Australasian Sumatran Tiger Population

[Zoofan15]

I wonder with the current state of older Sumatran tigers starting to pass on especially at smaller private zoos. Whether we will start to see places like Taronga start to disperse their younger tigers.
While still having a tiger at the zoo, one would think that plans would be In place to start sourcing new/younger animals. Especially since there is plenty of young tigers either currently here or soon to be.

We’re headed for a baby boom of tigers with Auckland’s female pregnant (and a second litter likely to follow) and Hamilton Zoo’s female hopefully pregnant. Orana Wildlife Park also intend to import a tigress for breeding.

I anticipate Taronga will retain one of their triplets (my money is on the male); with the females potentially transferred out as non-breeding if Taronga acquire a new tigress.

Adelaide are building a third tiger exhibit to accomodate their cubs long term, but these are also ideal for transfer into a non-breeding situation.

 

[Tiger91]

We’re headed for a baby boom of tigers with Auckland’s female pregnant (and a second litter likely to follow) and Hamilton Zoo’s female hopefully pregnant. Orana Wildlife Park also intend to import a tigress for breeding.

I anticipate Taronga will retain one of their triplets (my money is on the male); with the females potentially transferred out as non-breeding if Taronga acquire a new tigress.

Adelaide are building a third tiger exhibit to accomodate their cubs long term, but these are also ideal for transfer into a non-breeding situation.

Hopefully we have a species coordinator that is actually half decent at their job this time with the new genetics. So that we don't see a repeat of the sumatran imports occurring. Far better genetic matches could off been created out of those tigers.

Taronga is in a unique position where between both sites they have rather large capacity. It is interesting that with so much capacity at western plains zoo that is unused. That they allocated so much land at the Taronga Sydney site to the same species. But with animals at both sites raging out, by the time the cubs are able to be paired from the NZ pairings. There will be adequate space at Taronga and other private regional zoos to house tigers.

Same with Adelaide. With regional zoos animals raging out and passing. It is almost redundant that Adelaide would allocate more room to holding cubs unless they plan to have a second litter in the not to distant future.

 

[Zoofan15]

Hopefully we have a species coordinator that is actually half decent at their job this time with the new genetics. So that we don't see a repeat of the sumatran imports occurring. Far better genetic matches could off been created out of those tigers.

Taronga is in a unique position where between both sites they have rather large capacity. It is interesting that with so much capacity at western plains zoo that is unused. That they allocated so much land at the Taronga Sydney site to the same species. But with animals at both sites raging out, by the time the cubs are able to be paired from the NZ pairings. There will be adequate space at Taronga and other private regional zoos to house tigers.

Same with Adelaide. With regional zoos animals raging out and passing. It is almost redundant that Adelaide would allocate more room to holding cubs unless they plan to have a second litter in the not to distant future.

I would have liked to have seen matches made between the Indonesian imports and other regional founders such as Tuan and Oz. Only one of the nine cubs produced from the Indonesian imports was sired by another founder (Satu).

After producing a single (genetically valuable cub), Maneki was transfered with her mate to Ballarat, where there was uncertainty over whether they would receive a breeding recommendation or not. It shouldn’t have even been a discussion imo.

Bashi not breeding is baffling. Presumably there’s something we don’t know here as otherwise he should have been transferred out or a new tigress transferred in when it was established Senja wouldn’t be breeding.

I don’t anticipate Adelaide will breed a second litter. The equivalent match is being undertaken at Hamilton with their respective siblings. The most valuable cubs will be Ramah and Zayana’s litter. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the entire first litter (if three cubs or less) go into breeding placements young. Matches at Taronga and Orana are strong possibilities.

 

[Tiger91]

I don’t anticipate Adelaide will breed a second litter. The equivalent match is being undertaken at Hamilton with their respective siblings. The most valuable cubs will be Ramah and Zayana’s litter. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the entire first litter (if three cubs or less) go into breeding placements young. Matches at Taronga and Orana are strong possibilities.

Unless some of these spaces that are opening up are looking for tigers now. In which case I could see Adelaide having another litter. Adelaide being not government funded but having the government help them out, puts them in a position where the appeal of tiger bus for visitors would a big draw to breed again. Probably not right away unless some of the current cubs get moved into private regional zoos etc rather quick. But within the next 5ish years, I wouldn't be surprised to see Adelaide have another litter.

 

[Zoofan15]

Unless some of these spaces that are opening up are looking for tigers now. In which case I could see Adelaide having another litter. Adelaide being not government funded but having the government help them out, puts them in a position where the appeal of tiger bus for visitors would a big draw to breed again. Probably not right away unless some of the current cubs get moved into private regional zoos etc rather quick. But within the next 5ish years, I wouldn't be surprised to see Adelaide have another litter.

Melbourne Zoo, Darling Downs Zoo, Perth Zoo and Tasmania Zoo all have ageing tigers (2008-2010), so barring a new longevity record being set, spaces will open up at these zoos.

Sydney Zoo will hopefully receive Sumatran tigers when their ageing hybrids pass on. It was a shame both they and Ballarat didn’t receive Sumatran tigers following the passing of their respective elderly cats in recent years.

Unfortunately, I can’t see Dreamworld continuing with Sumatran tigers when their 15 year old females pass on. It appears they’re downsizing their colony following the move to protected contact, but we’ll have to wait and see. Similarly, I don’t anticipate Australia Zoo will breed anytime soon. Kaitlyn has four offspring at Australia Zoo in addition to three in breeding placements, so I anticipate the four younger offspring will be held in a cohesive grouping for as long as possible.

 

[Tiger91]

Melbourne Zoo, Darling Downs Zoo, Perth Zoo and Tasmania Zoo all have ageing tigers (2008-2010), so barring a new longevity record being set, spaces will open up at these zoos.

Sydney Zoo will hopefully receive Sumatran tigers when their ageing hybrids pass on. It was a shame both they and Ballarat didn’t receive Sumatran tigers following the passing of their respective elderly cats in recent years.

Unfortunately, I can’t see Dreamworld continuing with Sumatran tigers when their 15 year old females pass on. It appears they’re downsizing their colony following the move to protected contact, but we’ll have to wait and see. Similarly, I don’t anticipate Australia Zoo will breed anytime soon. Kaitlyn has four offspring at Australia Zoo in addition to three in breeding placements, so I anticipate the four younger offspring will be held in a cohesive grouping for as long as possible.

Western plains zoo also has tigers that are getting on in years. I will never understand why they never re did there display area for tigers like Taronga did with tiger trek. What is a waste of space at Taronga would of been better suited to western plains zoo. Especially since you can see 3 exhibits and see multiple tigers on display at times. Instead they increased capacity and size of holding areas and now only hold 3 tigers.

Dreamworld will always hold hybrids, especially the whites as they are an attraction in and of themselves. I would be surprised if they didn't keep sumatrans. With tiger island being redesigned basically. Two species gives them variety, and sumatrans give a conservation edge that the bengals don't, while being smaller and slightly different to look at. But the bengals/hybrids are larger and have more colour variety to them. Together they make for a more cohesive display of tigers then individually.

 

[Zoofan15]

Western plains zoo also has tigers that are getting on in years. I will never understand why they never re did there display area for tigers like Taronga did with tiger trek. What is a waste of space at Taronga would of been better suited to western plains zoo. Especially since you can see 3 exhibits and see multiple tigers on display at times. Instead they increased capacity and size of holding areas and now only hold 3 tigers.

Dreamworld will always hold hybrids, especially the whites as they are an attraction in and of themselves. I would be surprised if they didn't keep sumatrans. With tiger island being redesigned basically. Two species gives them variety, and sumatrans give a conservation edge that the bengals don't, while being smaller and slightly different to look at. But the bengals/hybrids are larger and have more colour variety to them. Together they make for a more cohesive display of tigers then individually.

While Dubbo has a capacity for 12 tigers, that would partly rely on them maintaining cohesive groupings. Your point stands though as there’s enough pairs, trios etc within the region that could make far better use out of their facilities than three individual ageing tigers.

I agree the allure of white tigers will ultimately ensure they have a future at Dreamworld. Their two white tigers could easily live another decade and with the move to protected contact, I don’t foresee them having the capacity to breed in the near future. It’s possibility they’ll acquire/breed Sumatrans in 10-15 years from now, but it won’t be happening anytime soon.

Breeding hubs at Taronga, Auckland, Adelaide etc. will become more prevalent. It’s hard to imagine zoos like Wellington and Perth each managing three adult tigers and breeding back in the 2000’s.

 

[Zoofan15]

Auckland Zoo - Birth Plan
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/505604/baby-boom-at-auckland-zoo
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/505604/baby-boom-at-auckland-zoo

An interesting comment from the zoo’s Head of Animal Care:

This birth might go really well, but what we do know with tigers is the normal behaviour is they keep their cubs tucked away in a quiet place in a den. Or it might be under a dense tree or wherever they choose to give birth, and they'll have two or three places where they hide their cubs. Showing off the cubs will be up to Zayana, which could take two to three weeks.

———————

Throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s, the same formula was repeated where a tigress gave birth, reared her cubs in seclusion for around 10-12 weeks and then emerged from the den. Therefore it’s interesting to hear the comment Zayana could take two to three weeks to show off her cubs. Zayana gave birth to her first litter in the small exhibit back in September and indeed it’s noted her birth site could be one of several places (with access to the dens also offered).

Due to giving birth heading into summer, Sali at Hamilton Zoo was also seen intermittently on exhibit with her cubs from a few weeks of age. She was given the option of having access to the exhibit and often chose it. With this in mind, I noted the smallest of Auckland Zoo’s three exhibits would be ideal for facilitating something similar as it’s a small grassed exhibit with a cave, no obvious hazards and is well screened by bamboo to offer privacy.

Aside from giving birth in June (i.e. winter), this isn’t an option that would have been recommended for Molek and her cubs in 2008 due to the nature of the old exhibit (built in 1922 with steep concrete slopes).

I commend the zoo for building a complex that allows the tigress multiple options and following a husbandry plan that is ultimately led by Zayana. In terms of welfare, this is exceptional.


Photo taken by myself of Auckland Zoo’s smallest tiger exhibit

 

[Zoofan15]

Sumatran Tiger Population Wrap Up (2023)

2023:

Following the death of Chrissie at Honolulu Zoo in January, Mencari at Hamilton Zoo became the oldest living Sumatran tiger in the world. She held this title until her death in March this year at the age of 23 years, 2 months and 14 days.

Australasia’s five eldest tigers as follows:

0.1 Singha (01/04/2004) Lari x Malu
1.0 Satu (28/10/2006) Ramalon x Binjai
0.1 Indah (31/03/2007) Raja x Soraya
1.0 Bashi (04/12/2007) Imported 2008
0.1 Kaitlyn (04/12/2007) Imported 2008

Adelaide Zoo’s first litter of Sumatran tiger cubs made their debut in April:

1.0 Ketambe (21/12/2022) Kembali x Delilah
0.1 Marni (21/12/2022) Kembali x Delilah
0.1 Susu (21/12/2022) Kembali x Delilah

In May, it was announced Ballarat Wildlife Park would be received a hybrid tigress from Dreamworld; which along with the previous acquisition of a hybrid male, cements them as a hybrid holder for the foreseeable. Like Sydney Zoo, they were lost as a Sumatran tiger in 2022, with 15 holders currently remaining.

In September, Tasmania Zoo announced the death of Jalur. He was born at Auckland Zoo in June 2008 and also spent time at Symbio Wildlife Park and Darling Downs Zoo.

Successful introductions were carried out between Ramah and Zayana at Auckland Zoo, with Zayana conceiving twins on her second cycle. She gave birth in September, but unfortunately one of the cubs was stillborn and she cannibalised the remaining cub. Auckland Zoo have since announced another pregnancy, with Zayana due January 2024.

Scout was transferred from Orana Wildlife Park to Hamilton Zoo in June. A successful introduction between Scout and Kirana has Hamilton Zoo’s keepers hoping for cubs in January 2024.

2024:

As mentioned, Auckland Zoo and Hamilton Zoo are both hopeful of successful litters in January 2024. These are the only facilities expected to breed in 2024.

Orana Wildlife Park have expressed an intention to receive a female Sumatran tiger for breeding in the future. I suspect they may receive a female from Auckland Zoo’s first successful litter; but it’ll be interesting to see if something more immediate is in the works. Options are limited within the region, so it’d be great to see an import from overseas.

I will post an updated population list for Sumatran tiger in 2024.

 

[Zoofan15]

Australasian Sumatran Tiger Population 2024

New Zealand

Auckland Zoo:

1.0 Ramah (08/07/2017) Imported 2022
0.1 Zayana (15/10/2018) Imported 2022 (Pregnant)

Hamilton Zoo:

0.1 Sali (10/04/2008) Hari x Setia
0.1 Kirana (16/11/2014) Oz x Sali (Likely Pregnant)
1.0 Scout (08/02/2016) Juma x Kaitlyn

Wellington Zoo:

1.0 Bashi (04/12/2007) Imported 2008
0.1 Senja (21/08/2010) Lari x Soraya

Orana Wildlife Park:

1.0 Reggie (31/03/2016) Satu x Maneki

Australia

Adelaide Zoo:

1.0 Kembali (16/11/2014) Oz x Sali
0.1 Delilah (08/02/2016) Juma x Kaitlyn
1.0 Ketambe (21/12/2022) Kembali x Delilah
0.1 Marni (21/12/2022) Kembali x Delilah
0.1 Susu (21/12/2022) Kembali x Delilah

Australia Zoo:

0.1 Singha (01/04/2004) Lari x Malu
0.1 Kaitlyn (04/12/2007) Imported 2008
1.0 Hunter (22/08/2013) Ramalon x Kaitlyn
1.0 Nelson (03/06/2019) Ranu x Kaitlyn
1.0 Malcolm (18/02/2020) Ranu x Kaitlyn
0.1 Sallie (18/02/2020) Ranu x Kaitlyn
0.1 Sage (18/02/2020) Ranu x Kaitlyn

Darling Downs Zoo:

0.1 Rani (09/02/2010) Ramalon x Binjai

Dreamworld:

0.1 Jaya (09/06/2008) Raja x Soraya
0.1 Shanti (09/06/2008) Raja x Soraya

Melbourne Zoo:

1.0 Hutan (09/02/2010) Ramalon x Binjai
0.1 Indrah (09/02/2010) Ramalon x Binjai

Mogo Zoo:

1.0 Mati (21/08/2010) Lari x Soraya
1.0 Indra (21/08/2010) Lari x Soraya

National Zoo:

0.1 Ndari (09/06/2008) Raja x Soraya
1.0 Aceh (09/02/2010) Ramalon x Binjai

Perth Zoo:

1.0 Jaya (20/08/2008) Hari x Setia

Taronga Zoo:

1.0 Kembali (20/08/2011) Satu x Jumilah
0.1 Kartika (20/08/2011) Satu x Jumilah
1.0 Clarence (22/08/2013) Ramalon x Kaitlyn
1.0 Pemanah (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika
0.1 Mawar (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika
0.1 Tengah Malam (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika

Taronga Western Plains Zoo:

1.0 Satu (28/10/2006) Ramalon x Binjai
0.1 Indah (31/03/2007) Raja x Soraya
1.0 Sakti (20/08/2011) Satu x Jumilah

Tasmania Zoo:

0.1 Cinta (12/06/2008) Oz x Molek

Total regional population: 19.21 tigers

 

[Zoofan15]

Birth Announcement - Auckland Zoo

To Ramah and Zayana, twins - both doing well.

Thank you to @ApeLadyNZ for the report that Zayana has given birth at Auckland Zoo. What an exciting start to the year!

Auckland Zoo’s announcement:

Zoo welcomes 2024 with birth of Sumatran tiger cubs | Auckland Zoo News

Auckland Zoo is delighted to share that its five-year-old Sumatran tiger Zayana has given birth to two cubs, who at this early stage look to be doing well.

Born in the early hours of Tuesday morning (2 January), the cubs (estimated to each weigh a little under 1kg/ around 3.5lbs) are receiving the undivided attention of Zayana who has so far been demonstrating great mothering skills.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Birth Announcement - Auckland Zoo

Thank you to @ApeLadyNZ for the report that Zayana has given birth at Auckland Zoo. What an exciting start to the year!

No further updates on litter size etc. at this stage.

Everything seems very hush-hush at this stage, so I'm awaiting any official announcement via Facebook or the Auckland Zoo website. Back when Zayana lost her first litter, it was reported straight away that the cubs did not survive, and I've heard nothing like that so far, so I am hopeful we will hear of a viable litter soon.

 

[Zoofan15]

Everything seems very hush-hush at this stage, so I'm awaiting any official announcement via Facebook or the Auckland Zoo website. Back when Zayana lost her first litter, it was reported straight away that the cubs did not survive, and I've heard nothing like that so far, so I am hopeful we will hear of a viable litter soon.

Fingers crossed for multiple surviving cubs to ensure the best chances for this litter. All going well, these will be the first surviving Sumatran tiger cubs born at Auckland Zoo since 2008; and in a New Zealand zoo since 2014.

The keeper I spoke to seemed confident on a repeat breeding recommendation for a second litter if the first litter was only 2-3 cubs. He noted up to six cub be born, but I’m not aware of any Australasian zoo welcoming more than four cubs (surviving or otherwise).

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Fingers crossed for multiple surviving cubs to ensure the best chances for this litter. All going well, these will be the first surviving Sumatran tiger cubs born at Auckland Zoo since 2008; and in a New Zealand zoo since 2014.

The keeper I spoke to seemed confident on a repeat breeding recommendation for a second litter if the first litter was only 2-3 cubs. He noted up to six cub be born, but I’m not aware of any Australasian zoo welcoming more than four cubs (surviving or otherwise).

Seconding the hope for multiple surviving cubs. A staff member I spoke to some time ago said that smaller litters were most common for young and first-time mothers, so I hope this will not impede the likelihood of the cubs' surviving and thriving!

 

[Zoofan15]

Seconding the hope for multiple surviving cubs. A staff member I spoke to some time ago said that smaller litters were most common for young and first-time mothers, so I hope this will not impede the likelihood of the cubs' surviving and thriving!

It’s twins! (I’ve edited the original announcement post).

The first litter of Selatan (1990) in 1994 was twins, but I’ve also known of a number of young females in the region to produce triplets:

Cantic (1992) produced 1.2 cubs in 1996
Meta (1975) produced 1.1.1 cubs in 1980
Selatan (1990) produced 3.0 cubs in 1995
Malu (1996) produced 2.1 cubs in 2000
Assiqua (1999) produced 2.1 cubs in 2003
Binjai (2002) produced 2.1 cubs in 2006

The litter of quadruplets seem most common in eight year old tigers, which is interesting:

Meta (1975) produced four cubs in 1983.
Setia (2000) produced four cubs in 2008.
Binjai (2003) produced four cubs in 2010.

The only other known litter of quadruplets in the region was born to Meta (then aged 10 years) in 1985.

If Zayana produces a second litter around 2025, it’ll be interesting to see the result!

 

[Zoofan15]

Amazing news. I too hope for a male and a female, or two females. I was wondering how Orana would find a female for Reggie, and this would be an ideal way for this to happen.

I’m also anticipating Taronga Zoo will want to import a tigress to pair with Penmanah (2019); with his sisters remaining together in a cohesive grouping. Though he’s three years younger than Reggie and I would expect Orana to be given preference on receiving a female from Auckland’s litter; in the event there’s two female cubs, then it’s certainly a possibility.

This would presumably tie in with Taronga’s three older tigers being retired to Dubbo; and the two young females (born 2019) being transferred to another Australian zoo or wildlife park as a non-breeding pair. Sydney Zoo, Tasmania Zoo and Perth Zoo all have elderly tigers.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I’m also anticipating Taronga Zoo will want to import a tigress to pair with Penmanah (2019); with his sisters remaining together in a cohesive grouping. Though he’s three years younger than Reggie and I would expect Orana to be given preference on receiving a female from Auckland’s litter; in the event there’s two female cubs, then it’s certainly a possibility.

This would presumably tie in with Taronga’s three older tigers being retired to Dubbo; and the two young females (born 2019) being transferred to another Australian zoo or wildlife park as a non-breeding pair. Sydney Zoo, Tasmania Zoo and Perth Zoo all have elderly tigers.

So, possibly, if both cubs are female, one could be sent to Taronga and one to Orana eventually. If one or both are males, where do you think they would be sent to eventually?

 

[Zoofan15]

So, possibly, if both cubs are female, one could be sent to Taronga and one to Orana eventually. If one or both are males, where do you think they would be sent to eventually?

I would indeed assess Orana and Taronga as the most likely eventuality for two female cubs at this point in time.

If it was two males, then I would anticipate Sallie or Sage at Australia Zoo as being the top candidates. Depending on Australia Zoo’s numbers around the time this pairing was made would influence whether they were paired at Australia Zoo; or transferred to another facility within the region. The mother of Sallie and Sage is a founder, so they’re more genetically valuable than their nieces at Taronga or Adelaide Zoo, who are the other possibility at this point in time (with the reasons for designating Taronga’s young females as non-breeding females previously noted).

Marni or Susu at Adelaide Zoo are therefore the second strongest likelihood. Since pairing one of them with the son of Ramah and Zayana would require disrupting their bond, I’d consider it worth assessing Hamilton’s anticipated litter as an alternative. They’re the equivalent genetic match and a litter containing a single female cub would provide justification for the cost of exporting that tigress to Australia (versus utilising the equivalent genetic match from Adelaide via an inter-state transfer). With the exception of Orana, no other New Zealand facility is in the position to hold a breeding pair and it’s a female they need.

 

[Nisha]

Kirana at Hamilton Zoo also gave birth to twins on 3rd January. Reported on socials in the last few minutes. Both mum and cubs are doing well so far

Congratulations to both zoos!

 

[Zoofan15]

Kirana at Hamilton Zoo also gave birth to twins on 3rd January. Reported on socials in the last few minutes. Both mum and cubs are doing well so far

Congratulations to both zoos!

An excellent start to the year for the region’s tiger population:

Hamilton Zoo is delighted to announce the birth of two Sumatran Tiger cubs. Born to Kirana (mother) and Scout (father) in the early hours of 3 January 2024, the cubs are healthy and strong.

They are the first cubs born at Hamilton Zoo since the birth of Kirana and her brother Kembali in 2008.

Auckland Zoo:

0.0.1 Unnamed (02/01/2024) Ramah x Zayana
0.0.1 Unnamed (02/01/2024) Ramah x Zayana

Hamilton Zoo:

0.0.1 Unnamed (03/01/2024) Scout x Kirana
0.0.1 Unnamed (03/01/2024) Scout x Kirana