@Nisha : Not used to census the hybrids, but do you know the mother ?
Felids in Australasian Zoos – News, History and Discussion
A female called Louise - I don't know her origins before she ended up at Cairns
Wow, Hari moved around a lot. I wonder if his trip to Drayton (just over three months) was some sort of breeding loan?
It’s interesting to know he came to Australia in 2003 (to Cairns Wildlife Safari) and lived there for four years before being loaned to Perth Zoo for breeding with Setia.
Aside from the four offspring you have listed, the Sumatran tiger studbook should include Sali’s three deceased littermates (see Post #197). They are mentioned in this article:
We’re for Sydney | Daily Telegraph
The birth of Hari and Setia’s second litter was announced when the cubs were several weeks old, so I don’t know if there was a fourth cub in the litter that died at birth.
As noted, Indah and Pi are hybrids. Their mother Louise is a sister of Thelma at Mogo. Thelma was born around 1995; Louise was born around 1999. I’d say it’s likely they were born either at Mogo Zoo, or a circus in Australia.
Here, a photo of Louise :
Thelma Sumatran Tiger Mogo Zoo - colours and textures of australia
Thelma Sumatran Tiger Mogo Zoo - colours and textures of australia
Here’s a couple of pictures of Hari from the gallery:
sub17-l - ZooChat
Harri, the Sumatran Tiger - ZooChat
Note his short tail in the first picture; and his chewed ears in the second picture.
Somebody commented on this:
“He was born at London Zoo in 1995 (?) to a truly hopeless female called "Mira" who was genetically important but had the maternal instincts of a cuckoo.
Harri was pulled for handrearing after his mother had been observed chewing him. As it was she managed to chew off a couple of toes as well as the damage to be seen here.
Nice to know he's still around. His father "Martin" (ex-Thrigby, ex-Rotterdam) was a magnificent beast; it was a great pity that he was never matched with a suitable mate at London.”
sub17-l - ZooChat
Harri, the Sumatran Tiger - ZooChat
Note his short tail in the first picture; and his chewed ears in the second picture.
Somebody commented on this:
“He was born at London Zoo in 1995 (?) to a truly hopeless female called "Mira" who was genetically important but had the maternal instincts of a cuckoo.
Harri was pulled for handrearing after his mother had been observed chewing him. As it was she managed to chew off a couple of toes as well as the damage to be seen here.
Nice to know he's still around. His father "Martin" (ex-Thrigby, ex-Rotterdam) was a magnificent beast; it was a great pity that he was never matched with a suitable mate at London.”
This is verging into the European Sumatran Tiger's thread now, but to continue:
Hari was paired up with a female at South Lakes called Toba. Toba was born at Tierpark Berlin on 11 March 1988 and spent time at Augsburg Zoo before moving to South Lakes in April 1996. Hari joined her from London in September 1997. They were together until February 2001 and didn't breed at all during this time.
In February 2001 a swap was agreed with Twycross Zoo. Twycross at that time had three brothers (born at Bristol on 2/1/1989) and two of these (listed in the studbook as Bad Ears and Middleman, although the article below refers to Bad Ears as Bastomi) were sent to South Lakes as potential new mates for Toba. Hari went the other way and joined the third brother (Mr Sly) at Twycross. Twycross's enclosure at that time (It still exists and now houses Spider Monkey) was not an ideal set up for two separate male Tigers. It consists or consisted of a small indoor set of dens (maybe four from memory?) a small onshow outdoor enclosure and a smaller offshow cage. Drayton Manor and Twycross are neighboring collections (about 15 miles apart). So perhaps the enclosure set up at Twycross contributed to the decision to send Hari on temporary loan to Drayton Manor?
By the time Hari returned to Twycross in November, Mr Sly had moved onto Artis Zoo in Amsterdam. So Hari was on his own. He went back to South Lakes on 29th August 2002. Twycross went out of Tigers after this. Toba and Middleman had both died in June 2002. Leaving Hari with Bad Ears/Bastomi for company. It seems that Bad Ears/Bastomi went with Hari to Mareeba in July 2003. No date of death for Bastomi is recorded in the studbook
Rare female tiger joins zoo
Hari was paired up with a female at South Lakes called Toba. Toba was born at Tierpark Berlin on 11 March 1988 and spent time at Augsburg Zoo before moving to South Lakes in April 1996. Hari joined her from London in September 1997. They were together until February 2001 and didn't breed at all during this time.
In February 2001 a swap was agreed with Twycross Zoo. Twycross at that time had three brothers (born at Bristol on 2/1/1989) and two of these (listed in the studbook as Bad Ears and Middleman, although the article below refers to Bad Ears as Bastomi) were sent to South Lakes as potential new mates for Toba. Hari went the other way and joined the third brother (Mr Sly) at Twycross. Twycross's enclosure at that time (It still exists and now houses Spider Monkey) was not an ideal set up for two separate male Tigers. It consists or consisted of a small indoor set of dens (maybe four from memory?) a small onshow outdoor enclosure and a smaller offshow cage. Drayton Manor and Twycross are neighboring collections (about 15 miles apart). So perhaps the enclosure set up at Twycross contributed to the decision to send Hari on temporary loan to Drayton Manor?
By the time Hari returned to Twycross in November, Mr Sly had moved onto Artis Zoo in Amsterdam. So Hari was on his own. He went back to South Lakes on 29th August 2002. Twycross went out of Tigers after this. Toba and Middleman had both died in June 2002. Leaving Hari with Bad Ears/Bastomi for company. It seems that Bad Ears/Bastomi went with Hari to Mareeba in July 2003. No date of death for Bastomi is recorded in the studbook
Rare female tiger joins zoo
Melbourne Zoo Snow Leopards
According to this article:
Paws-ing to celebrate Miska, the very clever cat | Zoos Victoria
Melbourne Zoo now have two Snow leopards (male, Kang-Ju; and female, Miska), meaning both Leo (born 2001) and Meo (born 2002) have now died; and their daughter, Tashi/Sundar (born 2008), has either died or been relocated to another zoo.
I really hope this isn’t another species we lose from the region, which is now kept at just three zoos (two of which have non breeding/post reproductive females).
According to this article:
Paws-ing to celebrate Miska, the very clever cat | Zoos Victoria
Melbourne Zoo now have two Snow leopards (male, Kang-Ju; and female, Miska), meaning both Leo (born 2001) and Meo (born 2002) have now died; and their daughter, Tashi/Sundar (born 2008), has either died or been relocated to another zoo.
I really hope this isn’t another species we lose from the region, which is now kept at just three zoos (two of which have non breeding/post reproductive females).
Last edited:
I believe Leo died in late 2017, and Meo died sometime last year. I am inclined to believe that Sundar is still alive and flourishing, but she may have died or has been moved. I saw her in December last year, so if she has died or moved, she has left Melbourne this year. I’ll ask about her the next time I visit.
Some pretty strange news...
In collaboration with the Bullen family, Paradise Country has received two tiger cubs. These cubs will be kept temporarily on display.
https://paradisecountry.com.au/attractions/global-conservation-centre
More information here:
Tiger cubs coming to Paradise Country these school holidays – myGC.com.au
In collaboration with the Bullen family, Paradise Country has received two tiger cubs. These cubs will be kept temporarily on display.
https://paradisecountry.com.au/attractions/global-conservation-centre
More information here:
Tiger cubs coming to Paradise Country these school holidays – myGC.com.au
Orana Wildlife Park - African Cheetah Update
One of the females, Lusi, has died. Lusi was born 17/09/2010 at Cango Wildlife Ranch; and arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 05/04/2013, along with another female, Kiani (who died in 2015). Lusi bred once at Orana Wildlife Park, producing a litter in December 2013. The cubs died the same week they were born.
Orana Wildlife Park now have three females:
Gemma - born 27/09/2006 at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Mazza - born 09/04/2009 at Orana Wildlife Park
Nia - born 28/10/2014 at Orana Wildlife Park
Orana Wildlife Park have recently announced plans to breed the females with their two imported males in the near future:
Quake - born 16/11/2015 at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Quantro - born 16/11/2015 at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Given Gemma’s age and the fact she’s never bred; I’d say they’ll be more chance of success with breeding mother and daughter, Mazza and Nia, with the males. Mazza has produced three litters to date; while Nia, a first time breeder, is in her prime.
Orana Wildlife Park have three other cheetah: Gorse, Kanzi and Matata. The three brothers are the littermates of Nia (Mazza’s third litter). Like the imported males, they are unrelated to Gemma.
One of the females, Lusi, has died. Lusi was born 17/09/2010 at Cango Wildlife Ranch; and arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 05/04/2013, along with another female, Kiani (who died in 2015). Lusi bred once at Orana Wildlife Park, producing a litter in December 2013. The cubs died the same week they were born.
Orana Wildlife Park now have three females:
Gemma - born 27/09/2006 at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Mazza - born 09/04/2009 at Orana Wildlife Park
Nia - born 28/10/2014 at Orana Wildlife Park
Orana Wildlife Park have recently announced plans to breed the females with their two imported males in the near future:
Quake - born 16/11/2015 at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Quantro - born 16/11/2015 at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Given Gemma’s age and the fact she’s never bred; I’d say they’ll be more chance of success with breeding mother and daughter, Mazza and Nia, with the males. Mazza has produced three litters to date; while Nia, a first time breeder, is in her prime.
Orana Wildlife Park have three other cheetah: Gorse, Kanzi and Matata. The three brothers are the littermates of Nia (Mazza’s third litter). Like the imported males, they are unrelated to Gemma.
I only just noticed this new addition from the exotic mammal thread and thought it was newsworthy...the region officially has Sri Lankan Leopard!
From the exotic mammal thread:
“*Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) – one female at National Zoo
This female was imported from Paris (France) in February 2019. There are plans to import more individuals to this and other zoos in Australia.”
From the exotic mammal thread:
“*Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) – one female at National Zoo
This female was imported from Paris (France) in February 2019. There are plans to import more individuals to this and other zoos in Australia.”
This is arguably the most exciting import of the year!
The new female is named Yakalla, and is seven years old. She came from Le Parc des Felins in Paris.
The National Zoo will also be importing a male from Spain:
Yakalla calls into Hong Kong between Cathay flights – Cargo Clan
Last edited:
I can definitely see the region moving towards Sri Lankan leopards and away from Snow leopards. Only one zoo in the region now houses a viable breeding pair of Snow leopard.
When the last Snow leopard at the National Zoo died in January, they said they wouldn't be replaced; but a new species would be housed in their exhibit instead. Little did we know, what an exciting replacement they had planned.
Wellington Zoo seem to be having difficulty with their plans to acquire Snow leopard (though I believe these issues are mostly around finances). I wonder if they will switch plans and import Sri Lankan leopard. It won't necessarily be cheaper; but the time delay between deciding to acquire Snow leopards (they were originally intended to arrive 2016) and now may have given them time to observe what appears to be a change of focus within the region.
Last edited:
toothlessjaws
Well-Known Member
Snow leopards never really made sense to me. Not because they couldn't be adequately housed in some zoos in the region, (the southern states and New Zealand) but because they weren't appropriate for all the zoos. which immediately restricted the growth of the program.
I'm not usually one to applaud the phasing-out of any species in Australia, but if indeed this is whats happening, it mightn't be such a bad thing.
I'm not usually one to applaud the phasing-out of any species in Australia, but if indeed this is whats happening, it mightn't be such a bad thing.
While I really like Snow leopards, I too would rather see a well run coordinated breeding programme for Sri Lankan leopard, participated in by many zoos; than two half baked breeding programmes for Sri Lankan leopards and Snow leopards, participated in by a handful of zoos holding either/or.
Sumatran Tiger Births (2013-2019):
There have been eleven Sumatran tiger cubs born during the past six years:
1.0 Clarence (Born 22/08/2013 at Australia Zoo) Ramalon x Kaitlyn
1.0 Hunter (Born 22/08/2013 at Australia Zoo) Ramalon x Kaitlyn
1.0 Kembali (Born 16/11/2014 at Auckland Zoo) Oz x Sali
0.1 Kirana (Born 16/11/2014 at Auckland Zoo) Oz x Sali
1.0 Scout (Born 08/02/2016 at Australia Zoo) Juma x Kaitlyn
0.1 Delilah (Born 08/02/2016 at Australia Zoo) Juma x Kaitlyn
1.0 Reggie (Born 31/03/2016 at Australia Zoo) Satu x Maneki
1.0 Pemanah (Born 17/01/2019 at Taronga Zoo) Clarence x Kartika
0.1 Mawar (Born 17/01/2019 at Taronga Zoo) Clarence x Kartika
0.1 Tengah Malam (Born 17/01/2019 at Taronga Zoo) Clarence x Kartika
1.0 Nelson (Born 00/06/2019 at Australia Zoo) Unconfirmed x Kaitlyn
This is significantly less than the 25 Sumatran tiger cubs born between 2006 to 2011; but not surprising considering the already large number of surplus tigers generated by that population boom.
Of the 25 tigers born 2006-2011: two died in adolescence; two were exported outside the region; and only two have bred (to date).
Of the 11 tigers born 2013-2019: one of the seven adults has already bred; and another is being introduced to a mate for breeding.
2019 is far from over of course, and there may be further births to come as the Wellington, Adelaide and National Zoos are introducing their pairs of tigers for breeding.
The Sumatran tiger breeding programme is the most well supported coordinated breeding programme for big cats in Australasia, with a further three facilities acquiring the species in the last six years (and only one zoo deciding to discontinue with the species during this time period).
Note: ‘births’ do not include cubs that died at birth/in infancy
There have been eleven Sumatran tiger cubs born during the past six years:
1.0 Clarence (Born 22/08/2013 at Australia Zoo) Ramalon x Kaitlyn
1.0 Hunter (Born 22/08/2013 at Australia Zoo) Ramalon x Kaitlyn
1.0 Kembali (Born 16/11/2014 at Auckland Zoo) Oz x Sali
0.1 Kirana (Born 16/11/2014 at Auckland Zoo) Oz x Sali
1.0 Scout (Born 08/02/2016 at Australia Zoo) Juma x Kaitlyn
0.1 Delilah (Born 08/02/2016 at Australia Zoo) Juma x Kaitlyn
1.0 Reggie (Born 31/03/2016 at Australia Zoo) Satu x Maneki
1.0 Pemanah (Born 17/01/2019 at Taronga Zoo) Clarence x Kartika
0.1 Mawar (Born 17/01/2019 at Taronga Zoo) Clarence x Kartika
0.1 Tengah Malam (Born 17/01/2019 at Taronga Zoo) Clarence x Kartika
1.0 Nelson (Born 00/06/2019 at Australia Zoo) Unconfirmed x Kaitlyn
This is significantly less than the 25 Sumatran tiger cubs born between 2006 to 2011; but not surprising considering the already large number of surplus tigers generated by that population boom.
Of the 25 tigers born 2006-2011: two died in adolescence; two were exported outside the region; and only two have bred (to date).
Of the 11 tigers born 2013-2019: one of the seven adults has already bred; and another is being introduced to a mate for breeding.
2019 is far from over of course, and there may be further births to come as the Wellington, Adelaide and National Zoos are introducing their pairs of tigers for breeding.
The Sumatran tiger breeding programme is the most well supported coordinated breeding programme for big cats in Australasia, with a further three facilities acquiring the species in the last six years (and only one zoo deciding to discontinue with the species during this time period).
Note: ‘births’ do not include cubs that died at birth/in infancy
The triplets exact date of birth is 15 March 1989