Black Jaguar Ebony Chester Zoo 9th October 2002

Female black jaguar Ebony at Chester Zoo

I believe she and a (normal) male came from Rome Zoo.

Is this the waterfall side? I have a picture of her in the savannah side, or did they rotate the jags back then?

Can't answer you as unfortunately I live too far away to be a Chester 'regular'. But I've never seen a Black jag in the Savanah side on any of my few visits, only the normal female, is it Sofia(?).

If I remember correctly when SOTJ first opened they only had the two Rome jags, Ebony and Carlo(s) - I think they would have been kept one in each side at this point.

Maguari said:

they only had the two Rome jags, Ebony and Carlo(s) - I think they would have been kept one in each side at this point.

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Almost certainly in that case as they wouldn't have wanted an empty exhibit in a new building...

Pertinax said:

Almost certainly in that case as they wouldn't have wanted an empty exhibit in a new building...

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Most likely they rotated. At the moment I think it is fixed as:

Sophia and Salvador is the savannah enclosure (inside and out)

Pele the melanistic jaguar in the rainforest side (indoors)

Coral and Wanetta [sp?] in the waterfall enclosure (outdoors with the dens).

Are there any plans to breed the black male with either of the females on that side?

They're the family from Marwell - I think it's mother and offspring so they won't be breeding.

The breeding attempts were focussed on Sofia and Salvador but they have never successfully raised young and I believe this is now on hold.

Pertinax said:

Are there any plans to breed the black male with either of the females on that side?

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No, the rainforest/waterfall side are all family.

1.1 in the savannah side (Sophia and Salvador) were supposed to be a breeding pair, however their first litter was stillborn and I think a second litter only lasted a few days. Therefore, the EEP recommends that these don't breed (for fears it may be a genetic problem between them?)

2.1 in the rainforest/waterfall side are father/mother and son from Marwell. Pele the melanistic jaguar from the rainforest part indoors is the father, whilst Wanetta is the mother and Coral is the son. Coral has been doctored to prevent inbreeding, and these live as a surplus holding that Marwell had no room for.

At the moment, there are no plans to breed any jaguars from current holdings. I think the plan is to wait for one of the groups to pass on before replacing with a breeding pair that will hopefully have more success.

I think this is right, but don't take it as 100%. It is possible I've got a fact wrong or misunderstood, so if I have then anybody feel free to correct it

EDIT: Beat me to it