Australasian African Lion Population

Jambo said:
I was interested to discover that the original PVS pride that was established in the 1970's, were former retired circus Lions from Australia.

I'm intrigued as to their actual origins - Bullens seems like a likely bet considering the amount of Lions they seemingly had at their Lion park.

In any case, this pride has breed extremely well over the last 50 or so years, supplying many other zoos both regionally and in Australia with lions over the years.

Does anyone have any further info on the former PVS prides (individual transfers to other facilities ect.)?
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Paradise Valley Springs - Births/Transfers

There’s been no transfers into the Paradise Valley Springs pride since at least the 1980’s.

Litters are as follows:

0.1 Suzie (1986) Leo x Sheba
0.1 Honey (1988) Leo x Sheba
1.0 Sam (1988) Leo x Cleo
0.2 Jenny and Jade (1990) Unknown x Suzie
0.1 Ruby (1992) Unknown x Honey
1.1 Jake and Scarlet (1994) Sam x Suzie
0.1 Ryo (1995) Sam x Suzie
1.0 Toby (1998) Jake x Suzie
1.1 Max and Millie (2000) Jake x Honey
1.1 Zac and Zalika (2001) Jake x Ryo
0.2 Luca and Leah (2004) Max x Ryo
1.1 Aslan and Asha (2005) Max x Ryo
1.0 Ben (2007) Max x Ryo
0.1 Hana (2007) Zac x Luca
1.0 Chase (2010) Max x Luca
0.1 Ella (2010) Max x Luca
1.1 Benji and Bella (2011) Ben x Hana
0.2 Ayla and Aleekah (2012) Max x Luca
2.0 Xander and Xavier (2013) Max x Hana
1.1 Seb and Sacha (2021) Xander x Bella
1.1 Fletcher and Freyja (2022) Xander x Bella
1.1 Unnamed (2024) Xander x Bella

Transfers out:

Jade and Ruby to Franklin
Sam to Auckland/Wellington
Scarlett to Zion
Toby to Orana
Millie to Canberra
Leah, Aslan and Asha to Pouakai
Ben to Taman Safari
Chase and Ella to Taman Safari
Benji, Ayla and Aleekah to Pouakai
Seb and Sacha to Pouakai
 
Zions original "Barbary " lions were also ex circus lions werent they?
I know some of the Australian circuses imported their lions from Europe so i guess NZ circuses could have also?
 
Astrobird said:
Zions original "Barbary " lions were also ex circus lions werent they?
I know some of the Australian circuses imported their lions from Europe so i guess NZ circuses could have also?
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Zion acquired a male ‘Barbary’ lion named Sampson, who bred with Scarlett (from Paradise) to produce several litters. Their subsequent acquisitions were then from South Africa (exchanged for white tiger cubs).

New Zealand’s circus lions mostly came from Australia to my knowledge.
 
Taronga Western Plains lion cubs named

From Instagram
Introducing Kaari, Mzuri and Nguvu

The 'pride' of Dubbo (Marion and Lwazi's cubs) have been named - just in time for World Lion Day!

The male cub is Nguvu, a Swahili word meaning 'strength', while one of the female cubs has been named Mzuri, meaning 'good' or 'beautiful. The third cub has been named Kaari, a ‘young girl' or 'daughter' in Kenyan culture.
 
Tigergal said:
Taronga Western Plains lion cubs named

From Instagram
Introducing Kaari, Mzuri and Nguvu

The 'pride' of Dubbo (Marion and Lwazi's cubs) have been named - just in time for World Lion Day!

The male cub is Nguvu, a Swahili word meaning 'strength', while one of the female cubs has been named Mzuri, meaning 'good' or 'beautiful. The third cub has been named Kaari, a ‘young girl' or 'daughter' in Kenyan culture.
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Between them, Taronga Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo have now named lion cubs Uzuri (2015), Zuri (2021) and Mzuri (2025). At least the other two cubs got original names.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Lion Prides

Pride 1:

1.0 Lwazi (12/08/2017) Johari x Nilo
0.1 Marion (22/06/2014) Imported 2018 (United States)
0.1 Amali (07/04/2022) Lwazi x Marion
0.1 Imani (07/04/2022) Lwazi x Marion
0.1 Mara (07/04/2022) Lwazi x Marion
0.1 Zawadi (04/10/2023) Lwazi x Marion
1.0 Nguvu (21/02/2025) Lwazi x Marion
0.1 Mzuri (21/02/2025) Lwazi x Marion
0.1 Kaari (21/02/2025) Lwazi x Marion

Pride 2:

1.0 Bahati (04/10/2023) Lwazi x Marion
1.0 Jabari (04/10/2023) Lwazi x Marion
 
African Lion Birth - National Zoo and Aquarium

Fantastic news!

A female lion cub was born to Mlizni and Nairibi in April. The cub has been named Nyra.

0.1 Nyra (26/04/2025) Mlinzi x Nairibi

I’ll be honest, I’d given up all hope of Nairibi producing a cub after so many years of trying without success. This is Nairibi’s second litter, following the birth of 2.2 cubs at Werribee Open Range Zoo in 2016; and the first for Mlinzi, who is significant as the last viable member in the region of the defunct Melbourne line.

The survival of this cub to four months of age gives hope it will in turn survive to adulthood and continue this lineage. It will likely be the only one of Nairibi’s offspring to breed, with her other offspring in non-breeding prides.

Congratulations to the National Zoo on their first African lion litter since 2002!

Reported on socials.
 
Zoofan15 said:
African Lion Birth - National Zoo and Aquarium

Fantastic news!

A female lion cub was born to Mlizni and Nairibi in April. The cub has been named Nyra.

0.1 Nyra (26/04/2025) Mlinzi x Nairibi

I’ll be honest, I’d given up all hope of Nairibi producing a cub after so many years of trying without success. This is Nairibi’s second litter, following the birth of 2.2 cubs at Werribee Open Range Zoo in 2016; and the first for Mlinzi, who is significant as the last viable member in the region of the defunct Melbourne line.

The survival of this cub to four months of age gives hope it will in turn survive to adulthood and continue this lineage. It will likely be the only one of Nairibi’s offspring to breed, with her other offspring in non-breeding prides.

Congratulations to the National Zoo on their first African lion litter since 2002!

Reported on socials.
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Absolutely brilliant news!

I included had lost hope for this pair, considering they were paired up for four years without success up until now. Especially considering Nairobi is now thirteen years old; this birth would now make her one of the oldest mothers regionally.

Overall, I'm really glad Canberra have achieved success with this pair at the eleventh hour - mostly due to Mlinzi's genetic value. This pairing presented the last opportunity for the Melbourne line to continue - and this young female cub will now hopefully get the chance to continue that.
 
Jambo said:
Absolutely brilliant news!

I included had lost hope for this pair, considering they were paired up for four years without success up until now. Especially considering Nairobi is now thirteen years old; this birth would now make her one of the oldest mothers regionally.

Overall, I'm really glad Canberra have achieved success with this pair at the eleventh hour - mostly due to Mlinzi's genetic value. This pairing presented the last opportunity for the Melbourne line to continue - and this young female cub will now hopefully get the chance to continue that.
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It’s interesting as there’s now been three lionesses that have bred in their thirteenth year in recent years - the other two being Bella (2011) at Paradise Valley Springs and Sassy (2011) at Darling Downs Zoo, both in 2024. Against historical records, births over the age of 12 years in this species are far from common.

I would also note that of those three lionesses, only Bella was primed for reproduction (with births in 2021 and 2022). Sassy was a first time breeder and there was an interval of eight years and four months between Nairibi’s previous litter and this birth.

I anticipate the plan will be for Nyra to breed given her genetic value, even if they retain her within her natal pride until her parents pass. In the meantime, I’ll be fascinated to see if Nairibi can go one step further and produce a third litter 12 months from now.
 
full


Here he is with his mother (Bella) and sister (Purr/Mnandi), in January 2007. Back then he was called Joe, because Peugeot (Purr-Joe), sponsored the ‘White Lions of Timbavati’ exhibit. They had a massive banner over the exhibit, with Peugeot’s white lion logo.
 
Details of Wellington Zoo’s New Lion Exhibits

The latest version of Wellington Zoo’s masterplan advises that rather than extending the existing lion exhibit, they will in fact be building two new exhibits.

https://www.wellingtonzoo.com/assets/Resources/wzt-master-plan-2023-2043.pdf

The new Lion Habitat will see Lions relocated to hillside habitats that span the visitor walkway thus, effectively, surrounding guests with the big cats. Such an approach helps to keep the Lions on view while also allowing them choice within a much more expansive landscape and an expanded lion pride.

The two habitats will be joined by overhead mesh tunnels that, in themselves, provide elevated resting spots from which to survey visitors, the Zoo and the City beyond.

New ‘care quarters’ will be located to the back of the downhill habitat where it can be easily serviced by Staff from the adjacent service route.

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Wellington Zoo’s lion exhibit is one of their most iconic (and historic) exhibits. Its main feature is a kopje, which was a revolutionary concept for its time. The kopje will presumably be demolished ahead of the Savannah being expanded into this area, though from the concept art, it appears something similar is planned for the new exhibits.

Overall, I’m excited for this project. Wellington Zoo has wanted to hold an expanded pride for many years, with the current facilities unsuitable for managing multiple prides. Presumably the plan from here is for females to be imported to join Wellington’s males (regional founders) in what I hope will be a breeding pride:

1.0 Jelani (00/00/2019) Imported 2021 (Denmark)
1.0 Sadiki (00/00/2019) Imported 2021 (Denmark)

Current exhibit:

upload_2025-10-14_23-46-5.jpeg
Photo from my visit 28/12/2024.
 

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Zoofan15 said:
Details of Wellington Zoo’s New Lion Exhibits

The latest version of Wellington Zoo’s masterplan advises that rather than extending the existing lion exhibit, they will in fact be building two new exhibits.

https://www.wellingtonzoo.com/assets/Resources/wzt-master-plan-2023-2043.pdf

The new Lion Habitat will see Lions relocated to hillside habitats that span the visitor walkway thus, effectively, surrounding guests with the big cats. Such an approach helps to keep the Lions on view while also allowing them choice within a much more expansive landscape and an expanded lion pride.

The two habitats will be joined by overhead mesh tunnels that, in themselves, provide elevated resting spots from which to survey visitors, the Zoo and the City beyond.

New ‘care quarters’ will be located to the back of the downhill habitat where it can be easily serviced by Staff from the adjacent service route.

View attachment 834412

Wellington Zoo’s lion exhibit is one of their most iconic (and historic) exhibits. Its main feature is a kopje, which was a revolutionary concept for its time. The kopje will presumably be demolished ahead of the Savannah being expanded into this area, though from the concept art, it appears something similar is planned for the new exhibits.

Overall, I’m excited for this project. Wellington Zoo has wanted to hold an expanded pride for many years, with the current facilities unsuitable for managing multiple prides. Presumably the plan from here is for females to be imported to join Wellington’s males (regional founders) in what I hope will be a breeding pride:

1.0 Jelani (00/00/2019) Imported 2021 (Denmark)
1.0 Sadiki (00/00/2019) Imported 2021 (Denmark)

Current exhibit:

View attachment 834422
Photo from my visit 28/12/2024.
Click to expand...
This should increase visitation once completed any idea what may happen to the old exhibit perhaps it could be repurposed for Tigers?
 
Zorro said:
This should increase visitation once completed any idea what may happen to the old exhibit perhaps it could be repurposed for Tigers?
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Jambo said:
The current Giraffe habitat will be expanded into the area occupied by the present Lion exhibit.
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It’s possible the decision to convert this exhibit into an ungulate exhibit (as opposed to expanding it for lions) may have been influenced by the fact that bar the kopje, visitors are looking down on the lions when standing on the upper viewing deck.

When this exhibit was built, pit style exhibits were still in use; but now it’s widely recognised exhibits should be designed so that the cats are at or above eye level. While this exhibit has a lower viewing window, it’s easy to see how big cats (especially tigers) could feel uneasy in this exhibit.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see Wellington Zoo build a third Sumatran tiger exhibit where the sun bear exhibit is now. Sasa is 19 years old and there’s no obvious option for replacing her when she dies. Aerial pathways connecting to the main tiger exhibit seem the obvious route to go.
 
Zoofan15 said:
It’s possible the decision to convert this exhibit into an ungulate exhibit (as opposed to expanding it for lions) may have been influenced by the fact that bar the kopje, visitors are looking down on the lions when standing on the upper viewing deck.

When this exhibit was built, pit style exhibits were still in use; but now it’s widely recognised exhibits should be designed so that the cats are at or above eye level. While this exhibit has a lower viewing window, it’s easy to see how big cats (especially tigers) could feel uneasy in this exhibit.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see Wellington Zoo build a third Sumatran tiger exhibit where the sun bear exhibit is now. Sasa is 19 years old and there’s no obvious option for replacing her when she dies. Aerial pathways connecting to the main tiger exhibit seem the obvious route to go.
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Last time I went to Wellington Zoo, which was a few months ago, a keeper mentioned that the zoo was discussing what to do with the Sun Bear enclosure when Sasa passed, and Binturong had been floated as an option. It all seemed very speculative, so this wasn't a plan, just an idea.
 
ElephasMaximus said:
Last time I went to Wellington Zoo, which was a few months ago, a keeper mentioned that the zoo was discussing what to do with the Sun Bear enclosure when Sasa passed, and Binturong had been floated as an option. It all seemed very speculative, so this wasn't a plan, just an idea.
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Thanks for the confirmation they’re exploring alternative options to exhibiting sun bear when Sasa passes . It’s disappointing, but what we’ve all assumed.

However, unless they’re going to subdivide it into at least three, Binturong would be a terrible fit for Wellington Zoo’s sun bear exhibit. The design doesn’t help, but Melbourne’s Binturong exhibit is a shade smaller and nobody ever sees them. Taronga’s is the best I’ve seen by far, with exhibits comparable in size to Wellington’s red panda exhibits and open nest boxes, so you can at least see the Binturong sleeping (which is most of the day).

I really think the best option is either a Sri Lankan leopard exhibit; or a third Sumatran tiger exhibit. Seeing how enriching multiple tiger complexes have proved for their occupants at Auckland and Taronga has convinced me they’re a worthy investment for any zoo.

On that note, having two lion exhibits will be fantastic for Wellington Zoo. Paradise Valley Springs have a multigenerational pride and it was interesting seeing the lions have fission-fusion interactions, with the adolescents and older lioness separating off and then coming together as a pride throughout my visit. If nothing else, the second exhibit will provide a contingency if any conflicts arise in the pride. Wellington ran two prides for a number of years due to incompatibility of lions within those respective prides.
 
Euthanasia of Kamo’s Remaining Lions

'There were no real options left': Last big cats to be euthanised at Whangārei's lion park

Some sad news that Kamo Wildlife Park’s seven remaining lions are to be euthanised this week, following the final closure of the park this weekend just been.

The lions are as follows:

0.1 Shikira (23/02/2004) Imported 2004
0.1 Imvula (28/07/2004) Imported 2004
1.0 Abdullah (31/01/2006) Gandor x Shikira
0.1 Cleo (31/01/2006) Gandor x Shikira
1.0 Timba (11/12/2006) Laduma x Imvula
1.0 Themba (11/12/2006) Laduma x Imvula
1.0 Sibili (27/01/2007) Laduma x Amafu
 
Zoofan15 said:
Euthanasia of Kamo’s Remaining Lions

'There were no real options left': Last big cats to be euthanised at Whangārei's lion park

Some sad news that Kamo Wildlife Park’s seven remaining lions are to be euthanised this week, following the final closure of the park this weekend just been.

The lions are as follows:

0.1 Shikira (23/02/2004) Imported 2004
0.1 Imvula (28/07/2004) Imported 2004
1.0 Abdullah (31/01/2006) Gandor x Shikira
0.1 Cleo (31/01/2006) Gandor x Shikira
1.0 Timba (11/12/2006) Laduma x Imvula
1.0 Themba (11/12/2006) Laduma x Imvula
1.0 Sibili (27/01/2007) Laduma x Amafu
Click to expand...

The article is paywalled. Can anyone summarize?
 
Wisp O' Mist said:
The article is paywalled. Can anyone summarize?
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The relevant information in the article is as follows:

Last big cats to be euthanised at Whangārei's lion park as 'no real options left'

The last seven surviving big cats at Whangārei’s famous lion park will be euthanised this week.

Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary facility operator Janette Vallance said the difficult decision had been made by owners Bolton Equities. Bolton Equities told the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) yesterday they intended to put down the last of the park’s big cats.

Vallance said the park has officially closed to the public following its final weekend of trade.

Here’s a link to the announcement on the park’s Facebook page also: Log in or sign up to view
 
Zoofan15 said:
The relevant information in the article is as follows:

Last big cats to be euthanised at Whangārei's lion park as 'no real options left'

The last seven surviving big cats at Whangārei’s famous lion park will be euthanised this week.

Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary facility operator Janette Vallance said the difficult decision had been made by owners Bolton Equities. Bolton Equities told the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) yesterday they intended to put down the last of the park’s big cats.

Vallance said the park has officially closed to the public following its final weekend of trade.

Here’s a link to the announcement on the park’s Facebook page also: Log in or sign up to view
Click to expand...
Were they offered to other zoos within the region?
 
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