Australasian African Lion Population

[Zoofan15]

Monarto Safari Park Update

An update from my friend regarding Monarto’s pride:

Makena will not be breeding again. The park have decided to take a break from breeding due to nearing capacity.

The lions are currently held across four groupings:

1.0 Kashka (20/10/2015) Johari x Nilo
1.0 Kito (20/10/2015) Johari x Nilo
1.0 Kubwa (20/10/2015) Johari x Nilo

1.0 Chad (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani
1.0 Ruka (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani

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 Malika (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani
1.0 Bahati (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Mshindi (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Lela (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Kadija (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani

0.1 Chikondi (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Zahara (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani

The plan is to integrate the two groups of males and if that can’t be accomplished, they will attempt to integrate one of the male groups with the females to form a non-breeding pride.

Chikondi and Zahara are currently living separately from the main pride due to them causing issues/challenging the older lionesses for dominance. If they cant be reintegrated, they may go to other zoos.

 

[Jambo]

Monarto Safari Park Update

An update from my friend regarding Monarto’s pride:

Makena will not be breeding again. The park have decided to take a break from breeding due to nearing capacity.

The lions are currently held across four groupings:

1.0 Kashka (20/10/2015) Johari x Nilo
1.0 Kito (20/10/2015) Johari x Nilo
1.0 Kubwa (20/10/2015) Johari x Nilo

1.0 Chad (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani
1.0 Ruka (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani

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 Malika (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani
1.0 Bahati (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Mshindi (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Lela (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Kadija (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani

0.1 Chikondi (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Zahara (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani

The plan is to integrate the two groups of males and if that can’t be accomplished, they will attempt to integrate one of the male groups with the females to form a non-breeding pride.

Chikondi and Zahara are currently living separately from the main pride due to them causing issues/challenging the older lionesses for dominance. If they cant be reintegrated, they may go to other zoos.

It'll be interesting to see where Monarto goes from here. The break in breeding obviously indicates that they won't be planning to continue a large breeding pride going forward. It does sort of make sense, when they'd obviously want all the space they can have to continue breeding cohesively like they have in past years going forward.

If Chikondi and Zahara do leave, it'll be interesting to see which facility they head to. Adelaide may be in need of new lions very soon (considering the ages of their current males) and if a successful integration of the males is achieved, these two girls might be the best candidates to be sent there.

 

[Zoofan15]

It'll be interesting to see where Monarto goes from here. The break in breeding obviously indicates that they won't be planning to continue a large breeding pride going forward. It does sort of make sense, when they'd obviously want all the space they can have to continue breeding cohesively like they have in past years going forward.

If Chikondi and Zahara do leave, it'll be interesting to see which facility they head to. Adelaide may be in need of new lions very soon (considering the ages of their current males) and if a successful integration of the males is achieved, these two girls might be the best candidates to be sent there.

None of Monarto’s females are genetically valuable, so a non-breeding placement makes sense. If the two groups of males can’t be reintegrated with each other, I imagine they’d aim to have the three older males head up the main pride; and perhaps integrate Chad and Ruka with Chikondi and Zahara. This quartet could then transfer to Adelaide together.

Wellington Zoo are planning to expand their lion facilities long term, so they could receive Chikondi and Zahara to form a non-breeding pride as another option; though personally I’d like to see their males (founders) enter the breeding programme. Even if they’re related to Nilo/Nairibi, they’re genetically valuable lions.

 

[Jambo]

None of Monarto’s females are genetically valuable, so a non-breeding placement makes sense. If the two groups of males can’t be reintegrated with each other, I imagine they’d aim to have the three older males head up the main pride; and perhaps integrate Chad and Ruka with Chikondi and Zahara. This quartet could then transfer to Adelaide together.

Wellington Zoo are planning to expand their lion facilities long term, so they could receive Chikondi and Zahara to form a non-breeding pride as another option; though personally I’d like to see their males (founders) enter the breeding programme. Even if they’re related to Nilo/Nairibi, they’re genetically valuable lions.

Adelaide's lion habitat is still a few years away though, so in the meantime I could certainly see them sending the two girls over if necessary with the boys joining them once the new habitat is completed.

I would much prefer if Wellington's boys do end up breeding. The best option would be pairing one up at Wellington and then sending another elsewhere. Orana is a facility that will have space in the coming years with ageing prides.

 

[Zoofan15]

Adelaide's lion habitat is still a few years away though, so in the meantime I could certainly see them sending the two girls over if necessary with the boys joining them once the new habitat is completed.

I would much prefer if Wellington's boys do end up breeding. The best option would be pairing one up at Wellington and then sending another elsewhere. Orana is a facility that will have space in the coming years with ageing prides.

I’m really interested to see what Orana Wildlife Park do with their facility when their remaining lions pass. Since Wellington’s plans involve an extension of their exhibit (not a renovation), I assume their males will remain onsite; but if not, it could be a good opportunity to transfer them to Orana Wildlife Park. They have the facilities to manage two prides, so with the import of females, we could see several litters born over the decade that follows.

Since Billabong currently have 2.2 young first generation lions, I’d really like to see them enter the breeding programme. One of the females could go to Mansfield and the other to Orana to found one of their new prides. The second price could be founder by either another genetically valuable female or accomodate a problematic lioness (irregardless of genetic value) that’s been removed from her natal pride.

 

[Zoofan15]

Mogo Wildlife Park Update

Mogo Wildlife Park’s twin lion cubs have been sexed as two males.

This brings the total number of surviving lion cubs born across Australasian zoos in 2023 to 7.5 cubs:

Werribee:

1.0 Jango (04/06/2023) Sheru x Nilo
1.0 Mwezi (04/06/2023) Sheru x Nilo
0.1 Kianga (04/06/2023) Sheru x Nilo

Monarto:

1.0 Bahati (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Mshindi (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Lela (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Kadija (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani

Dubbo:

1.0 Bahati (04/10/2023) Lwazi x Marion
1.0 Jabari (04/10/2023) Lwazi x Marion
0.1 Zawadi (04/10/2023) Lwazi x Marion

Mogo:

1.0 Unnamed (00/11/2023) Baako x Evelyn
1.0 Unnamed (00/11/2023) Baako x Evelyn

As a side note, it was nice to see all three of Australia’s open range zoos breed last year. This is the first time this has happened.

 

[Abbey]

Mogo Wildlife Park Update

Mogo Wildlife Park’s twin lion cubs have been sexed as two males.

This brings the total number of surviving lion cubs born across Australasian zoos in 2023 to 7.5 cubs:

Werribee:

1.0 Jango (04/06/2023) Sheru x Nilo
1.0 Mwezi (04/06/2023) Sheru x Nilo
0.1 Kianga (04/06/2023) Sheru x Nilo

Monarto:

1.0 Bahati (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Mshindi (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Lela (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Kadija (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani

Dubbo:

1.0 Bahati (04/10/2023) Lwazi x Marion
1.0 Jabari (04/10/2023) Lwazi x Marion
0.1 Zawadi (04/10/2023) Lwazi x Marion

Mogo:

1.0 Unnamed (00/11/2023) Baako x Evelyn
1.0 Unnamed (00/11/2023) Baako x Evelyn

As a side note, it was nice to see all three of Australia’s open range zoos breed last year. This is the first time this has happened.

Agreed that it's great to see Dubbo, Werribee and Monarto all breed in 2023. All three litters are related - the Werribee cubs are the paternal uncles/aunt of the Dubbo litter and the Monarto litter.

I'd thought we knew already that the Mogo litter were males, but I think it's just that I correctly predicted that!

 

[Jambo]

Agreed that it's great to see Dubbo, Werribee and Monarto all breed in 2023. All three litters are related - the Werribee cubs are the paternal uncles/aunt of the Dubbo litter and the Monarto litter.

I'd thought we knew already that the Mogo litter were males, but I think it's just that I correctly predicted that!

It’s been interesting to see how the region’s breeding success of late has mainly relied on Werribee and Dubbo’s prides and their individual success.

Werribee’s first litter of males are the breeding males at Monarto; and their males apart of the third litter there are the respective breeding males at Taronga and Dubbo. One of the daughters in the third litter is also in a breeding situation at Werribee at the moment. Former breeding lioness, Nairobi is also now at the National Zoo, paired up there.

Dubbo’s initial litter from Lazarus and Maya produced Baako (Logo’s breeding male) and out of their next litter of males, one (Sheru) has since been sent to Werribee to lead their pride.

Paradise Valley in New Zealand being the only current breeding facility without breeding descendants from Dubbo/Werribee.

 

[Zoofan15]

Agreed that it's great to see Dubbo, Werribee and Monarto all breed in 2023. All three litters are related - the Werribee cubs are the paternal uncles/aunt of the Dubbo litter and the Monarto litter.

I'd thought we knew already that the Mogo litter were males, but I think it's just that I correctly predicted that!

Yes, we have some very well represented lines within the region. Tonyi and Kura’s litter of four females in 2001 has been very influential via Kuchani’s son, Johari, who is now very well represented through his sons at Dubbo, Taronga and Monarto; and with his daughter planned to breed at Werribee in the coming months.

Amira and Kutaza carried the bloodline for a while, though the former will end with Zalika’s death; and the latter is in a precarious position with Makena no longer breeding and Mlinzi relying on the success of Nairibi in conceiving at the National Zoo.

On reflection, Auckland Zoo’s efforts were very impressive. Within the space of five years (1998-2003), they imported three founders from the US; and then a further two from South Africa to produce the next generation. These imports have sustained the region for over two decades.

 

[Zoofan15]

Paradise Valley in New Zealand being the only current breeding facility without breeding descendants from Dubbo/Werribee.

Good point and in any case, Paradise Valley Springs march to the beat of their own drum, not importing any further lions since the founding of their pride in the 80’s with 1.2 circus lions.

With Orana’s population dwindled to six lions ranging from middle aged to elderly, I have high expectations for them in terms of rejuvenating their prides following the deaths of the last lions. They can accomodate two prides and the construction of this new facility in the mid-2000’s was to better manage breeding. I really hope they recommence breeding with fresh lions rather than importing a small number of non-breeding lions from Australia. Even if the eventual plan is for a breeding pride, with the second exhibit managing their own surplus (as opposed to holding two breeding prides).

With a strong fundraising campaign, Orana could even aim as high as importing founders from South Africa. That would be a great asset to the region; with Mansfield also hoping to import a lioness from South Africa.

 

[Jambo]

Yes, we have some very well represented lines within the region. Tonyi and Kura’s litter of four females in 2001 has been very influential via Kuchani’s son, Johari, who is now very well represented through his sons at Dubbo, Taronga and Monarto; and with his daughter planned to breed at Werribee in the coming months.

Amira and Kutaza carried the bloodline for a while, though the former will end with Zalika’s death; and the latter is in a precarious position with Makena no longer breeding and Mlinzi relying on the success of Nairibi in conceiving at the National Zoo.

On reflection, Auckland Zoo’s efforts were very impressive. Within the space of five years (1998-2003), they imported three founders from the US; and then a further two from South Africa to produce the next generation. These imports have sustained the region for over two decades.

It's interesting when you consider majority of Australia's lion population nowadays descends from both Mogo's and Auckland's prides from the 90's and 00's respectively.

Over the years individuals have been imported from overseas to pair with these lions - eg. Lazurus/Ngala to Auckland from South Africa, Maya from South Africa, Nilo and Nairobi from Denmark, Marion/Evelyn from San Diego.

The new males at Wellington (from Denmark) will also hopefully both be moved into breeding situations soon too.

Billabong should receive a new male too to be paired with Misty. A South African import would be ideal.

 

[Zoofan15]

It's interesting when you consider majority of Australia's lion population nowadays descends from both Mogo's and Auckland's prides from the 90's and 00's respectively.

Over the years individuals have been imported from overseas to pair with these lions - eg. Lazurus/Ngala to Auckland from South Africa, Maya from South Africa, Nilo and Nairobi from Denmark, Marion/Evelyn from San Diego.

The new males at Wellington (from Denmark) will also hopefully both be moved into breeding situations soon too.

Billabong should receive a new male too to be paired with Misty. A South African import would be ideal.

It’s interesting how many lines of African lions were allowed to die out as we entered the age of coordinated breeding programmes. Alistair (a vasectomised male) was the last of the Perth line; while Taronga and Adelaide both bred in the late 70’s, with those lines allowed to die out in favour of receiving lionesses from Auckland Zoo for breeding. In Auckland’s case, the phase out was even more direct. The last survivor of their formerly large pride (Manta) sent to Wellington Zoo, along with her recently arrived mate (Sam); ahead of the arrival of Tonyi and Tombo from the US.

Only Melbourne’s was identified for continuation (Maalo breeding at Adelaide; attempts to breed Jarrah at Werribee). I would assume inbreeding was either known or suspected to have propagated the above lines (as we know, the Melbourne line had been subjected to inbreeding) and imported stock was seen as more desirable.

It’d be great to see Wellington’s males enter the breeding programme. I hope the expansion of their exhibit leads to them importing females. Another option could be to undertake an exchange with Auckland Zoo, with their prides integrated for breeding - the eventual plan being for the lionesses and their offspring to remain at Wellington; and the two males to go to Auckland. This would depend on if they’re related to Nilo and Nairibi and in any case, new founder females would be preferable mates to those from a well represented line.

Since Mansfield are hoping to import a lioness from South Africa and Billabong need either a new male or female to continue their lines, it’d be good to see them undertake a joint import. I suspect the former will end up with a lioness from within the region. Monarto looks the most likely with feuds between their lionesses leading to two being segregated from the pride until reintegration can be attempted.

 

[Zoofan15]

Australasian Lion Study (Introduction)

Introduction:

First of all, a massive thanks to @Abbey for finding one of the most insightful research publications in the history of the region. It concerns the breeding of African lion in Australasian zoos and can be read via the link below:

https://lupinepublishers.com/sciences-journal/pdf/LOJS.MS.ID.000106.pdf

@Abbey and myself have spent several weeks analysing the document to interpret information related to the lions in the case study. We will detail this in a series of posts.

Fast facts:

The study period was 1988 to 2019
37 litters were produced totalling 102 cubs
15 males bred
19 females bred
4 females failed to breed

We have determined the facilities to be as follows: Adelaide Zoo, Auckland Zoo, Billabong Wildlife Park, Melbourne Zoo, Mogo Wildlife Park, Taronga Zoo, Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo.

Definitions:

The terms singleton, cohort and natal are often used with regards to lions in this study. These are self-explanatory, but to clarify, they appear to refer to what the lion was prior to breeding at the zoo in question. The fate of their cohort (if applicable) is negligible.

Examples:

Jambo (1999) transferred to Taronga in a cohort and then bred at Taronga. He was a cohort male.

Lazarus (2002) was imported by Auckland in a cohort and bred at Auckland. He was a cohort male.

Lazarus (2002) was imported as a singleton by Dubbo and then bred at Dubbo. He was a singleton male.

 

[Zoofan15]

Australasian Lion Study (Part 1)

Male Lions:

The study noted breeding to have been attempted in 15 male lions, all of which successfully bred.

Singleton:

Lance (Unknown)
Lazarus (2002)
Johari (2003)
Milo (2016)

Cohort:

Tsavo (1986)
Kruger (1986)
Tonyi (1996)
Tombo (1996)
Maalo (1999)
Jambo (1999)
Levi (1999)
Leroy (1999)
Lazarus (2002)

Natal:

Mac (1998)
Second Mogo male (maybe Levi/Leroy prior to transfer)

We’re confident in identifying 13/15 males in this study. Due to the lack of information available from Mogo, we believe it’s likely the two natal sires were at this facility. Mac, who later sired cubs to a white lioness (not included in this study) is a strong candidate. Levi/Leroy are also possibilities as they were mother-reared and from what we can ascertain, their only sister was Priscilla, who was exported to Orana Wildlife Park the year they were born (i.e. the remaining lionesses were more distant relations).

Why is Lazarus counted twice? As noted in the example in the introduction, he was a cohort and singleton breeder at Auckland and Dubbo respectively.

The study notes that the eldest recorded sire was 14.6 years, which appears to have been either Tsavo at Melbourne Zoo (sired a litter born December 2000); or Lance at Mogo Wildlife Park, whose age has varied according to different sources.

The youngest recorded sire was 1.7 years. If this refers to age upon conception, this may be Lazarus at Auckland Zoo, whose first litter was born shortly before his second birthday. If this refers to the age of the sire upon birth, then it appears to refer to a Mogo male.

 

[Abbey]

Australasian Lion Study (Part 2)

Female Lions:

The study noted breeding to have been attempted in 23 lionesses, 19 of which successfully bred. The 4 females for which breeding was attempted, but they did not produce a litter, all transferred to their respective zoos as part of cohorts.

Singleton:

Kura (1998)
Sheeka (1999)
Kuchani (2001)
Kiamba (2004)
Maya (2011)
Misty (2016)

1 unknown

Cohort (bred):

Claw (Unconfirmed)
Narla (1996)
Amani (2001)
Yizi (2001)
Tiombe (2004)
Nairibi (2012)
Nilo (2012)

1 unknown

Cohort (did not breed):

Jarrah (2000)
Kibira (2004)
Zalika (2004)

Unknown Mogo female (Unconfirmed)

Natal:
Juliana (1986)
Jespah (1990)
Amira (2001)

1 unknown

We’re confident in identifying 20/23 females in this study. We have been unable to identify one female from each of the categories; however, one of the cohort females is accounted for at Mogo. The study notes that 8 litters were lost, and at least one female in each social grouping lost a litter. Therefore, it is possible that these unaccounted-for females never produced a surviving litter and therefore their breeding was never publicly announced.

A number of litters were produced at Mogo Wildlife Park between 1998 and 2001 (at least five, likely six, possibly more). A television episode we believe was filmed in 2001 showed three adult females (at least) at Mogo, including known breeders Claw and Narla, and another female identified as their sister. It is believed that these females arrived in a cohort, although available evidence indicates that Narla (1996-2015) was younger than Claw and the unknown female(s). It is likely that the female (name unknown) who was still alive in 2001 either bred or was an unsuccessful breeder.

An email received by @Zoofan15 confirmed that all four females in Monarto’s pride of the 2000s (Tiombe, Kiamba, Kibira and Zalika) were given the opportunity to breed. This therefore has allowed Kibira and Zalika (who never produced a litter) to be identified as two of the cohort females who never bred, in contrast to other females in the region who were introduced to males but continually contracepted - and therefore a breeding attempt was not made.

 

[Zoofan15]

Australasian Lion Study (Part 3)

Confirmed litters:

The study notes 37 litters were born between 1988 and 2019 which included 6 litters born to lionesses who remained in their natal pride; 21 litters born to lionesses who transferred as a singleton to the facility she bred at; and 10 to lionesses who transferred as a cohort to the facility they bred at. We’ve attempted to identify these litters by first detailing confirmed litters. These are litters where we’re in no doubt over the DOB and parentage.

The next post will add in information we’ve found on Mogo, where there’s a couple of gaps (e.g. confusion on the sire/dam); while the final post will details our assumptions on the remaining litters.

Note: The number of known cubs is listed for each litter. In recent years, many zoos have announced the birth of a litter in the first week or two, with a note the litter included a stillborn cub. Previously, it was more common for a zoo to announce the births when the cubs debuted and so we offer no guarantee some of these litters didn’t contain additional non-surviving cubs.

Natal:

0.2 Melbourne Zoo (1990) Tsavo x Juliana
0.2 Melbourne Zoo (1992) Kruger x Juliana
2.0 Melbourne Zoo (1999) Tsavo x Jespah
5.1 Melbourne Zoo (2000) Tsavo x Jespah
1.1 Auckland Zoo (2004) Lazarus x Amira

5/6 litters accounted for.

Singleton:

0.4 Auckland Zoo (2001) Tonyi x Kura
0.3 Auckland Zoo (2001) Tombo x Sheeka
1.1 Taronga Zoo (2003) Jambo x Kuchani
2.2 Auckland Zoo (2004) Lazarus x Kura
0.0.4 Monarto Safari Park (2007) Levi x Kiamba
0.1 Monarto Safari Park (2011) Leroy x Kiamba
1.1 Monarto Safari Park (2013) Leroy x Kiamba
1.2 Taronga Western Plains Zoo (2015) Lazarus x Maya
4.0 Taronga Western Plains Zoo (2016) Lazarus x Maya
1.0.1 Billabong Wildlife Park (2018) Milo x Misty
1.2 Billabong Wildlife Park (2018) Milo x Misty
1.2.1 Adelaide Zoo (2004) Maalo x Amani
0.1 Adelaide Zoo (2004) Maalo x Yizi

13/21 litters accounted for.

Cohort:

1.2.1 Adelaide Zoo (2004) Maalo x Amani
0.1 Adelaide Zoo (2004) Maalo x Yizi
1.1 Monarto Safari Park (2007) Levi x Tiombe
1.2 Monarto Safari Park (2013) Leroy x Tiombe
3.0 Werribee Open Range Zoo (2015) Johari x Nilo
2.2.1 Werribee Open Range Zoo (2016) Johari x Nairibi
2.2 Werribee Open Range Zoo (2017) Johari x Nilo

7/10 litters accounted for.

 

[Abbey]

Australasian Lion Study (Part 4)

Mogo Wildlife Park litters:

Formerly known as Mogo Zoo, Mogo Wildlife Park is well known as a prolific breeder of big cats. Many of the lion litters born at Mogo were excluded from the study due to being white lions or descended from white lions; however, a number of tawny litters have also been born and we believe were included in this study. This post will identify lions known to have lived at Mogo and the likely litters which contained or were parented by these individuals.

Mogo experienced a baby boom of lions between 1998 and 2001. This was partially fuelled by many litters being handraised, which potentially allowed lionesses to produce additional litters much more quickly than they would have otherwise if they were raising their own cubs. For instance, we know 3, potentially 4, litters were born in 1999 alone.

The key lions known to have bred at Mogo in this period were the male Lance, and females Claw and Narla.

Lance is known to have bred with Claw and Narla. He was reported to be 23 years old in 2005, placing his DOB around 1981/1982; however, the oldest sire reported in the study was 14 years old, and if Lance was this age, then he would have been older than this for all of the litters he sired.

Narla was born 1996 at Bullen's Animal World and transferred to Mogo in December 1997. She was transferred to Altina Wildlife Park in 2012, where she died on 15/11/2015.

Claw was another lioness who lived at Mogo, along with her sisters, from the 1990s until her death in 2004.

These are the known and speculated litters born at Mogo Wildlife Park, annotated in regards to what has been confirmed and what is speculated:

1.1 Mogo Wildlife Park (1998) Lance x Claw

Lioness Priscilla was born at Mogo on 07/03/1998 and was later transferred to Orana Wildlife Park. She was peer-raised, as evidenced by Facebook comments noting that Priscilla was one of the cubs being hand-raised at the time of a visitor's trip to Mogo. Orana has confirmed that Lance and Claw were the parents of Priscilla.

Mac/Mercury, a male lion who produced two litters with the white lioness Snow, was born in early 1998 and died at Mogo in February 2017. Considering this, it is likely that he and Priscilla were littermates.

0.1 Mogo Wildlife Park (1999) Lance x Narla

Lioness Sheeka was born on 12/02/1999 and was handraised. She later transferred to Auckland Zoo where she successfully raised a litter of 0.3 cubs in 2001. Lance and Narla have been confirmed by Auckland Zoo as Sheeka's parents.

1.2 Mogo Wildlife Park (1999) Lance x Unknown Female

1.2 cubs were born on 18/08/1999 and transferred to Taronga Zoo where they were hand-raised. While the parentage of Jambo (male), Nyeri and Shinyanga (females) is unconfirmed, it likely that Lance is their sire and an unknown cohort female is their mother, as Claw gave birth again in November, and Narla has been reported to have had six litters.

2.0 Mogo Wildlife Park (1999) Lance x Claw

Males Levi and Leroy were born on 02/11/1999, meaning they could not have shared a mother with the August litter. An episode of the Animal Hospital docuseries, believed to be from 2001, showed two subadult males in Mogo's pride. These males were implied to be the mother-raised sons of Claw and Lance and were most likely Levi and Leroy. Claw underwent a hysterectomy sometime in 2000 or 2001 due to cysts in her uterus, so it is most likely that this was her final litter.

0.1 Mogo Wildlife Park (1999/2000) Lance x Narla

A nine-year-old lioness, Jameila, was shot dead at Mogo Zoo on 17/03/2009, placing her DOB in 1999 or 2000. Her parentage is unconfirmed; however, it is possible that Narla was her mother, as we have only accounted for 5 of Narla's litters and she is known to be the sister of Bingi, Narla's daughter (although they could be paternal half-siblings).

1.0 Mogo Wildlife Park (2001) Unknown x Unknown

The headline of a news clip in the National Film and Sound Archive announces that a single cub was born at Mogo in January 2001. We do not know the parentage or anything else about this cub, other than that neither Claw or Narla was the mother.

2.0 Mogo Wildlife Park (2001) Lance x Narla

Narla produced a litter on 28/05/2001 which did not survive.

2.1 Mogo Wildlife Park (2001) Lance x Narla

This handraised litter was born on 18/10/2001 and likely contained Narla's confirmed offspring, the male Congo and female Bingi. This litter was handraised.

0.0.1 Mogo Wildlife Park (2001) Lance x Narla

Narla produced a stillborn cub on 05/04/2004.

2.1 Mogo Wildlife Park (2005) Lance x Narla

Narla gave birth to 2.1 cubs on 26/03/2005 - female Cora and males Mujambi and Jabari. These were noted to have been sired by Lance. Narla raised this litter herself. A further two cubs were delivered stillborn on 06/04/2005. Due to the tight turnaround, these cubs would have been part of the same pregnancy. However, as they have a different birthdate, they may have been listed as a separate litter in the study.

It is possible that another male, such as Mac, could have been the sire of Narla's later litters, instead of Lance.

Given that the unconfirmed breeding males are natal males, and most likely Mogo males, it is possible that the unaccounted for natal female (who produced a single cub) was at Mogo, although this is unconfirmed. Designating Narla a singleton female and Claw and her sister as cohort females, we reach the following conclusions at this point:

Natal: 5/6 litters accounted for.
Singleton: 19 or 20/21 litters accounted for.
Cohort: 9/10 litters accounted for.

 

[Zoofan15]

Australasian Lion Study (Part 5)

Unaccounted Litters (Part 1/2):

As detailed by @Abbey above, we have the following litters accounted for:

5/6 litters natal litters
19/20 or 20/21 singleton litters
9/10 cohort litters

A common phrase in our research was “the answer probably lies with Mogo” and indeed, it’s entirely possible the three or four missing litters were born at Mogo. This post will outline the alternatives.

Natal:

In addition to Mogo females, the candidates for natal females are:

0.1 Juliana (1986) at Melbourne Zoo
0.1 Jespah (1990) at Melbourne Zoo
0.1 Amira (2001) at Auckland Zoo

Based on our research, we’re confident in ruling out Juliana and Jespah. Amira isn’t an especially strong candidate either; though I will mention as a point of interest that Auckland Zoo discussed the possibility of breeding from Ngala once Lazarus departed. In the unlikely event Amira had produced a second (non-surviving litter), this would mean having to add Ngala to the list of sires (which would fill in a blank we’ve otherwise struggled to attribute to another male lion).

Singleton:

In addition to Mogo females, the candidates for singleton females are:

0.1 Kura (1998)
0.1 Sheeka (1999)
0.1 Kuchani (2001)
0.1 Kiamba (2004)
0.1 Maya (2011)
0.1 Misty (2016)

Based on our research, we’re confident in ruling out Kura, Sheeka and Kuchani. That leaves Kiamba, Maya and Misty. Of these three females, Kiamba had the longest gap between litters (four years), but this doesn’t necessarily indicate a lost litter during that time.

Cohort:

In addition to Mogo females, the candidates for cohort females are:

0.1 Amani (2001)
0.1 Yizi (2001)
0.1 Tiombe (2004)
0.1 Nilo (2012)
0.1 Nairibi (2012)

Based on our research, we’re confident in ruling out Amani and Yizi. This leaves Tiombe, Nilo and Nairibi. Of these three, Nilo is the weakest candidate due to her promptness in delivering her 2015 and 2017 litters.

The birth interval between Werribee’s litters was Nilo to Nairibi: 13.5 months and Nairibi to Nilo: 8 months. Nairibi could have produced a non-surviving first litter in that 13.5 months and then given birth again in December 2016; however the 13.5 month gap could just as easily be explained by a delay in conception.

Monarto had dual litters in 2007 (Kiamba and Tiombe) and 2013 (Kiamba and Tiombe). In 2011, it appears only Kiamba gave birth. It’s possible Tiombe had a non-surviving litter that year; but equally possible Monarto only planned for one litter (with Kiamba taking precedence due to having no surviving cubs prior to her 2011 birth).

 

[Jambo]

Great work guys!

Natal:

In addition to Mogo females, the candidates for natal females are:

0.1 Juliana (1986) at Melbourne Zoo
0.1 Jespah (1990) at Melbourne Zoo
0.1 Amira (2001) at Auckland Zoo

Based on our research, we’re confident in ruling out Juliana and Jespah. Amira isn’t an especially strong candidate either; though I will mention as a point of interest that Auckland Zoo discussed the possibility of breeding from Ngala once Lazarus departed. In the unlikely event Amira had produced a second (non-surviving litter), this would mean having to add Ngala to the list of sires (which would fill in a blank we’ve otherwise struggled to attribute to another male lion).

Jespah never bred, so she can't have been one of the females. I can agree too re. Amira and Juliana, so with that in mind it's likely there's another missing Mogo litter here.

Based on our research, we’re confident in ruling out Amani and Yizi. This leaves Tiombe, Nilo and Nairibi. Of these three, Nilo is the weakest candidate due to her promptness in delivering her 2015 and 2017 litters.

The birth interval between Werribee’s litters was Nilo to Nairibi: 13.5 months and Nairibi to Nilo: 8 months. Nairibi could have produced a non-surviving first litter in that 13.5 months and then given birth again in December 2016; however the 13.5 month gap could just as easily be explained by a delay in conception.

Werribee's always been stagnant with their stance regarding breeding their females with intervals so I doubt Nairobi had a non-surviving firs litter initially.

There's a decent possibility Tiombe had a non surviving birth. Or potentially one of the other Monarto girls (Zalika/Kibara)?

 

[Zoofan15]

Thank you! There’s still one more post to come. @Abbey will wrap up our thoughts on unaccounted litters with some comments about Mogo.

Jespah never bred, so she can't have been one of the females. I can agree too re. Amira and Juliana, so with that in mind it's likely there's another missing Mogo litter here.

Jespah bred twice, producing 2.0 cubs in 1999 and 5.1 cubs in 2000, so we had to consider whether she could have produced a third non-surviving litter that was one of our unaccounted for litters. Zoos Victoria however advised the two litters I mentioned were her only litters, meaning we were confident to discount Jespah (and Juliana) as the mother of a third non-surviving litter.

Werribee's always been stagnant with their stance regarding breeding their females with intervals so I doubt Nairobi had a non-surviving firs litter initially.

I agree it seems unlikely. Nairibi has been apparently unsuccessful in conceiving at the National Zoo, though I assume this is down to age and possibly time spent on contraception rather than a pre-existing fertility issue.

There's a decent possibility Tiombe had a non surviving birth. Or potentially one of the other Monarto girls (Zalika/Kibara)?

We were able to confirm Zalika and Kibira never bred at Monarto. All four females were put on contraception initially and when taken off, only Tiombe and Kiamba conceived. They were the only lionesses from that quartet bred from going forward. I agree Tiombe is a strong likelihood. Monarto have always been great at replicating the natural social order of dual litters and they had dual litters in 2007 (Kiamba and Tiombe) and 2013 (Kiamba and Tiombe); but otherwise only a single litter in 2011 (Kiamba).