The Hemmel's Pseudo-Melanistic Jaguar

[Newt]

I stumbled across a picture displaying a pseduo-melanistic jaguar, known as the Hemmel's pseudo-melanistic jaguar. It's clearly in a captive setting, but when I reversed searched it, nothing popped up. All the websites for it were copies among copies of other websites. If any of you could provide info on it? Or can somehow figure out the origins of the picture? I'm generally curious to see where it was held and possibly even when.

 

[Pertinax]

I stumbled across a picture displaying a pseduo-melanistic jaguar, known as the Hemmel's pseudo-melanistic jaguar. It's clearly in a captive setting, but when I reversed searched it, nothing popped up. All the websites for it were copies among copies of other websites. If any of you could provide info on it? Or can somehow figure out the origins of the picture? I'm generally curious to see where it was held and possibly even when.
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I saw a Jaguar that was rather similar to this in (I think it was) either Hanover or Duisburg Zoo in Germany in the late 1960's. However I don't think it was this one. The one I saw had more of a solid black 'saddle' over its back, the rest of the body seemed normally spotted.

 

[Newt]

I saw a Jaguar that was rather similar to this in (I think it was) either Hanover or Duisburg Zoo in Germany in the late 1960's. However I don't think it was this one. The one I saw had more of a solid black 'saddle' over its back, the rest of the body seemed normally spotted.

I saw a Jaguar that was rather similar to this in (I think it was) either Hanover or Duisburg Zoo in Germany in the late 1960's. However I don't think it was this one. The one I saw had more of a solid black 'saddle' over its back, the rest of the body seemed normally spotted.

Very interesting. The mention of the saddle over it's back could be some evidence towards pseudo-melanism. It's just surprising to me how there's no sources for this photo, possibly a private collection?

 

[kermodei]

Excited to report that I may have an answer to both instances of "black jaguars" mentioned here
This specimen was photographed at the Zoo Hannover in June, 1967. In the original Facebook post, its pelage can be compared to that of a regular, tawny jaguar and a fully melanistic individual from the same zoo.

Another photo from the same thread shows the same cat, though possibly at a younger age?, alongside a regular jaguar. My German is rusty, but does the caption mention the pair being born at the London Zoo? Or vice-versa?

The above scan is taken from Dittrich, L., 1979. -Die Vererbung des Melanismus beim Jaguar, (Panthera onca). D. Zool.Gart. NF. Bd. 49, H. 6., which describes the cat as "partially melanistic".

I would bet @Newt's photo in question is of the same individual, though it would be interesting to know where said photo originated. Perhaps the same publication? Or an old newspaper article? Anyways, hope this helps !

 

[Newt]

Excited to report that I may have an answer to both instances of "black jaguars" mentioned here
This specimen was photographed at the Zoo Hannover in June, 1967. In the original Facebook post, its pelage can be compared to that of a regular, tawny jaguar and a fully melanistic individual from the same zoo.

Another photo from the same thread shows the same cat, though possibly at a younger age?, alongside a regular jaguar. My German is rusty, but does the caption mention the pair being born at the London Zoo? Or vice-versa?

The above scan is taken from Dittrich, L., 1979. -Die Vererbung des Melanismus beim Jaguar, (Panthera onca). D. Zool.Gart. NF. Bd. 49, H. 6., which describes the cat as "partially melanistic".

I would bet @Newt's photo in question is of the same individual, though it would be interesting to know where said photo originated. Perhaps the same publication? Or an old newspaper article? Anyways, hope this helps !

This is amazing! Thank you for this, I'm so interested in zoo history and historic mysteries like this. The excerpt under the second photo reads, "Normal color female and partially melanistic male born in London Zoo." I don't truly understand German but I'm not sure what the little mention of Zoo Hannover means. Going along with @Pertinax ,it may suggest the specimen was transported to Hannover Zoo sometime in the late 1960's. I'll see if I can find anything regarding where they were born, and the origins of the original photo, although nothing has came up through reverse search.

 

[kermodei]

This is amazing! Thank you for this, I'm so interested in zoo history and historic mysteries like this. The excerpt under the second photo reads, "Normal color female and partially melanistic male born in London Zoo." I don't truly understand German but I'm not sure what the little mention of Zoo Hannover means. Going along with @Pertinax ,it may suggest the specimen was transported to Hannover Zoo sometime in the late 1960's. I'll see if I can find anything regarding where they were born, and the origins of the original photo, although nothing has came up through reverse search.

More than happy to help ! I love exploring zoo mysteries like this. While I'm not sure if messybeast's upload of the photo is the earliest instance of it online, I'd still reckon it worth contacting her (you can find her e-mail here) and seeing if she has any background on it.

 

[Pertinax]

This is amazing! Thank you for this, I'm so interested in zoo history and historic mysteries like this. The excerpt under the second photo reads, "Normal color female and partially melanistic male born in London Zoo." I don't truly understand German but I'm not sure what the little mention of Zoo Hannover means. Going along with @Pertinax ,it may suggest the specimen was transported to Hannover Zoo sometime in the late 1960's. I'll see if I can find anything regarding where they were born, and the origins of the original photo, although nothing has came up through reverse search.

Very interesting. That would be the one I saw in Hanover then, circa 1968/9. It was on its own then I think as I don't remember seeing any black or normal jaguar there as well. I knew nothing of its history and didn't realise it was born in London Zoo either. I was a frequent visitor to London but don't remember any Jaguar cubs during that period.

I think the caption just reads; 'Jaguars in Hanover Zoo, normal female and partially melanistic male born in London Zoo'.

 

[Tim May]

Normal color female and partially melanistic male born in London Zoo.

I knew nothing of its history and didn't realise it was born in London Zoo either. I was a frequent visitor to London but don't remember any Jaguar cubs during that period

A search through the Zoological Society of London Annual Reports for the 1960s shows that a jaguar was born there in both 1963 and 1965. (There is no mention in the Annual Report of either cub being partially melanistic.)
EDIT A quick google search found a press photograph of the jaguar cub born in 1965.
1965 Press Photo Johnny" Jaguar Cub Born In London Zoo Parents From Br - Historic Images

 

[kermodei]

A search through the Zoological Society of London Annual Reports for the 1960s shows that a jaguar was born there in both 1963 and 1965. (There is no mention in the Annual Report of either cub being partially melanistic.)
EDIT A quick google search found a press photograph of the jaguar cub born in 1965.
1965 Press Photo Johnny" Jaguar Cub Born In London Zoo Parents From Br - Historic Images

Excellent find, Tim! I'd argue little "Johnny" looks like he has pretty dark markings in that photo.

 

[Newt]

A search through the Zoological Society of London Annual Reports for the 1960s shows that a jaguar was born there in both 1963 and 1965. (There is no mention in the Annual Report of either cub being partially melanistic.)
EDIT A quick google search found a press photograph of the jaguar cub born in 1965.
1965 Press Photo Johnny" Jaguar Cub Born In London Zoo Parents From Br - Historic Images

Wow, definitely does have some darker coloration going on. Very glad everything is connecting now. Since it's a cub, defining wether it's partial melanistic or not would've been tough, so that makes sense

 

[kermodei]

Did a little more digging on Historic Images and found a full body version of the aforementioned cub photo:

The darker markings are even more visible here! And both photos are up for grabs if anyone wants to own a little piece of pseudo-melanistic jaguar history What I'd love to know now is what became of "Johnny" after he passed away. With such unique patterning, I would imagine (or at least hope) his pelt was preserved (feels a bit morbid saying that right beneath a photo of him as a cub... ).

 

[Pertinax]

A search through the Zoological Society of London Annual Reports for the 1960s shows that a jaguar was born there in both 1963 and 1965. (There is no mention in the Annual Report of either cub being partially melanistic.)
EDIT A quick google search found a press photograph of the jaguar cub born in 1965.
1965 Press Photo Johnny" Jaguar Cub Born In London Zoo Parents From Br - Historic Images

Very interesting. I clearly remember the Jaguar pair at ZSL in the late sixties, they normally occupied one of the smaller square outdoor cages and looked quite elderly. I have a colour postcard which I presume is them too. I didn't know their names or that they had bred in 1963 & 5 (presuming its the same pair) or that the semi-melanistic male was their cub. They were both normally spotted Jaguars.

Around 1970(?) London were also gifted a black female Jaguar named 'Azita'. I seem to remember being there once when Gerry the spotted male was put with her and mating occurred but I don't know if she ever had cubs.

 

[Newt]

Did a little more digging on Historic Images and found a full body version of the aforementioned cub photo:

The darker markings are even more visible here! And both photos are up for grabs if anyone wants to own a little piece of pseudo-melanistic jaguar history What I'd love to know now is what became of "Johnny" after he passed away. With such unique patterning, I would imagine (or at least hope) his pelt was preserved (feels a bit morbid saying that right beneath a photo of him as a cub... ).

Amazing find. With an animal like this, I doubt it’s not preserved somewhere. Skins like this were especially popular then, and normally preserved as a full-body taxidermy or just the pelt. There’s another taxidermy style but I’m unsure of the name, it’s when they’re simply just stuffed, and are usually found in museum collections. Maybe his pelt was sold off? Or maybe he was put somewhere else before his death? Honestly would like to know! Either way, all of this is a great disocovery, and I’m glad I have this much info now

 

[Pertinax]

Amazing find. With an animal like this, I doubt it’s not preserved somewhere. Skins like this were especially popular then, and normally preserved as a full-body taxidermy or just the pelt. There’s another taxidermy style but I’m unsure of the name, it’s when they’re simply just stuffed, and are usually found in museum collections. Maybe his pelt was sold off? Or maybe he was put somewhere else before his death? Honestly would like to know! Either way, all of this is a great disocovery, and I’m glad I have this much info now

I don't know if Hanover has a museum but that might be the first place to look. Failing that, museums elsewhere in Germany?

 

[Newt]

I’m not sure, I’m not very familiar with Germany as I’ve never been. It’s definitely a possibility, I know the Tring Museum in England gets a handful of preserved mutated cats, so possibly there?

 

[kermodei]

I don't know if Hanover has a museum but that might be the first place to look. Failing that, museums elsewhere in Germany?

It seems they do! The Landesmuseum Hannover, which is located quite close to the zoo itself.

I’m not sure, I’m not very familiar with Germany as I’ve never been. It’s definitely a possibility, I know the Tring Museum in England gets a handful of preserved mutated cats, so possibly there?

Tring is also a possibility! I wonder especially, since the jaguar was born at the London Zoo, if the remains would go back to England.

 

[Pertinax]

It seems they do! The Landesmuseum Hannover, which is located quite close to the zoo itself.

Tring is also a possibility! I wonder especially, since the jaguar was born at the London Zoo, if the remains would go back to England.

Pretty sure its not at Tring, I know most of the cat mutations there, at least the ones in the display cases. More likely to be in Germany I think.

 

[Tim May]

Pretty sure its not at Tring, I know most of the cat mutations there, at least the ones in the display cases. More likely to be in Germany I think.

Definitely not on exhibit at Tring....

 

[Newt]

Definitely not on exhibit at Tring....

Definitely not on exhibit, I know Trings displays. If it were there at all, it would most likely be somewhere off display or in storage. Even then just because Tring has many cat mutations doesn't mean it's guaranteed to be there, so I'm unsure

 

[kermodei]

Some progress to share! I'd written to both the London Zoo and the Landesmuseum Hannover in regards to our jaguar, and both have since gotten back to me. The representative from the London Zoo said she's passed my inquiry on to the zoo's library team, who "might" have more information for me. As for the Landesmuseum Hannover, Christiane Schilling, the museum's curator of natural history, says that while the museum did not receive the cat's pelt, she's going to speak with her husband about the matter, as he worked at the zoo until just last year. So! Fingers crossed