Following the incredible legacy left behind by Asiatic lions, Iblis, Kumari, and Kiburi, and cheetah, Singa, we now look to a new chapter of big cat conservation as we welcome six big cats to the zoo: an Asiatic lion pair, a cheetah brother duo, and two new jaguars. These big cats bring with them breeding hopes for the future, as we continue our work to protect these powerful predators.
The Newcomers
Nilay
Asiatic Lion, 20 months old, joined us from Cologne Zoo
Shanti
Asiatic Lion, 19 months old, joined us from London Zoo
Kendi
Cheetah, 17 months old, joined us from Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Tafari
Cheetah, 17 months old, joined us from Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Bonita
Jaguar, 15 years old, joining us from the now closed South Lakes Safari Zoo
Remirez
Jaguar, 11 years old, joining us from the now closed South Lakes Safari Zoo
Having to say goodbye to some of our longstanding big cats this year has been a sad time for the whole team, but we are also feeling hopeful for the future as we welcome this new group of six big cats to the zoo.
Richard Tyson, Carnivore Keeper here at the zoo
A NEW PRIDE
Lion duo, Nilay and Shanti, have been matched as part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), which is a vital part of maintaining healthy and genetically diverse populations of species like the Asiatic lion. Hopes are that the two youngsters will become a breeding pair in the coming months as they reach maturity. This would be the start of a whole new pride here at the zoo, with Asiatic lions tending to live in small prides out in the wild with up to 10 members.
Nilay made the trip from Cologne Zoo back in October, after many months of thoughtful planning to ensure his ferry journey was as smooth, calm, and comfortable as possible.
To help him feel safe and confident for the move, his care team spent time gradually introducing him to his travel space, using gentle encouragement and plenty of rewards.
When he arrived, he was first introduced to his new companion through a mesh barrier - a reassuring way for them to quietly explore each other’s scent and presence, rubbing along the divide and building familiarity before meeting face-to-face.
The pair are now settling in to their habitat together and both are doing well, though they're still a little shy as they adjust to their new surroundings.
The Asiatic lion can only be found in the Gir Forest in Gujarat, India. As little as 600 to 700 of these majestic lions remain in the wild, and their reliance on just this one precious habitat makes them even more at risk of a natural disaster or an outbreak of illness. This makes Nilay and Shanti’s breeding match even more important for the future conservation of this incredible species.
The Asiatic lion can only be found in the Gir Forest in Gujarat, India. As little as 600 to 700 of these majestic lions remain in the wild, and their reliance on just this one precious habitat makes them even more at risk of a natural disaster or an outbreak of illness. This makes Nilay and Shanti’s breeding match even more important for the future conservation of this incredible species.
Brotherly Love
We recently welcomed two new cheetahs to the zoo from Yorkshire Wildlife Park - a pair of cheetah brothers named Tafari and Kendi, and the pair are settling in well to their habitat. Our carnivore keepers have remarked how the pair are inquisitive and confident as they explore their new environment.
We're also excited to share that plans are being developed for a breeding female to potentially join the brothers in the future as part of the European breeding programme. With fewer than 500 of their species remaining in the wild, this would form a vital part of helping to protect the species' future.
Joining the Jaguars
We're getting set to welcome two very special big cats - jaguar mother and son, Bonita and Remirez, from South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria.
The duo will live in their own dedicated habitat inside the jaguar house, maintaining the strong bond they’ve built over 11 years together. Their eventual arrival will see the number of jaguars in our care increase to four, with Napo and Inka continuing to live separate to the incoming pair.
AI Paw Power
Out in the field, the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is making its mark in the conservation of big cats, including protecting the fastest land animal alive, the cheetah. With speeds of up to 70mph, tracking cheetah populations in their wild habitats across Africa is a task we have been working on alongside our partner organisation, WildTrack.
Using FIT, the ‘footprint identification technique’, a new AI tool can analyse digital images of cheetah paw prints, using the cheetah’s unique anatomy to recognise individual prints with an accuracy rate of over 90%.
These advancements allow for a much greater understanding of wild cheetah populations and their movement patterns which is a key part of conservation. The technology is also now being prepared for other big cat species, including the jaguar, making the conservation efforts for big cats even stronger.
Adopt a jaguar this Christmas
Adopt a jaguar for a friend or loved one this Christmas and support our vital conservation efforts for these majestic big cats.
AI Paw Power
Out in the field, the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is making its mark in the conservation of big cats, including protecting the fastest land animal alive, the cheetah. With speeds of up to 70mph, tracking cheetah populations in their wild habitats across Africa is a task we have been working on alongside our partner organisation, WildTrack.
Using FIT, the ‘footprint identification technique’, a new AI tool can analyse digital images of cheetah paw prints, using the cheetah’s unique anatomy to recognise individual prints with an accuracy rate of over 90%.
These advancements allow for a much greater understanding of wild cheetah populations and their movement patterns which is a key part of conservation. The technology is also now being prepared for other big cat species, including the jaguar, making the conservation efforts for big cats even stronger.
Adopt a jaguar this Christmas
Adopt a jaguar for a friend or loved one this Christmas and support our vital conservation efforts for these majestic big cats.
