Cheetah in New Zealand Zoos

Zoofan15

Zoofan15

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus

Recently I did some research on the cheetah of Perth Zoo and was interested to discover they sent one of their females, Kitoko (1998) on three breeding holidays to Monarto Zoo in late 2001, 2002 and 2004, each lasting around 6-8 weeks. The 2001 holiday resulted in the successful birth of a cub in March 2002.

Perth Zoo initially held a breeding pair, Puss (1962) and Duma (1963), who were imported in 1967 but never bred. Research on captive breeding of cheetah has since proved that three main factors contribute to successful natural breeding: adequate space, a selection of males for the queen (breeding female) to choose from, and housing that is not in close proximity to other big cats, especially lions. Since Perth Zoo lacked these factors, they were likely to be unsuccessful and so sending Kitoko on a breeding holiday was essentially their only option. Hamilton Zoo attempted to breed in the 2000s with their pair, but were unsuccessful. This was most likely due to them only having the space to hold one male. In contrast, zoos like Orana Wildlife Park, Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Monarto Zoo have all experienced success.

I’m interested to know why this hasn’t been trialled at the Hamilton and Wellington Zoos, instead of them both holding bachelors. The distance from Perth to Monarto is approximately 2,760km. Hamilton is 950km from Christchurch (Orana Wildlife Park) and Wellington is only 440km from Christchurch (Orana Wildlife Park).

Hamilton or Wellington could hold a female, send her to Orana Wildlife Park for 6-8 weeks for breeding and then have her returned to their zoo to give birth and raise the cubs. Orana Wildlife Park currently have at least 4 females of reproductive age and are unable to allow all four to breed each year due to space limitations. This would also allow other zoos than Orana Wildlife Park to have the experience of rearing cheetah cubs for the first time.
 
I will update this thread with a list of all the cheetah (past and present) held in New Zealand Zoos, starting with Auckland and Hamilton Zoo.
 
Auckland Zoo

Anubis (M)
Born 5 June 2005 at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 11 April 2006
Still at Auckland Zoo

Osiris (M)
Born 5 June 2005 at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 11 April 2006
Still at Auckland Zoo
 
Hamilton Zoo

Temba (F)
Born 8 April 1999 at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Arrived at Hamilton Zoo 17 November 2001
Sent to Orana Wildlife Park 16 August 2007

Mwandi (M)
Born 26 May 2000 at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Arrived at Hamilton Zoo 17 November 2001
Sent to Orana Wildlife Park 1 June 2003

Kaitoa (M)
Born 6 November 1997 at Orana Wildlife Park
Arrived at Hamilton Zoo 2 September 2003
Sent to Orana Wildlife Park 16 August 2007

Jambo (M)
Born 1 October 2004 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Arrived at Hamilton Zoo 23 August 2007
Died at Hamilton Zoo 28 February 2016

Moyo Matusi (M)
Born 1 October 2004 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Arrived at Hamilton Zoo 23 August 2007
Still at Hamilton Zoo
 
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Wellington Zoo

Lady (F)
Born 24 February 1972 at Montpellier Zoo
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 17 June 1975
Died at Wellington Zoo 29 July 1985

Tendo (M)
Born 1 January 1973 in Namibia
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 7 June 1977
Died at Wellington Zoo 12 April 1984

Unnamed (M)*
Born 1 January 1976 at Wellington Zoo
Died at Wellington Zoo 1 January 1976
Dam: Lady, Sire: Unknown

Unnamed (U)
Born 25 October 1977 at Wellington Zoo
Died at Wellington Zoo 25 October 1977
Dam: Lady, Sire: Tendo

Unnamed (U)
Born 25 October 1977 at Wellington Zoo
Died at Wellington Zoo 25 October 1977
Dam: Lady, Sire: Tendo

Unnamed (M)
Born 21 April 1978 at Wellington Zoo
Died at Wellington Zoo 21 April 1978
Dam: Lady, Sire: Tendo

Unnamed (M)
Born 21 April 1978 at Wellington Zoo
Died at Wellington Zoo 21 April 1978
Dam: Lady, Sire: Tendo

Unnamed (F)
Born 21 April 1978 at Wellington Zoo
Died at Wellington Zoo 21 April 1978
Dam: Lady, Sire: Tendo

Raja (M)
Born 13 August 1978 at Whipsnade Zoo
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 7 November 1979
Died at Wellington Zoo 14 August 1985

Avon Chaka (M)
Born 26 April 1984 at Whipsnade Zoo
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 28 November 1984
Died at Wellington Zoo 18 April 1989

Juba (F)
Born 9 November 1984 at Whipsnade Zoo
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 30 April 1986
Sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo 28 November 1991

Malindi (F)
Born 30 November 1989 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 28 November 1991
Died at Wellington Zoo 31 May 1997

Asante (M)
Born 30 November 1989 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 28 November 1991
Died at Wellington Zoo 28 February 2006

Etosha (M)
Born 30 November 1989 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 28 November 1991
Died at Wellington Zoo 28 January 2006

Delta (M)
Born 8 May 2004 at De Wildt Cheetah Centre
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 2 March 2005
Died at Wellington Zoo 2 September 2013

Charlie (M)
Born 8 May 2004 at De Wildt Cheetah Centre
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 2 March 2005
Still at Wellington Zoo

Shomari (M)
Born 9 April 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 28 May 2014
Died at Wellington Zoo 28 May 2014

Cango (M)
Born 9 April 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 28 May 2014
Still at Wellington Zoo

Kunjuka (M)
Born 9 April 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 6 June 2014
Still at Wellington Zoo

*May be error in studbook as Wellington Zoo did not have a male cheetah at estimated time of conception and mother arrived at least six months prior to birth, meaning cub could not have been conceived at another institution.
 
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I will try and do Orana Wildlife Park next week, unless anyone else wants the honour?
 
Zoofan15 said:
Unnamed (M)*
Born 1 January 1986 at Wellington Zoo
Died at Wellington Zoo 1 January 1986
Dam: Lady, Sire: Unknown

Avon Chaka (M)
Born 26 April 1984 at Whipsnade Zoo
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 28 November 1984
Died at Wellington Zoo 18 April 1989

*May be error in studbook as Wellington Zoo did not have a male cheetah at estimated time of conception and mother arrived at least six months prior to birth, meaning cub could not have been conceived at another institution.
Click to expand...

I might be tired and not reading this correctly, but wouldn't this male have been the likely father? Or should the unknown have been born 1976?
 
zooboy28 said:
I might be tired and not reading this correctly, but wouldn't this male have been the likely father? Or should the unknown have been born 1976?
Click to expand...

My apologies. I made a mistake and recorded the DOB of the unknown as 1 January 1986 instead of the correct DOB, 1 January 1976.

As an admin, are you able to edit my post to correct this error? If not, could you please delete it (I have an amended copy saved on my computer), so I can repost a factually correct copy to this thread.
 
Orana Wildlife Park

Kibo (M)
Born 11 June 1987 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 29 October 1988
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 19 February 1999

Mikumi (M)
Born 11 June 1987 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 29 October 1988
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 12 November 1998

Malaika (F)
Born 26 April 1990 at Edinburgh Zoo
Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 18 July 1991
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 12 December 1997

Seli (F)
Born 20 January 1990 at Fota Wildlife Park
Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 23 July 1991
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 13 October 1993

Unnamed (U)
Born 11 April 1993 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 11 April 1993
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Mikumi

Unnamed (F)
Born 19 December 1993 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 21 December 1993
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Kibo

Moja (M)
Born 20 December 1993 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 26 September 2005
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown

Mbili (M)
Born 20 December 1993 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 3 November 2006
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown

Tatu (M)
Born 20 December 1993 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 5 July 2007
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown

Unnamed (M)
Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 16 July 1995
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown

Unnamed (M)
Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 16 July 1995
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown

Unnamed (M)
Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 16 July 1995
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown

Unnamed (M)
Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 17 July 1995
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown

Unnamed (F)
Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 18 July 1995
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown

Unnamed (F)
Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 19 July 1995
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown

Unnamed (F)
Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 19 July 1995
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown

Julai (F)
Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 5 August 2005
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown

Unnamed (M)
Born 4 November 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 27 November 1995
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown

Unnamed (F)
Born 4 November 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 18 November 1995
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown

Unnamed (M)
Born 6 November 1997 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 11 December 1997
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Mikumi

Kaitoa (M)
Born 6 November 1997 at Orana Wildlife Park
Sent to Hamilton Zoo 2 September 2003
Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 16 August 2007
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 10 January 2012
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Mikumi

Kaskazi (F)
Born 6 November 1997 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 26 December 2004
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Mikumi

Yatima (F)
Born 6 November 1997 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 19 Janauary 2005
Dam: Malaika, Sire: Mikumi

Umbulla (M)
Born 15 September 1996 at Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre
Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 15 December 2001
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 24 June 2009

Mwandi (M)
Born 26 May 2000 at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 1 June 2003
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 11 February 2015

Rahi (M)
Born 30 October 2004 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 20 June 2014
Dam: Yatima, Sire: Mwandi

Tane (M)
Born 30 October 2004 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 23 September 2015
Dam: Yatima, Sire: Mwandi

Kaha (M)
Born 30 October 2004 at Orana Wildlife Park
Still at Orana Wildlife Park
Dam: Yatima, Sire: Mwandi

Kura (F)
Born 30 October 2004 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 31 March 2010
Dam: Yatima, Sire: Mwandi

Kitoko (F)
Born 7 April 1998 at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre
Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 6 February 2006
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 7 October 2008

Temba (F)
Born 8 April 1999 at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 16 August 2007
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 27 February 2013

Gizmo (M)
Born 14 October 2006 at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 22 August 2007
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 19 November 2015

Gemma (F)
Born 27 September 2006 at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 22 August 2007
Still at Orana Wildlife Park

Blaine (M)
Born 26 May 2000 at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 19 November 2008
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 31 December 2012

Jonah (M)
Born 18 March 2004 in South Africa
Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 19 November 2008
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 23 March 2015

Cango (M)
Born 9 April 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park
Sent to Wellington Zoo 28 May 2014
Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah

Kunjuka (M)
Born 9 April 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park
Sent to Wellington Zoo 6 June 2014
Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah

Shomari (M)
Born 9 April 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park
Sent to Wellington Zoo 28 May 2014
Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah

Mazza (F)
Born 9 April 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park
Still at Orana Wildlife Park
Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah

Gijima (M)
Born 27 November 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park
Sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo 26 July 2012
Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah

Kebeni (M)
Born 27 November 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park
Sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo 26 July 2012
Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah

Timka (M)
Born 27 November 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park
Sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo 26 July 2012
Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah

Unnamed (F)
Born 27 November 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 24 February 2010
Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah

Unnamed (F)
Born 27 November 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 12 May 2010
Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah

Kiana (F)
Born 18 October 2009 at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 5 April 2013
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 25 November 2015

Lusi (F)
Born 17 September 2010 at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 5 April 2013
Still at Orana Wildlife Park

Unnamed (M)
Born 27 April 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 29 April 2013
Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo

Unnamed (M)
Born 27 April 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 2 May 2013
Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo

Unnamed (M)
Born 27 April 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 2 May 2013
Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo

Unnamed (F)
Born 27 April 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 28 April 2013
Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo

Unnamed (F)
Born 27 April 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 2 May 2013
Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo

Unnamed (M)
Born 2 November 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 14 November 2013
Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo

Boo (M)
Born 2 November 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park
Sent to Symbio Wildlife Park 20 May 2016
Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo

Lion (M)
Born 2 November 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park
Sent to Symbio Wildlife Park 20 May 2016
Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo

Unnamed (F)
Born 2 November 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 14 November 2013
Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo

Unnamed (M)
Born 1 December 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 2 December 2013
Dam: Lusi, Sire: Jonah

Unnamed (F)
Born 1 December 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 2 December 2013
Dam: Lusi, Sire: Jonah

Unnamed (F)
Born 1 December 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 6 December 2013
Dam: Lusi, Sire: Jonah

Unnamed (U)
Born 28 October 2014 at Orana Wildlife Park
Died at Orana Wildlife Park 29 October 2014
Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo

Gorse (M)
Born 28 October 2014 at Orana Wildlife Park
Still at Orana Wildlife Park
Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo

Kanzi (M)
Born 28 October 2014 at Orana Wildlife Park
Still at Orana Wildlife Park
Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo

Matata (M)
Born 28 October 2014 at Orana Wildlife Park
Still at Orana Wildlife Park
Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo

Nia (F)
Born 28 October 2014 at Orana Wildlife Park
Still at Orana Wildlife Park
Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo
 
Orana Wildlife Park have so far raised 24 cheetah to adulthood, all from the same family of which there have been five generations. Remaining at Orana are:

Kaha M04 (third generation)

Mazza F09 (fourth generation)

Gorse M14 (fifth generation)

Kanzi M14 (fifth generation)

Matata M14 (fifth generation)

Nia F14 (fifth generation)

As well as two imported cheetah:

Gemma F06

Lusi F10

Of the adult females, two have bred before: Mazza (successfully) and Lusi (unsuccessfully) but both their previous mates passed away in 2015.

Mazza and her daughter Nia are related to all four males at the park, but any of these males would be suitable to breed with Gemma or Lusi. Given Gemma’s age (10 years) and previous history of non breeding, it would be more likely they would succeed with breeding from Lusi (6 years).

Hopefully Orana will also import some new males as potential mates for Mazza and Nia. Mazza is nearing the end of her reproductive years but is a proven breeder while Nia is now two years old and approaching reproductive age.
 
Hamilton confirmed today that they still have four 4.0 cheetahs:

1.0 Thumani {'Manni} (Saadani x Kesho) 21-05-2018 at Monarto Safari Park
1.0 Denzel (Jana x Kyan) 06-06-2018 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Bomani (Jana x Kyan) 06-06-2018 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Radi (Jana x Kyan) 06-06-2018 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo


& Orana also confirmed today that they still have five (3.2) cheetahs:

1.0 Quantro (Luigi x Mia) 16-11-2015 at Cango Wildlife Ranch, South Africa
1.0 Matata (Gizmo x Mazza) 28-10-2014 at Orana Wildlife Park
1.0 Gorse (Gizmo x Mazza) 28-10-2014 at Orana Wildlife Park
0.1 Zahara (Jana x Kyan) 20-10-2016 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Nyasa (Jana x Kyan) 20-10-2016 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo


& thanks to @Zoofan15 for confirming on visit to Auckland the other week that Auckland still have 0.2 sisters:

0.1 Qia (Luigi x Mia) 16-11-2015 at Cango Wildlife Ranch, South Africa
0.1 Quartz (Luigi x Mia) 16-11-2015 at Cango Wildlife Ranch, South Africa
 
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