Australasian Leopard Population

Tiger91 said:
Fantastic news!

For easily imported species, that the public likes. Its a wonder why our zoos don't hold more cats. Lets hope as time goes on that more leopard holders emerge!.
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According to the media release, Darling Downs Zoo’s litter will transfer out around the dispersal age. I’ll be interested to see if this eventuates in a fifth holder; or if an export outside the region is in the plans (to Europe, Singapore etc). Singapore are reportedly down to a single female.

I really wish Hamilton Zoo would consider this species in place of building a third Sumatran tiger exhibit; and I’ve been saying for years how Auckland’s old Sumatran tiger exhibit would be ideal for Sri Lankan leopards (it’s even fully enclosed).
 
Tiger91 said:
or easily imported species,
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G'day @Tiger91.

I've noted several times that you refer to "easily imported species".

Let me tell you that nothing is "easily imported" into Australia. CITES 1 species, such as Leopards and the Tigers that you have also referred to, are extremely difficult to import from anywhere and, without ZAA endorsement, are virtually impossible.

Even non-CITES species are difficult and time consuming. Our zoo has imports coming in this year that have been 3 years in the making - and Covid had little, if anything, to do with that length of time.

Our initial 10 Zebra import took 6 years from start to finish. A large government zoo started on a smaller Zebra import before we did and still hasn't succeeded. That's how hard it can be.

And no imports are cheap either. Airline freight rates are usurious - both nationally and internationally.

Importing is not a quick and easy tool to use to increase species diversity in our collections or as an aid to population management.
 
Steve Robinson said:
G'day @Tiger91.

I've noted several times that you refer to "easily imported species".

Let me tell you that nothing is "easily imported" into Australia. CITES 1 species, such as Leopards and the Tigers that you have also referred to, are extremely difficult to import from anywhere and, without ZAA endorsement, are virtually impossible.

Even non-CITES species are difficult and time consuming. Our zoo has imports coming in this year that have been 3 years in the making - and Covid had little, if anything, to do with that length of time.

Our initial 10 Zebra import took 6 years from start to finish. A large government zoo started on a smaller Zebra import before we did and still hasn't succeeded. That's how hard it can be.

And no imports are cheap either. Airline freight rates are usurious - both nationally and internationally.

Importing is not a quick and easy tool to use to increase species diversity in our collections or as an aid to population management.
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G' Day
I understand where your coming from. But the reality is that felines and equids are easily imported, try importing some flamingoes, a couple new hornbills. Or try sifaka or Sumatra rhino.

I am aware that imports are expensive, time consuming and don't always go to plan. But the reality is some species and genera are easy to import when compared to others. Whether it is there ease of availability, ease of getting through bio security, they are easier to import than other zoo species.
For species like equines, felines and canines where there is a large domestic market of people importing from these genera. Zoo equivalents when they are easy to acquire based on availability are easy to import. The fact that you were allowed to import and join the Sri lankan leopard program is an example of this. Im not saying its wasn't costly, nor was it time consuming. However it was able to be done, and you were able to get animals. Which is going to be a lot easier then other species that zoos hold. There was an active IRA there was an ease of going through biosecurity where you didn't have to send them to NZ for 12 months then import like giraffe.

And the reality is for the majour zoos they have the funds available to them to import easy to get zoo species. They have the resources you don't have, they have governments with deep pockets they have entire teams that they can use to fill out paper work. Ive sat in planning meetings under department of environment which has planned things in Sydney and money isnt an issue. The same government that runs Taronga threw millions into projects at the botanic gardens because they were under quoted to get them started. Then had to finish them and management didn't even hear anything of it.
The majour zoos have the money and time to plan and go through with imports. They just have to choose to allocate the time and money to it. For easily imported species, ie Active IRA, easier to get through the rigorous biosecurity and easily acquired. There isnt a reason that planning couldnt be done.
 
Tiger91 said:
But the reality is that felines and equids are easily imported, try importing some flamingoes, a couple new hornbills. Or try sifaka or Sumatra rhino.
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It's probably a bit disingenuous to define "ease" by comparison with species that are not possible to be imported.

You are correct to state that domestic species imports for private individuals are comparatively easy. That highlights the fact that exotic species for zoos are not so easy to import. And yes, some species will be easier than others but none are "easy".

When assessing the ease of an import you also have to take into account whether or not the sending zoo considers the transaction to be easy. Most of them definitely do not. Just in the last twelve months two major overseas zoos [Beauval and Wildlands] have both failed to complete globally recommended transfers of animals to Australia because they found them too difficult.

I appreciate your interest in this topic and look forward to discussing it further with you should you ever have the opportunity to participate in an import process.
 
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Upcoming Import

It appears there could be an import later this year, with mention on Zoo Ostrava’s socials that three Sri Lankan leopards will be leaving Europe with an intention to expand breeding in Australia and South East Asia.

From Zoo Ostrava‘s socials:

European zoos, including Zoo Ostrava, are helping to expand the breeding of the Sri Lankan leopard population in the region of Southeast Asia and Australia, in order to increase the number of opportunities for animal exchange between Europe and the mentioned regions in the future. Three leopards should leave Europe this year.

The most likely destination appears to be Tasmania Zoo; followed by Mogo Wildlife Park, who each have a single male.

The mention of exchanges between the regions of Australasia and Europe also has me wondering if there is an intention to export the 1.1 cubs born August 2023, since their designation within the region is unclear in the absence of a fifth holder.

Australasian Sri Lankan Leopard Population

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
0.1 Kalani (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 Phoenix (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha
0.1 Mila (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha

Mogo Wildlife Park:

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

Tasmania Zoo:

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

Total regional population: 6.4 leopards
Aaa
 
Australian Sri Lankan Leopard Population 2025

A change in title of this population list to reflect the fact the entire regional population of leopards is held in Australia. I will continue this for all future leopard population lists (pending any change to this arrangement).

The title of the thread however will remain the same (Australasia); as it contains previous population lists that include New Zealand (Kamo’s now deceased generic leopard); and in contrast to the region’s elephant population, it’s not unreasonable to believe a New Zealand zoo could hold Sri Lankan leopard in the future.

The main change in the 2025 population list is the addition of a fourth holder via Tasmania Zoo, who now hold a male leopard. Hopefully this year will see the import of a leopard from Europe as per the post above. Tasmania Zoo would appear the obvious destination for a female.

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
0.1 Kalani (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 Phoenix (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha
0.1 Mila (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha

Mogo Wildlife Park:

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

Tasmania Zoo:

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

Total regional population: 6.4 leopards
 
Zoofan15 said:
Australian Sri Lankan Leopard Population 2025

A change in title of this population list to reflect the fact the entire regional population of leopards is held in Australia. I will continue this for all future leopard population lists (pending any change to this arrangement).

The title of the thread however will remain the same (Australasia); as it contains previous population lists that include New Zealand (Kamo’s now deceased generic leopard); and in contrast to the region’s elephant population, it’s not unreasonable to believe a New Zealand zoo could hold Sri Lankan leopard in the future.

The main change in the 2025 population list is the addition of a fourth holder via Tasmania Zoo, who now hold a male leopard. Hopefully this year will see the import of a leopard from Europe as per the post above. Tasmania Zoo would appear the obvious destination for a female.

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
0.1 Kalani (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 Phoenix (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha
0.1 Mila (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha

Mogo Wildlife Park:

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

Tasmania Zoo:

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

Total regional population: 6.4 leopards
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Zoofan15 said:
Australian Sri Lankan Leopard Population 2025

A change in title of this population list to reflect the fact the entire regional population of leopards is held in Australia. I will continue this for all future leopard population lists (pending any change to this arrangement).

The title of the thread however will remain the same (Australasia); as it contains previous population lists that include New Zealand (Kamo’s now deceased generic leopard); and in contrast to the region’s elephant population, it’s not unreasonable to believe a New Zealand zoo could hold Sri Lankan leopard in the future.

The main change in the 2025 population list is the addition of a fourth holder via Tasmania Zoo, who now hold a male leopard. Hopefully this year will see the import of a leopard from Europe as per the post above. Tasmania Zoo would appear the obvious destination for a female.

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
0.1 Kalani (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 Phoenix (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha
0.1 Mila (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha

Mogo Wildlife Park:

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

Tasmania Zoo:

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

Total regional population: 6.4 leopards
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On 11/01/2025 1.0 Sri Lankan Leopard Phoenix transferred from DDZ to Zambi.

Zambi is now an Animal Welfare Accredited ZAA member.
 
Steve Robinson said:
On 11/01/2025 1.0 Sri Lankan Leopard Phoenix transferred from DDZ to Zambi.

Zambi is now an Animal Welfare Accredited ZAA member.
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Thanks for sharing.

That’s fantastic news that the region now has five holders!

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
0.1 Kalani (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
0.1 Mila (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha

Mogo Wildlife Park:

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

Tasmania Zoo:

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

Zambi Wildlife Retreat:

1.0 Phoenix (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha

Total regional population: 6.4 leopards
 
Tasmania Zoo intend to acquire female Sri Lankan leopard:

Thank you to @Patrick Keegan for confirmation that Tasmania Zoo are hopeful/still hopeful of acquiring a female Sri Lankan leopard for their male:

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

It’s been advised the two possibilities are an import from overseas or for them to receive Kalani from the National Zoo and Aquarium:

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

Zoo Ostrava’s post (see above) gives me hope for an overseas import; and a fifth founder would be a valuable addition to the regional population; though Kalani’s transfer makes sense given her facility is at capacity.

Another option could be for the National Zoo to retain Kalani and then look to receive a male long term to breed with her upon the passing of her mother, who turns 14 years old in May. Kalani is currently held with her mother to avoid putting her contraception (beneficial for her reproductive health long term). This would additionally require her father or older brother to transfer out. It’s not hard to imagine Asanka being sent overseas given no first generation exports have occurred to date.
 
Random question, but is there any chance that Leopards could end up returning to Victoria?
 
JM01 said:
Random question, but is there any chance that Leopards could end up returning to Victoria?
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Bar a requirement to have them in fully contained exhibits (as opposed to open air), I’m not aware of any specific rule prohibiting them.

However, Halls Gap are prohibited from housing a number of species, including leopard; so realistically we’re only talking of Zoos Victoria. I think they’d make a good addition to Melbourne Zoo; but they may see little justification in acquiring them when they have a similar species (Snow leopard) already on site.

Long term, Ballarat are also a possibility when their generic tigers pass. If they can’t acquire some Sumatran tigers, I’d rather see their exhibits converted into a leopard complex.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Bar a requirement to have them in fully contained exhibits (as opposed to open air), I’m not aware of any specific rule prohibiting them.

However, Halls Gap are prohibited from housing a number of species, including leopard; so realistically we’re only talking of Zoos Victoria. I think they’d make a good addition to Melbourne Zoo; but they may see little justification in acquiring them when they have a similar species (Snow leopard) already on site.

Long term, Ballarat are also a possibility when their generic tigers pass. If they can’t acquire some Sumatran tigers, I’d rather see their exhibits converted into a leopard complex.
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Is there a known reason why Halls Gap are prohibited from holding leopard? Very interesting!
 
Jambo said:
Ballarat's a good possibility; but I'm surprised we're quick to overlook Melbourne. With the Elephants now gone and a whole corner of the zoo now empty, I wouldn't put it past them to end up joining the regional breeding program for Sri Lankan Leopards.
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If Melbourne Zoo did acquire Sri Lankan leopard, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them fulfill the role Adelaide Zoo was meant to play in holding a breeding pair. Most of the holders are non-breeding; with the Canberra’s female now retired from breeding and their facility at capacity. Melbourne Zoo easily has the space to build two on display exhibits for a male and female (with decent sized BOH facilities to support breeding).

Adelaide intended to acquire a breeding pair comprised of Australian bred leopards; but an alternative could be pairing Canberra’s breeding male with the young female at Darling Downs Zoo (or swapping him for his son at Mogo, who would then breed). Ankesh has no breeding application at Canberra and due to being closed in age to his daughter than her ageing mother, will ultimately be a roadblock to acquiring a mate for her once Yakalla passes.
 
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