Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus Recently I did some research on the cheetah of Perth Zoo and was interested to discover they sent one of their females, Kitoko (1998) on three breeding holidays to Monarto Zoo in late 2001, 2002 and 2004, each lasting around 6-8 weeks. The 2001 holiday resulted in the successful birth of a cub in March 2002. Perth Zoo initially held a breeding pair, Puss (1962) and Duma (1963), who were imported in 1967 but never bred. Research on captive breeding of cheetah has since proved that three main factors contribute to successful natural breeding: adequate space, a selection of males for the queen (breeding female) to choose from, and housing that is not in close proximity to other big cats, especially lions. Since Perth Zoo lacked these factors, they were likely to be unsuccessful and so sending Kitoko on a breeding holiday was essentially their only option. Hamilton Zoo attempted to breed in the 2000s with their pair, but were unsuccessful. This was most likely due to them only having the space to hold one male. In contrast, zoos like Orana Wildlife Park, Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Monarto Zoo have all experienced success. I’m interested to know why this hasn’t been trialled at the Hamilton and Wellington Zoos, instead of them both holding bachelors. The distance from Perth to Monarto is approximately 2,760km. Hamilton is 950km from Christchurch (Orana Wildlife Park) and Wellington is only 440km from Christchurch (Orana Wildlife Park). Hamilton or Wellington could hold a female, send her to Orana Wildlife Park for 6-8 weeks for breeding and then have her returned to their zoo to give birth and raise the cubs. Orana Wildlife Park currently have at least 4 females of reproductive age and are unable to allow all four to breed each year due to space limitations. This would also allow other zoos than Orana Wildlife Park to have the experience of rearing cheetah cubs for the first time.
I will update this thread with a list of all the cheetah (past and present) held in New Zealand Zoos, starting with Auckland and Hamilton Zoo.
Auckland Zoo Anubis (M) Born 5 June 2005 at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre Arrived at Auckland Zoo 11 April 2006 Still at Auckland Zoo Osiris (M) Born 5 June 2005 at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre Arrived at Auckland Zoo 11 April 2006 Still at Auckland Zoo
Hamilton Zoo Temba (F) Born 8 April 1999 at Cango Wildlife Ranch Arrived at Hamilton Zoo 17 November 2001 Sent to Orana Wildlife Park 16 August 2007 Mwandi (M) Born 26 May 2000 at Cango Wildlife Ranch Arrived at Hamilton Zoo 17 November 2001 Sent to Orana Wildlife Park 1 June 2003 Kaitoa (M) Born 6 November 1997 at Orana Wildlife Park Arrived at Hamilton Zoo 2 September 2003 Sent to Orana Wildlife Park 16 August 2007 Jambo (M) Born 1 October 2004 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Arrived at Hamilton Zoo 23 August 2007 Died at Hamilton Zoo 28 February 2016 Moyo Matusi (M) Born 1 October 2004 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Arrived at Hamilton Zoo 23 August 2007 Still at Hamilton Zoo
Wellington Zoo Lady (F) Born 24 February 1972 at Montpellier Zoo Arrived at Wellington Zoo 17 June 1975 Died at Wellington Zoo 29 July 1985 Tendo (M) Born 1 January 1973 in Namibia Arrived at Wellington Zoo 7 June 1977 Died at Wellington Zoo 12 April 1984 Unnamed (M)* Born 1 January 1976 at Wellington Zoo Died at Wellington Zoo 1 January 1976 Dam: Lady, Sire: Unknown Unnamed (U) Born 25 October 1977 at Wellington Zoo Died at Wellington Zoo 25 October 1977 Dam: Lady, Sire: Tendo Unnamed (U) Born 25 October 1977 at Wellington Zoo Died at Wellington Zoo 25 October 1977 Dam: Lady, Sire: Tendo Unnamed (M) Born 21 April 1978 at Wellington Zoo Died at Wellington Zoo 21 April 1978 Dam: Lady, Sire: Tendo Unnamed (M) Born 21 April 1978 at Wellington Zoo Died at Wellington Zoo 21 April 1978 Dam: Lady, Sire: Tendo Unnamed (F) Born 21 April 1978 at Wellington Zoo Died at Wellington Zoo 21 April 1978 Dam: Lady, Sire: Tendo Raja (M) Born 13 August 1978 at Whipsnade Zoo Arrived at Wellington Zoo 7 November 1979 Died at Wellington Zoo 14 August 1985 Avon Chaka (M) Born 26 April 1984 at Whipsnade Zoo Arrived at Wellington Zoo 28 November 1984 Died at Wellington Zoo 18 April 1989 Juba (F) Born 9 November 1984 at Whipsnade Zoo Arrived at Wellington Zoo 30 April 1986 Sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo 28 November 1991 Malindi (F) Born 30 November 1989 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Arrived at Wellington Zoo 28 November 1991 Died at Wellington Zoo 31 May 1997 Asante (M) Born 30 November 1989 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Arrived at Wellington Zoo 28 November 1991 Died at Wellington Zoo 28 February 2006 Etosha (M) Born 30 November 1989 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Arrived at Wellington Zoo 28 November 1991 Died at Wellington Zoo 28 January 2006 Delta (M) Born 8 May 2004 at De Wildt Cheetah Centre Arrived at Wellington Zoo 2 March 2005 Died at Wellington Zoo 2 September 2013 Charlie (M) Born 8 May 2004 at De Wildt Cheetah Centre Arrived at Wellington Zoo 2 March 2005 Still at Wellington Zoo Shomari (M) Born 9 April 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park Arrived at Wellington Zoo 28 May 2014 Died at Wellington Zoo 28 May 2014 Cango (M) Born 9 April 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park Arrived at Wellington Zoo 28 May 2014 Still at Wellington Zoo Kunjuka (M) Born 9 April 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park Arrived at Wellington Zoo 6 June 2014 Still at Wellington Zoo *May be error in studbook as Wellington Zoo did not have a male cheetah at estimated time of conception and mother arrived at least six months prior to birth, meaning cub could not have been conceived at another institution.
I might be tired and not reading this correctly, but wouldn't this male have been the likely father? Or should the unknown have been born 1976?
My apologies. I made a mistake and recorded the DOB of the unknown as 1 January 1986 instead of the correct DOB, 1 January 1976. As an admin, are you able to edit my post to correct this error? If not, could you please delete it (I have an amended copy saved on my computer), so I can repost a factually correct copy to this thread.
Orana Wildlife Park Kibo (M) Born 11 June 1987 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 29 October 1988 Died at Orana Wildlife Park 19 February 1999 Mikumi (M) Born 11 June 1987 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 29 October 1988 Died at Orana Wildlife Park 12 November 1998 Malaika (F) Born 26 April 1990 at Edinburgh Zoo Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 18 July 1991 Died at Orana Wildlife Park 12 December 1997 Seli (F) Born 20 January 1990 at Fota Wildlife Park Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 23 July 1991 Died at Orana Wildlife Park 13 October 1993 Unnamed (U) Born 11 April 1993 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 11 April 1993 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Mikumi Unnamed (F) Born 19 December 1993 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 21 December 1993 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Kibo Moja (M) Born 20 December 1993 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 26 September 2005 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown Mbili (M) Born 20 December 1993 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 3 November 2006 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown Tatu (M) Born 20 December 1993 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 5 July 2007 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown Unnamed (M) Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 16 July 1995 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown Unnamed (M) Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 16 July 1995 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown Unnamed (M) Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 16 July 1995 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown Unnamed (M) Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 17 July 1995 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown Unnamed (F) Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 18 July 1995 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown Unnamed (F) Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 19 July 1995 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown Unnamed (F) Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 19 July 1995 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown Julai (F) Born 16 July 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 5 August 2005 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown Unnamed (M) Born 4 November 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 27 November 1995 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown Unnamed (F) Born 4 November 1995 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 18 November 1995 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Unknown Unnamed (M) Born 6 November 1997 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 11 December 1997 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Mikumi Kaitoa (M) Born 6 November 1997 at Orana Wildlife Park Sent to Hamilton Zoo 2 September 2003 Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 16 August 2007 Died at Orana Wildlife Park 10 January 2012 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Mikumi Kaskazi (F) Born 6 November 1997 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 26 December 2004 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Mikumi Yatima (F) Born 6 November 1997 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 19 Janauary 2005 Dam: Malaika, Sire: Mikumi Umbulla (M) Born 15 September 1996 at Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 15 December 2001 Died at Orana Wildlife Park 24 June 2009 Mwandi (M) Born 26 May 2000 at Cango Wildlife Ranch Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 1 June 2003 Died at Orana Wildlife Park 11 February 2015 Rahi (M) Born 30 October 2004 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 20 June 2014 Dam: Yatima, Sire: Mwandi Tane (M) Born 30 October 2004 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 23 September 2015 Dam: Yatima, Sire: Mwandi Kaha (M) Born 30 October 2004 at Orana Wildlife Park Still at Orana Wildlife Park Dam: Yatima, Sire: Mwandi Kura (F) Born 30 October 2004 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 31 March 2010 Dam: Yatima, Sire: Mwandi Kitoko (F) Born 7 April 1998 at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 6 February 2006 Died at Orana Wildlife Park 7 October 2008 Temba (F) Born 8 April 1999 at Cango Wildlife Ranch Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 16 August 2007 Died at Orana Wildlife Park 27 February 2013 Gizmo (M) Born 14 October 2006 at Cango Wildlife Ranch Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 22 August 2007 Died at Orana Wildlife Park 19 November 2015 Gemma (F) Born 27 September 2006 at Cango Wildlife Ranch Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 22 August 2007 Still at Orana Wildlife Park Blaine (M) Born 26 May 2000 at Cango Wildlife Ranch Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 19 November 2008 Died at Orana Wildlife Park 31 December 2012 Jonah (M) Born 18 March 2004 in South Africa Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 19 November 2008 Died at Orana Wildlife Park 23 March 2015 Cango (M) Born 9 April 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park Sent to Wellington Zoo 28 May 2014 Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah Kunjuka (M) Born 9 April 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park Sent to Wellington Zoo 6 June 2014 Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah Shomari (M) Born 9 April 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park Sent to Wellington Zoo 28 May 2014 Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah Mazza (F) Born 9 April 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park Still at Orana Wildlife Park Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah Gijima (M) Born 27 November 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park Sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo 26 July 2012 Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah Kebeni (M) Born 27 November 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park Sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo 26 July 2012 Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah Timka (M) Born 27 November 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park Sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo 26 July 2012 Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah Unnamed (F) Born 27 November 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 24 February 2010 Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah Unnamed (F) Born 27 November 2009 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 12 May 2010 Dam: Kura, Sire: Jonah Kiana (F) Born 18 October 2009 at Cango Wildlife Ranch Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 5 April 2013 Died at Orana Wildlife Park 25 November 2015 Lusi (F) Born 17 September 2010 at Cango Wildlife Ranch Arrived at Orana Wildlife Park 5 April 2013 Still at Orana Wildlife Park Unnamed (M) Born 27 April 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 29 April 2013 Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo Unnamed (M) Born 27 April 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 2 May 2013 Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo Unnamed (M) Born 27 April 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 2 May 2013 Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo Unnamed (F) Born 27 April 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 28 April 2013 Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo Unnamed (F) Born 27 April 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 2 May 2013 Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo Unnamed (M) Born 2 November 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 14 November 2013 Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo Boo (M) Born 2 November 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park Sent to Symbio Wildlife Park 20 May 2016 Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo Lion (M) Born 2 November 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park Sent to Symbio Wildlife Park 20 May 2016 Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo Unnamed (F) Born 2 November 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 14 November 2013 Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo Unnamed (M) Born 1 December 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 2 December 2013 Dam: Lusi, Sire: Jonah Unnamed (F) Born 1 December 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 2 December 2013 Dam: Lusi, Sire: Jonah Unnamed (F) Born 1 December 2013 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 6 December 2013 Dam: Lusi, Sire: Jonah Unnamed (U) Born 28 October 2014 at Orana Wildlife Park Died at Orana Wildlife Park 29 October 2014 Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo Gorse (M) Born 28 October 2014 at Orana Wildlife Park Still at Orana Wildlife Park Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo Kanzi (M) Born 28 October 2014 at Orana Wildlife Park Still at Orana Wildlife Park Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo Matata (M) Born 28 October 2014 at Orana Wildlife Park Still at Orana Wildlife Park Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo Nia (F) Born 28 October 2014 at Orana Wildlife Park Still at Orana Wildlife Park Dam: Mazza, Sire: Gizmo
Orana Wildlife Park have so far raised 24 cheetah to adulthood, all from the same family of which there have been five generations. Remaining at Orana are: Kaha M04 (third generation) Mazza F09 (fourth generation) Gorse M14 (fifth generation) Kanzi M14 (fifth generation) Matata M14 (fifth generation) Nia F14 (fifth generation) As well as two imported cheetah: Gemma F06 Lusi F10 Of the adult females, two have bred before: Mazza (successfully) and Lusi (unsuccessfully) but both their previous mates passed away in 2015. Mazza and her daughter Nia are related to all four males at the park, but any of these males would be suitable to breed with Gemma or Lusi. Given Gemma’s age (10 years) and previous history of non breeding, it would be more likely they would succeed with breeding from Lusi (6 years). Hopefully Orana will also import some new males as potential mates for Mazza and Nia. Mazza is nearing the end of her reproductive years but is a proven breeder while Nia is now two years old and approaching reproductive age.
