Australasian African Lion Population

Jambo said:
Update from @Swanson02 above regarding Monarto's two boys; Chad and Ruka, who are now transitioning out of the pride.

It's interesting 'Victoria' was mentioned as a destination for them. Victoria currently only has three facilities with lions; Melbourne, Werribee and Mansfield.

Melbourne can be ruled out, as they don't have the space to accommodate an additional pride. Conversely, Werribee do, with an empty exhibit following Jarrah's death two years ago. I was under the assumption this may be used for Nilo's young cubs when they reach adulthood, but there's a chance Werribee may be wanting to fill up that enclosure sooner rather than later.

Mansfield is potentially a strong candidate; especially with an ageing pair who's enclosure will obviously be soon vacated following their deaths.
Click to expand...

I’d assess Mansfield to be the most likely candidate as they’ve traditionally been a non breeding facility. Chad and Ruka aren’t genetically valuable, considering the extensive representation of both their paternal and maternal lines. Placing them in a non-breeding facility makes sense.

With Adelaide’s pair getting on in years, I had assumed that would be their eventual destination; but the deaths of Adelaide’s elderly pair will provide an opportunity to create a new exhibit and it will be a while before they can receive them. Depending on the size of Adelaide’s exhibit, it may be better utilised by three males, which could well be the outcome of Monarto’s latest litter - which will transfer out circa 2025 (when Adelaide’s exhibit will likely be close to completion).

Alternatively, Adelaide may serve as retirement facility for Monarto’s three breeding males. It remains to be seen whether the current breeding females (which will be post reproductive by then) will tolerate new males; but it’s a possibility re. succession.
 
Jambo said:
Update from @Swanson02 above regarding Monarto's two boys; Chad and Ruka, who are now transitioning out of the pride.

It's interesting 'Victoria' was mentioned as a destination for them. Victoria currently only has three facilities with lions; Melbourne, Werribee and Mansfield.

Melbourne can be ruled out, as they don't have the space to accommodate an additional pride. Conversely, Werribee do, with an empty exhibit following Jarrah's death two years ago. I was under the assumption this may be used for Nilo's young cubs when they reach adulthood, but there's a chance Werribee may be wanting to fill up that enclosure sooner rather than later.

Mansfield is potentially a strong candidate; especially with an ageing pair who's enclosure will obviously be soon vacated following their deaths.
Click to expand...

An add on to the comment made about Monarto sending two lions to Victoria, there was a mention of Werribee holding two prides in this article:

Grand plans for Werribee Open Range Zoo | Wyndham

Enlarging the existing lion habitats to fit two lion prides, which visitors will be able to see both on foot and through the bus safari.

I doubt Werribee would plan to hold two breeding prides, so I’m wondering if the plan is for Chad and Ruka to head up a non breeding pride at Werribee. They’re not genetically valuable, so it’d make more sense to form a pride around them than the two males in Nilo’s litter, which will be transitioning out of the pride in two years and would otherwise be candidates for this second pride. Nilo is a founder and Sheru’s parents were founders, so their offspring are more valuable and could potentially go into a breeding situation elsewhere.

Candidates for joining Chad and Ruka in a non breeding pride:

Dubbo:

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

I feel like Werribee would want all three females for a non breeding pride to boost pride numbers to five. Marion is nine years old and young enough to breed again, but they may opt to breed a second litter from her to ensure she has daughters. Her caesarean may limit her productive potential too (an unknown).

Monarto:

The best option of all is for three of Chad and Ruka’s sisters to accompany them:

0.1 Adira (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Chikondi (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Zahara (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Malika (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani

Their mother has a new litter of four (likely containing at least two female cubs) and @Swanson02 was advised Monarto are nearing capacity, which could potentially hinder Makena’s chances of breeding. I’d prioritised breeding from the unrepresented Makena and transfer out three young females. Monarto will only need a maximum of two for future breeding; and ideally one of these two will be a future daughter of Makena.
 
Zoofan15 said:
An add on to the comment made about Monarto sending two lions to Victoria, there was a mention of Werribee holding two prides in this article:

Grand plans for Werribee Open Range Zoo | Wyndham

Enlarging the existing lion habitats to fit two lion prides, which visitors will be able to see both on foot and through the bus safari.

I doubt Werribee would plan to hold two breeding prides, so I’m wondering if the plan is for Chad and Ruka to head up a non breeding pride at Werribee. They’re not genetically valuable, so it’d make more sense to form a pride around them than the two males in Nilo’s litter, which will be transitioning out of the pride in two years and would otherwise be candidates for this second pride. Nilo is a founder and Sheru’s parents were founders, so their offspring are more valuable and could potentially go into a breeding situation elsewhere.

Candidates for joining Chad and Ruka in a non breeding pride:

Dubbo:

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

I feel like Werribee would want all three females for a non breeding pride to boost pride numbers to five. Marion is nine years old and young enough to breed again, but they may opt to breed a second litter from her to ensure she has daughters. Her caesarean may limit her productive potential too (an unknown).

Monarto:

The best option of all is for three of Chad and Ruka’s sisters to accompany them:

0.1 Adira (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Chikondi (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Zahara (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Malika (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani

Their mother has a new litter of four (likely containing at least two female cubs) and @Swanson02 was advised Monarto are nearing capacity, which could potentially hinder Makena’s chances of breeding. I’d prioritised breeding from the unrepresented Makena and transfer out three young females. Monarto will only need a maximum of two for future breeding; and ideally one of these two will be a future daughter of Makena.
Click to expand...
A large pride would be preferable for the safari exhibit (which we'd assume these guys would be in, as the non breeding group). I agree; the best option is to send Chad and Ruka alongside their sisters to Werribee. A large group of six would be sizeable enough to see from the bus!

Additionally, it appears this exhibit (viewable from safari) will be built in the space of the current Wild Dog enclosure, meaning the current complex of two enclosures will still theoretically remain. This means Werribee would still be able to accommodate the males from their recent litter; if a permanent home can't be found for them elsewhere.
 
Jambo said:
A large pride would be preferable for the safari exhibit (which we'd assume these guys would be in, as the non breeding group). I agree; the best option is to send Chad and Ruka alongside their sisters to Werribee. A large group of six would be sizeable enough to see from the bus!

Additionally, it appears this exhibit (viewable from safari) will be built in the space of the current Wild Dog enclosure, meaning the current complex of two enclosures will still theoretically remain. This means Werribee would still be able to accommodate the males from their recent litter; if a permanent home can't be found for them elsewhere.
Click to expand...

That’s good news that Werribee may potentially retain the two existing exhibits. It will give them options with regards to managing their breeding pride and another outcome could be creating a bachelor pride of the two males born to Nilo this year; and any male cubs born to Asali in the next nine months (cubs really need to be born within 12 months to transfer out as a cohort).

The genetic value of Werribee’s male cubs is currently high; but if their aunt Nairibi successfully breeds this year, her cubs would rank higher. The sire, Mlinzi, is genetically valuable; especially with Makena’s future reproductive prospects unknown.
 
New Zealand Lion Update

—————————

Pouakai Zoo:

Pouakai Zoo have received two adolescent lions from Paradise Valley Springs (Seb and Sacha). They had a vacant exhibit following the death of their last generic tiger earlier this year.

Pouakai Zoo will remain a non breeding facility with two prides:

1.0 Benji (02/08/2011) Ben x Hana
0.1 Ayla (21/02/2012) Max x Luca
0.1 Aleeka (21/02/2012) Max x Luca

1.0 Seb (01/05/2021) Xander x Bella
0.1 Sacha (01/05/2021) Xander x Bella

—————————

Paradise Valley Springs:

Following the departure of Seb and Sacha, Paradise’s pride is the smallest it’s been since the 1980’s with 1.2 adults and two 10 month old cubs:

0.1 Luca (20/10/2004) Max x Ryo
0.1 Bella (02/08/2011) Ben x Hana
1.0 Xander (20/09/2013) Max x Hana
1.0 Munchkin (18/12/2022) Xander x Bella
0.1 Missy (18/12/2022) Xander x Bella

It wouldn’t surprise me if they bred with Bella again in the near future (if she isn’t already pregnant again).

—————————
 
Taronga Western Plains Zoo - Birth Announcement

2.1 cubs were born October 4 to Lwazi and Marion:

From socials:

Now 1 month old, the one female and two male cubs weigh around 5kg each. At this stage the cubs are still in the den with Marion, and over the coming months will continue to bond with her behind the scenes and have their first health checks and vaccinations.

Marion will also introduce them to Lwazi as well as their three older siblings Amali, Mara and Imani, who were born in April 2022.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Taronga Western Plains Zoo - Birth Announcement

2.1 cubs were born October 4 to Lwazi and Marion:

From socials:

Now 1 month old, the one female and two male cubs weigh around 5kg each. At this stage the cubs are still in the den with Marion, and over the coming months will continue to bond with her behind the scenes and have their first health checks and vaccinations.

Marion will also introduce them to Lwazi as well as their three older siblings Amali, Mara and Imani, who were born in April 2022.
Click to expand...

Great news! I'm hopeful this litter might, all being well, be on display by the time of my next planned visit in mid-January.
 
Abbey said:
Great news! I'm hopeful this litter might, all being well, be on display by the time of my next planned visit in mid-January.
Click to expand...

That sounds likely as they’ll be 3.5 months old by then and their introductions to the rest of the pride should be complete. It was interesting reading about the introductions of Zuri and Makeeba to their siblings at Dubbo back in 2016. The age gaps were similar and one of the elder sisters was a natural with cubs; the other unsure how to act. Marion has three adolescent daughters, so they’ll be some interesting dynamics and fast learning curves for any of them that don’t give the cubs respect!
 
Osedax said:
Great news! I did wonder why Marion was alone and off display on my visit on the 5th and 6th of October.
Does this mean TWPZ now has 3.8 lions?
Click to expand...

Yes, that’s correct with the three elderly lionesses in one pride; and what will eventually become an integrated pride of eight lions (the second largest in the region):

0.1 Kiamba (21/01/2004) Maalo x Amani
0.1 Zalika (04/03/2004) Lazarus x Amira
0.1 Tiombe (18/04/2004) Lazarus x Kura

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
1.0 Unnamed (04/10/2023) Lwazi x Marion
1.0 Unnamed (04/10/2023) Lwazi x Marion
0.1 Unnamed (04/10/2023) Lwazi x Marion
 
Zoofan15 said:
Yes, that’s correct with the three elderly lionesses in one pride; and what will eventually become an integrated pride of eight lions (the second largest in the region):

0.1 Kiamba (21/01/2004) Maalo x Amani
0.1 Zalika (04/03/2004) Lazarus x Amira
0.1 Tiombe (18/04/2004) Lazarus x Kura

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
1.0 Unnamed (04/10/2023) Lwazi x Marion
1.0 Unnamed (04/10/2023) Lwazi x Marion
0.1 Unnamed (04/10/2023) Lwazi x Marion
Click to expand...
This must be the largest number of lions TWPZ have had at one time!
 
Osedax said:
This must be the largest number of lions TWPZ have had at one time!
Click to expand...

Possibly, depending on whether the arrival of the three elderly lionesses overlapped with Lazarus (who died) and Bakari (who transferred to Mogo).

Their largest integrated pride has been nine lions:

1.0 Lazarus (01/05/2002) Imported 2003 (South Africa)
0.1 Maya (26/02/2011) Imported 2014 (South Africa)
1.0 Baako (28/02/2015) Lazarus x Maya
0.1 Makeba (28/02/2015) Lazarus x Maya
0.1 Uzuri (28/02/2015) Lazarus x Maya
1.0 Bakari (19/11/2016) Lazarus x Maya
1.0 Karoo (19/11/2016) Lazarus x Maya
1.0 Sheru (19/11/2016) Lazarus x Maya
1.0 Virunga (19/11/2016) Lazarus x Maya

The largest pride held in the region (with the exception of the drive through lion parks) would have been at Cairns Wildlife Safari. When I visited, they had a vasectomised male housed with around 15 lionesses.
 
Osedax said:
Where did the elderly lionesses come from then? I see their father was Lazarus, and I have never thought of him as being anywhere other than TWPZ.
Click to expand...

The elderly lionesses (Kiamba, Zalika and Tiombe) came from Monarto Safari Park.

Lazarus (2002) was imported from South Africa by Auckland Zoo in 2003, along with another male named Ngala (2002). Both are now deceased. While at Auckland Zoo (2003-2012), Lazarus sired two litters in 2004 to Kura (1998) and Amira (2001). Zalika and Tiombe were in these litters. They were sent to Monarto in 2005 and were integrated with Kiamba (2004), who was born at Adelaide Zoo to Kura’s daughter Kutaza/Amani (2001).

Kura is very well represented in the region. Another of her daughters, Kuchani (2001), was the mother of Werribee’s breeeing male, Johari (2003), who has 7.4 living offspring (many of which have bred). His eldest three sons head up the Monarto pride; while Ato and Lwazi have bred at Taronga and Dubbo.
 
Historical Information (Melbourne Zoo)

Jacqueline was born 10/05/1974 at Melbourne Zoo.

Jaqueline gave birth to four litters at Melbourne Zoo:

Litter 1:

1.0 Akela (12/12/1976)
1.0 Rashik (12/12/1976)
0.1 Rashka (12/12/1976)

Litter 2:

1.0 Pluto (07/02/1979)
0.1 Autumn (07/02/1979)

Litter 3:

1.0 Justin (18/05/1982)

Litter 4:

0.1 Juliana (20/12/1986)

Juliana’s litters are listed on Post #92 of this thread.
 
Husani’s litter sexed as 1.3 cubs:

Husani now has seven daughters in the pride!

With Werribee potentially looking at starting a second pride, I would definitely consider transferring out the four older daughters (along with Chad and Ruka) to create a non breeding pride of 2.4 siblings. This would reduce Monarto to 3.3 adults and 1.3 cubs, with the option to breed from Makena to further boost female numbers and sustain a second female line.

Another option would be to transfer out what is currently a bachelor pride of five males at Monarto (Chad, Ruka and their father/uncles), though I’d prefer to see Makena conceive again and they’d need some strong males coming in to take on 10 lionesses in the main pride!
 
Zoofan15 said:
Husani’s litter sexed as 1.3 cubs:

Husani now has seven daughters in the pride!

With Werribee potentially looking at starting a second pride, I would definitely consider transferring out the four older daughters (along with Chad and Ruka) to create a non breeding pride of 2.4 siblings. This would reduce Monarto to 3.3 adults and 1.3 cubs, with the option to breed from Makena to further boost female numbers and sustain a second female line.

Another option would be to transfer out what is currently a bachelor pride of five males at Monarto (Chad, Ruka and their father/uncles), though I’d prefer to see Makena conceive again and they’d need some strong males coming in to take on 10 lionesses in the main pride!
Click to expand...
An article on the the four cubs!

Four Lion Cubs in Roaring Good Health After First Health Check - Monarto Safari Park
 
Werribee lion update:

I asked about plans for an extension of the lion exhibits as part of the masterplan and was told due to an increase in construction costs, this has been shelved for the time being. The main focus is on bringing the elephants to Werribee and everything else has been parked until then.

In the meantime, Asali has been taken off contraception and matings between her and Sheru have been observed. Fingers crossed for cubs in the first half of 2025. The plan is to have no more than 12 months between the two litters.
 
Birth Announcement - Mogo Wildlife Park

Lion cubs have been born at Mogo Wildlife Park. The parents appear to be Baako and Evelyn, as the news announcement refers to the birth turning their pair into a pride.

If so, this will be the first birth to Evelyn, who is a founder to the region; with Baako being the son of two founders himself.

What a fantastic year for lion births this has been!

2.1 born at Werribee; 2.1 born at Dubbo; 1.3 (surviving) born at Monarto.
 
Last edited:
Taronga Western Plains Zoo - Lion Cubs Named

Lwazi and Marion’s cubs have been named as follows:

1.0 Bahati, meaning 'lucky'
1.0 Jabari, meaning 'fearless'
0.1 Zawadi, meaning 'gift'

From socials:

The three cubs have also been introduced to the rest of the pride! They've met their dad Lwazi, and their three big sisters, Amali, Imani and Mara.

The next major milestone will be introducing them to their Lion Pride Lands habitat so all of you, our guests, can see them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top