Hamilton Zoo new tigress coming this year

Chlidonias

Chlidonias

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Big cats have zoo keepers on their toes | Stuff.co.nz
19 January 2012

Hamilton Zoo may not be in line for any big cats from troubled Zion Wildlife Gardens, but a new tigress and, if all goes well, a litter of cubs will be giving keepers plenty to do.

Up to 36 lions and other big cats were threatened with euthanasia this week until receivers of the Northland wildlife park made famous in the television series The Lion Man got an offer to buy the park as a going concern.

Hamilton Zoo director Stephen Standley said the city zoo did not have the cash for the new enclosure lions would require and big cats required a lot of specialised care; the zoo's two sumatran tigers – siblings Jaka and Mencari – were no exception.

"The main thing with big cats is the suitability of the enclosure," Mr Standley said. It was not just about space but also the complexity of the environment.

Trees, pools, rocks and other items were required to enrich the area and imitate their natural environment as much as possible. "It's all about trying to maintain activity and interest," he said.

A $1 million enclosure, completed in 2001, houses the duo and another $300,000 is being spent on additional housing for a new tigress due to arrive in June, meaning the pitter-patter of little paws may not be far behind.

Breeding programmes and animal placements for the zoo are organised through the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia. The zoo's sumatran tigers, of which there are no more than 200 left in the wild, have not been used for breeding before because Jaka and Mencari's siblings are already being used to breed. However, Mr Standley said, there was a need to increase the representation of other bloodlines.
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jay said:
Has it been determined which female it will be?
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Nothing confirmed but it's pretty obvious that she will be from one of two Aussie zoos (unless they import from Europe or the USA)
 
from the Hamilton Zoo website:
Tiger facility - future plans | Hamilton Zoo
At Hamilton Zoo we have two Sumatran tigers - siblings Mencari and Jaka.
We will be building an additional tiger facility so that a new female tiger can be accommodated at the Zoo for future breeding.

Work has started in the exhibit, dividing the area in two, and the tigers will be off-display for a two-week period (13th-24th February) while this is undertaken. We anticipate that construction of the house will commence in March.

The coordinator of the Australasian Sumatran tiger breeding programme has recommended that a 3-year-old female should be transferred to Hamilton Zoo from Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, and preliminary plans have been made to import her in June or July 2012. We hope the pitter-patter of little paws may not be far behind!
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That would make it either Ndari, Shanti or Jaya.
The daughters of Raja and Soraya. These females represent a new line in the ANZ group.
 
The new girl is confirmed.. from Dreamworld as previously reported but is it Ndari? No. Is it Shaya? No. Is it Jaya? No! :eek:

It's Sali, who was born at Perth in 2008 and handreared partly at Dreamworld following her mothers rejection. She's related to Jaka via her mother but her father Hari is an important individual, her being one of only three surviving pure cubs he's sired so far (rest at his base, Cairns have been with a hybrid Bengal female) I was under the impression that Dreamworld would eventually be breeding her with there resident male, Raja (B2003 at Krefeld, Germany) so not sure what they plan to do with him and his three daughters now????

Jaka - Cantik X Rokan (B2000 at Wellington)
Sali - Setia X Hari* (B2008 at Perth)
Setia - Malu X Calang (B2000 at Perth)
Malu - Cantik X Rokan (B1996 at Wellington)
Tiger facility - future plans | Hamilton Zoo
 
just added a couple of days ago to the Hamilton Zoo website news page:
Heading our way | Hamilton Zoo
31 July 2012

Hamilton Zoo could hear the pitter-patter of little paws sometime in the future, thanks to the upcoming arrival of Sali, a four-year-old female Sumatran tiger from Dreamworld’s Tiger Island. Sali is making the move to Hamilton from the Gold Coast in August as part of an international tiger breeding programme. Hamilton Zoo is currently home to 12-year-old tiger siblings, sister Mencari and brother Jaka, and in the coming year Jaka will be swapped with a male from another zoo who is considered a better genetic match for Sali to breed with. Director Stephen Standley says the zoo is excited to welcome Sali and eventually establish a breeding pair at the facility, with the tiger exhibit having undergone renovations in preparation for Sali’s arrival. Dreamworld Life Sciences Manager Al Mucci says Hamilton Zoo is a world-class zoo the city should be proud of, and he is pleased Sali is going to such a caring facility.
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In February they were hoping for an import during June or July, so it must be very close to happening now.
 
and the wait for NZ tiger fans is almost over....

http://www.voxy.co.nz/entertainment/hamilton-zoo-welcome-female-tiger-dreamworld/5/131752
14 August 2012
Hamilton Zoo is gearing up for the arrival of a four-year-old female Sumatran tiger from Dreamworld’s Tiger Island next week.

The tiger named Sali, will be arriving at Hamilton Zoo from Australia late on Monday, 20 August, and will spend seven days in quarantine at the facility before settling into her new home.

Hamilton Zoo’s tiger exhibit has been upgraded in preparation for Sali’s arrival, with the $250,000 renovations including a second landscaped exhibit with bathing pool, two new dens for the tigers and an additional fully enclosed holding area.

The Council-owned zoo is already home to 12-year-old Sumatran tiger siblings, female Mencari and male Jaka, who were transferred from Wellington Zoo in March 2001. In the next 12 months, Jaka will be exchanged with a male Sumatran tiger from another zoo who is a better genetic match for Sali to breed with.

Hamilton Zoo Director Stephen Standley says Sali’s transfer is part of an international tiger breeding programme in with both Hamilton Zoo and Dreamworld are involved.

"The international tiger breeding programme involves zoo facilities from around the world to ensure there is a large enough gene pool which in turn means no inbreeding can occur," he says.

"Genetics is very important; Sali was actually recommended to us by the coordinator of the Australasian Sumatran tiger breeding programme as being a good candidate for breeding."

Dreamworld Life Sciences Manager Al Mucci says it is common practice for tigers and other animals in captivity to be transported between zoo facilities for breeding, to help create a strong captive/insurance population.

"Dreamworld is very proud to be part of this international breeding programme and is excited to be sending Sali to meet her new mate," says Mr Mucci.

Hamilton Zoo and Dreamworld are both passionate and committed to saving tigers in the wild, with each contributing a portion of the funds raised through their animal encounters to the cause.

Hamilton Zoo supports 21st Century Tiger, which assists with anti-poaching measures, education, habitat restoration and monitoring in tiger populated regions, and other conservation efforts through its Conservation Fund. Dreamworld has donated $1.4 million to saving tigers in the wild since 2006 - making it the world’s largest zoological contributor of funds to 21st Century Tiger - and also contributes directly to the Phoenix Fund and Flora and Fauna International to protect wild tiger populations.
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Update from Dreamworlds's end that Sali has arrived safe and well across the ditch...

Sali has safely arrived at her new home in New Zealand at Hamilton NZ Zoo, where she has gone as part of the International Sumatran Tiger Breeding program. Hopefully the arrival of cubs won’t be too far behind her.
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and this from the Hamilton City Council Facebook page (Sali the Sumatran... | Facebook
She’s here! Sali the Sumatran tiger arrived at Hamilton Zoo from Dreamworld just after 8pm on Monday 20 August. She was pretty tired after her journey but it didn’t stop her devouring supper and carrying out some minor vandalism of her wooden bed before turning in for the night! This morning the Hamilton Zoo crew managed to snap a few photos of Sali enjoying her first breakfast in quarantine.
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with the additional comment:
you're able to see Sali at Hamilton Zoo this week. She is in quarantine at the moment but is visible from the public viewing areas. I'm sure she'd love some visitors!
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photos here: Sali's journey to Hamilton Zoo | Facebook
 
video on the link
Hamilton Zoo's Big cat Sali hardly a tiger for attention... | Stuff.co.nz
23 August 2012

The newest member of the Hamilton Zoo tiger family was more scaredy-cat than scary cat yesterday with nerves getting the better of her before her big moment before the cameras.

Sali has just arrived from Dreamworld on the Gold Coast and, although still in quarantine, was all set to meet the world yesterday at a press call at her new Hamilton home.

But the four-year-old Sumatran tiger was a little camera shy and her keeper could not coax her out for a proper hello.

Hamilton Zoo director Stephen Standley said Sali was a little more skittish than some of the other tigers at Dreamworld, and she must have still been getting over her long flight.

"She was given Valium for the flight and when she arrived she was a little bit wobbly," he said.

By Tuesday morning Sali was up and about in her temporary, quarantined cage. "But she is healthy and eating well and she'll soon settle into her new home."

And what a new home it will be.

The zoo's tiger exhibit was upgraded for Sali's arrival, with the $250,000 renovations including a second landscaped exhibit with bathing pool, two new dens and an additional, enclosed holding area.

The Council-owned zoo is already home to 12-year-old Sumatran tiger siblings, female Mencari and male Jaka, who were transferred from Wellington Zoo in March 2001.

In the next 12 months, Jaka will be exchanged with a male Sumatran tiger from another zoo who is a better genetic match for Sali to breed with.

It is hoped the pitter-patter of tiny little tiger paws will be heard at the zoo in late 2013 or early 2014.
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