Australasian Generic Tiger Population List

A

Abbey

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
Upon the encouragement of @Zoofan15, and with the assistance of @akasha, @Patrick Keegan and @WhistlingKite24, I’ve compiled a population list of generic tigers (often called Bengal Tiger, essentially any tiger not a purebred Sumatran) within Australia and New Zealand. As per the precedent set by the African Lion list, I have not included animals held by the Bullens, although I believe they do hold (and breed) non-subspecific tigers.


Living Generic Tigers in Australasian Zoos (2022)


New Zealand


Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary:

0.1 Indira (20/11/2004) Tygo x Shikana

0.1 Shanti (21/10/2005) Jadhu x Rewa


Pouakai Zoo:

0.1 Kala (00/00/2006) Jadhu x Rewa



Australia


Australia Zoo:

1.0 Charlie (18/07/2007) Lari x Louise

0.1 Mika (18/07/2007) Lari x Louise

0.1 Sunita (18/07/2007) Lari x Louise


Ballarat Wildlife Park:

1.0 Kai (25/07/2015) Raja x Nika


Dreamworld:

1.0 Pi (19/07/2010) Hari x Louise

1.0 Javi (26/04/2019) Pi x Adira

1.0 Zakari (26/04/2019) Pi x Adira

1.0 Khan (25/05/2019) Raja x Nika

0.1 Kali (02/11/2015) Imported 2016

0.1 Kiko (02/11/2015) Imported 2016

0.1 Akasha (29/11/2015) Raja x Nika

0.1 Adira (29/11/2015) Raja x Nika


Mogo Zoo:

1.0 Kinwah (~23/06/2009) Lari x Louise


National Zoo:

1.0 Baru (02/03/2012) Born at Bullens

1.0 Ravi (02/03/2012) Born at Bullens

0.1 Mya (24/01/2018) Raja x Nika

0.1 Melati (24/01/2018) Raja x Nika


Sydney Zoo:

0.1 Nika (15/04/2006) Imported 2013


Zambi Wildlife Retreat:

1.0 Zoran (00/00/0000) UNK x UNK

0.1 Mischa (00/00/0000) UNK x UNK

0.1 Meekha (00/00/0000) UNK x UNK
 
Thanks for doing this @Abbey. It’s great to have a list of all these tigers.

It’ll be interesting to see what direction this regional population takes in years to come. It’s not hard to imagine facilities like Sydney Zoo and Australia Zoo will phase them out in favour of dedicating this space to their purebred Sumatran tigers - especially Australia Zoo, who will be wanting to breed their next generation.

Dreamworld will presumably remain the hub, considering they’re the only facility listed here to have bred in the past decade - producing five litters between 2015 and 2019; and are relying on their generics to produce cubs given they have only two post reproductive Sumatran tigers.
 
White tigers:

An additional note that all the above tigers are orange coloured except for the following, which are white tigers:

0.1 Shanti (21/10/2005) Jadhu x Rewa
0.1 Kala (00/00/2006) Jadhu x Rewa
0.1 Kali (02/11/2015) Imported 2016
0.1 Kiko (02/11/2015) Imported 2016

I was surprised that Dreamworld didn’t breed from one of their two white tiger females on the last breeding rotation in 2019. Though the cubs would have been orange, they would have been carriers of the recessive gene and a future mating of these cubs to either a white tiger or heterozygous carrier would result in the birth of white tiger cubs.

Given the health issues around inbreeding white tigers, an out-cross to an orange tiger would be preferable to sourcing a male white tiger and breeding these females to him.

To date, eight white tigers have been bred in the region - one at Dreamworld in 1998 and seven at Kamo between 2005 and 2007.
 
I never realised until looking over your list this morning that the 1.2 triplets (2007) at Australia Zoo were sired by Lari (Sumatran tiger) at Mogo Zoo. I’d never given much thought to where they’d come from (and assumed Bullens or similar).

This litter really went under the radar considering Australia Zoo made the felid import of the decade within the year by importing the three tiger cubs from Indonesia.

Clearly some good longevity genes in this line. Lari sired a total of ten cubs across four litters from 2004 to 2011 - all are still alive.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I never realised until looking over your list this morning that the 1.2 triplets (2007) at Australia Zoo were sired by Lari (Sumatran tiger) at Mogo Zoo. I’d never given much thought to where they’d come from (and assumed Bullens or similar).

This litter really went under the radar considering Australia Zoo made the felid import of the decade within the year by importing the three tiger cubs from Indonesia.

Clearly some good longevity genes in this line. Lari sired a total of ten cubs across four litters from 2004 to 2011 - all are still alive.
Click to expand...

Lari does certainly seem to be a tiger with long-living genes - perhaps as could be expected from the brother of Kemiri and son of Selatan.

It seems like both Australia Zoo and Mogo Zoo have moved on from the holding and breeding of generic tigers, as you've addressed earlier - with hybrids likely phased out once the current animals pass.

0.1 Louise (mother of Charlie, Mika, Sunita, Kinwah and Pi) was acquired by Mogo along with another female tiger. Both were unnamed at the time, and thus were named Thelma and Louise, after the famous film characters. This was outlined in this 2014 radio interview with Sally Padey, one of Mogo's founders: Sally Padey: how to build your own zoo

(Also, I've just noticed that I've referred to Mogo by its previous name in the population list - I note that Mogo now goes by Mogo Wildlife Park).
 
Abbey said:
Lari does certainly seem to be a tiger with long-living genes - perhaps as could be expected from the brother of Kemiri and son of Selatan.

It seems like both Australia Zoo and Mogo Zoo have moved on from the holding and breeding of generic tigers, as you've addressed earlier - with hybrids likely phased out once the current animals pass.
Click to expand...

In addition to his mother and siblings (his littermates both reached 19 years of age), Lari’s maternal grandparents were long lived - Frank and Poetry both died at Melbourne Zoo aged 19 years.

Australia Zoo will surely receive breeding recommendations given they have offspring of a founder and I imagine the plan is to source a male to bred with Sage and Sallie once they’re mature. Having two females (Kaitlyn and Maneki) was useful as it allowed for contingencies when pairings with the males didn’t work out, so they’d be keen to follow a similar format. What would be great is if they could secure another founder from Indonesia.
Abbey said:
(Also, I've just noticed that I've referred to Mogo by its previous name in the population list - I note that Mogo now goes by Mogo Wildlife Park).
Click to expand...

Don’t worry about it. I still call them Mogo Zoo and I’m about 50:50 on whether I say Monarto Zoo or Monarto Safari Park.
 
Sydney Zoo have received a trio of Generic tigers from Australia Zoo: 1.0 Charlie, 0.1 Sunita and 0.1 Mika (all born 2007). :)

This move leaves Australia Zoo without generics.
 
Abbey said:
Plot twist - there you go. Hopefully this will free up space for future Sumatran breeding from Kaitlyn's offspring at Australia Zoo.
Click to expand...

It could be as much in response to the region having a deficit of Sumatran tigers compared to the overwhelming surplus they had 10 years ago. The acquisition of the three hybrids will suffice them for five years or so and then the option will be there once more.

By that time, there will have been several litters born - with one due at Adelaide in the next month; and Auckland hopefully breeding next year.
 
2022 Summary:

Deaths within the Sumatran Tiger population have resulted in a few recent changes to the generic tiger holdings at the end of this year. In December, 0.1 Nika was transferred from Sydney Zoo to Zambi Wildlife Retreat, and the 1.2 sibling trio from Australia Zoo - Charlie, Mika and Sunita - were sent to Sydney in her place.

2023 Forecast:

All eyes will be on Dreamworld, following the somewhat unexpected decision earlier this year to phase out free contact with their tigers. Dreamworld has been the only confirmed breeder of generic tigers in recent years, although it has been speculated that the change in policy could limit their breeding in future.
 
Abbey said:
2022 Summary:

Deaths within the Sumatran Tiger population have resulted in a few recent changes to the generic tiger holdings at the end of this year. In December, 0.1 Nika was transferred from Sydney Zoo to Zambi Wildlife Retreat, and the 1.2 sibling trio from Australia Zoo - Charlie, Mika and Sunita - were sent to Sydney in her place.

2023 Forecast:

All eyes will be on Dreamworld, following the somewhat unexpected decision earlier this year to phase out free contact with their tigers. Dreamworld has been the only confirmed breeder of generic tigers in recent years, although it has been speculated that the change in policy could limit their breeding in future.
Click to expand...

The shift to no contact could indeed lead to them holding a reduced number of tigers. The keepers play a role in facilitating harmonious relationships between the tigers - redirecting them before conflicts can escalate etc. and while there’s only a limited scope to do so (there’s limits to how effectively they can redirect two tigers who hate each other), it does support a level of cohesion.

If the shift to no contact is influenced by legislation in anyway, then Australia Zoo may also follow suit. They’ve also reduced their holdings in recent times.
 
Pouakai Zoo Update

Pouakai Zoo’s white Bengal tigress, Kala, died in May this year:

Log into Facebook | Facebook

Kala was born 2006 to Jahdu and Rewa at Zion Wildlife Gardens. She and her sisters, Azra and Anila, arrived at Poukai Zoo in 2010 for what was originally intended to be a 12-15 month stay. Anila died in 2013 and Azra died in 2019.

Since the death of Kala leaves Pouakai Zoo without tigers, it will be interesting to see where they go from here. My preference would be to see them take on surplus hybrids from the Australian zoos to free up spaces for purebred Sumatran tigers; but Pouakai are a small zoo and historically have only sourced big cats from within New Zealand. They could potentially expand their lion pride (though the lionesses are now 11 years old); or begin a second pride with young lions from Paradise Valley Springs (they’ve had two litters in recent years).
 
An update to this population list is long overdue considering that it has not been updated officially since it was originally posted in 2022 and I didn't provide an updated list when I posted the summary and forecast at the beginning of 2023 (which is now two years ago!). I was inspired to update the list by @Tigergal's report from Zambi today, providing very helpful information about their tiger collection.

Thanks also to @Zoofan15 for providing news updates in the interim. There have been no known births, although it has come to light that Zambi had an accidental birth in 2020 or 2021. Pouakai Zoo and Australia Zoo are no longer holders of generic tigers, the former following the death of their female Kala and the latter phased out by sending their trio to Sydney Zoo.

Generic Tigers in Australasian Zoos (2025)

New Zealand

Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary:

0.1 Indira (20/11/2004) Tygo x Shikana
0.1 Shanti (21/10/2005) Jadhu x Rewa


Australia

Ballarat Wildlife Park:

1.0 Kai (25/07/2015) Raja x Nika
0.1 Akasha (29/11/2015) Raja x Nika

Dreamworld:

1.0 Pi (19/07/2010) Hari x Louise
1.0 Javi (26/04/2019) Pi x Adira
1.0 Zakari (26/04/2019) Pi x Adira
1.0 Khan (25/05/2019) Raja x Nika
0.1 Kali (02/11/2015) Imported 2016
0.1 Kiko (02/11/2015) Imported 2016
0.1 Adira (29/11/2015) Raja x Nika

Mogo Wildlife Park:

1.0 Kinwah (~23/06/2009) Lari x Louise

National Zoo:

1.0 Baru (02/03/2012) Born at Bullens
1.0 Ravi (02/03/2012) Born at Bullens
0.1 Mya (24/01/2018) Raja x Nika
0.1 Melati (24/01/2018) Raja x Nika

Sydney Zoo:

1.0 Charlie (18/07/2007) Lari x Louise
0.1 Mika (18/07/2007) Lari x Louise
0.1 Sunita (18/07/2007) Lari x Louise

Zambi Wildlife Retreat*:

1.0 Zoran (00/00/2010) UNK x UNK
0.1 Nika (15/04/2006) Imported 2013
0.1 Mischa (00/00/2012-13) UNK x UNK
0.1 Zena (00/00/2020-21) Zoran x Mischa
0.1 Mila (13/05/2019) UNK x UNK
0.1 Meilah (13/05/2019) UNK x UNK

* As 0.1 Meekha (00/00/0000) UNK x UNK was not reported in @Tigergal's summary, I presume she is no longer at Zambi and has likely passed away, although her exact fate is unknown.
 
Last edited:
Abbey said:
An update to this population list is long overdue considering that it has not been updated officially since it was originally posted in 2022 and I didn't provide an updated list when I posted the summary and forecast at the beginning of 2023 (which is now two years ago!). I was inspired to update the list by @Tigergal's report from Zambi today, providing very helpful information about their tiger collection.

Thanks also to @Zoofan15 for providing news updates in the interim. There have been no known births, although it has come to light that Zambi had an accidental birth in 2020 or 2021. Pouakai Zoo and Australia Zoo are no longer holders of generic tigers, the former following the death of their female Kala and the latter phased out by sending their trio to Sydney Zoo.

Generic Tigers in Australasian Zoos (2025)

New Zealand

Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary:

0.1 Indira (20/11/2004) Tygo x Shikana
0.1 Shanti (21/10/2005) Jadhu x Rewa


Australia

Ballarat Wildlife Park:

1.0 Kai (25/07/2015) Raja x Nika

Dreamworld:

1.0 Pi (19/07/2010) Hari x Louise
1.0 Javi (26/04/2019) Pi x Adira
1.0 Zakari (26/04/2019) Pi x Adira
1.0 Khan (25/05/2019) Raja x Nika
0.1 Kali (02/11/2015) Imported 2016
0.1 Kiko (02/11/2015) Imported 2016
0.1 Akasha (29/11/2015) Raja x Nika
0.1 Adira (29/11/2015) Raja x Nika

Mogo Wildlife Park:

1.0 Kinwah (~23/06/2009) Lari x Louise

National Zoo:

1.0 Baru (02/03/2012) Born at Bullens
1.0 Ravi (02/03/2012) Born at Bullens
0.1 Mya (24/01/2018) Raja x Nika
0.1 Melati (24/01/2018) Raja x Nika

Sydney Zoo:

1.0 Charlie (18/07/2007) Lari x Louise
0.1 Mika (18/07/2007) Lari x Louise
0.1 Sunita (18/07/2007) Lari x Louise

Zambi Wildlife Retreat*:

1.0 Zoran (00/00/2010) UNK x UNK
0.1 Nika (15/04/2006) Imported 2013
0.1 Mischa (00/00/2012-13) UNK x UNK
0.1 Zena (00/00/2020-21) Zoran x Mischa
0.1 Mila (13/05/2019) UNK x UNK
0.1 Meilah (13/05/2019) UNK x UNK

* As 0.1 Meekha (00/00/0000) UNK x UNK was not reported in @Tigergal's summary, I presume she is no longer at Zambi and has likely passed away, although her exact fate is unknown.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this much appreciated update @Abbey!

Just one small correction that Akasha is now at Ballarat:

0.1 Akasha (29/11/2015) Raja x Nika

The next few years will be interesting to watch as Dreamworld reduce the number of their tigers (following the move to protected contact), but no doubt consider succession planning; and zoos with ageing generics or purebreds are faced with replacing their tigers.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Thanks for this much appreciated update @Abbey!

Just one small correction that Akasha is now at Ballarat:

0.1 Akasha (29/11/2015) Raja x Nika

The next few years will be interesting to watch as Dreamworld reduce the number of their tigers (following the move to protected contact), but no doubt consider succession planning; and zoos with ageing generics or purebreds are faced with replacing their tigers.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I've edited the list, I appreciate you being so quick to remind me :)

Hopefully breeding recommendations will be made for the Sumatran tiger program to fill spaces as elderly generic tigers pass. While their generic tigers are still pretty young, I hope the National Zoo (which has five tiger exhibit overall) has an eye on becoming a Sumatran tiger breeding hub down the line.
 
Abbey said:
Thank you! I've edited the list, I appreciate you being so quick to remind me :)

Hopefully breeding recommendations will be made for the Sumatran tiger program to fill spaces as elderly generic tigers pass. While their generic tigers are still pretty young, I hope the National Zoo (which has five tiger exhibit overall) has an eye on becoming a Sumatran tiger breeding hub down the line.
Click to expand...

The National Zoo have two tiger complexes (with the groupings of the six tigers as follows):

The first consists of two exhibits and houses the Sumatran tiger pair (one inhabiting each exhibit).

The second consists of three exhibits (with the two generic males housed separately; and the two generic females housed together).

As you say, the generic tigers (especially the females) are young, so I imagine they’ll wait for the Sumatran tiger pair to pass on and then look to acquire a new pair. By the time this happens and any theoretical cubs are at the age of independence, the generic males (currently aged 13 years) may have passed on, allowing long term retention of one or two of the cubs if required.

As another point of interest, it seems probable that this will soon become an Australian population list - with the inevitable passing of Kamo’s elderly tigeresses. Poukai (the other holder until recent) have acquired lions from Paradise Valley to inhabit their old tiger exhibit, cementing their decision to continue with lions long term.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top