Nindiri
The rotation of our two jaguars has been the cause for adjustment for both human and cat along Big Cat Trail at the San Diego Zoo. During the very first days that some of our regular visitors ambled down the path to find Nindiri on exhibit where they were accustomed to seeing Orson for over the past 10 years, some came to me concerned that something bad had happened to the elderly Orson. Although I was able to reassure them that Orson was fine enjoying the modern digs up at Elephant Odyssey (see post Zoo Legend Finds New Home), I too noticed one thing missing: Orson’s frequent roar, which could be heard up and down the canyon as he declared Big Cat Trail his domain.
Nindiri seemed to take the change much more in stride. Before the Elephant Odyssey project was completed, Nindiri spent several months “sharing” the exhibit on Big Cat Trail with Orson on a rotating basis. She seemed very confident entering the exhibit; apparently she remembered her time here. The first thing she did was go examine all of the areas Orson regularly scent marked, one enriching experience we expected with this change.
At over 17 years old, Orson was the elder statesman of Big Cat Trail. In contrast, at a spry 2½ years old, Nindiri arrives as the youngest cat in the area. Her youthfulness shows with her exhibiting more activity and spunk throughout the day. Despite being half Orson’s weight, she broke a perch in her habitat the very first day exploring. More recently I observed her trying to get at one of the sprinkler heads that hang from the roof. She will also take time to play with her rabbit carcass in the pools, while Orson would take the more “mature” path and get down to eating his rabbit immediately. These kinds of reactions are the type of enriching behavior we hope that the exhibit rotation will bring for both of our jaguars.
Many people assume that we must tranquilize or sedate our large carnivores to transfer them, but this is not necessarily true. Both of the jaguars were trained to enter their transport crates on their own accord through positive reinforcement, meaning that they received a treat for entering their crate and being calm. In fact, I only had to do three such “sessions” with Orson before he was ready for his move to Elephant Odyssey. On the day of the move I asked him into his crate, gave him a treat, and closed and secured the door behind him as he calmly waited for more food. Although any move of a potentially dangerous animal is a serious matter, the ease with which we were able to move our jaguars allows us the possibility of making changes like this that should enhance both of their lives.
On your next visit to the Zoo, make sure to visit both of our jaguar habitats. You may be surprised by who is where and what they will be doing with the increased enrichment in their lives.
Todd Speis is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Another update ! Thank You Todd… I cannot wait to visit Nindiri and Orson. Hopefully soon. I guess like all youngsters who tend to play with their food at times, Nindiri would be no exception to the rule. And thank you also for sharing with us how easily transportable these two wonderful big cats are ! Awesome !
Will Orson be Ok, or is he expected to pass away this year?
Moderator’s note: Orson’s health is good for an 18-year-old jaguar.
I had a chance to get a close up view of Nindiri at a Behind the Scenes Tour on Thursday. She is a magnificent cat, full of energy and attitude. She was so eager to get her bone from the keeper that she kept jumping onto the screen wall that separated her from her admirers.
The tour is the BEST! A great chance to see the zoo from an intimate perspective. We also got to see the pandas without standing in line.
I love to read about the jaguars! Does Orson still roar frequently while at this new home? How do the lions react, if he does roar? What is the expected life-span of a captive jaguar? (So many questions!)
Todd responds: Orson is still roaring up in Elephant Odyssey, but I have not heard from his keepers how the lions are doing with their new neighbor. The record for longitivity for a jaguar is about 23 years. Much like house cats, I would consider anything past the mid-teens to be elderly.
Thanks, Todd. Glad to hear that Orson and Nindiri are enjoying the change of venue. It is great enrichment for both of them. As was reported previously the warm sun will be great for the elder statesman’s stiff bones, and he can have a new place to roar and claim as his domain.
Thanks for another great update on our jaguars! I also wonder about Orson’s roar. Is he roaring up at is new digs? What a treat for his new fans if he is!
Moderator’s note: Yes, he still roars–obviously has a lot to say!
One of my cats turns 19 next month! She still jumps like a kitten and has very few health issues. Let’s hope Orson is around a very long time and experiences wonderful days in his new neighborhood.
Visited both Orson and Nindiri yesterday — both are gorgeous individuals — so I was very happy to read this update. Does Orson still jump to retrieve meat tied overhead?
Todd responds: Orson no longer does the carcass pull that he did for so many years. Just over a year ago Orson started to develop some arthritis in one of his rear legs. He was put on medication but it was decided that we might risk aggravating this condition if we continued the activity. We still do lots of alternative enrichment with Orson and he still gets his beef shank. Now he gets to search to find it hidden in his exhibit instead.
Thank you, Todd, for your response.
Thank you, Todd, for answering all my questions. Let’s pray that Orson beats the longitivity record…and beats it while in great health! He is such a handsome boy. I will have to go and hear him roar; does he tend to roar at certain times?
My cat lived to see 34 years of things, just passed away this year. But, his last litter is on the way. *sniffle*
Thanks for the excellent blog about the jaguars, Todd! I saw them last time I was there – they are both such beautiful cats. Here’s hoping they live long and happy lives in their new environments.
Hi Todd I remember you mentioning Orson will be moved back to Cat Canyon when the weather gets hotter. Do you have a planned time for the rotation back and if so when?
Also, I was wondering how you think Orson is doing/ handling the glass portion of his new enclosure. He was pacing quite a bit in that small area and there is usually such a big crowd right by the glass.
Thank you so much for taking the time to give updates about Orson & Nindiri and answer questions
Todd responds: We have no definite plans on the timing of any future jaguar moves. The moves will be based on what is best for the cats. Orson has settled in well to the exhibit at Elephant Odyssey. Pacing doesn’t necessarily indicate stress; it can indicate an animal anticipating a feeding because it hears the keeper approaching or it can be just the natural urge to patrol its territory. The last time I saw Orson, he was sound asleep behind the glass in front of a huge crowd of onlookers.
Hi Todd,
I just wanted to write a quick note to let you know what a pleasure it was to see Orson and Nindiri on our last visit and also to let you know I appreciate the wonderful care they are so obviously given. Orson was back on Big Cat Trail once more and gave quite a show with his roars! I was wondering if there are any special celebrations planned for his 18th birthday this Fall or if there are any special tours dedicated for them?
Ann Marie
is there any breeding plans for nindiri
Moderator’s note: Yes! Stay tuned for a blog post.