Mogo Wildlife Park Mogo Zoo lions

[Zoofan15]

I was thinking they might become a third pride at the zoo and occupy the exhibit near the Primate Islands but I guess we’ll have to wait and see

Long term, I’d imagine they’ll aim to place them in breeding situations given their sire is genetically valuable (though their white lion heritage may interfere with this). For now though, the priority should be to integrate them for their social development.

 

[Jambo]

Phonenix and Maji are now aged 24 and 12 months respectively. If mesh contact introductions have been progressing well then now would be an ideal time to introduce them that Maji is robust enough to defend herself during play and Phoenix is still immature himself. It will be of great detriment to her social development if she does not assimilate herself into a pride, albeit a small one.

They still haven’t been introduced fully as far as I’m aware. From recent photos it appears Maji is getting much bigger now. She’s definitely the right size now to be able to play and defend herself around Phoenix. Hopefully this introduction occurs soon.

 

[Jambo]

Long term, I’d imagine they’ll aim to place them in breeding situations given their sire is genetically valuable (though their white lion heritage may interfere with this). For now though, the priority should be to integrate them for their social development.

Werribee may be looking for a new male. Phoenix is possibly one of the options.

 

[Zoofan15]

Werribee may be looking for a new male. Phoenix is possibly one of the options.

Werribee will need a strong, socially competent male to head up a pride of three lionesses.

I think Kiros at Billabong could be a suitable option. After Shoalhaven’s South African imports, he’s one of the most valuable males and has an excellent social background - parent reared with opposite sex siblings.

 

[TheAnimalKing]

This is a brief history of white lions in Australia as I understand it to be. There are a few missing pieces in the story, which I’ve listed as questions at the end. Any corrections are welcome.

White Lions in Australia

In 2004 Mogo Zoo imported 1.2 white lions from South Africa, Tim, Bella and Snow. In 2006 Bella gave birth to 1.1 Purr and Joe. Snow also produced 1.1 in 2006, Mafuta and Numbi, who were hand-raised. They are still at Mogo where visitors can hand-feed them as part of the white lion encounter. Snow was given the chance to mother again, and in 2007 she produced 5.0 cubs. In 2008 these males were known as the ‘brat pack' and were transferred to the National Zoo in Canberra, along with half-brother Joe (now called Megalou). In 2012, Djuma and Matimba went to Mansfield Zoo, where they still live. In 2016 the other 4 brothers, Narky, Timba, Vati and Megalou, were transferred to Tasmania Zoo. They are still there.
A fourth litter of 2.2 were born at Mogo on 22nd January 2012. Lika, Apple, Tahba and Makulu were reported to be destined for export to the UK.
Tim and Bella from the original Mogo import were transferred to Altina Wildlife Park in 2012. In 2014 they produced 2.2 cubs, Holden, Kimba, Elsa and Neferity, who are still at Altina. In June 2017, males Holden and Kimba travelled to Queensland and were on display at Dreamworld for 2 weeks. Tim and Bella both died in 2018. Tim is now a taxidermic specimen on display in Altina's museum.
On 9th August 2012, Snow, who remained at Mogo, had a third litter, 1.1 cubs with tawny male Mac. The cubs were tawny. Snow had a fourth litter in 2014, 2 tawny females Zuri and Chitwa, sired by Mac.
Chitwa had a tawny male cub, Phoenix, in 2019.
Chitwa’s sister, Zuri, died due to birthing complications in 2020, one tawny female cub, Maji, survives.
In 2009 Zoodoo and Darling Downs Zoo imported 2.2 white lions from South Africa. Shaka (M) and Shenzi (F) went to Darling Downs Zoo. Bakari (M) and Kiara (F) went to Zoodoo.
Male, Kwanza was born at Darling Downs in 2012. On 13th January 2015, 1.2 cubs were born at Darling Downs Zoo. Lazy Boy, Mummy's Girl and The Terror. 1.1 of this litter, renamed Kovu and Nala, were transferred to Hunter Valley Zoo in 2016. The other female, Msichana, is still at Darling Downs.
The first litter at Zoodoo was born in 2013. The 2 brothers, Zuri and Aarali, were transferred to Crocodylus Park in 2014. They are still there. On 13th January 2014 Bakari and Kiara produced a second litter with 2.2 cubs, Jabari, Kibwana, Gimbya and Jaja. These four lions went to Shoalhaven Zoo in 2016 and still live there.
Also in 2009, the National Zoo imported 1.1 white lion siblings from Tygerberg Zoopark in South Africa, Jake (M) and Mischka (F). No white lions have ever been bred at the National Zoo.
There have been nine white lion litters born in Australia. 4 at Mogo, 2 at Darling Downs, 2 at Zoodoo and 1 at Altina, as well as 2 tawny litters at Mogo to white lioness, Snow. The last white lions to be born in Australia were the 1.2 litter at Darling Downs in 2015.

What happened to Purr?
What happened to the 4th Mogo litter from 2008?
Snow's 2012 cubs names?
Other cubs for Chitwa and Zuri?
Who were the other 2 white lions that were displayed at Dreamworld?

what were the cubs names to snow 2012 litter/what happened to them ?

 

[TheAnimalKing]

Anyone have information on Mac (snows mate) where he was born and what zoos he lived at and when he was transferred to the different zoos?

 

[Zoofan15]

what were the cubs names to snow 2012 litter/what happened to them ?

The cubs were born 09/08/2012.

The female cub was named Mana and is now at Altina. She’s housed with a male named Jabari (born 2005).

I believe the male is deceased, given he’s housed nowhere in the region.

Anyone have information on Mac (snows mate) where he was born and what zoos he lived at and when he was transferred to the different zoos?

Several people have asked this on here and nobody seems to know the answer. Since he’s a tawny lion, I’d guess he was Australian born (possibly Bullens).

The other possibility is he’s the young male Auckland Zoo sent them in 2005. He otherwise disappeared off the face of the Earth and is presumed dead.

 

[Jambo]

The other possibility is he’s the young male Auckland Zoo sent them in 2005. He otherwise disappeared off the face of the Earth and is presumed dead.

Could it be possible Mac is the male (Amari) from Auckland born to Kura in 2004? He'd be eighteen now meaning he's getting on in his years. Mac has been paired with Snow though for at least the past decade, meaning this is a possibility. He would've been about six or seven at the time of their first introduction.

 

[Zoofan15]

Could it be possible Mac is the male (Amari) from Auckland born to Kura in 2004? He'd be eighteen now meaning he's getting on in his years. Mac has been paired with Snow though for at least the past decade, meaning this is a possibility. He would've been about six or seven at the time of their first introduction.

That’s what I was wondering. They’ve always ignored my questions re. the fate of Amani which made me think he’d died though. If he was alive and well, surely they’d gladly share that?

 

[Jambo]

That’s what I was wondering. They’ve always ignored my questions re. the fate of Amani which made me think he’d died though. If he was alive and well, surely they’d gladly share that?

It's really interesting. Sometimes, zoos just ignore questions in general, but it would make sense that if he died (which would've been soon after his transfer), the zoo would hide it.

If Mac is Amari, he would be eighteen now which is rather old. A little bit too old for Mac imo.

 

[akasha]

Just a few updates on the Aussie white lions. And I'm reposting an updated version of all the info I have.

- Kiara at Zoodoo died in December 2022.

- Vati at Tasmania Zoo died in July 2023.

- Snow's tawny descendants, Phoenix and Maji, were transferred to Hunter Valley in early 2023. This would be a chance to pair them with unrelated whites, Kovu and Nala.

- Also, I recently learned that white lioness Numbi from Mogo died in 2013, and Mafuta has been housed with Mnandi (who I assume is Purr) since then.

White Lions in Australia (2023)

In September 2004 Mogo Zoo imported 1.2 five-month-old white lions from Johannesburg Zoo, South Africa, Tim (Magigwana), Bella (Nukungwe) and Snow (Jubulani). In 2006 Bella gave birth to 1.1 Purr and Joe. Snow also produced 1.1 in 2006, Mafuta and Numbi, who were hand-raised. Numbi died in 2013, and Mnandi (possibly Purr?) was paired with Mafuta. They are still at Mogo where visitors can hand-feed them as part of the white lion encounter. Snow was given the chance to mother again, and in 2007 she produced 5.0 cubs. In 2008 these males were known as the ‘brat pack' and were transferred to the National Zoo in Canberra, along with half-brother Joe (now called Megalou). In 2012, Djuma and Matimba went to Mansfield Zoo, where they still live. In 2016 the other 4 brothers, Narky, Timba, Vati and Megalou, were transferred to Tasmania Zoo. Vati died in July 2023. The other three are still there.
A fourth litter of 2.2 were born at Mogo on 22nd January 2008. Lika, Apple, Tahba and Makulu were reported to be destined for export to the UK.
Tim and Bella from the original Mogo import were transferred to Altina Wildlife Park in 2012. In 2014 they produced 2.2 cubs, Holden, Kimba, Elsa and Neferity, who are still at Altina. In June 2017, males Holden and Kimba travelled to Queensland and were on display at Dreamworld for 2 weeks. Tim and Bella both died in 2018. Tim is now a taxidermic specimen on display in Altina's museum.
On 9th August 2012, Snow, who remained at Mogo, had a third litter, 1.1 cubs with tawny male Mac. The cubs were tawny. Female Mana went to Altina, she is still there. Snow had a fourth litter in 2014, 2 tawny females Zuri and Chitwa, sired by Mac.
Chitwa had a tawny male cub, Phoenix, in 2019. Chitwa’s sister, Zuri, died due to birthing complications in 2020, one tawny female cub, Maji, survives. Phoenix and Maji were both sired by tawny male, Baako. In April 2022, Chitwa gave birth to a single male cub, Roc. In 2023, Phoenix and Maji were transferred to Hunter Valley Zoo.
In 2009 Zoodoo and Darling Downs Zoo imported 2.2 white lions from South Africa. Shaka (M) and Shenzi (F) went to Darling Downs Zoo. Bakari (M) and Kiara (F) went to Zoodoo.
Male, Kwanza was born at Darling Downs in 2012. On 13th January 2015, 1.2 cubs were born at Darling Downs Zoo. Lazy Boy, Mummy's Girl and The Terror. 1.1 of this litter, renamed Kovu and Nala, were transferred to Hunter Valley Zoo in 2016. The other female, Msichana, is still at Darling Downs.
The first litter at Zoodoo was born in 2013. The 2 brothers, Zuri and Araali, were transferred to Crocodylus Park in 2014. They are still there. Interestingly, Araali displays heterochromia iridum, with one blue eye and one green eye. On 13th January 2014 Bakari and Kiara produced a second litter with 2.2 cubs, Jabari, Kibwana, Gimbya and Jaja. These four lions went to Shoalhaven Zoo in 2016 and still live there. In December 2022, lioness Kiara died, aged 13.
Also in 2009, the National Zoo imported 1.1 white lion siblings from Tygerberg Zoopark in South Africa, Jake (M) and Mischka (F). The siblings went on display at Dreamworld in April 2011 while their exhibit in Canberra was renovated. No white lions have ever been bred at the National Zoo.
There have been nine white lion litters born in Australia. 4 at Mogo, 2 at Darling Downs, 2 at Zoodoo and 1 at Altina, as well as 2 tawny litters at Mogo to white lioness, Snow. The last white lions to be born in Australia were the 1.2 litter at Darling Downs in 2015.

Altina Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia

1.0 Holden (Tim x Bella) 01/11/2014
1.0 Kimba (Tim x Bella) 01/11/2014
0.1 Elsa (Tim x Bella) 01/11/2014
0.1 Neferity (Tim x Bella) 01/11/2014

Crocodylus Park, NT, Australia

1.0 Zuri (Bakari x Kiara) 13/08/2013 Transferred 2014 from ZooDoo
1.0 Araali (Bakari x Kiara) 13/08/2013 Transferred 2014 from ZooDoo

Darling Downs Zoo, QLD, Australia

1.0 Shaka 21/07/2009 Imported from South Africa 2009
0.1 Shenzi 06/08/2009 Imported from South Africa 2009
1.0 Kwanza (Shaka x Shenzi) 12/11/2012
0.1 Msichana (Shaka x Shenzi) 13/01/2015

Hunter Valley Zoo, NSW, Australia

1.0 Kovu (Shaka x Shenzi) 13/01/2015 Transferred from Darling Downs Zoo 2016
0.1 Nala (Shaka x Shenzi) 13/01/2015 Transferred from Darling Downs Zoo 2016

Mansfield Zoo, VIC, Australia

1.0 Djuma (Tim x Snow) 05/02/2007 Transferred from National Zoo 2012
1.0 Matimba (Tim x Snow) 05/02/2007 Transferred from National Zoo 2012

Mogo Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia

0.1 Snow Imported from South Africa 2004
0.1 Mnandi/Purr? (Tim x Bella) 15/07/2006
1.0 Mafuta (Tim x Snow) 00/00/2006

National Zoo, ACT, Australia

1.0 Jake 19/10/2007 Imported from Tygerberg Zoopark, South Africa 2009
0.1 Mischka 19/10/2007 Imported from Tygerberg Zoopark, South Africa 2009

Shoalhaven Zoo, NSW, Australia

1.0 Jabari (Bakari x Kiara) 13/01/2014 Transferred from Zoodoo 2016
1.0 Kibwana (Bakari x Kiara) 13/01/2014 Transferred from Zoodoo 2016
0.1 Gimbya (Bakari x Kiara) 13/01/2014 Transferred from Zoodoo 2016
0.1 Jaja (Bakari x Kiara) 13/01/2014 Transferred from Zoodoo 2016

Tasmania Zoo, TAS, Australia

1.0 Megalou (Tim x Bella) 15/07/2006 Transferred from National Zoo 2016
1.0 Narky (Tim x Snow) 05/02/2007 Transferred from National Zoo 2016
1.0 Timba (Tim x Snow) 05/02/2007 Transferred from National Zoo 2016

Zoodoo, TAS, Australia

1.0 Bakari (unk x unk) 31/07/2009 Imported from South Africa 2009

Total: 27 (17.10)

 

[Zoofan15]

Just a few updates on the Aussie white lions. And I'm reposting an updated version of all the info I have.

- Kiara at Zoodoo died in December 2022.

- Vati at Tasmania Zoo died in July 2023.

- Snow's tawny descendants, Phoenix and Maji, were transferred to Hunter Valley in early 2023. This would be a chance to pair them with unrelated whites, Kovu and Nala.

- Also, I recently learned that white lioness Numbi from Mogo died in 2013, and Mafuta has been housed with Mnandi (who I assume is Purr) since then.

White Lions in Australia (2023)

In September 2004 Mogo Zoo imported 1.2 five-month-old white lions from Johannesburg Zoo, South Africa, Tim (Magigwana), Bella (Nukungwe) and Snow (Jubulani). In 2006 Bella gave birth to 1.1 Purr and Joe. Snow also produced 1.1 in 2006, Mafuta and Numbi, who were hand-raised. Numbi died in 2013, and Mnandi (possibly Purr?) was paired with Mafuta. They are still at Mogo where visitors can hand-feed them as part of the white lion encounter. Snow was given the chance to mother again, and in 2007 she produced 5.0 cubs. In 2008 these males were known as the ‘brat pack' and were transferred to the National Zoo in Canberra, along with half-brother Joe (now called Megalou). In 2012, Djuma and Matimba went to Mansfield Zoo, where they still live. In 2016 the other 4 brothers, Narky, Timba, Vati and Megalou, were transferred to Tasmania Zoo. Vati died in July 2023. The other three are still there.
A fourth litter of 2.2 were born at Mogo on 22nd January 2008. Lika, Apple, Tahba and Makulu were reported to be destined for export to the UK.
Tim and Bella from the original Mogo import were transferred to Altina Wildlife Park in 2012. In 2014 they produced 2.2 cubs, Holden, Kimba, Elsa and Neferity, who are still at Altina. In June 2017, males Holden and Kimba travelled to Queensland and were on display at Dreamworld for 2 weeks. Tim and Bella both died in 2018. Tim is now a taxidermic specimen on display in Altina's museum.
On 9th August 2012, Snow, who remained at Mogo, had a third litter, 1.1 cubs with tawny male Mac. The cubs were tawny. Female Mana went to Altina, she is still there. Snow had a fourth litter in 2014, 2 tawny females Zuri and Chitwa, sired by Mac.
Chitwa had a tawny male cub, Phoenix, in 2019. Chitwa’s sister, Zuri, died due to birthing complications in 2020, one tawny female cub, Maji, survives. Phoenix and Maji were both sired by tawny male, Baako. In April 2022, Chitwa gave birth to a single male cub, Roc. In 2023, Phoenix and Maji were transferred to Hunter Valley Zoo.
In 2009 Zoodoo and Darling Downs Zoo imported 2.2 white lions from South Africa. Shaka (M) and Shenzi (F) went to Darling Downs Zoo. Bakari (M) and Kiara (F) went to Zoodoo.
Male, Kwanza was born at Darling Downs in 2012. On 13th January 2015, 1.2 cubs were born at Darling Downs Zoo. Lazy Boy, Mummy's Girl and The Terror. 1.1 of this litter, renamed Kovu and Nala, were transferred to Hunter Valley Zoo in 2016. The other female, Msichana, is still at Darling Downs.
The first litter at Zoodoo was born in 2013. The 2 brothers, Zuri and Araali, were transferred to Crocodylus Park in 2014. They are still there. Interestingly, Araali displays heterochromia iridum, with one blue eye and one green eye. On 13th January 2014 Bakari and Kiara produced a second litter with 2.2 cubs, Jabari, Kibwana, Gimbya and Jaja. These four lions went to Shoalhaven Zoo in 2016 and still live there. In December 2022, lioness Kiara died, aged 13.
Also in 2009, the National Zoo imported 1.1 white lion siblings from Tygerberg Zoopark in South Africa, Jake (M) and Mischka (F). The siblings went on display at Dreamworld in April 2011 while their exhibit in Canberra was renovated. No white lions have ever been bred at the National Zoo.
There have been nine white lion litters born in Australia. 4 at Mogo, 2 at Darling Downs, 2 at Zoodoo and 1 at Altina, as well as 2 tawny litters at Mogo to white lioness, Snow. The last white lions to be born in Australia were the 1.2 litter at Darling Downs in 2015.

Altina Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia

1.0 Holden (Tim x Bella) 01/11/2014
1.0 Kimba (Tim x Bella) 01/11/2014
0.1 Elsa (Tim x Bella) 01/11/2014
0.1 Neferity (Tim x Bella) 01/11/2014

Crocodylus Park, NT, Australia

1.0 Zuri (Bakari x Kiara) 13/08/2013 Transferred 2014 from ZooDoo
1.0 Araali (Bakari x Kiara) 13/08/2013 Transferred 2014 from ZooDoo

Darling Downs Zoo, QLD, Australia

1.0 Shaka 21/07/2009 Imported from South Africa 2009
0.1 Shenzi 06/08/2009 Imported from South Africa 2009
1.0 Kwanza (Shaka x Shenzi) 12/11/2012
0.1 Msichana (Shaka x Shenzi) 13/01/2015

Hunter Valley Zoo, NSW, Australia

1.0 Kovu (Shaka x Shenzi) 13/01/2015 Transferred from Darling Downs Zoo 2016
0.1 Nala (Shaka x Shenzi) 13/01/2015 Transferred from Darling Downs Zoo 2016

Mansfield Zoo, VIC, Australia

1.0 Djuma (Tim x Snow) 05/02/2007 Transferred from National Zoo 2012
1.0 Matimba (Tim x Snow) 05/02/2007 Transferred from National Zoo 2012

Mogo Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia

0.1 Snow Imported from South Africa 2004
0.1 Mnandi/Purr? (Tim x Bella) 15/07/2006
1.0 Mafuta (Tim x Snow) 00/00/2006

National Zoo, ACT, Australia

1.0 Jake 19/10/2007 Imported from Tygerberg Zoopark, South Africa 2009
0.1 Mischka 19/10/2007 Imported from Tygerberg Zoopark, South Africa 2009

Shoalhaven Zoo, NSW, Australia

1.0 Jabari (Bakari x Kiara) 13/01/2014 Transferred from Zoodoo 2016
1.0 Kibwana (Bakari x Kiara) 13/01/2014 Transferred from Zoodoo 2016
0.1 Gimbya (Bakari x Kiara) 13/01/2014 Transferred from Zoodoo 2016
0.1 Jaja (Bakari x Kiara) 13/01/2014 Transferred from Zoodoo 2016

Tasmania Zoo, TAS, Australia

1.0 Megalou (Tim x Bella) 15/07/2006 Transferred from National Zoo 2016
1.0 Narky (Tim x Snow) 05/02/2007 Transferred from National Zoo 2016
1.0 Timba (Tim x Snow) 05/02/2007 Transferred from National Zoo 2016

Zoodoo, TAS, Australia

1.0 Bakari (unk x unk) 31/07/2009 Imported from South Africa 2009

Total: 27 (17.10)

Thanks for the update. I’ve updated Mogo’s holdings in the lion population thread.

To give us a complete regional population list of white lions, here’s New Zealand - Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary:

Spoiler: New Zealand White Lions

Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary:

1.0 Laduma (20/05/2004) Imported 2004
0.1 Amafu (20/05/2004) Imported 2004
0.1 Imvula (28/07/2004) Imported 2004
1.0 Timba (11/12/2006) Laduma x Imvula
1.0 Themba (11/12/2006) Laduma x Imvula
1.0 Sabie (27/01/2007) Laduma x Amafu
1.0 Sibili (27/01/2007) Laduma x Amafu

The other Mogo update is that the mystery of Amari (2004) from Auckland Zoo has been solved. He died in 2005.