Mawar has been exported to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in the United States:
0.1 Mawar (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika
Her departure leaves Taronga Zoo with 3.2 Sumatran tigers:
1.0 Kembali (20/08/2011) Satu x Jumilah
0.1 Kartika (20/08/2011) Satu x Jumilah
1.0 Clarence (22/08/2013) Ramalon x Kaitlyn
1.0 Pemanah (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika
0.1 Tengah Malam (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika
It was previously reported that Pemanah would be exported to the US along with Mawar. Since that information became available in February 2024, there’s been reports that Adelaide Zoo are exporting their male (Ketambe), so it appears he’s being sent in Pemanah’s place. Aside from offering the US two tigers with greater genetic diversity (rather than two siblings), I imagine with limited options within the region of sourcing an unrelated mate for Tengah, Taronga are keen to retain Pemanah, who has more reproductive years ahead of him than his sister (i.e. more time to source an unrelated mate).
Additionally, the obvious pairing appears to be Cahya at Auckland, with Pemanah at Taronga, once Cahya reaches adequate age to transfer out. Had Cahya's twin brother survived, there may have been consideration towards sending him up to Taronga to be paired with Mawar.
Dubbo also has two elderly tigers, aged over 18, so it's likely both will pass within the next few years, presenting the perfect opportunity to transfer two/three of the other tigers across. Taronga could theoretically send Tengah and her mum across together if they're still cohesive (alongside one of Kembali or Clarence).
Additionally, the obvious pairing appears to be Cahya at Auckland, with Pemanah at Taronga, once Cahya reaches adequate age to transfer out. Had Cahya's twin brother survived, there may have been consideration towards sending him up to Taronga to be paired with Mawar.
Dubbo also has two elderly tigers, aged over 18, so it's likely both will pass within the next few years, presenting the perfect opportunity to transfer two/three of the other tigers across. Taronga could theoretically send Tengah and her mum across together if they're still cohesive (alongside one of Kembali or Clarence).
I originally assumed the intention for Auckland’s cubs was:
Female - Orana (pair with Reggie)
Male - Taronga (pair with Tengah)
However, I’ve since learned the intention was for the male to have been paired with one of Hamilton’s female cub's (Mayang or Andalas). I’m wondering if Ramah was originally lintended to have been sent to Taronga to breed with Tengah (offering a quick route to breeding from her given he’s an adult male); with this since discounted due to his temperament. This may have have led to the decision to retain Pemanah and source a mate for him instead.
I originally assumed the intention for Auckland’s cubs was:
Female - Orana (pair with Reggie)
Male - Taronga (pair with Tengah)
However, I’ve since learned the intention was for the male to have been paired with one of Hamilton’s female cub's (Mayang or Andalas). I’m wondering if Ramah was originally lintended to have been sent to Taronga to breed with Tengah (offering a quick route to breeding from her given he’s an adult male); with this since discounted due to his temperament. This may have have led to the decision to retain Pemanah and source a mate for him instead.
Considering the ages of Taronga's cubs now, I'd be surprised if they leave it any longer. Another option is they have an import lined up now - a female potentially for Pemanah. Otherwise, the only option regionally would be Cahya.
Although it would be preferential for genetics sake to pair Cahya with Reggie at Orana, I would be surprised to see it happen - mixing new genetics with our own lineages has been the way the programs operated for many years now! Reggie and Cahya have the luxury of being unrelated to a fair amount of our tigers regionally so pairing them together and therefore reducing any additional potential pairings wouldn't be best for the region's sake (unless there are further imports planned). Reggie has many other options regionally - I know one of Adelaide's girls was rumored to be transferred out soon.
Considering the ages of Taronga's cubs now, I'd be surprised if they leave it any longer. Another option is they have an import lined up now - a female potentially for Pemanah. Otherwise, the only option regionally would be Cahya.
Although it would be preferential for genetics sake to pair Cahya with Reggie at Orana, I would be surprised to see it happen - mixing new genetics with our own lineages has been the way the programs operated for many years now! Reggie and Cahya have the luxury of being unrelated to a fair amount of our tigers regionally so pairing them together and therefore reducing any additional potential pairings wouldn't be best for the region's sake (unless there are further imports planned). Reggie has many other options regionally - I know one of Adelaide's girls was rumored to be transferred out soon.
Cahya is a very genetically valuable tiger, so I think the one thing we can guarantee is she’ll be moving promptly into a breeding situation (versus waiting until she’s eight years old). She’s 17 months old now, so almost at dispersal age. It wouldn’t surprise me to see her transfer to her breeding destination within the next year, ahead of breeding in her fourth year.
Orana has three exhibits and could receive her now. Taronga has five exhibits (with four groupings of tigers) so could also receive her now; with breeding taking place once a couple of their tigers transfer out. Dubbo can hold multiple groupings, so could receive at least one of Taronga’s groups now if required. Taronga clearly want to have a minimum of three groups at any given time so their visitors can see something in each exhibit.
0.1 Kirana (16/11/2014) Oz x Sali
0.1 Mayang (03/01/2024) Scout x Kirana
0.1 Andalas (03/01/2024) Scout x Kirana
A repeat breeding recommendation is not expected to be issued for Scout and Delilah as the zoo are now at capacity with five tigers held across three groupings. The complex is best equipped to manage 2-3 groupings, with two exhibits and the larger exhibit containing more extensive BOH dens.
The keeper I spoke to was unable to confirm a destination for the cubs, but said that Australia is the most likely. This makes sense as within New Zealand, only Orana Wildlife Park has the capacity for additional tigers and Reggie is the first cousin once removed of these cubs via their paternal line; as well as Reggie’s father Satu sharing a number of ancestors with Kirana.
Hamilton Zoo is no longer building a third Sumatran tiger exhibit, so it’s uncertain whether either of the cubs would be able to stay on to form the next breeding pair. This would be dependent on multiple factors including the lifespan of 17 year old Sali; and how long Kirana tolerates the presence of her cubs.
——————————
Interesting times ahead for the New Zealand population!
0.1 Sali (10/04/2008) Hari x Setia
0.1 Kirana (16/11/2014) Oz x Sali
1.0 Scout (08/02/2016) Juma x Kaitlyn
0.1 Mayang (03/01/2024) Scout x Kirana
0.1 Andalas (03/01/2024) Scout x Kirana
I’m hopeful to see Cahya transfer out of Auckland Zoo in the next year, following a breeding recommendation. My guess remains for Orana Wildlife Park given the suitability of a match with Reggie.
Auckland Zoo have advised they won’t receive a repeat breeding recommendation for Ramah and Zayana until Cahya leaves.
Wellington Zoo have two exhibits that are occupied by a 18 and 15 year old tiger respectively. Long term, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them build a third Sumatran tiger exhibit on the site of the sun bear exhibit (Sasa turns 19 this year and options for replacing her are limited). In the meantime, they could be an option for receiving surplus from the other zoos once Bashi and Senja pass - i.e. New Zealand bred cubs; or even a retirement home for Hamilton’s breeding pair, with a male then acquired to breed with one of the cubs (if one remains at Hamilton).
Memphis Zoo (the zoo who applied to import Pemanah) will be transferring out the daughter of their breeding female this month. This follows the departure of her mate and son late last year. This will leave them with a single female, Dari (Pemanah’s assumed mate).
With this in mind, it looks like we’ll have an answer soon whether the export of Pemanah is still going ahead. There’s lots of US transfers going on at the moment and Memphis’ acquisition of a male from within the US would of course confirm Memphis Zoo no longer plan to import Pemanah.
1.0 Pemanah (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika
Zoo Miami were still intending to import Ketambe as of the last update:
1.0 Ketambe (21/12/2022) Kembali x Delilah
It’s possible a delay in the transfer out of Dari’s daughter from Memphis has impacted upon plans to import Pemanah. The original plan was for Memphis to import Pemanah and Mawar, with the latter going to Point Defiance after quarantine. Mawar has since arrived at Point Defiance.
Alternatively, Ketambe (whose import was arranged close to a year later) may have been designated a replacement for Pemanah within the US population (not Memphis directly).
Cahya is now 18 months old and catching up in size to her mother, Zayana, who is around 20kg heavier.
Zayana and Cahya have maintained a close relationship and were evidently enjoying each other’s company on my visit yesterday, with Cahya chasing her mother across the exhibit to the delight of the large crowd that had gathered to watch them.
It’s encouraging to see Zayana and Cahya continue to remain a cohesive pair considering many several Australasian zoos throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s reported their tigresses tiring of their cubs once they reached 12-18 months of age, with contraception of the mother required if they were to remain together longer. Auckland Zoo have no intention to contracept Zayana as its expected she’ll breed again in the future; and because Auckland has three exhibits to manage their separation when it’s required (the male Ramah is also housed separately).
Zayana and Cahya were in the large exhibit in the morning; while Ramah was in the small exhibit. Around midday, Ramah was allowed into the medium exhibit, where a blood infused ice block and been set up for his birthday, which subsequently did the rounds on socials today. In the late afternoon, Zayana and Cahya were allowed the run of the small and medium exhibits; while Ramah went across to the large exhibit.
Cahya:
A couple of theories I have on why Zayana and Cahya have been able to remain together for longer than other mother/offspring groupings:
1. Perhaps small litters are more tolerable to mothers into adolescence than larger litters (for obvious space reasons). Selatan, Cantic, Assiqua, Molek and Jumilah all had triplets; with those who remained with their cubs past 12 months requiring contraception. Compare this to Zayana and also Kirana (Hamilton), who have one and two cubs respectively and are still housed with them at 18 months without contraception.
2. Auckland’s exhibit is stimulating. As detailed above, Auckland’s tigers were transferred across multiple exhibits throughout the day. Compare this to tigresses in the region who have previously raised their litters in a single exhibit.
Adelaide Zoo have confirmed an intention to export two of their young Sumatran tigers to the US:
1.0 Ketambe (21/12/2022) Kembali x Delilah
0.1 Susu (21/12/2022) Kembali x Delilah
No further details available at this stage, including the date of transfer or receiving zoos; though it was previously reported that Zoo Miami would be importing a male from Adelaide.
The third cub will remain at Adelaide Zoo:
0.1 Marni (21/12/2022) Kembali x Delilah
1.0 Mandau (1980) Exported 1982 - Asia
0.1 Musara (1980) Exported 1982 - Asia
0.1 Sinta (1983) Exported 1986 - North America
0.1 Usha (1985) Exported 1987 - North America
0.1 Kali (1985) Exported 1987 - North America
1.0 Tenang (2000) Exported 2002 - Europe
0.1 Isha (2006) Exported 2012 - Europe
0.1 Melati (2008) Exported 2012 - Europe
0.1 Mawar (2019) Exported 2025 - North America
I’ve visited Hamilton Zoo since 2001 and there’s a sign (located in the panoramic viewing shelter of their large Sumatran tiger exhibit) that has been there since my very first visit. Although I wasn’t there on opening day (January 2001), I assume it’d been in place since then:
Viewing shelter (large exhibit):
Sumatran tiger signage:
The tiger in the photo clearly a young tiger and since on opening day, Hamilton Zoo had three young tigers (12 month old siblings from Wellington Zoo), I’ve always assumed the photo on the sign was one of them - most likely the male (Jaka), who was the media star of the three. Jaka was the most confident of the triplets and the tiger you was most likely to see, versus his sisters (Mencari and Molek), who preferred to hide in the bamboo stands.
Last week, I visited the zoo and upon photographing the sign, grew curious which of the tigers it was. I looked up Jaka first and he wasn’t a match. On reflection, the tiger in the photo looks quite feminine; but I’d attributed that to the age of the tiger and the fact Jaka had a diminished ruff compared to other males I’ve seen. I subsequently looked up photos of Mencari and Molek and was surprised to discover neither of them were a match. Clearly this photo was of a tiger who’d never even lived at Hamilton Zoo!
Assuming the zoo hadn’t used what we’d call a stock photo today, the most logical explanation was they’d used a photo of one of the cubs from the only other litter of Sumatran tigers born in a New Zealand zoo at the time - Wellington Zoo’s first litter, born 1996 (Rokan, Nisha and Malu). I began with Rokan; and upon discovering it wasn’t him, I tried Nisha - it was a perfect match! The tiger in the photo is Nisha.
The photo appears to have been taken of Nisha while at Wellington Zoo. Hamilton’s tigers would have gone on exhibit shortly after they arrived; and the sign was presumably made up sometime ahead of this, perhaps when Hamilton’s own cubs (still with their mother at Wellington) were too young to be representative of what visitors would later see at Hamilton Zoo. Aside from this, it would have been clear no visitor would know the difference - including myself for 24 years!
For those who don’t know, Nisha (1996-2006) lived most of her life at Auckland Zoo and was one of the early stars of The Zoo TV series, which screened to international audiences. After the elephants, it would be fair to say she was the zoo’s most well known resident and her unexpected death at nine years saw the outside of her exhibit lined with floral tributes.
Molek from Hamilton Zoo took Nisha’s place at Auckland Zoo, producing a litter of cubs in 2008. Jaka subsequently followed her to Auckland; swapped for Oz (Molek’s mate/Nisha’s intended mate), who sired Hamilton Zoo’s first litter of cubs in 2014 - one of which (Kirana) is now the mother of their latest litter:
As Mawar prepares to make her US debut at Point Defiance Zoo, this article confirms she completed her quarantine at Memphis Zoo. The original plan was for Memphis Zoo to import both Mawar and Pemanah and then transfer Mawar to Point Defiance.
It will be interesting to see who Mawar’s intended mate is as the two other Sumatran tigers at Point Defiance are both female. Perhaps one of the Cameron Park males (who are the brother and nephew of Ramah).
When I visited September 19, I observed the tigress Kirana snapping at her 20 month old daughters and wondered if they were nearing the point of separation. Many tigresses in the region have tired of their offspring when they reach the age of 12-24 months, with contraception of the tigress required if they were to remain a cohesive unit for longer. I chose not to report on this interaction as I was at the exhibit for less than five minutes, which I didn’t feel was long enough to make an assumption based on that interaction.
However, on my visit yesterday, I noticed Kirana was not on exhibit with her offspring and a keeper confirmed there has indeed been tension between her and her cubs (as you’d expect given their age). As a result, Kirana has been permanently separated from her daughters, who live amicably as a pair for now.
Recommendations have yet to be issued for Andalas and Mayang, so they’ll remain at Hamilton Zoo for the time being.
An update that Australia Zoo’s six Sumatran tigers are now living separately from each other:
0.1 Kaitlyn (04/12/2007) Imported 2008
1.0 Hunter (22/08/2013) Ramalon x Kaitlyn
1.0 Nelson (03/06/2019) Ranu x Kaitlyn
1.0 Malcolm (18/02/2020) Ranu x Kaitlyn
0.1 Sallie (18/02/2020) Ranu x Kaitlyn
0.1 Sage (18/02/2020) Ranu x Kaitlyn
The siblings previously shared quarters; though conflicts usually arise as tigers reach sexual maturity at 3-4 years, so this separation is by no means unexpected.
In addition to two on display exhibits, Australia Zoo has a number of off display yards, so they can easily manage these six tigers separately.
Australia Zoo have previously stated Hunter will remain on site for life due to his disability; and due to her age, we can assume the same for the elderly Kaitlyn.
Long term, the obvious move is to bring in either an unrelated male to breed with Sallie/Sage; or an unrelated female to breed with Nelson/Malcolm. That would free up the two of the corresponding gender as surplus to replace any of the ageing tigers in the region e.g. Cinta at Tasmania Zoo (as and when they pass). It would be a great shame to see another holder go into generics like Sydney Zoo and Ballarat Wildlife Park have done.
Due to the focus on breeding from the Indonesian imports (particularly Kaitlyn and her descendants) over the last 12 years, Zayana and Cahya at Auckland Zoo are the only suitable matches for Australia Zoo’s males. It seems likely that Ramah and Zayana at Auckland Zoo will receive another breeding recommendation once Cahya transfers out; so unless Cahya goes to Orana Wildlife Park, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Cahya go to Australia Zoo. As mentioned, the death of elderly tigers at Sydney, Tasmania, Mogo etc could provide an avenue for Nelson and Malcolm to transfer out, freeing up space for Cahya to breed.
Perth Zoo have announced the death of Jaya, their 17 year old Sumatran tiger. Jaya was born at Perth Zoo to Hari and Setia in August 2008 and has lived in Perth his entire life. He had a total of six siblings, of which he’d outlived all but one (Sali at Hamilton Zoo).
Jaya was never paired with a female/sired cubs of his own; but he has numerous relatives in the region, including Sali; and her offspring at the Adelaide and Hamilton zoos, both of which have cubs of their own. Overseas, Jaya has countless relatives across Europe, including many via his littermate Melati, who was exported to London Zoo in 2012.
In 2018, Jaya was diagnosed with an ectopic thyroid carcinoma and had a tumour removed. After that operation, his post-surgery prognosis was considered to be around nine months; so the Perth team did amazingly well to get him to 17 years of age.
Perth Zoo have announced the death of Jaya, their 17 year old Sumatran tiger. Jaya was born at Perth Zoo to Hari and Setia in August 2008 and has lived in Perth his entire life. He had a total of six siblings, of which he’d outlived all but one (Sali at Hamilton Zoo).
Jaya was never paired with a female/sired cubs of his own; but he has numerous relatives in the region, including Sali; and her offspring at the Adelaide and Hamilton zoos, both of which have cubs of their own. Overseas, Jaya has countless relatives across Europe, including many via his littermate Melati, who was exported to London Zoo in 2012.
In 2018, Jaya was diagnosed with an ectopic thyroid carcinoma and had a tumour removed. After that operation, his post-surgery prognosis was considered to be around nine months; so the Perth team did amazingly well to get him to 17 years of age.
An additional note that Perth Zoo have announced they do not plan to acquire more Sumatran tigers in the near future. Long term, they intend to acquire more tigers as part of the rainforest ecosystem precinct in the masterplan.
Since acquiring more tigers could be several years away, it’s difficult to make predictions, especially without knowing the intended capacity of their future facilities and whether they’ll be a breeding facility or not.
Since the majority of facilities that hold Sumatran tigers in the region have at least two exhibits and are equipped to manage breeding, it would come as no surprise to see Perth act as non-breeding holder and receive a sibling pair. At this point in time, there’s a strong possibility the next zoo to receive a breeding recommendation will be Auckland Zoo; followed by whichever facility Cahya transfers to (with Orana Wildlife Park, Australia Zoo and Taronga Zoo all being strong possibilities).
An additional note that Perth Zoo have announced they do not plan to acquire more Sumatran tigers in the near future. Long term, they intend to acquire more tigers as part of the rainforest ecosystem precinct in the masterplan.
Since acquiring more tigers could be several years away, it’s difficult to make predictions, especially without knowing the intended capacity of their future facilities and whether they’ll be a breeding facility or not.
Since the majority of facilities that hold Sumatran tigers in the region have at least two exhibits and are equipped to manage breeding, it would come as no surprise to see Perth act as non-breeding holder and receive a sibling pair. At this point in time, there’s a strong possibility the next zoo to receive a breeding recommendation will be Auckland Zoo; followed by whichever facility Cahya transfers to (with Orana Wildlife Park, Australia Zoo and Taronga Zoo all being strong possibilities).
It appears that there seems to be a bit of a shortage of overall Tiger numbers held apart from a couple of holders with a large groups, When some of the aging single animals pass on from a number of zoos within the region its going to look a bit thin on the ground regionally!
It appears that there seems to be a bit of a shortage of overall Tiger numbers held apart from a couple of holders with a large groups, When some of the aging single animals pass on from a number of zoos within the region its going to look a bit then on the ground regionally!
I would expect a few new pairings (imports) and a lot more breeding recommendations. The region last experienced a tiger baby boom in the late 2000's, so it makes sense that the next one will occur now with the older tigers born during that era now reaching older ages.
Right now, Auckland and Adelaide are the only facilitates regionally that theoretically have breeding pairs. Therefore, there's a lot of other facilities that will be anticipating movement in the coming years.
It appears that there seems to be a bit of a shortage of overall Tiger numbers held apart from a couple of holders with a large groups, When some of the aging single animals pass on from a number of zoos within the region its going to look a bit then on the ground regionally!
0.1 Sali (10/04/2008) Hari x Setia
0.1 Kirana (16/11/2014) Oz x Sali
1.0 Scout (08/02/2016) Juma x Kaitlyn
0.1 Mayang (03/01/2024) Scout x Kirana
0.1 Andalas (03/01/2024) Scout x Kirana
Orana Wildlife Park:
1.0 Reggie (31/03/2016) Satu x Maneki
Adelaide Zoo:
1.0 Kembali (16/11/2014) Oz x Sali
0.1 Delilah (08/02/2016) Juma x Kaitlyn
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
Australia Zoo:
0.1 Kaitlyn (04/12/2007) Imported 2008
1.0 Hunter (22/08/2013) Ramalon x Kaitlyn
1.0 Nelson (03/06/2019) Ranu x Kaitlyn
1.0 Malcolm (18/02/2020) Ranu x Kaitlyn
0.1 Sallie (18/02/2020) Ranu x Kaitlyn
0.1 Sage (18/02/2020) Ranu x Kaitlyn
Taronga Zoo:
1.0 Kembali (20/08/2011) Satu x Jumilah
0.1 Kartika (20/08/2011) Satu x Jumilah
1.0 Clarence (22/08/2013) Ramalon x Kaitlyn
1.0 Pemanah (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika
0.1 Mawar (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika
0.1 Tengah Malam (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika
Taronga Western Plains Zoo:
1.0 Satu (28/10/2006) Ramalon x Binjai
0.1 Indah (31/03/2007) Raja x Soraya
1.0 Sakti (20/08/2011) Satu x Jumilah
Bearing in mind that Ketambe and Susu are scheduled to be exported to the US, that leaves their littermate Marni, who will likely be retained by Adelaide Zoo to continue their breeding programme long term (once a third exhibit is built). That may free up her parents as surplus.
If Marni (first cousin of Hamilton’s siblings) is intended to breed, there may value in exporting Mayang and Andalas to Australian zoos as non-breeding animals to replace ageing tigers as they pass. Obvious destinations would be facilities like Tasmania Zoo, with no apparent interest in breeding.
The acquisition of an unrelated mate for one of Australia Zoo’s four youngest tigers would free up 2-3 of their siblings as surplus for any holder who wanted them.
Once Cahya transfers out, I anticipate Ramah and Zayana at Auckland Zoo will get another breeding recommendation. Orana, Beerwah and Taronga all need mates for their tigers, so another litter could satisfy the two facilities who don’t receive Cahya. Any surplus beyond that could end up at Wellington Zoo, who have two ageing tigers.
Melbourne Zoo are my top pick for importing tigers at this stage. They have a decent set up for breeding and I would hope the region has a plan for another pair to be imported at some stage.
Unfortunately, I anticipate we’ll lose Dreamworld as a holder when their two elderly females pass.
0.1 Sali (10/04/2008) Hari x Setia
0.1 Kirana (16/11/2014) Oz x Sali
1.0 Scout (08/02/2016) Juma x Kaitlyn
0.1 Mayang (03/01/2024) Scout x Kirana
0.1 Andalas (03/01/2024) Scout x Kirana
Orana Wildlife Park:
1.0 Reggie (31/03/2016) Satu x Maneki
Adelaide Zoo:
1.0 Kembali (16/11/2014) Oz x Sali
0.1 Delilah (08/02/2016) Juma x Kaitlyn
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
Australia Zoo:
0.1 Kaitlyn (04/12/2007) Imported 2008
1.0 Hunter (22/08/2013) Ramalon x Kaitlyn
1.0 Nelson (03/06/2019) Ranu x Kaitlyn
1.0 Malcolm (18/02/2020) Ranu x Kaitlyn
0.1 Sallie (18/02/2020) Ranu x Kaitlyn
0.1 Sage (18/02/2020) Ranu x Kaitlyn
Taronga Zoo:
1.0 Kembali (20/08/2011) Satu x Jumilah
0.1 Kartika (20/08/2011) Satu x Jumilah
1.0 Clarence (22/08/2013) Ramalon x Kaitlyn
1.0 Pemanah (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika
0.1 Mawar (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika
0.1 Tengah Malam (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika
Taronga Western Plains Zoo:
1.0 Satu (28/10/2006) Ramalon x Binjai
0.1 Indah (31/03/2007) Raja x Soraya
1.0 Sakti (20/08/2011) Satu x Jumilah
Bearing in mind that Ketambe and Susu are scheduled to be exported to the US, that leaves their littermate Marni, who will likely be retained by Adelaide Zoo to continue their breeding programme long term (once a third exhibit is built). That may free up her parents as surplus.
If Marni (first cousin of Hamilton’s siblings) is intended to breed, there may value in exporting Mayang and Andalas to Australian zoos as non-breeding animals to replace ageing tigers as they pass. Obvious destinations would be facilities like Tasmania Zoo, with no apparent interest in breeding.
The acquisition of an unrelated mate for one of Australia Zoo’s four youngest tigers would free up 2-3 of their siblings as surplus for any holder who wanted them.
Once Cahya transfers out, I anticipate Ramah and Zayana at Auckland Zoo will get another breeding recommendation. Orana, Beerwah and Taronga all need mates for their tigers, so another litter could satisfy the two facilities who don’t receive Cahya. Any surplus beyond that could end up at Wellington Zoo, who have two ageing tigers.
Melbourne Zoo are my top pick for importing tigers at this stage. They have a decent set up for breeding and I would hope the region has a plan for another pair to be imported at some stage.
Unfortunately, I anticipate we’ll lose Dreamworld as a holder when their two elderly females pass.
With Adelaide, there's no breeding recommendation for Kembali and Delilah, so it'll be interesting to see what happens with Marni. Presumably the intention is for her to be grouped with her mother in the meantime, and then breed eventually once a third exhibit can be built and either/both of her parents are transferred out.
Reggie is the perfect mate for Cahya, and indeed she's Christchurch bound. Ramah and Zayana will be paired up again - hopefully with better luck this time for a larger litter! Unfortunately there's no other recommended pairings regionally, which is a surprise as as we've assessed, the regions population is ageing and without sufficient breeding to build numbers back up again, the population will dramatically decrease within the next five to ten years.
Presumably cubs from Ramah and Zayana's next litter will also be utilised for breeding regional program. You've highlighted Taronga and Beerwah as needing new breeding tigers and depending on the next litter size, I could absolutely foresee both getting a cub each for breeding eventually. Obviously imports are also needed - although none are on the horizon, I'm confident at least some of the government zoos will consider importing. I'm hoping Melbourne import a new breeding pair once their sibling pair pass.
I think Orana was quite keen on keeping Reggie knowing he was quite a valuable male - and was therefore guaranteed to receive a breeding recommendation. As we know recommendations are difficult to come by these days.
Anyhow, it's great that Reggie will finally have the opportunity to breed. At nine years old, he isn't getting any younger and being the valuable male that he is, he needs time on his side. He'll hopefully soon have the opportunity to sire countless litters.
It's possible that the lack of current breeding recommendations by the region as a whole is taking into account these future pairings who will likely have more than one litter, and therefore there'll likely be a good surplus.
