Australasian African Lion Population

Australasian African Lion Population

African lions are currently held at 24 Australasian facilities; while a further two facilities (Wellington and Auckland Zoo) will be reimporting lions in the near future, after their last lions were euthanised in April 2021. Both zoos had held lions continuously since their opening days in 1906 and 1922 respectively, with the exception of Auckland Zoo being without lions for nine weeks in 2018.

Tawny lions are listed in black; white lions are listed in blue. White lions and known white lion gene carriers are not part of the ZAA managed programme for this species and are managed externally by a handful of small zoos/wildlife parks.

The information below is a combination of my personal knowledge; information from media releases; information from the facilities themselves; and most importantly - the invaluable knowledge of the ZooChat community. I’d especially like to thank @WhistlingKite24, @akasha, @Steverobinson and @Riley for their help.

New Zealand Population

Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary:

8.7 lions in multiple prides:

0.1 Savannah (27/01/2001) Sampson x Shania
1.0 Shumba (07/06/2001) Sampson x Shania
1.0 Zamba (07/06/2001) Sampson x Shania
0.1 Cora (26/12/2002) Sampson x Shania
0.1 Jabu (26/12/2002) Sampson x Shania
0.1 Shikira (23/02/2004) Imported 2004
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 Abdullah (31/01/2006) Gandor x Shikira
0.1 Cleo (31/01/2006) Gandor x Shikira
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

Orana Wildlife Park:

4.4 lions in two prides:

0.1 Leah (13/01/2004) Toby x Priscilla
0.1 Meeka (13/01/2004) Toby x Priscilla
1.0 Mambila (04/01/2011) Malik x Mishka

1.0 Kahn (31/12/2002) Toby x Kiara
0.1 Tua (16/06/2009) Malik x Mishka
0.1 Tama (16/06/2009) Malik x Mishka
1.0 Kairangi (05/07/2009) Malik x Kiara
1.0 Tawhiri (05/07/2009) Malik x Kiara

Paradise Valley Springs:

3.6 lions in one pride:

0.1 Luca (20/10/2004) Max x Ryo
0.1 Hana (05/03/2007) Zac x Luca
1.0 Benji (02/08/2011) Ben x Hana
0.1 Bella (02/08/2011) Ben x Hana
0.1 Ayla (21/02/2012) Max x Luca
0.1 Aleeka (21/02/2012) Max x Luca
1.0 Xander (20/09/2013) Max x Hana
1.0 Unnamed (01/05/2021) Xander x Bella
0.1 Unnamed (01/05/2021) Xander x Bella

Pouakai Zoo:

1.2 lions in one pride:

0.1 Leah (20/10/2004) Max x Ryo
1.0 Aslan (00/10/2005) Max x Ryo
0.1 Asha (00/10/2005) Max x Ryo


Australian Population

Adelaide Zoo:

1.1 lions in one pride:

0.1 Amani (06/05/2001) Tonyi x Kura
1.0 Mujambi (26/03/2005) Lance x Narla

Altina Willdife Park:

3.3 lions in two prides:

1.0 Jabari (26/03/2005) Lance x Narla
0.1 Mana (09/08/2012) Mac x Snow

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

Billabong Zoo:

3.3 lions in two prides:

0.1 Misty (05/04/2016) Imported 2016 (South Africa)
1.0 Milo (18/04/2016) Imported 2016 (South Africa)
0.1 Kiros (04/01/2019) Milo x Misty
0.1 Nuru (04/01/2019) Milo x Misty
1.0 Zoraya (04/01/2019) Milo x Misty

1.0 Amari (27/08/2018) Milo x Misty

Crocodylus Park:

2.0 lions in one pride:

1.0 Araali (13/08/2013) Bakari x Kiara
1.0 Zuri (13/08/2013) Bakari x Kiara

Darling Downs Zoo:

3.5 lions in three prides:

1.0 Shaka (21/07/2009) Imported 2010 (South Africa)
0.1 Shenzi (06/08/2009) Imported 2010 (South Africa)
0.1 Msichana (13/01/2015) Shaka x Shenzi

0.1 Sahara (10/10/2011) Fred x Dalila
1.0 Kwanza (12/11/2012) Shaka x Shenzi

0.1 Buffy (10/10/2011) Fred x Dalila
0.1 Sassy (10/10/2011) Fred x Dalila
Rotates being paired with:
1.0 Mal (02/07/2014) Unknown x Unknown

Hunter Valley Zoo:

1.3 lions in two prides:

0.1 Kuchani (06/05/2001) Tonyi x Kura
0.1 Asali (28/08/2003) Jambo x Kuchani

1.0 Kovu (13/01/2015) Shaka x Shenzi
0.1 Nala (13/01/2015) Shaka x Shenzi

Mansfield Zoo:

3.1 lions in two prides:

1.0 Rubani (24/05/2001) Fred x Sheba
0.1 Dalila (17/07/2003) Fred x Xena

1.0 Djuma (05/02/2007) Tim x Snow
1.0 Matimba (05/02/2007) Tim x Snow

Melbourne Zoo:

2.0 lions in one pride:

1.0 Zuberi (12/12/2016) Johari x Nairibi
1.0 Ndidi (12/12/2016) Johari x Nairibi

Mogo Zoo:

3.4 lions in four prides:

0.1 Snow (00/00/2004) Imported 2004 (South Africa)
1.0 Baako (28/02/2015) Lazarus x Maya

1.0 Mafuta (00/00/2006) Tim x Snow
0.1 Numbi (00/00/2006) Tim x Snow

0.1 Chitwa (10/08/2014) Mac x Snow
1.0 Phoenix (23/12/2019) Baako x Chitwa

0.1 Maji (11/12/2020) Baako x Zuri

Monarto Safari Park:

5.6 lions in two prides:

1.0 Inkosi (19/09/2007) Levi x Tiombe
1.0 Jelani (24/04/2013) Leroy x Tiombe

0.1 Husani (24/04/2013) Leroy x Tiombe
0.1 Nia (24/04/2013) Leroy x Tiombe
0.1 Makena (18/06/2013) Leroy x Kiamba
1.0 Kashka (20/10/2015) Johari x Nilo
1.0 Kito (20/10/2015) Johari x Nilo
1.0 Kubwa (20/10/2015) Johari x Nilo
0.1 Adira (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Chikondi (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Zahara (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani

National Zoo and Aquarium:

4.1 lions in three prides:

1.0 Marjan (04/06/02) Kimba x Millie
1.0 Sabi (04/06/02) Kimba x Millie

1.0 Jake (19/10/2007) Imported 2009 (South Africa)
0.1 Mischka (19/10/2007) Imported 2009 (South Africa)

1.0 Mlinzi (18/06/2013) Leroy x Kiamba

Perth Zoo:

0.2 lions in one pride:

0.1 Makeba (28/02/2015) Lazarus x Maya
0.1 Uzuri (28/02/2015) Lazarus x Maya

Shoalhaven Zoo:

4.2 lions in two prides:

1.0 Jabari (13/01/2014) Bakari x Kiara
1.0 Kibwana (13/01/2014) Bakari x Kiara
0.1 Gimbya (13/01/2014) Bakari x Kiara
0.1 Jaja (13/01/2014) Bakari x Kiara

1.0 Ariel (13/10/2018) Imported 2019 (South Africa)
1.0 Juda (13/10/2018) Imported 2019 (South Africa)

Sydney Zoo:

4.0 lions in one pride:

1.0 Bakari (19/11/2016) Lazarus x Maya
1.0 Karoo (19/11/2016) Lazarus x Maya
1.0 Sheru (19/11/2016) Lazarus x Maya
1.0 Virunga (19/11/2016) Lazarus x Maya

Taronga Zoo:

2.1 lions in one pride:

0.1 Maya (26/02/2011) Imported 2014 (South Africa)
1.0 Ato (12/08/2017) Johari x Nilo
1.0 Lwazi (12/08/2017) Johari x Nilo

Taronga Western Plains Zoo:

1.5 lions in three prides:

0.1 Kiamba (21/01/2004) Maalo x Amani
0.1 Zalika (04/03/2004) Lazarus x Amira
0.1 Tiombe (18/04/2004) Lazarus x Kura

0.1 Evelyn (22/06/2014) Imported 2018 (United States)
0.1 Marion (22/06/2014) Imported 2018 (United States)

1.0 New Male (details unknown)

Tasmania Zoo:

4.0 lions in one pride:

1.0 Megalou (15/07/2006) Tim x Bella
1.0 Timba (05/02/2007) Tim x Snow
1.0 Narky (05/02/2007) Tim x Snow
1.0 Vati (05/02/2007) Tim x Snow

Werribee Open Range Zoo:

0.6 lions in one pride:

0.1 Nairibi (15/02/2012) Imported 2014 (Denmark)
0.1 Nilo (17/03/2012) Imported 2014 (Denmark)
0.1 Aziza (12/12/2016) Johari x Nairibi
0.1 Kibibi (12/12/2016) Johari x Nairibi
0.1 Asali (12/08/2017) Johari x Nilo
0.1 Ilola (12/08/2017) Johari x Nilo

Zambi Wildlife Retreat:

1.5 lions in two prides:

1.0 Kovu (00/00/2004) Unknown x Unknown
0.1 Mayzie (01/05/2004) Fred x Xena
0.1 Kiara (00/00/2004) Unknown x Unknown

0.1 Mali (Unknown) Unknown x Unknown
0.1 Zambi (Unknown) Unknown x Unknown
0.1 Sukari (Unknown) Unknown x Unknown

Zoodoo Zoo:

1.2 lions in two prides:

1.0 Bakari (31/07/2009) Imported 2010 (South Africa)
0.1 Kiara (00/08/2009) Imported 2010 (South Africa)

0.1 Malika (09/10/2011) Fred x Irene


Total New Zealand Population: 16.19 lions
Total Australian Population: 47.51 lions
Total Australasian Population: 63.70 lions

 

Fantastic effort @Zoofan15!

1.0 Zamba at Kamo died on 13th July. His brother Shumba is still around though: Log into Facebook | Facebook

 

Outstanding work. @Zoofan15

 

An awful lot of white lions still around taking up spaces.

 

@MRJ why do you consider them “taking up space”, can you explain your view point?

 

Thanks for the update @WhistlingKite24. Shumba (currently the second oldest male in the region) comes from a long lived line. His mother, Shania (formerly known as Scarlett) descends from the Paradise Valley Springs pride, who have produced several long lived lionesses.

Rubani (formerly known as Robbie) is currently the oldest male in the region at 20 years, two months and 15 days of age.

Tombo (formerly known as Clover) was 20 years, six months and 28 days upon this death at Werribee Plains Zoo in 2016.

 

"White lions" are a colour morph to all intents and purposes unknown in the wild*, and which can only be maintained in captivity by inbreeding. If we are serious about conserving big cats in captivity, then breeding them for display only takes valuable places.

* Yes I know they are seen from time to time in the wild in a small area in South Africa. If they occurred proportionally in the captive population I would not have a problem.

 

Going back a few years to when the Cairns zoo at Mareeba imported a number of Lions from the UK, I am wondering how much if any of those bloodlines actually made it into the Australian population before they were exported to Indonesia. Also I believe they had bred quite a few there at the time!

 

A lot of those lions were inbred West Mids surplus.

 

Thank you @Steve Robinson
Another interesting aspect of the regions Lion population would have been the number of Lions held in the Lion parks that were scattered around the country in the 70s. Also the handful of Lions held at the then Natureland zoo at Coolangatta (Also about 3 Tigers).
The Beenleigh Lion park in S/E Qld held quite a large number in the early to mid 70s that I can recall.

 

New Zealand also had several drive through lion parks. There was one in Auckland, which controversially euthanised all it’s lions upon closing; and there was at least two in the South Island including Orana Wildlife Park - which had several large prides of lions. None of these lions are represented in the current population to my knowledge.

By the early 2000’s, Orana had 3.3 lions left from the drive through days (all now deceased):

1.0 Jomo (20/08/1983)
1.0 Tarma (20/08/1983)
1.0 Cemba (20/08/1983)

0.1 Tombi (17/09/1987)
0.1 Tess (17/09/1987)
0.1 Kushka (17/09/1987)

The September 1987 litter also contained a female named Mara, who was sent to Wellington Zoo in December 1992. She died in November 2001 after eating contaminated meat (as did Jambi - the zoo’s male Sumatran tiger).

 

0.3 Ilola, Kibibi and Aziza at Werribee Open Range Zoo have moved to Auckland Zoo. The three females arrived on Tuesday night: Haere mai to Auckland Zoo’s new lions! | Auckland Zoo News

 

Ah lovely! I recall conversations previously about a hope that Auckland's new lions would be descendants of Kura. Indeed, these three females are Kura's great-granddaughters:

Kura > Kuchani (b. 2001 Auckland) > Johari (b. 2003 Taronga) > Ilola, Kibibi, Aziza

 

Male Lions for Auckland Zoo

I’ve reviewed the population list to assess likely males to pair with these females. If you remove males that are elderly; related; not part of the breeding programme; have significant white lion heritage; or have recently moved zoos - that leaves seven males:

1.0 Baako (28/02/2015) Lazarus x Maya

1.0 Bakari (19/11/2016) Lazarus x Maya
1.0 Karoo (19/11/2016) Lazarus x Maya
1.0 Sheru (19/11/2016) Lazarus x Maya
1.0 Virunga (19/11/2016) Lazarus x Maya

1.0 Amari (27/08/2018) Milo x Misty
1.0 Kiros (04/01/2019) Milo x Misty

Amari and Kiros are the most genetically valuable. Amari was hand raised until at least six months and while the plan was to integrate him with his parents and siblings (born four months later), I’m not aware this has happened.

If not, this means they’ll have to decide whether Kiros has the presence to head up a pride of three females alone (a big ask for a young male); or import two of the males from Lazarus and Maya’s 2016 litter.

Baako is an most unlikely option, when he’s a single male and settled with a female at Mogo Zoo.

The other (very likely) alternative is they’ll import from overseas. The region has been fortunate to import multiple lions from South Africa over the last two decades.

 

Five (2.3) lion cubs have been born to Ato and Maya at Taronga Zoo:

“Taronga Zoo Sydney has welcomed a litter of five African Lion Cubs for the first time in 18 years! The cubs who arrived mid-August are now five weeks old, and growing every day.

The five cubs – three females and two males - were born to experienced mum Maya and first-time dad Ato on Thursday 12 August, which happened to coincide with Ato’s fourth birthday. Both mum and cubs are doing well inside the maternity den.”

 

Taronga zoo has announced the birth of five lion cubs!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CT5t_WLoYox/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

Full announcement from Facebook:
We are beyond excited to announce the birth of five African Lion cubs at Taronga Zoo Sydney! We couldn't be happier to report that both mum and cubs are doing extremely well and are growing in confidence every single day!
In some even more exciting news and in a first-ever at Taronga, we are giving YOU access behind-the-scenes to watch the cubs grow with Taronga TV's brand-new Cub Cam!
For a small tax-deductible donation of just $7, you can access Cub Cam and come along the journey with us as we watch these cubs grow as well as providing vital funds to support lion conservation work around the world!
For more information or to access Taronga TV's Cub Cam simply visit: www.taronga.org.au/cubcam
#forthewild #tarongatv #newarrivals #lioncubs #zooborn

 

Fantastic news! This is the first litter of lions cubs born at Taronga Zoo in 18 years. These cubs are the grandchildren of Johari (sire of Ato), who was in the last litter born 28/08/2003.

A number of the main zoos in the region are looking at significant gaps since their last births - Auckland Zoo last bred in 2004; Adelaide Zoo last bred in 2004; Melbourne Zoo last bred in 2000; and Perth Zoo last bred in 1986.

 

Does anyone know if the plan is to breed the new male at Taronga Western Plains Zoo with Marion and Evelyn? Marion and Evelyn were part of a litter of 4 born to mother Oshana and father Izu at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in California. Their mother recently passed away, but their father is still alive.

 

Yes, that’s the plan. Mlinzi (the previous male) has recently been transferred to the Canberra National Zoo and been replaced by the new male. Typically, the zoo haven’t been very forthcoming with details on him. I expect they’re waiting until he’s successfully integrated into a pride with the two sisters before they announce anything.