undoubtably received more support from the open range zoos than has been given to the Sri Lankan subspecies. Sumatran tigers could similarly be accommodated at Monarto and Werribee.

At least Werribee are planning to receive Asian elephants as ambassadors for their African counterparts. Potentially Monarto could apply the same logic to exhibiting Sri Lankan leopard.

On the Zanzibar Leopard front I was joking lol. I mean, Forrest Galante seemingly has proof they’re still alive Ig, and it makes sense since literally no one has ever looked for them

 

[Zoofan15]

Darling Downs Zoo - Birth Announcement

As reported by @Zorro in the Darling Downs Zoo news thread, two Sri Lankan leopard cubs have been born. This is the second litter born at Darling Downs Zoo and the fourth born in the history of the Australasian region.

Their birth brings Darling Downs Zoo’s population to 2.1.2 leopards and the regional population to 5.3.2 leopards.

Congratulations to Darling Downs Zoo!

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Darling Downs Zoo - Birth Announcement

As reported by @Zorro in the Darling Downs Zoo news thread, two Sri Lankan leopard cubs have been born. This is the second litter born at Darling Downs Zoo and the fourth born in the history of the Australasian region.

Their birth brings Darling Downs Zoo’s population to 2.1.2 leopards and the regional population to 5.3.2 leopards.

Congratulations to Darling Downs Zoo!

Wonderful news. Will these individuals likely be dispersed to other potential holders in the region?

 

[Zoofan15]

Wonderful news. Will these individuals likely be dispersed to other potential holders in the region?

Long term, I’d say that’s likely; but I imagine priority would be transferring out their older brother, who would have been seperated from his mother prior to the birth of these new cubs.

These are the six young leopards the region has to work with:

1.0 Asanka (24/12/2020) Ankesh x Yakalla
1.0 Chatura (24/12/2020) Ankesh x Yakalla

1.0 Banduka (26/03/2022) Ecko x Maysh

0.1 Kelani (05/04/2022) Ankesh x Yakalla

0.0.1 Unnamed (00/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha
0.0.1 Unnamed (00/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha

The two youngest litters (0.1 and 0.0.2) live with their parents in cohesive groupings, which it makes sense to maintain until additional holders become available. On that rationale, I’d assume Asanka and Chatura will transfer to a third holder as a non breeding sibling pair; and Banduka will go to a fourth holder, where he could potentially be joined by Kelani.

 

[Zorro]

Wonderful news. Will these individuals likely be dispersed to other potential holders in the region?

I believe you may find that any zoos wishing to hold them need to be members of the EEP first, Hopefully some have applied for that.

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe you may find that any zoos wishing to hold them need to be members of the EEP first, Hopefully some have applied for that.

That’s correct. I can confirm, as per my April post, that I’m aware of at least one facility that’s in the process of doing so (though I’m not able to disclose who). This is welcome news following Adelaide’s disappointing decision not to go ahead with them.

It’s difficult to envisage Sri Lankan leopards becoming as widespread as lions and tigers within Australasian zoos; but they’re a magnificent and charismatic felid and I hope additional facilities will give consideration to acquiring them.

 

[Zorro]

That’s correct. I can confirm, as per my April post, that I’m aware of at least one facility that’s in the process of doing so (though I’m not able to disclose who). This is welcome news following Adelaide’s disappointing decision not to go ahead with them.

It’s difficult to envisage Sri Lankan leopards becoming as widespread as lions and tigers within Australasian zoos; but they’re a magnificent and charismatic felid and I hope additional facilities will give consideration to acquiring them.

I have the impression that most of the focus at this time is aimed at Monarto zoo at the moment with Adelaide being put on the back burner for a while unfortunately.

 

[Zoofan15]

I have the impression that most of the focus at this time is aimed at Monarto zoo at the moment with Adelaide being put on the back burner for a while unfortunately.

There’s not a lot in Adelaide’s masterplan that excites me, so that’s probably a good thing. Replacing Sri Lankan leopards for a third Sumatran tiger exhibit; and a gorilla complex with a savannah exhibit is a massive downgrade imo.

Since Adelaide intended to source a breeding pair of Sri Lankan leopard from within the region, it’s possible they would have received Banduka and Kelani - though that’s dependent on when they planned to construct their exhibits.

 

[Jambo]

I have the impression that most of the focus at this time is aimed at Monarto zoo at the moment with Adelaide being put on the back burner for a while unfortunately.

I agree; which I probably think is a good thing when you consider the Monarto facility has. If they do things right; I'm of the belief it could certainly become one of the world's best open range facilities.

There’s not a lot in Adelaide’s masterplan that excites me, so that’s probably a good thing. Replacing Sri Lankan leopards for a third Sumatran tiger exhibit; and a gorilla complex with a savannah exhibit is a massive downgrade imo.

Since Adelaide intended to source a breeding pair of Sri Lankan leopard from within the region, it’s possible they would have received Banduka and Kelani - though that’s dependent on when they planned to construct their exhibits.

Initially the Asian precinct was going to be constructed sometime around now, so this would've tied in nicely with the recent maturity of the region's first born cubs. I think it's reasonable to assume Adelaide would've indeed acquired Banduka and Kelani.

It's good to hear another facility has shown interest in placement of Adelaide. I'm hopeful it's a facility like Melbourne (or Taronga) which are lacking in the big cat departments in the present. Especially when you look back at the carnivore collection Melbourne once had with the big and small cat rows!

 

[Zoofan15]

Sri Lankan Leopard (Global Captive Population)

I was interested to know more about the global captive population of Sri Lankan leopards and discovered it numbered 75 leopards in March 2022. This figure didn’t include the cubs born that month at Darling Downs Zoo.

The statistics (2022):

38.37 Sri Lankan leopards held across 28 zoos.
26.29 Sri Lankan leopards held across 24 European zoos.
12.8 Sri Lankan leopards held across 4 zoos outside Europe.

The zoos outside Europe are the National Zoo and Aquarium, Darling Downs Zoo, Singapore Zoo and Dehiwala Zoo.

As @Zorro recently mentioned, holders in Australia must be approved by the EEP before they can receive Sri Lankan leopard; though these statistics certainly highlight the significance of the Australian population. Our regional population comprises 50% of holders outside of Europe!

Hopefully support for the Sri Lankan leopard will continue to grow in the region, with new holders; though it’s not out of the question we’ll also see Australian bred cubs return to Europe.

 

[Kestrel]

Sri Lankan Leopard (Global Captive Population)

I was interested to know more about the global captive population of Sri Lankan leopards and discovered it numbered 75 leopards in March 2022. This figure didn’t include the cubs born that month at Darling Downs Zoo.

The statistics (2022):

38.37 Sri Lankan leopards held across 28 zoos.
26.29 Sri Lankan leopards held across 24 European zoos.
12.8 Sri Lankan leopards held across 4 zoos outside Europe.

The zoos outside Europe are the National Zoo and Aquarium, Darling Downs Zoo, Singapore Zoo and Dehiwala Zoo.

As @Zorro recently mentioned, holders in Australia must be approved by the EEP before they can receive Sri Lankan leopard; though these statistics certainly highlight the significance of the Australian population. Our regional population comprises 50% of holders outside of Europe!

Hopefully support for the Sri Lankan leopard will continue to grow in the region, with new holders; though it’s not out of the question we’ll also see Australian bred cubs return to Europe.

Sri Lankan leopards are also held at Pinnawala Zoo, Ridiyagama Safari Park in Sri Lanka, and Ragunan Zoo in Indonesia.