I really like the name choice too - an 'M' name, reflecting the names of this youngsters parents, 'Malika' and 'Mkali'.
Hopefully this little one is a female; the regional population is in need of more females overall.
Australasian Spotted Hyena Population
- Thread starter akasha
- Start date
Hopefully this little one is a female; the regional population is in need of more females overall.
Looking at the population list, options for pairing a cub of either gender are limited unless the region intends to resort to minor inbreeding:
Only Darling Downs Zoo’s pair has the potential to produce a cub unrelated to Milele.
If Milele is a female, additional options include any one of the E males from Singapore. All are settled in packs (two of which are breeding packs), so it’d depend on the interest in splitting up one of these.
If Milele is a male, the obvious application would be to house him with Amani at Altina when mature. Last I heard, he’s still living separately from Altina’s family group.
Notes from recent visit:
-The Meerkat enclosure has reopened- The 4 new girls are on display (see photo attached)
-I also managed to see the off display old troop by looking through a fence and I took a photo, not sure what the Zoos plans are for them old ones.
- 1.0 Kigana (19/11/2000) is now the oldest Hyena in Australia and possibly the world (captivity) and is soon to break the record for the oldest ever in captivity -(info from keeper)
And in more info from the hyena keeper, I previously was told we would be receiving 2 female hyenas from monarto, instead I was told once unfortunately Kigana eventually passes away Sabi (Subordinate second male hyena at perth zoo) will go back to monarto, with his old mates/children (He was born there are moved to Perth zoo in 2008) and we will instead receive 2 new males from monarto in exchange.
Why not let him just be with the two new males, I think because they will then have to organise a hierarchy and it will be a bit more difficult.
*Between Sabi going to monarto and PZ recieing 2 new males they plan to upgrade the exhibit
Photo one is one of the new girls on display and photo two is one of the old meerkats from the troop currently being housed out the back away from the public eye, except me
Future hyena transfer:
Thanks for the update on Perth’s hyena plans @Johnpaul21.
If we consider that Perth Zoo will be holding two males, non-breeding and likely on a one-way ticket (i.e. they’ll be remaining there for life), then that gives some clues about likely candidates Monarto would send to Perth.
We can likely discount Enzi and Mtoto due to their age:
1.0 Enzi (01/03/2013) Imported 2019 (Singapore)
1.0 Mkoko (13/07/2015) Gamba x Forest
These males are the obvious candidates here and now, but it depends when the transfer occurs:
1.0 Jaali (13/09/2017) Piltengi x Thandiwe
1.0 Majani (15/01/2018) Gamba x Forest
Kicheko and Thembayo are a possibility, but if settled in their natal clan, Monarto may want to retain them for numbers. Females are usually more volatile:
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
Jabali and Gotoa are a strong possibility for the future if Forest passes between now and the opportunity for transfer:
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
Birth Announcement - Monarto Safari Park
Great news from Monarto Safari Park. Sire would be Endesha. An interesting note that the cub brings the clan to 15. Presumably this refers to the total number of hyena held on site (which is indeed now 15) as I’ve heard nothing to suggest the multiple groupings have been integrated; but I will follow up nonetheless.
From socials:
Experienced mum Kanzi has welcomed a Spotted Hyena cub, bringing the clan total to 15 and adding even more personality to our growing group.
Tucked away in a cosy den, the cub has been busy climbing over mum, playing games and exploring, while Kanzi shows her usual calm and patient style of parenting.
“It’s lovely to see how settled and attentive Kanzi is,” says Carnivore Supervisor Rachel Hemming. “We’re giving them time to bond before any introductions to the rest of the clan.”
Great news from Monarto Safari Park. Sire would be Endesha. An interesting note that the cub brings the clan to 15. Presumably this refers to the total number of hyena held on site (which is indeed now 15) as I’ve heard nothing to suggest the multiple groupings have been integrated; but I will follow up nonetheless.
From socials:
Experienced mum Kanzi has welcomed a Spotted Hyena cub, bringing the clan total to 15 and adding even more personality to our growing group.
Tucked away in a cosy den, the cub has been busy climbing over mum, playing games and exploring, while Kanzi shows her usual calm and patient style of parenting.
“It’s lovely to see how settled and attentive Kanzi is,” says Carnivore Supervisor Rachel Hemming. “We’re giving them time to bond before any introductions to the rest of the clan.”
I see the extended announcement then refers to four clans, so they have indeed remained separate (not unexpected given the social complexity of this species).
Monarto’s hyena clans:
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
0.0.1 Unnamed (00/00/2025) Endesha x Kanzi
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
I would estimate the cub shown in the video to be around 4-7 days old. Since we’re on the 6th day of the month, I can’t say with total confidence if it was born end of June or start of July.
Altina Wildlife Park - Cub Sexed
Altina’s cub (Milele) has been sexed as a male according to the latest update on socials:
0.1 Malika (13/09/2020) Imported 2021 (South Africa)
1.0 Mkali (09/04/2009) Mwenka x Kigali
1.0 Milele (24/02/2025) Mkali x Malika
1.0 Amani (09/04/2009) Mwenka x Kigali
It’ll be interesting to see if long term he can be introduced to Amani, who lives separately from the breeding pack. Other zoos such as Perth and Monarto have had success introducing males from different packs.
Altina’s cub (Milele) has been sexed as a male according to the latest update on socials:
0.1 Malika (13/09/2020) Imported 2021 (South Africa)
1.0 Mkali (09/04/2009) Mwenka x Kigali
1.0 Milele (24/02/2025) Mkali x Malika
1.0 Amani (09/04/2009) Mwenka x Kigali
It’ll be interesting to see if long term he can be introduced to Amani, who lives separately from the breeding pack. Other zoos such as Perth and Monarto have had success introducing males from different packs.
Monarto Safari Park - Death of Hyena Cub
Sad news from Monarto’s socials:
We’re sad to share that the six-week-old Spotted Hyena cub, born to matriarch Kanzi, passed away earlier this week.
Preliminary findings suggest the cub sustained injuries consistent with Kanzi accidentally lying on it in the den. At Monarto Safari Park, we give our animals the most natural living conditions possible. For hyenas, that means young cubs remain in the den with their mother, just as they would in the wild. This approach supports natural behaviours and strong maternal bonds, but it also comes with risks – the first weeks of life for many wild species are incredibly fragile.
Kanzi and the rest of the hyena clan are doing well under the careful watch of our keepers and vets. Our teams are deeply saddened by this loss and are being supported during this time.
Sad news from Monarto’s socials:
We’re sad to share that the six-week-old Spotted Hyena cub, born to matriarch Kanzi, passed away earlier this week.
Preliminary findings suggest the cub sustained injuries consistent with Kanzi accidentally lying on it in the den. At Monarto Safari Park, we give our animals the most natural living conditions possible. For hyenas, that means young cubs remain in the den with their mother, just as they would in the wild. This approach supports natural behaviours and strong maternal bonds, but it also comes with risks – the first weeks of life for many wild species are incredibly fragile.
Kanzi and the rest of the hyena clan are doing well under the careful watch of our keepers and vets. Our teams are deeply saddened by this loss and are being supported during this time.
Sydney Zoo - Cubs Sexed/Named
Sydney Zoo’s Spotted hyena twins have been sexed as two females and have been named as follows:
0.1 Nkosi - a Zulu name meaning ‘chief’
0.1 Milele - a Swahili name meaning ‘eternity’
Milele shares a name with Altina Wildlife Park’s male cub, which is the region’s first double up.
The sexing of these cubs as females takes the regional population to 20.12 Spotted hyena and Sydney Zoo’s population to 1.4 Spotted hyena:
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
0.1 Nkosi (00/09/2024) Etana x Mahali
0.1 Milele (00/09/2024) Etana x Mahali
@Patrick Keegan previously advised there had been discussions around transferring a female to Tasmania Zoo (either Zawati from Sydney Zoo or Utundu from Monarto Safari Park). Given the demographics of Sydney Zoo’s pack, it definitely wouldn’t be surprising to see either Zawati (or one of her sisters) transfer across. It’s possible they’re waiting to see what hierarchy disputes flare up to identify the best candidate to remove from the pack.
Sydney Zoo’s Spotted hyena twins have been sexed as two females and have been named as follows:
0.1 Nkosi - a Zulu name meaning ‘chief’
0.1 Milele - a Swahili name meaning ‘eternity’
Milele shares a name with Altina Wildlife Park’s male cub, which is the region’s first double up.
The sexing of these cubs as females takes the regional population to 20.12 Spotted hyena and Sydney Zoo’s population to 1.4 Spotted hyena:
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
0.1 Nkosi (00/09/2024) Etana x Mahali
0.1 Milele (00/09/2024) Etana x Mahali
@Patrick Keegan previously advised there had been discussions around transferring a female to Tasmania Zoo (either Zawati from Sydney Zoo or Utundu from Monarto Safari Park). Given the demographics of Sydney Zoo’s pack, it definitely wouldn’t be surprising to see either Zawati (or one of her sisters) transfer across. It’s possible they’re waiting to see what hierarchy disputes flare up to identify the best candidate to remove from the pack.
Kigana (2000-2025)
Kigana has died at Perth Zoo, leaving behind a male (Sabi).
From Perth Zoo’s socials:
At nearly 25-years-old, Kigana was an older boy and was being supported through some health issues and sporadic fainting spells. Heartbreakingly, despite our teams best efforts, he passed away.
One of his longest standing carers Becky Thomasson, has penned some thoughts: I’ve known Kigana for the past 14 years, and in that time, he taught me so much. He had the gentlest nature and loved spending time with his keepers, and made sure all the attention was on him. Some of my favourite memories are of him snoozing in the sun on the soft green grass or cooling off in his pool on hot days, his love of salmon and cream cheese, and watching him licking tahini with his tongue going wild, always gave us so many laughs.
Our carers are now focused on supporting our other hyaena Sabi through this change. He's been enjoying plenty of undivided attention and tasty roast chicken.
As per the update by @Johnpaul21 above, one option that’s been discussed was Sabi transferring to Monarto upon Kigana’s death, allowing Perth the opportunity to upgrade their hyena facilities.
Kigana has died at Perth Zoo, leaving behind a male (Sabi).
From Perth Zoo’s socials:
At nearly 25-years-old, Kigana was an older boy and was being supported through some health issues and sporadic fainting spells. Heartbreakingly, despite our teams best efforts, he passed away.
One of his longest standing carers Becky Thomasson, has penned some thoughts: I’ve known Kigana for the past 14 years, and in that time, he taught me so much. He had the gentlest nature and loved spending time with his keepers, and made sure all the attention was on him. Some of my favourite memories are of him snoozing in the sun on the soft green grass or cooling off in his pool on hot days, his love of salmon and cream cheese, and watching him licking tahini with his tongue going wild, always gave us so many laughs.
Our carers are now focused on supporting our other hyaena Sabi through this change. He's been enjoying plenty of undivided attention and tasty roast chicken.
As per the update by @Johnpaul21 above, one option that’s been discussed was Sabi transferring to Monarto upon Kigana’s death, allowing Perth the opportunity to upgrade their hyena facilities.
Kanzi’s litter was triplets:
An additional note that Kanzi’s cub born June 2025 had two siblings, who also didn’t survive.
Kanzi previously gave birth to triplets (1.1 surviving) in January 2024:
0.1 Utundu (23/01/2024) Endesha x Kanzi
1.0 Kicheko (23/01/2024) Endesha x Kanzi
Reported in the annual report.