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I see Ngola (son of Jambo and N’Pongo) went to Zurich in 1984, which is the year that Hobbit came to Jersey, so it appears to have been a direct exchange with the intention of Hobbit heading up a second troop as you say. Jambo died in 1992, so had Hobbit remained on site, I’m willing to bet he would have been more successful in siring young than Mzuri ever was.

I’m not aware of the den configurations, but I know the keepers hurried to make preparations for Jambo’s troop to enter the dens during the incident. Perhaps securing the large family troop took priority over allowing the adolescent access to the exhibit. They two groups couldn’t mix and securing multiple adults and young may have been the trade off.

Hobbit was also handraised from early on so may also have been problematic breeding -wise. Jersey's mistake with Mzuri was taking on both an immature and handraised male and putting him with older females- they dominated him badly apart from Hallali who was similar age- she became his companion and he mated her but not the others. He had just the one surviving offspring Mapema(male).

The dens at Jersey(as it was then) comprise two onshow dens with a grille between them, and 3/4 offshow smaller ones. I don't know if Hobbit was allowed to be close to Jambo in the adjacent onshow den- or not. Its possible Jambo reacted badly to him. On the day in question I suspect that Jambo and family were shut outside as usual (that was their practise) and Hobbit was in the 2nd inside area. But exactly why he was let out we will never know.
 
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They were added to the Jersey group as both became available to make it bigger but both came from desocialised backgrounds. Julia had been raised with chimpanzees, GAnne was handraised at her natal zoo Oklahoma in the USA and exchanged for a Jambo/Npongo son, Tatu. I think Jambo actually tolerated them okay though always as outsiders whom he didn't mate with. But Mzuri/Ya Kwanza rejected them more strongly- he broke Julia's leg at one stage I seem to remember. Hence the transfer. But of course because of their backgrounds, they had similar problems in Australia.

There’s a fantastic article here about the introduction of Julia and G-Anne to the Jersey troop:

The Integration of Julia

Regarding the lack of mating:

Once Jambo had ceased to assert his dominance over Julia (his last observed display being recorded in September 1991), it could have been concluded that her integration was complete. However, she does still lack complete acceptance by him, and for one very significant reason. She has yet to exhibit clear signs of oestrus, and consequently to attempt any form of solicitation. It could be that, despite her outwardly confident air, Julia is still very much intimidated by the adult male, to the extent that her cycle is being affected.
 
There’s a fantastic article here about the introduction of Julia and G-Anne to the Jersey troop:

The Integration of Julia

Regarding the lack of mating:

Once Jambo had ceased to assert his dominance over Julia (his last observed display being recorded in September 1991), it could have been concluded that her integration was complete. However, she does still lack complete acceptance by him, and for one very significant reason. She has yet to exhibit clear signs of oestrus, and consequently to attempt any form of solicitation. It could be that, despite her outwardly confident air, Julia is still very much intimidated by the adult male, to the extent that her cycle is being affected.
I'm not absolutely sure but I don't think Jambo ever mated with either Ganne or Julia.
 
Has Mogo re-acquired Serval ? When I visited for my birthday back in March ; I saw Caracal .. wasn’t mad ; I loved seeing them too considering how rare they are ; but just curious . Did I miss out on them ?
They had them featured on their Halloween - inspired instagram video posted on insta
 
Has Mogo re-acquired Serval ? When I visited for my birthday back in March ; I saw Caracal .. wasn’t mad ; I loved seeing them too considering how rare they are ; but just curious . Did I miss out on them ?
They had them featured on their Halloween - inspired instagram video posted on insta

It wouldn’t surprise me. They swap and change Caracal with Hunter Valley Zoo on a regular basis, without announcement of transfer being made on their socials.

HVZ had 2.2 consisting of parents and their 1.1 offspring. Perhaps the sibling pair has transferred over.

1.0 Amici
0.1 Nia
1.0 Sabor (Amiri x Nia) 00-03-2019 at Hunter Valley Zoo
0.1 Cali (Amiri Nia) 00-03-2019 at Hunter Valley Zoo
 
A family member visited Mogo Wildlife Park today and 1.0 Mafuta and 0.1 Mnandi are no longer on display, with 1.0 Duke and 1.0 Kion, the cubs born in late 2023, being moved into their enclosure. Given they’re 19 years old, having them retired off display or them passing wouldn’t be surprising at all. There was also a sign mentioning that the exhibit was currently being renovated, which makes sense given the younger males will be a lot more active than the older duo was
 
A family member visited Mogo Wildlife Park today and 1.0 Mafuta and 0.1 Mnandi are no longer on display, with 1.0 Duke and 1.0 Kion, the cubs born in late 2023, being moved into their enclosure. Given they’re 19 years old, having them retired off display or them passing wouldn’t be surprising at all. There was also a sign mentioning that the exhibit was currently being renovated, which makes sense given the younger males will be a lot more active than the older duo was
For those who don't know, these are lions.
 
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