Australasian Leopard Population

[Kestrel]

As far as I am aware

I'm not sure. Singapore has held Sri Lankans for the longest time but it alos held Persians for a very short period more than a decade ago.

As I understand they are the last remanence of the work done by Mr. Lyn de Alwis and were some of the original species housed at the zoo. It would be a shame to see the species phased out now.

 

[Kestrel]

Since all the SL Leopard population within Australia are part of the EEP I wonder if sending any to an asian zoo is allowed if they are not in the EEP?

As far as I am aware Singapore is part of the EEP for the leopards.

 

[Zoofan15]

As far as I am aware Singapore is part of the EEP for the leopards.

Yes it is. It’s one of three EEP zoos outside Europe that hold them (the other two being in Australia).

 

[Zoofan15]

Darling Downs Zoo Update

The cubs have been sexed as a male and a female. The plan is for them to transfer out to another zoo when older.

Darling Downs Zoo currently has 3.2 Sri Lankan leopard, which includes the cub’s parents and 21 month old brother.

 

[Zoofan15]

Mogo Wildlife Park - Third Holder

Mogo Wildlife Park have become the third holder of Sri Lankan leopard in the region, following the arrival of Chatura (2021) from the National Zoo and Aquarium.

Chatura was part of the first litter of Sri Lankan leopard born in the region.

 

[Jambo]

Mogo Wildlife Park - Third Holder

Mogo Wildlife Park have become the third holder of Sri Lankan leopard in the region, following the arrival of Chatura (2021) from the National Zoo and Aquarium.

Chatura was part of the first litter of Sri Lankan leopard born in the region.

I think that if there was the intention of using the two brothers from the initial litter (being Chatura and Asanka) as a non breeding pair, they would've been sent to Mogo together.

This obviously indicates one of two things; either a) Chatura will be paired with a female at Mogo or b) Asanka will be paired with a female at a different facility. Exciting news either way imo!

 

[Zoofan15]

I think that if there was the intention of using the two brothers from the initial litter (being Chatura and Asanka) as a non breeding pair, they would've been sent to Mogo together.

This obviously indicates one of two things; either a) Chatura will be paired with a female at Mogo or b) Asanka will be paired with a female at a different facility. Exciting news either way imo!

I believe the National Zoo intend to maintain 2.2 for the foreseeable in two pairs (the parents in one pair; the brother and sister in the other).

Hopefully Mogo Zoo can negotiate to import a female from Europe. An additional founder would be fantastic; with the fourth holder potentially non breeding if they’re to acquire the latest cubs from Darling Downs Zoo.

 

[Zoofan15]

As per the TV news item, the cubs will be named by the receiving institution when the time comes. Banduka will be moving to his new home soon and his new owner is happy to keep his name.

Thanks for the update Banduka will be transferring out in the near future. We look forward to seeing where he ends up.

It’s encouraging to see the regional population thriving with four litters of cubs to date and a third holder coming onboard this month.

 

[Zoofan15]

Leopard Population Wrap Up (2023)

2023:

It’s been an eventful year for the region’s leopard population.

Mandla, the melanistic generic leopard at Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary died in March. He was notable for being New Zealand’s only leopard. Australasia now has 10 leopards, all of the Sri Lankan subspecies and all held within Australian zoos.

It came as a great surprise to hear the National Zoo and Aquarium bred a second litter in April 2022, containing a single female cub. The cub has been named Kalani.

In December, the National Zoo and Aquarium transferred one of their three year old males (Chatura) to Mogo Wildlife Park. Mogo Wildlife Park became the third holder of Sri Lankan leopard in the region upon his arrival.

Darling Downs Zoo sadly announced the death of their 10 month old female Sri Lankan leopard cub in February. Her name was Chaturi. Her brother is named Banduka and he will transfer out soon to what will become the fourth regional holder.

In the meantime, Darling Downs Zoo have announced the birth of two cubs in August. The male and female pair will leave the zoo in the future as per current plans.

Disappointingly, Adelaide Zoo’s revised masterplan indicate they will no longer be acquiring Sri Lankan leopard. They had originally intended to acquire a breeding pair, so this is a huge blow to the region.

2024:

Not too much to say here. I struggle to imagine any breeding recommendations being given for 2024 or any imports undertaken; but we can hopefully look forward to the addition of a fourth regional holder via the transfer of Banduka.

I will post an updated population list for Sri Lankan leopard in 2024.

 

[Tiger91]

Darling Downs Zoo Update

The cubs have been sexed as a male and a female. The plan is for them to transfer out to another zoo when older.

I wonder if this means that we have a 4th holder in Aus or whether they will be utilised by facilities outside of Aus.

 

[Zoofan15]

I wonder if this means that we have a 4th holder in Aus or whether they will be utilised by facilities outside of Aus.

It will indeed be interesting to see the plans for Darling Downs Zoo’s latest litter. In the event Banduka (who’s been stated to transfer out first) was to transfer to a facility within Australasia, that could well become the fourth holder; so whether this litter will transfer to a fifth facility or whether they’ll go overseas is something we’ll have to wait and see on. More holders in the region would be fantastic; but since were part of the EEP, we can’t discount the possibility there’s plans for them within Europe.

 

[Zoofan15]

Australasian Sri Lankan Leopard Population 2024

A rename of this list to reflect the region only holds Sri Lankan leopards, following the death of Kamo’s generic leopard in 2023.

Sri Lankan leopards are currently held across three facilities in Australasia.

———————————————————————

Sri Lankan Leopard Population

National Zoo and Aquarium:

1.0 Ankesh (13/08/2016) Imported 2019
0.1 Yakalla (20/05/2011) Imported 2019
1.0 Asanka (24/12/2020) Ankesh x Yakalla
0.1 Kalani (05/04/2022) Ankesh x Yakalla

Darling Downs Zoo:

1.0 Ecko (16/07/2016) Imported 2021
0.1 Maysha (13/03/2017) Imported 2021
1.0 Banduka (26/03/2022) Ecko x Maysha
1.0 Unnamed (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha
0.1 Unnamed (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha

Mogo Wildlife Park:

1.0 Chatura (24/12/2020) Ankesh x Yakalla

Total regional population: 6.4 leopards

———————————————————————

 

[Jambo]

Australasian Sri Lankan Leopard Population 2024

A rename of this list to reflect the region only holds Sri Lankan leopards, following the death of Kamo’s generic leopard in 2023.

Sri Lankan leopards are currently held across three facilities in Australasia.

———————————————————————

Sri Lankan Leopard Population

National Zoo and Aquarium:

1.0 Ankesh (13/08/2016) Imported 2019
0.1 Yakalla (20/05/2011) Imported 2019
1.0 Asanka (24/12/2020) Ankesh x Yakalla
0.1 Kalani (05/04/2022) Ankesh x Yakalla

Darling Downs Zoo:

1.0 Ecko (16/07/2016) Imported 2021
0.1 Maysha (13/03/2017) Imported 2021
1.0 Banduka (26/03/2022) Ecko x Maysha
1.0 Unnamed (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha
0.1 Unnamed (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha

Mogo Wildlife Park:

1.0 Chatura (24/12/2020) Ankesh x Yakalla

Total regional population: 6.4 leopards

———————————————————————

Will we be including Clouded Leopard to this list?

 

[Zoofan15]

Will we be including Clouded Leopard to this list?

Clouded leopard are a tricky one. I’m reluctant to include them in this list as they’re a seperate genus from leopards, but it doesn’t seem worth giving them their own population thread either when there’s only one holder.

Perhaps when Hamilton Zoo imports Clouded leopard, you could create a Clouded leopard population thread for the two holders. Depending on breeding success at the WCCC, we might not even have to wait that long for a second holder to emerge. I’d love to see them at Melbourne Zoo; or Taronga Zoo, who may well be coming to the end of holding Fishing cat.

 

[Tiger91]

Clouded leopard are a tricky one. I’m reluctant to include them in this list as they’re a seperate genus from leopards, but it doesn’t seem worth giving them their own population thread either when there’s only one holder.

Perhaps when Hamilton Zoo imports Clouded leopard, you could create a Clouded leopard population thread for the two holders. Depending on breeding success at the WCCC, we might not even have to wait that long for a second holder to emerge. I’d love to see them at Melbourne Zoo; or Taronga Zoo, who may well be coming to the end of holding Fishing cat.

Clouded leopard should be a species that Taronga go into!

 

[Zoofan15]

Clouded leopard should be a species that Taronga go into!

With the elephants leaving (potentially as early as 2025 if they take the opportunity to transfer them to Monarto), it’ll be time for a seismic shake up of Taronga Zoo. With reports the Congo precinct may not go ahead and the elephant paddock available for redevelopment, there’s the potential to bring in Bornean orangutan, Clouded leopard and many other species.

 

[Zoofan15]

New Holder - Tasmania Zoo

We have a fourth holder!

Banduka has been transferred from Darling Downs Zoo to Tasmania Zoo:

New spotted addition to Tasmania zoo is just purr-fect

1.0 Banduka (26/03/2022) Ecko x Maysha

 

[Astrobird]

That will be a fascinating comparison with the snow leopard nearby!

 

[Zoofan15]

That will be a fascinating comparison with the snow leopard nearby!

Melbourne Zoo were the last zoo in the region to have held Snow leopards and leopards at the same time. Their last Persian leopard died in 2013. It’s great to see Tasmania Zoo invest in holding both.

 

[Tiger91]

Fantastic news!

For easily imported species, that the public likes. Its a wonder why our zoos don't hold more cats. Lets hope as time goes on that more leopard holders emerge!.