Australasian Spotted Hyena Population
- Thread starter akasha
- Start date
Monarto Safari Park - Name Meaning:
The meaning of Gotoa’s name has been shared. It means ‘to complete’ - a reference to Gotoa being the last offspring of Gamba.
Cub and calf take the plains at Monarto Safari Park - Monarto Safari Park
Carnivore Keeper, Kat Ferres, it was a poignant milestone as the cub is the last offspring of much-loved male, Gamba, who passed away in late December 2023 at the ripe old age of 20.
“Gotoa is quite special as he is ‘completing’ Gamba’s family, so it was amazing to see him head out and explore the big habitat,” she said.
Osedax
Well-Known Member
As reported by @animal_expert01 in the DDZ news thread, Darling Downs has acquired a pair of hyenas!
Potentially imported as the Monarto females are all tied up with offspring; though a re-pairing of either the Altina/Mogo pair is possible.
Altina have two males, so perhaps one from there (with the female imported):
1.0 Amani (09/04/2009) Mwenka x Kigali
1.0 Mkali (09/04/2009) Mwenka x Kigali
Monarto Safari Park - cubs sexed:
Forest’s cub has been sexed as 1.0:
1.0 Gotoa (17/11/2023)
Kanzi’s twins have been sexed as 1.1:
1.0 Kicheko (23/01/2024)
0.1 Utundu (23/01/2024)
Sexing was undertaken via genetic testing as previously reported on socials.
Forest’s cub has been sexed as 1.0:
1.0 Gotoa (17/11/2023)
Kanzi’s twins have been sexed as 1.1:
1.0 Kicheko (23/01/2024)
0.1 Utundu (23/01/2024)
Sexing was undertaken via genetic testing as previously reported on socials.
Darling Downs Zoo introduce new hyena:
From socials:
Meet Jamila (beautiful) and Bubu (not real bright), our wonderful Hyena. They recently arrived all the way from Africa and their interesting personalities have been a delight to get to know.
Credit to @Steve Robinson and his team for the announcement listing the female first to reflect the natural social order of the species. @akasha (the original population thread author for this species) similarly listed females before males when creating this population list; and is the reason I continue this tradition to this day (a reverse of the males before females trend in my chimpanzee population thread).
Upcoming holder:
As mentioned by @Swanson02 in his review, Tasmania Zoo are currently building a hyena exhibit. They’ll be the eighth holder of this species in Australasia.
From socials:
Meet Jamila (beautiful) and Bubu (not real bright), our wonderful Hyena. They recently arrived all the way from Africa and their interesting personalities have been a delight to get to know.
Credit to @Steve Robinson and his team for the announcement listing the female first to reflect the natural social order of the species. @akasha (the original population thread author for this species) similarly listed females before males when creating this population list; and is the reason I continue this tradition to this day (a reverse of the males before females trend in my chimpanzee population thread).
Upcoming holder:
As mentioned by @Swanson02 in his review, Tasmania Zoo are currently building a hyena exhibit. They’ll be the eighth holder of this species in Australasia.
New Holder - Tasmania Zoo:
Tasmania Zoo have joined the regional breeding programme as the eighth holder of this species, with the acquisition of a two year old male named Sadeeki from South Africa:
Scary but smoochy: Tasmania's first hyena arrives in Launceston
Tasmania Zoo have joined the regional breeding programme as the eighth holder of this species, with the acquisition of a two year old male named Sadeeki from South Africa:
Scary but smoochy: Tasmania's first hyena arrives in Launceston
Sydney Zoo welcome twins!
Upon our visit 19/11/2024, myself, @steveroberts and @Abbey were delighted to see twin cubs emerge from the den in the Spotted hyena exhibit.
This birth follows on from the birth of Zawati in November 2023, which was the first hyena birth in Sydney for several decades. This would therefore be the first birth of hyena multiples in Sydney for several decades. Triplets were reported at Taronga Zoo in 1950.
Parents are Etana and Mahali.
Upon our visit 19/11/2024, myself, @steveroberts and @Abbey were delighted to see twin cubs emerge from the den in the Spotted hyena exhibit.
This birth follows on from the birth of Zawati in November 2023, which was the first hyena birth in Sydney for several decades. This would therefore be the first birth of hyena multiples in Sydney for several decades. Triplets were reported at Taronga Zoo in 1950.
Parents are Etana and Mahali.
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Wow, how incredible! I was there on Saturday (the 16th) and observed one of the Hyenas under the stump, occasionally poking it’s head out - Now I know why!
It was quite a funny moment as the three of us were talking about seeing the baby hyena (referring to Zawati); and due to the number of births of late, I’d forgotten she was born November 2023 and is now a year old.
When I saw a pup emerge, my instinct was to say “There’s the pup!”; but seconds later, I saw the second and instantly realised it was twins - and a new litter.
Osedax
Well-Known Member
Absolutely incredible news!!
From their instagram account yesterday Perth did a 24th birthday celebration acknowledgement for Kigana with two very cute photos of him so think can confirm him to be born 29/11/2000
Zoo Tour Australia
Active Member
What is the current population of Hyena’s in Australasia?
Australasian Spotted Hyena Population (2025)
2024 was a fantastic year for Spotted hyena births, with a total of six surviving cubs born across three litters at Monarto Safari Park and Sydney Zoo; joining two cubs born November 2023 at those same facilities.
The region also welcomed two new holders, Darling Downs Zoo and Tasmania Zoo, who between them imported three hyena from South Africa.
Altina Wildlife Park:
0.1 Malika (13/09/2020) Imported 2021 (South Africa)
1.0 Amani (09/04/2009) Mwenka x Kigali
1.0 Mkali (09/04/2009) Mwenka x Kigali
Darling Downs Zoo:
0.1 Jamila (Unknown) Imported 2024 (South Africa)
1.0 Bubu (Unknown) Imported 2024 (South Africa)
Mogo Wildlife Park:
0.1 Thandiwe (12/05/2014) Gamba x Forest
1.0 Cheka (13/09/2020) Imported 2021 (South Africa)
Monarto Safari Park:
0.1 Forest (24/10/2007) Mwenka x Kigali
1.0 Jabali (26/08/2022) Gamba x Forest
1.0 Gotoa (17/11/2023) Gamba x Forest
0.1 Kanzi (13/09/2017) Piltengi x Thandiwe
0.1 Fahari (03/11/2020) Gamba x Forest
1.0 Endesha (01/03/2013) Imported 2019 (Singapore)
0.1 Utundu (23/01/2024) Endesha x Kanzi
1.0 Kicheko (23/01/2024) Endesha x Kanzi
0.1 Tufani (05/03/2024) Endesha x Fahari
1.0 Thembayo (05/03/2024) Endesha x Fahari
1.0 Enzi (01/03/2013) Imported 2019 (Singapore)
1.0 Mkoko (13/07/2015) Gamba x Forest
1.0 Jaali (13/09/2017) Piltengi x Thandiwe
1.0 Majani (15/01/2018) Gamba x Forest
National Zoo and Aquarium:
1.0 Pinduli (12/06/2012) Gamba x Kigali
1.0 Zuberi (06/02/2013) Gamba x Forest
Perth Zoo:
1.0 Kigana (28/11/2000) Imported 2007 (Singapore)
1.0 Sabi (18/05/2007) Gamba x Kigali
Sydney Zoo:
0.1 Mahali (03/11/2020) Gamba x Forest
1.0 Etana (01/03/2013) Imported 2019 (Singapore)
0.1 Zawati (01/11/2023) Etana x Mahali
0.0.1 Unnamed (00/09/2024) Etana x Mahali
0.0.1 Unnamed (00/09/2024) Etana x Mahali
Tasmania Zoo:
1.0 Sadeeki (00/00/2022) Imported 2024 (South Africa)
Total population: 19.10.2 hyena
2024 was a fantastic year for Spotted hyena births, with a total of six surviving cubs born across three litters at Monarto Safari Park and Sydney Zoo; joining two cubs born November 2023 at those same facilities.
The region also welcomed two new holders, Darling Downs Zoo and Tasmania Zoo, who between them imported three hyena from South Africa.
Altina Wildlife Park:
0.1 Malika (13/09/2020) Imported 2021 (South Africa)
1.0 Amani (09/04/2009) Mwenka x Kigali
1.0 Mkali (09/04/2009) Mwenka x Kigali
Darling Downs Zoo:
0.1 Jamila (Unknown) Imported 2024 (South Africa)
1.0 Bubu (Unknown) Imported 2024 (South Africa)
Mogo Wildlife Park:
0.1 Thandiwe (12/05/2014) Gamba x Forest
1.0 Cheka (13/09/2020) Imported 2021 (South Africa)
Monarto Safari Park:
0.1 Forest (24/10/2007) Mwenka x Kigali
1.0 Jabali (26/08/2022) Gamba x Forest
1.0 Gotoa (17/11/2023) Gamba x Forest
0.1 Kanzi (13/09/2017) Piltengi x Thandiwe
0.1 Fahari (03/11/2020) Gamba x Forest
1.0 Endesha (01/03/2013) Imported 2019 (Singapore)
0.1 Utundu (23/01/2024) Endesha x Kanzi
1.0 Kicheko (23/01/2024) Endesha x Kanzi
0.1 Tufani (05/03/2024) Endesha x Fahari
1.0 Thembayo (05/03/2024) Endesha x Fahari
1.0 Enzi (01/03/2013) Imported 2019 (Singapore)
1.0 Mkoko (13/07/2015) Gamba x Forest
1.0 Jaali (13/09/2017) Piltengi x Thandiwe
1.0 Majani (15/01/2018) Gamba x Forest
National Zoo and Aquarium:
1.0 Pinduli (12/06/2012) Gamba x Kigali
1.0 Zuberi (06/02/2013) Gamba x Forest
Perth Zoo:
1.0 Kigana (28/11/2000) Imported 2007 (Singapore)
1.0 Sabi (18/05/2007) Gamba x Kigali
Sydney Zoo:
0.1 Mahali (03/11/2020) Gamba x Forest
1.0 Etana (01/03/2013) Imported 2019 (Singapore)
0.1 Zawati (01/11/2023) Etana x Mahali
0.0.1 Unnamed (00/09/2024) Etana x Mahali
0.0.1 Unnamed (00/09/2024) Etana x Mahali
Tasmania Zoo:
1.0 Sadeeki (00/00/2022) Imported 2024 (South Africa)
Total population: 19.10.2 hyena
Tasmania Zoo to receive female Spotted hyena:
A big thanks to @Patrick Keegan for the exciting update that an Australian born female will soon be transferred to Monarto to join their male:
1.0 Sadeeki (00/00/2022) Imported 2024 (South Africa)
The candidates are as follows:
0.1 Zawati (01/11/2023) Etana x Mahali
0.1 Utundu (23/01/2024) Endesha x Kanzi
Both sired by Singapore imported founders (brothers from a litter of three) to the same maternal line, it will be interesting to see which female they go with.
The social structure of the hyena sees female cubs inherit their mother’s rank. Utundu’s mother is the dominant female, so it’s easy to see how removing her from the pack could minimise future conflict between her and Fahari as Utundu matures. Farahi’s daughter on the other hand would remain fixed in the female hierarchy - remaining the bottom of four (or the bottom of three if Utundu transfers out).
Sydney will no doubt be DNA testing their twins soon to determine gender (the samples are sent to Berlin). This could ultimately influence the decision of which female to send as two female cubs from the new litter would otherwise leave Sydney Zoo with a pack of 1.4 hyena. Zawati has had the experience of working having pups around (the social structure of this species sees the pack raise cubs cooperatively); though females like her mother have not had this experience and successfully raised cubs, suggesting this is not an influencing factor as it is with tamarins etc.
A big thanks to @Patrick Keegan for the exciting update that an Australian born female will soon be transferred to Monarto to join their male:
1.0 Sadeeki (00/00/2022) Imported 2024 (South Africa)
The candidates are as follows:
0.1 Zawati (01/11/2023) Etana x Mahali
0.1 Utundu (23/01/2024) Endesha x Kanzi
Both sired by Singapore imported founders (brothers from a litter of three) to the same maternal line, it will be interesting to see which female they go with.
The social structure of the hyena sees female cubs inherit their mother’s rank. Utundu’s mother is the dominant female, so it’s easy to see how removing her from the pack could minimise future conflict between her and Fahari as Utundu matures. Farahi’s daughter on the other hand would remain fixed in the female hierarchy - remaining the bottom of four (or the bottom of three if Utundu transfers out).
Sydney will no doubt be DNA testing their twins soon to determine gender (the samples are sent to Berlin). This could ultimately influence the decision of which female to send as two female cubs from the new litter would otherwise leave Sydney Zoo with a pack of 1.4 hyena. Zawati has had the experience of working having pups around (the social structure of this species sees the pack raise cubs cooperatively); though females like her mother have not had this experience and successfully raised cubs, suggesting this is not an influencing factor as it is with tamarins etc.
Birth Announcement - Altina Wildlife Park
Congratulations to Altina on their first Spotted hyena birth; and the first birth to a new imported mother since 2007!
From Altina’s socials:
A SPOTTED HYENA!!!!
This adorable cub was born, after approximately 110 days of gestation, on the 24th of February 2025 (1 month old!) and it is nothing like any baby we have seen before!
The first time IMPORTED AFRICAN mother, “Malika”, has blown us away with her love and natural instincts towards this extremely active and adorable cub.
This cub will play an important role for the future of hyena in Australasia bringing some much-needed new genetics to the country!
We are yet to confirm the sex of the baby spotted hyena but we can see it exploring the enclosure under mum’s watchful eye, feeding well and vocalising.
The entire Altina team is super proud of Malika and ecstatic to welcome a first for Altina, Malika, and the Riverina! This baby hyena is an exciting promise of what 2025 has to come!"
Congratulations to Altina on their first Spotted hyena birth; and the first birth to a new imported mother since 2007!
From Altina’s socials:
A SPOTTED HYENA!!!!
This adorable cub was born, after approximately 110 days of gestation, on the 24th of February 2025 (1 month old!) and it is nothing like any baby we have seen before!
The first time IMPORTED AFRICAN mother, “Malika”, has blown us away with her love and natural instincts towards this extremely active and adorable cub.
This cub will play an important role for the future of hyena in Australasia bringing some much-needed new genetics to the country!
We are yet to confirm the sex of the baby spotted hyena but we can see it exploring the enclosure under mum’s watchful eye, feeding well and vocalising.
The entire Altina team is super proud of Malika and ecstatic to welcome a first for Altina, Malika, and the Riverina! This baby hyena is an exciting promise of what 2025 has to come!"
Great news for the entire population, especially as Malika is a very valuable founder! Father would either Amani or Mkali (both full brothers born at Monarto).
The regional hyena population is looking in really good shape as of late, let's hope there's more births to come, and more holders still to come on board.
The sire should be Mkali.
Malika showed a marked preference for Mkali from early on and as recently as a year ago, they were reported to be housed together as a pair (with Amani in a seperate exhibit).
Females can be very aggressive towards non-chosen males, so whether it’s since been possible to reintegrate him I don’t know; but either way, her preference for Mkali would mean he’s likely the sire:
0.1 Malika (13/09/2020) Imported 2021 (South Africa)
1.0 Mkali (09/04/2009) Mwenka x Kigali
1.0 Amani (09/04/2009) Mwenka x Kigali
Altina Wildlife Park - Spotted hyena update:
The cub has been named Milele; the sire is indeed Mkali.
From socials:
Introducing our first baby Hyena…MILELE.
Milele is of East African origin and is used occasionally as a unisex name in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, and Tanzania. It is derived from the Swahili word for "always, forever" and "eternity". Baby has been named this with hopes of these viable genetics paving a bright future for the breeding program of spotted hyena!
This beautiful baby is Malika’s first ever baby! This amazing mother was imported from Africa as a new genetic to Australia! A few years later She fell in love with Makhali and …Milele was born!
For those asking about Milele’s sex … hyena are a little different to every day mammals where both males & females all appear as males - with females having sudo-male genitalia. So when Milele is due for vaccinating, a blood test will be taken to confirm health and sex of our cheeky little cub!
The cub has been named Milele; the sire is indeed Mkali.
From socials:
Introducing our first baby Hyena…MILELE.
Milele is of East African origin and is used occasionally as a unisex name in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, and Tanzania. It is derived from the Swahili word for "always, forever" and "eternity". Baby has been named this with hopes of these viable genetics paving a bright future for the breeding program of spotted hyena!
This beautiful baby is Malika’s first ever baby! This amazing mother was imported from Africa as a new genetic to Australia! A few years later She fell in love with Makhali and …Milele was born!
For those asking about Milele’s sex … hyena are a little different to every day mammals where both males & females all appear as males - with females having sudo-male genitalia. So when Milele is due for vaccinating, a blood test will be taken to confirm health and sex of our cheeky little cub!