Felids in Australasian Zoos – News, History and Discussion

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15

If personally wss a zoo owner would try get ahold of two breeding pairs (very difficult of course), and would have a public exhibit (still with glass that offers the on display pair as much barrier privacy as possible) and have two off display exhibits in a quiet staff only area of the zoo. Perhaps a 2-3 year rotation between the bonded pairs having access to living in the public display exhibit and the off display one. It's the best can think of so far without having done any further research yet into the journals of optimal breeding for Clouded Leopards.

*borrowing heavily from Brocklehurst's Golden Cat journal you showed me
*the second off display exhibit is for the breeding male if needed to be separated if cubs are born, later the offspring can move there when the sire is reunited with the dam.
* if both bonded pairs reproduced and the initial two 2.2 imported pairs were unrelated it would be cool to be able to send unrelated 1.1 pairs born at the zoo to other zoos to try help bolster a regional holding (and hopefully breeding) increase.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15

If personally wss a zoo owner would try get ahold of two breeding pairs (very difficult of course), and would have a public exhibit (still with glass that offers the on display pair as much barrier privacy as possible) and have two off display exhibits in a quiet staff only area of the zoo. Perhaps a 2-3 year rotation between the bonded pairs having access to living in the public display exhibit and the off display one. It's the best can think of so far without having done any further research yet into the journals of optimal breeding for Clouded Leopards.

*borrowing heavily from Brocklehurst's Golden Cat journal you showed me
*the second off display exhibit is for the breeding male if needed to be separated if cubs are born, later the offspring can move there when the sire is reunited with the dam.
* if both bonded pairs reproduced and the initial two 2.2 imported pairs were unrelated it would be cool to be able to send unrelated 1.1 pairs born at the zoo to other zoos to try help bolster a regional holding (and hopefully breeding) increase.

It’d be great to import two pairs. This was also noted as a successful strategy in breeding Temminck’s golden cats; though in this case, the pairs would remain constant and wouldn’t be switched.

I’d be interested to know how Melbourne’s Temminck’s golden cat were held as at one point they had seven cats held in six groups. They had five off display exhibits, so I assume they only had the one on display exhibit in the Small Cat Row, but am open to correction if anyone knows the location of a second.

In addition to the display breeding exhibits; and the critical importance of keeping disturbances to a minimum during the neonatal period, Melbourne emphasised the importance of putting the kitten/kittens on exhibit as soon as they were three months old. This was an important step in their socialisation.

Many Clouded leopard cubs are handraised. This means the parents can remain together (bonded); while unrelated cubs can be introduced ASAP. With this in mind, I’d recommend the breeding pairs remain off display (if the intention is to breed both) and the on display exhibits be used to house their offspring.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15

Oh right yeah totally. I did mean to keep each 1.1 pair together/paired for life. Just meant if there were 2 pairs like that perhaps both could spend a period of their lives at the zoo in the publicly viewable exhibit too while the other pair moves to the private exhibit in the hopes of breeding too. That way could be a zoo who can hopefully offer 1.1 non related potential next generation breeding pairs to other interested zoos in the region to try bolster the regional population and involvement.

 

[Zorro]

Adelaide use to have a nice range of small cats in the early 70s I have a few pics taken back then!

 

[steveroberts]

@Zorro

Oh cool, would you feel partial to uploading some of the pics to the Adelaide gallery at all?

Im busting to know too, could you give a list off the top of your head what ones you recall seeing there back then?

(I similarly pestered poor Tetrapod to list the felids, canids, bears and primates he recalled at Perth from the same era, sorry, just very interested).

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15

Oh right yeah totally. I did mean to keep each 1.1 pair together/paired for life. Just meant if there were 2 pairs like that perhaps both could spend a period of their lives at the zoo in the publicly viewable exhibit too while the other pair moves to the private exhibit in the hopes of breeding too. That way could be a zoo who can hopefully offer 1.1 non related potential next generation breeding pairs to other interested zoos in the region to try bolster the regional population and involvement.

That could work too. If the idea was to pair the unrelated offspring, the two sets of parents would ideally both remain off display to give the best chances they’d breed simultaneously; but if the goal was to produce a sibling pair for display, the non focus pair could absolutely remain on display during this time.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15

Perhaps three 1.1 pairs (it's a stretch I know), but also perhaps if unfortunate health should mean the early passing of one of the Clouded Leopards off display (or on display) a repairing could take place hopefully.

Hypothetical alternative, if there was one or two breeding pairs kept in quiet off display area of the zoo and a hand raised individual on display in the publicly viewable exhibit, do you think perhaps a Clouded Leopard that was hand reared by humans may be a bit more ''showy'' to the viewing public?

 

[Zorro]

@Zorro

Oh cool, would you feel partial to uploading some of the pics to the Adelaide gallery at all?

Im busting to know too, could you give a list off the top of your head what ones you recall seeing there back then?

(I similarly pestered poor Tetrapod to list the felids, canids, bears and primates he recalled at Perth from the same era, sorry, just very interested).

The photos are actual photos no cell phones in those days.
It's so long ago I am not certain of a lot of it but they did have a type of cat ally (old style) of red brick and concrete cages. also they had a type of hoof stock ally with deer ect.
Polar bear, Sloth bear,Giant anteaters,Jaguar and pumas.

I seem to recall ocelots and margays but the male black rhino did have a wonderful set of large horns.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15

Perhaps three 1.1 pairs (it's a stretch I know), but also perhaps if unfortunate health should mean the early passing of one of the Clouded Leopards off display (or on display) a repairing could take place hopefully.

Hypothetical alternative, if there was one or two breeding pairs kept in quiet off display area of the zoo and a hand raised individual on display in the publicly viewable exhibit, do you think perhaps a Clouded Leopard that was hand reared by humans may be a bit more ''showy'' to the viewing public?

Several US zoos have commented how much people oriented their Clouded leopards are due to being handraised, so yes I’d recommend a handraised individual was on display - either bred at the zoo or sourced for display purposes.

I believe Taronga’s pair were mother raised and it wasn’t possible to integrate them as adults. It’s also my understanding most people couldn’t see them for love nor money, which is not unusual for this species - but certainly the case for those unhabituated to human contact.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15

Yeah fair enough. It's a shame Nonah and Samar never took to one another. Obviously I'm not advocating for hand raising animals, only when it means saving the animals life. But the time spent on here and the ocean of knowledge have learnt thanks to you guys kinda (have you guys noticed this too) seems over time to make us be able to float suggestions that seem to be along the same thread of approach that zoo managers, directors and head keepers may approach too (all respect to keepers for their dedication and hard work).

Sorry get worried that when mention hand raising might be mistaken for being akin to those lunatics Joe 'Exotic' and Kevin 'Doc' Antle in America. Just had a conversation with someone today who gave me a dressing down about how barbaric all zoos are and that they should all of faded away by now etc etc; and kinda felt bit downtrodden after the exchange. Especially cos everyone I know involved with animals and zoos has good hearts and conservation advocates biggest supporters. Half wanted to compile a list of all the captive bred endangered species released into the wild last year alone you guys had reported and text it to him as a list.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15

Yeah fair enough. It's a shame Nonah and Samar never took to one another. Obviously I'm not advocating for hand raising animals, only when it means saving the animals life. But the time spent on here and the ocean of knowledge have learnt thanks to you guys kinda (have you guys noticed this too) seems over time to make us be able to float suggestions that seem to be along the same thread of approach that zoo managers, directors and head keepers may approach too (all respect to keepers for their dedication and hard work).

Sorry get worried that when mention hand raising might be mistaken for being akin to those lunatics Joe 'Exotic' and Kevin 'Doc' Antle in America. Just had a conversation with someone today who gave me a dressing down about how barbaric all zoos are and that they should all of faded away by now etc etc; and kinda felt bit downtrodden after the exchange. Especially cos everyone I know involved with animals and zoos has good hearts and conservation advocates biggest supporters. Half wanted to compile a list of all the captive bred endangered species released into the wild last year alone you guys had reported and text it to him as a list.

There’s nothing wrong with Clouded leopard and from what I’ve heard, handraising (or peer raising) is routinely undertaken in the US. One zoo noted the survival rate is higher; while other sources mention it makes the elusive cats more tolerant of being on public display, which is beneficial to their welfare. As mentioned, it’s also commonly done to allow the formation of breeding pairs while they’re still juveniles, which in turn enhances breeding success.

The benefit of the US population is that births can be timed to coincide with each other to enable peer introductions. Anymore than three or four months between litters and you’ve lost that chance. It’s something that will be more challenging with a smaller population.

Don’t let your conversation get to you. We may not agree with his opinion; but in my experience, people like that are unlikely to change their way of thinking. I wouldn’t waste a second of your time trying to convince him otherwise.

 

[Zoofan15]

It would be interesting to see if Taronga did acquire orangutan again, what species they’d hold. I’d have previously assumed Sumatran, but the Bornean orangutan is now also critically endangered and still bred by Auckland Zoo.

It’s worth noting that there’s been very little swapping between the Australian facilities holding Sumatran orangutans for breeding reasons in recent decades. With this in mind, other facilities holding Sumatran orangutans in Australia is little justification for Taronga acquiring them on that basis alone.

The lack of exchanges can be partly attributed to a restriction on breeding and an increase of the generational gaps via not breeding from females until their mid teens.

 

[Jambo]

It would be interesting to see if Taronga did acquire orangutan again, what species they’d hold. I’d have previously assumed Sumatran, but the Bornean orangutan is now also critically endangered and still bred by Auckland Zoo.

It’s worth noting that there’s been very little swapping between the Australian facilities holding Sumatran orangutans for breeding reasons in recent decades. With this in mind, other facilities holding Sumatran orangutans in Australia is little justification for Taronga acquiring them on that basis alone.

The lack of exchanges can be partly attributed to a restriction on breeding and an increase of the generational gaps via not breeding from females until their mid teens.

Sumatrans would have to the ones acquired. They are the ZAA's focus sub species for Orangutan.

 

[Zoofan15]

Australasian Fishing Cat Population (2023)

Hamilton Zoo have advised the following DOB’s for their Fishing cats, allowing me to compile a regional population list for this species.

——————————

New Zealand

Hamilton Zoo:

1.0 Bandula (22/02/2014) Imported 2017 (England)
0.1 Indah (16/06/2013) Imported 2015 (Singapore)
0.1 Sahaja (27/04/2013) Imported 2017 (Czech Republic)

Australia

Taronga Zoo:

1.0 Jalur (18/01/2015) Imported 2016 (Netherlands)
0.1 Maew (26/03/2012) Imported 2015 (England)

Wild Cat Conservation Centre:

1.0 Finn (Unknown) Imported 2022 (Unknown)

——————————

Taronga’s pair are non breeding; while Hamilton Zoo have a breeding recommendation for one of their females. Both Hamilton’s females are 10 years old, so time is running out.

This is a photo of Hamilton’s Small Cat complex. It features three on display exhibits and three off display exhibits:

 

[Zoofan15]

History of Leopards at Auckland Zoo

Description of exhibit:

In 1950, the leopards were noted as being held in a deep pit by the kiosk. Unlike the adjacent tiger pit, it was completely covered by bars and netting. Much of the pit consisted of sloping rock as well as a cave, which ended in a dead end. At the rear of the exhibit was a vertical sloping wall, in which the doors to the den were set. This wall remains in place to this day.

Source: Paraphrased from an article in the Ashburton Guardian (15/03/1950).

History:

A female leopard was imported from India in September 1925 and escaped just few days after her arrival. The body of the leopard was found drowned in Lady Bay (near St. Heliers) the following month.

Auckland Zoo acquired a pair of leopards that produced a total of five litters in as many years. The first litter was twins born in September 1937. They were sold to a circus. The second litter was born December 1938 and killed by the father. The third litter was born January 1940 and consisted of triplets. One died and one was sent to Taronga Zoo later that year. The fate of the third cub is unknown. The fourth litter consisted of triplets and was born December 1940; followed by the fifth litter (triplets again) in November 1942.

In March 1950, Auckland Zoo imported a pair of young leopards from Singapore. Shortly after their arrival, the female escaped. She was discovered in the undergrowth not far from the zoo and shot by an army officer, who had been called in response to a sighting.

On 13/07/1950, the death of the zoo’s elderly male leopard (Stumpy) was announced. He was noted to have fathered several offspring (presumably the five litters detailed above). His death left Auckland Zoo with the young male leopard imported from Singapore.

In September 1950, a female leopard arrived from Singapore. She was named Greta and replaced the female shot and killed in March of that year.

Triplets were born in September 1954. Two of the cubs were spotted and one was melanistic. The parents were likely the male and female imported in March 1950 and September 1950 respectively.

In December 1961, a female named Heidi gave birth to male cub named Kim. He initially raised by a house cat, after being rejected by his mother; with the zoo’s secretary, Pat Wilson, taking over his rearing. Kim was sent to Melbourne Zoo in November 1962 in exchange for four wombats.

In April 1962, twins were born to an elderly pair of leopards named Joe and Flo, but were rejected by their mother. The cubs died the same week they were born.

Heidi gave birth to triplets in December 1962. She rejected the litter and they were reared by an German shepherd, but two of the cubs died. The surviving cub was named Robin.

Heidi gave birth to twins 24 hours apart in May 1963. The first cub was rejected and died shortly after. The second cub was still alive a month later after being raised by a house cat. I believe this cub was Chad who was mentioned in Auckland Zoo’s history book (along with Kim and Robin).

In June 1967, two four month old black leopard cubs were imported from the US. They were noted to be the zoo’s first black leopards since the passing of the previous one in 1965. I would assume this was the cub born at Auckland Zoo in 1954.

@Brett-nz made a post on here stating that he worked at Auckland Zoo between 1985-1996 and recalls three black leopards being at the zoo named Toby, Trixie and Ace. No further details were given, but since the pair imported in 1967 would have been 18 years old by 1985, I would assume Toby and Trixie were their offspring (likely littermates as they shared an initial) and Ace was either their offspring or their sibling from another litter.

Leopards aren’t listed in the species list in Auckland Zoo’s history book (dated 1992), suggesting the last ones had died out by that time. I’m open to correction on this as I had in my mind they died around the mid-90’s; but I’m likely confusing them with Jaguar, which were there until that time. I can’t find leopards on the mid-90’s maps and the 1992 species list mentions African lion, Jaguar, Puma and Serval as being the zoo’s only felid species.

 

[Zoofan15]

Caracal (Upcoming Holder 2024)

Caracal are set to return to New Zealand with the news Hamilton Zoo are importing a Caracal from Australia in the first half of 2024. Long term, they plan to import a mate for this animal.

Hamilton Zoo will become the sixth regional holder - joining Darling Downs Zoo, Hunter Valley Zoo, Mogo Wildlife Park, Tasmania Zoo and the Wild Cat Conservation Centre.

Caracal kittens were bred by Darling Downs Zoo in 2021 and the Wild Cat Conservation Centre in 2020.

 

[Zoofan15]

I think the size would be better suited to clouded leopards. What's the status with fishing cats in Australia now, is there any breeding program potential?

Unless the WCCC import a female Fishing cat, I don’t foresee a future for this species in the region. Taronga Zoo have an elderly female and Hamilton Zoo have been attempting to breed from their elderly cats for many years without success. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Taronga and Hamilton Zoo phase this species out - especially with the latter planning to import Clouded leopard.

New Zealand

Hamilton Zoo:

1.0 Bandula (22/02/2014) Imported 2017 (England)
0.1 Indah (16/06/2013) Imported 2015 (Singapore)
0.1 Sahaja (27/04/2013) Imported 2017 (Czech Republic)

Australia

Taronga Zoo:

0.1 Maew (26/03/2012) Imported 2015 (England)

Wild Cat Conservation Centre:

1.0 Finn (Unknown) Imported 2022 (Unknown)

 

[Zoofan15]

Caracal (Upcoming Holder)

Thanks to @Swanson02 for the update that Gorge Wildlife Park intend to phase out Serval, to be replaced with a breeding pair of Caracal.

Gorge currently have an eight year old male Serval named Zuberi. Considering the species can live for up to 20 years, there’s presumably an intention to transfer him out in the near future.

Regional Caracal holders:

Darling Downs Zoo
Hunter Valley Zoo
Mogo Wildlife Park
Tasmania Zoo
Wild Cat Conservation Centre
Hamilton Zoo (coming 2024)

It’s encouraging to see such a strong interest in Caracal within the region, with Hamilton Zoo planning to import this year.

Auckland Zoo are planning to phase out Serval in the future and build a ‘nature play’ area on the site. I’ve long been of the opinion Caracal would be well suited to their exhibit and would be a much better replacement.

 

[Tiger91]

I have always found it amazing that our open range zoos have never really taken up small cats. Western plains zoo especially would benefit from serval and caracal. Same with Monarto, they would of made great exhibits for the area around there new visitor centre.
For species where they don't need overly large enclosures. its perplexing why some of our largest zoos with strong African themes don't house them.

 

[Zoofan15]

I have always found it amazing that our open range zoos have never really taken up small cats. Western plains zoo especially would benefit from serval and caracal. Same with Monarto, they would of made great exhibits for the area around there new visitor centre.
For species where they don't need overly large enclosures. its perplexing why some of our largest zoos with strong African themes don't house them.

I agree. With the exception of Werribee holding Serval, none of the region’s four open range zoos hold small cats. Considering they’re African grassland cats, it creates an even stronger case for them holding and breeding them.

Serval are adept at hiding, so the exhibits couldn’t be too large; but a series of interconnected cages would allow management of a breeding population. Auckland Zoo had at least two (possibly three cages) back in the early 2000’s to manage three groupings of Serval prior to the move to the open air exhibit in 2004, which has managed two groupings of Serval over the past decade with the off display dens.