Mowgli the Jaguar at Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo has two Jaguars, a male and a female. Mowgli, our male, was born in October 2004 and came to us in 2005 from Beauval Zoo, France. Mowgli has a black coat and is very bold and curious.

In June 2007 we received our female, Tina. Tina is a spotted jaguar, with a beautiful golden coat covered with ?rosettes,? or groupings of black spots. Tina was being kept in a circus in Belgium, but was seized by customs because it was illegal for the circus to have her. Tina was assigned to Edinburgh Zoo so that she could become a part of the European breeding programme.

We believe Tina is between six and eight years old. Because she was overfed in her former home, she is overweight. Tina?s diet is now being monitored. She has already lost some weight and is on a gentle exercise regime that is incorporated into her training. The weight loss has to be done very slowly so her liver and kidneys are not affected. Tina is quiet but enjoys attention from her keepers. Our two jaguars will be kept apart until it is the right time for them to breed.