NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand

Rare tamarin and African lion die in zoos

Matthew Backhouse
By Matthew Backhouse
Assistant Chief of Staff·APNZ·
15 Aug, 2014 12:27 AM3 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Ngala the lion and Orolito the golden lion tamarin have died. Photos / Auckland Zoo / Wellington Zoo

Ngala the lion and Orolito the golden lion tamarin have died. Photos / Auckland Zoo / Wellington Zoo

A rare golden lion tamarin and a male lion have died at zoos in Auckland and Wellington.

Auckland Zoo said its male lion, Ngala, was euthanised earlier today after he was unable to recover from multiple health issues resulting from a ruptured cruciate ligament in his hind quarters.

The 12-year-old lion suffered the injury about 18 months ago. It led to arthritis due to the instability of his leg and, more recently, lameness.

File photos: Ngala's visit to the dentist

Ngala is prepped during his dental operation for a root canal at Auckland Zoo. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Ngala is prepped during his dental operation for a root canal at Auckland Zoo. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Ngala is prepped during his dental operation for a root canal at Auckland Zoo. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Ngala during his dental operation for a root canal at Auckland Zoo. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Ngala during his dental operation for a root canal at Auckland Zoo. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Ngala during his dental operation for a root canal at Auckland Zoo. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Ngala during his dental operation for a root canal at Auckland Zoo. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Image 1 of 7: Ngala is prepped during his dental operation for a root canal at Auckland Zoo. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Zoo spokeswoman Kate Orgias said Ngala's weakened physical state left him vulnerable to attacks from the zoo's other three lions.

She said the decision to euthanise Ngala was made in the knowledge his physical condition would not improve, and his overall welfare and quality of life could not be maintained.

"This type of injury is one that could also happen to a lion in the wild, and due to reduced mobility, would ultimately be fatal," Ms Orgias said.

"Unfortunately, surgery to repair the ligament -- something that rugby players sometimes undergo -- is impossible for an animal like this due to the type of after-care that would be required."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Ngala is survived by female lions Sheeka, Kura and Amira. His death leaves Auckland Zoo without any male lions.

African lion Ngala. Photo / Auckland Zoo

The zoo said there were no plans at present to import male lions, but it would be considering it as part of its normal collection planning.

Ngala came to Auckland Zoo from the Cango Wildlife Ranch in South Africa in 2003, along with fellow male Lazarus, who was transferred to a zoo in New South Wales in 2012 as part of an Australasian regional breeding programme.

Discover more

New Zealand

Storm damage closes zoo

10 Jun 10:48 PM
New Zealand

Goodall treated to VIP zoo tour

23 Jun 06:12 AM
Opinion

Talk to the Animals: Why do we love animals?

15 Jul 02:05 AM
Opinion

Talk to the Animals: Lizards: The new 'must have' pet?

05 Aug 01:00 AM

Video: Ngala gets root canal

Meanwhile, Wellington Zoo said it was saddened by the death of its male golden lion tamarin Orolito.

The diminutive South American primate died unexpectedly yesterday afternoon.

Zoo spokeswoman Charlotte Whitelaw said staff were waiting for the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.

Orolito was found to be quiet and lethargic yesterday morning, and was taken to the zoo's vet clinic for fluids, glucose, warmth and antibiotics.

The zoo said he died a few hours later, despite further care throughout the afternoon.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Orolito is survived by female tamarin Clementine.

Male golden lion tamarin Orolito. Photo / Wellington Zoo

Ms Whitelaw said tamarins were very social primates, so the zoo was in contact with the species coordinator at the golden lion tamarin breeding programme in Brazil.

Depending on her genetic make-up, she may be paired up with a breeding male or put into a general social group.

The zoo's vet team was keeping a close eye on her in the meantime.

"We're just wanting to do the best thing for her and take in account that these animals are endangered, and we want to be boosting their population numbers."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Orolito settled in at Wellington Zoo last September after he was transferred from Cleveland Zoo in Ohio, United States. Clementine came from Santa Ana Zoo in California.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from New Zealand

live
New Zealand

Fibre outage top of South Island, Tasman residents evacuating, Auck Harbour Bridge hit by high winds

02 Jul 08:07 PM
Herald NOW

Sean 'Diddy' Combs acquitted of sex trafficking, convicted on lesser charge

Herald NOW

Local Government nominations open on Friday

There’s more to Hawai‘i than beaches and buffets – here’s how to see it differently

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Fibre outage top of South Island, Tasman residents evacuating, Auck Harbour Bridge hit by high winds
live

Fibre outage top of South Island, Tasman residents evacuating, Auck Harbour Bridge hit by high winds

02 Jul 08:07 PM

Rain started falling at the top of the country before dawn.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs acquitted of sex trafficking, convicted on lesser charge

Sean 'Diddy' Combs acquitted of sex trafficking, convicted on lesser charge

Local Government nominations open on Friday

Local Government nominations open on Friday

No 10 insisting UK PM didn't make Chancellor cry

No 10 insisting UK PM didn't make Chancellor cry

From early mornings to easy living
sponsored

From early mornings to easy living

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP