GoSee proud to know a unique pride of Gangster white lions
Five young Gangster boys.
Photo courtesy Jonathan Payner |
GoSee is proud to be a sponsor for a pride of white lions. The five Gangsters, as the boys are known, are among the achievements of Mogo Zoo in South Coast NSW.
In July 2006 the zoo successfully bred two white lion cubs. Since then Mogo Zoo has developed a white lion breeding program which has now produced four litters.
The fourth litter of white lion cubs, brings the total white lion population at Mogo to an astounding 16!
The playful four are part of the zoo’s successful white lion program, which has produced 13 offspring since its inception in July 2006. Mogo Zoo is the only zoo in Australia to exhibit this threatened species.
The latest litter of four is a significant cause for celebration given that white lions have not been observed in the wild for over 12 years, and the global population consisted of a mere 10 white lions in 1995.
The lions, which are white due to a recessive gene called ‘leucism’, hold a magical place in African folklore and are rarer than the legendary snow leopards of the Himalayas.
The four cubs (2 female and 2 male), have been affectionately named ‘Lika’, ‘Apple’, ‘Tahba’ and‘Makulu’.
Mogo Zoo's Jonathon Minor says white lions occur naturally in the wild but do not live long lives. White is too conspicuous a shade in their native environment for that.
But there are greater dangers to the survival of beautiful animals than occur in the wild.
Mogo Zoo is about conservation and preservation Jonathon says and in today's imperfect world it is a task which really challenges.
The Gangsters are worth about $36,000 each when zoos talk about dollar values among themselves. Or maybe no dollars are involved when the legitimate world of animal preservation and conservation is involved.
But on the dark side illegal animal trade could mean that a white lion skin changes hands for up to $300,000.
And a big hello to all our white lion fans out there |
Mogo Zoo has many rare and endangered exotic species. The white lions are the only ones in Australia.
Founded on the vision of Bill and Sally Padey who got things rolling in 1989 Mogo Zoo is a founding member of Australasian Species Management Program and plays a leading role in various breeding programs.
Mogo Zoo's core focus is it is committed to the survival of endangered species. The collection of species under the threat of extinction is Mogo Zoo's driver.
The zoo's conservation work in relation to the endangered Red Panda is recognised internationally.
The zoo has provided modest annual financial support to Resources Nepal and has also supported zoos in Indonesia. Three of these house Sumatran Tigers.
Mogo Zoo produced a great achievement when it successfully bred Snow Leopards in 1999. The species had not been bred in Australasia for more than 10 years. Then it produced another success in October 2003 when a second litter of cubs - Khumbu and Tenzin were born.
Three big boys |
Mogo Zoo has gone through a substantial re-organisation of both the existing and acquired animals in its care and now there are five distinct categories -
Carnivores, Primates, Small mammals, Hoof stock; and Reptiles.
Mogo is not government funded and relies heavily on business sponsorship. Mogo Zoo is out of the ordinary with staff who, know love and want to share their fascination with beautiful animals.
The feeling is catching and last year 150,000 people came to Mogo Zoo to learn about unique animals like the five white lion Gangsters we are proud to help support with veterinary expenses, meals and enclosure upgrades.
You can help too by going to see the Gangsters and their friends when you next GoSee to the NSW South Coast.
Mogo Zoo at 222 Tomakin Rd, Mogo is minutes (10km) south of the water world of Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast.
The far South Coast had 2.26 million day travellers and a similar number of over-night travellers last year. It and Mogo Zoo are close to the major populations of Canberra (157km), Wollongong (210km) and Sydney (336km).
The Bureau of Tourism Research said in 2002 - "The South Coast of NSW is the fifth most popular domestic overnight destination in Australia, behind Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
For more information
contact: Garth Morrison
Editor Go See Australia and Go See New Zealand Directory
Email: garth@contact.com.au
An interesting word about white lions at Mogo Zoo |
Hey, come and play |
I think something is behind me |
Yes I am working on my mane |
Now that is a fine head of hair |
Deer me a fine spread of antlers at Mogo Zoo |
It is all yawn for this De Brazza Monkey at Mogo Zoo |
On track for a white lion experience |
Mogo deer are right next to the lions |
The Meerkat is a social mongoose |
Fast Eddie the otter moves in a blurr |
The otter is constantly on the go at Mogo Zoo |
Snapped in a split second the otter is a tough camera target |
Sumatran Tiger Mogo Zoo |
Authentic roof Mogo NSW |
Princes Hwy Mogo. Mogo Zoo is next left |
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