Australasian African Lion Population
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
Eldest African Lions in Australasia
0.1 Savannah (27/01/2001) Sampson x Shania - KAMO
0.1 Amani (06/05/2001) Tonyi x Kura - ADELAIDE
1.0 Rubani (24/05/2001) Fred x Sheba - MANSFIELD
1.0 Marjan (04/06/2002) Kimba x Millie - CANBERRA
1.0 Sabi (04/06/2002) Kimba x Millie - CANBERRA
0.1 Dalila (17/07/2003) Fred x Xena - MANSFIELD
These lions are followed by 14 lions born 2004.
It’s interesting to note that Savannah, Marjan and Sabi are related via the Paradise Valley Springs pride, which has produced several long lived lions in the region.
0.1 Savannah (27/01/2001) Sampson x Shania - KAMO
0.1 Amani (06/05/2001) Tonyi x Kura - ADELAIDE
1.0 Rubani (24/05/2001) Fred x Sheba - MANSFIELD
1.0 Marjan (04/06/2002) Kimba x Millie - CANBERRA
1.0 Sabi (04/06/2002) Kimba x Millie - CANBERRA
0.1 Dalila (17/07/2003) Fred x Xena - MANSFIELD
These lions are followed by 14 lions born 2004.
It’s interesting to note that Savannah, Marjan and Sabi are related via the Paradise Valley Springs pride, which has produced several long lived lions in the region.
That's a shame; both lionesses achieved quite an age (21 and 19 respectively).
The move of Phoenix and Maji though is a little suprising. Both I imagine will remain at Hunter Valley in a non breeding situation (neither are necessarily valuable).
This move will hopefully open up space at Mogo to breed from Chitwah once again.
It'll be interesting to see what Adelaide does once Amani dies. I doubt Mujambi would be euthanised; but he is getting on in his years too (he'll be eighteen this year). It would be best imo if Adelaide phased out Lions all in all; but I wouldn't be surprised if they acquired the young males from Monarto.
Agreed. I feel like on a personal level these lionesses meant quite a lot to a number of us - whether it was those of us familiar with Kura at Auckland Zoo and her family through The Zoo (which featured the birth of Kuchani’s litter); or through Kuchani’s time at Taronga.
Mogo and Hunter Valley are under the same management, so it’s a natural move in that regard. Mogo’s focus will be on the breeding pride with 11 year old Chitwa young enough to produce at least one more litter in the next year or two.
I feel like the two likely transfers are the two young males out of Monarto and the two young males out of Taronga. Both transfers would reduce their respective prides to all females bar the breeding male/males.
I agree Adelaide is likely for the Monarto males (keep it within Zoos SA); while the other two may go to Perth. Perth have two exhibits and once a cohesive pride is formed from Jelani and the females, not a lot is gonna be happening in one exhibit at any given time (i.e. they’d stick together).
1.0 Chad (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani
1.0 Ruka (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani
1.0 Khari (12/08/2021) Ato x Maya
1.0 Luzoko (12/08/2021) Ato x Maya
Taronga's young males could very well just be sent over to Dubbo who have an array of exhibits. Especially with the former Monarto trio now getting on in their years, they'll soon have the space.
There's also a lot of genetically valuable males elsewhere in the region that would be good to get into breeding situations asap. The two males at Wellington for one; but I just don't see a match for them atm within the region (if we're assuming they're related to Nilo).
There's also the brothers at Shoalhaven. I think it's a very good idea to send both to Monarto in the coming years. Monarto will need to shift new males in soon if they want to keep the older trio of girls within the pride. The three current males (Kito, Kubwa and Kashka) could then be sent to Adelaide, with the two young males (Chad and Ruka) being sent to Shoalhaven in replacement.
I've also mentioned the Billabong cubs a lot on here too. One of the cubs (Amari) is living seperately so there's no reason why he shouldn't be placed in a breeding situation soon. Unfortunately, there's no zoos that would need a male (aside from Monarto) in the meantime.
The Future of Monarto’s Pride
It would indeed be a good move to transfer Shoalhaven’s imported males to Monarto. Being descended from a number of well represented founders, the Monarto pride are limited in which lions they can breed with; but obviously the South African imports are an ideal match.
Monarto Safari Park pride themselves on holding Australia’s largest lion pride (12 lions), but the only way to continue this success is through succession and they’ve hopefully learnt lessons from last time re. the importance of introducing new males while the lionesses are still cycling.
Monarto’s eldest cohort of lionesses are 10 years old this year, so time is running out. The youngest members of the pride are 12 months old, so this year will be the ideal juncture point to transfer in new males.
The seven lionesses could be a lot to handle, but the South African brothers at Shoalhaven turn five this year and are in their prime. I’d assess them as better options socially than other albeit genetically valuable males such as the handraised male at Billabong, or his mother raised brother who lacks a male littermate to form a coalition.
Potentially, this could give Monarto the following pride:
1.0 Ariel (13/10/2018) Imported 2019
1.0 Juda (13/10/2018) Imported 2019
0.1 Husani (24/04/2013) Leroy x Tiombe
0.1 Nia (24/04/2013) Leroy x Tiombe
0.1 Makena (18/06/2013) Leroy x Kiamba
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
Birth Announcement
Paradise Valley Springs have welcomed 1.1 lion cubs.
The cubs were born 18/12/2022 to Xander and Bella and bring the park’s pride to 3.5 lions:
0.1 Luca (20/10/2004) Max x Ryo
0.1 Hana (05/03/2007) Zac x Luca
0.1 Bella (02/08/2011) Ben x Hana
1.0 Xander (20/09/2013) Max x Hana
1.0 Seb (01/05/2021) Xander x Bella
0.1 Sacha (01/05/2021) Xander x Bella
1.0 Unnamed (18/12/2022) Xander x Bella
0.1 Unnamed (18/12/2022) Xander x Bella
Paradise Valley Springs have welcomed 1.1 lion cubs.
The cubs were born 18/12/2022 to Xander and Bella and bring the park’s pride to 3.5 lions:
0.1 Luca (20/10/2004) Max x Ryo
0.1 Hana (05/03/2007) Zac x Luca
0.1 Bella (02/08/2011) Ben x Hana
1.0 Xander (20/09/2013) Max x Hana
1.0 Seb (01/05/2021) Xander x Bella
0.1 Sacha (01/05/2021) Xander x Bella
1.0 Unnamed (18/12/2022) Xander x Bella
0.1 Unnamed (18/12/2022) Xander x Bella
The regions lions are already quite inbred and at the moment there aren't a whole lot of options for import within the region.
I’m afraid it’s worse than that:
Leo and Cleo produced Suzy and Honey.
Leo and Sheba produced Sam.
Sam and Suzy produced Jake and Ryo.
Jake and Honey produced Max.
Jake and Ryo produced Zac.
Max and Ryo produced Luca and Ben.
Zac and Luca produced Hana.
Ben and Hana produced Bella.
Max and Hana produced Xander.
Xander and Bella produced Seb, Sasha and the latest cubs.
As you can see, the pride is very inbred. They ceased breeding for eight years from 2013. That was a missed opportunity to transfer out the two males (Benji and Xander) and bring in a new male imo. Even if they had to transfer out the eldest lionesses to allow it.
Even so they aren't that inbred. Being a private zoo I wonder if they would be free from the constraints of not using lions with white lion in there genetics. That would open up more doors.
That would have been a better plan than continually inbreeding these animals. Genetically they will be hard to move to other zoos due to their level of relatedness. And lack of genetic diversity.
Maybe, but I doubt it. A lot of our former city zoo stock (Taronga, Melbourne ect.) were also quite inbred, and they represent a fair bit of the population these days. South African imports have done a fair bit to help with genetic diversity, but some zoos in the region are still electing to breed relatives.
Others zoos will be reluctant to take them as they’re non AZA members. Historically, they transferred a male to Orana Wildlife Park who also received lionesses from Mogo and Bullens; but when Orana’s last lions die out, I’d expect them to source from an AZA zoo. They have two good sized exhibits and will likely breed.
Paradise Valley potentially could have liaised with Kamo to source males, however their lions are declawed and may not be able to be safely integrated with the Paradise pride.
Not news, but I thought people might be interested to see this rare photo of Monarto’s lionesses and cubs all in one shot.
This pride contains sisters, Husani and Nia; their half sister, Makena; and Husani’s six offspring:
Source: Zoos SA socials
0.1 Husani (24/04/2013) Leroy x Tiombe
0.1 Nia (24/04/2013) Leroy x Tiombe
0.1 Makena (18/06/2013) Leroy x Kiamba
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
1.0 Chad (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani
1.0 Ruka (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Malika (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani
This pride contains sisters, Husani and Nia; their half sister, Makena; and Husani’s six offspring:
Source: Zoos SA socials
0.1 Husani (24/04/2013) Leroy x Tiombe
0.1 Nia (24/04/2013) Leroy x Tiombe
0.1 Makena (18/06/2013) Leroy x Kiamba
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
1.0 Chad (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani
1.0 Ruka (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Malika (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani
Attachments
Werribee:
This article back from January mentions keepers were 'hopeful' of cubs from Sheru and Nilo.
If Nilo is indeed pregnant, we might see some Lion cubs this month!
Say ‘RAAAH’: Sheru the lion opens wide for dental checks
This article back from January mentions keepers were 'hopeful' of cubs from Sheru and Nilo.
If Nilo is indeed pregnant, we might see some Lion cubs this month!
Say ‘RAAAH’: Sheru the lion opens wide for dental checks
That would be exciting, though @PaddyRickMFZ was under the impression from the staff he spoke to at Werribee last week that Nilo isn’t pregnant. They’re clearly well integrated as a pride and she’s still young enough to reproduce, so I doubt it’ll be long if she isn’t pregnant already.
I disagree with Werribee’s comments that Asali needs to learn maternal behaviour from Nilo. This isn’t a species that learns maternal behaviour through observation. As you’ve previously noted, the decision was made due to a lack of space - which is a shame as two litters in sync would mirror the natural social order and is something Werribee has never done.
Updates
Paradise Valley Springs:
I discovered Hana died of cancer in April last year. Hana was born at Paradise Valley Springs in 2007 and for a while was their most dominant lioness. She produced 3.1 surviving cubs - including the park’s current breeding pair.
With the birth of twins in December, the park currently has 3.4 lions:
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 Seb (01/05/2021) Xander x Bella
0.1 Sacha (01/05/2021) Xander x Bella
1.0 Unnamed (18/12/2022) Xander x Bella
0.1 Unnamed (18/12/2022) Xander x Bella
Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary:
Just 15 months after reopening, Kamo has gone into liquidation. Discussions are underway with MPI and the liquidator concerning the future of the park’s big cats - which includes 13 lions.
All of New Zealand’s facilities are at capacity and export overseas would be a strain on these elderly cats, so their long term future is uncertain. At this stage, they remain cared for on site.
Northland's big cat park Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary goes into liquidation
Paradise Valley Springs:
I discovered Hana died of cancer in April last year. Hana was born at Paradise Valley Springs in 2007 and for a while was their most dominant lioness. She produced 3.1 surviving cubs - including the park’s current breeding pair.
With the birth of twins in December, the park currently has 3.4 lions:
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 Seb (01/05/2021) Xander x Bella
0.1 Sacha (01/05/2021) Xander x Bella
1.0 Unnamed (18/12/2022) Xander x Bella
0.1 Unnamed (18/12/2022) Xander x Bella
Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary:
Just 15 months after reopening, Kamo has gone into liquidation. Discussions are underway with MPI and the liquidator concerning the future of the park’s big cats - which includes 13 lions.
All of New Zealand’s facilities are at capacity and export overseas would be a strain on these elderly cats, so their long term future is uncertain. At this stage, they remain cared for on site.
Northland's big cat park Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary goes into liquidation
Would be great if Hamilton could sort something out to potentially receive Kamo’s pride. I’ve always thought Hamilton should acquire Lions; and this may be their opportunity.
African lions would be a great addition to Hamilton Zoo. They’ve mentioned in the past that visitors rate lions high on their list of species they’d like the zoo to acquire; and they remain the only one of New Zealand’s main zoos without lions (and have done for over 25 years).
Kamo aren’t ZAA accredited, so I’m unsure if Hamilton would accept the Kamo lions. No zoo in New Zealand has acquired lions from a non ZAA zoo since the 1990’s, but an exception may be made on humanitarian grounds given these cats are elderly and it would be a temporary solution to filling an empty exhibit while providing them with a home.