Amur Tiger

Littlewid, he looks stunning! Never mind the quality because of an old digi cam: we can see through it, don't we?
Do we know his name?

CC

Sadly I don't know his name CC, I am not sure if I ever made a note of it which was very silly of me. I will have to have a look at their site to see who was around at that time as zoos do move Tigers about a bit.

The Tiger at Whipsnade, where I am going in September is Anastasia and she has just had a male from Moscow zoo join her, he is called Botzman. I got a nice little picture of Anastasia laying in the grass last year, I took her chin showing ll her whiskers, in fact that was all she was showing as she was hiding, hopefully this September I will get a better picture of her and also Botzman.

Heres a link to Whipsnde ZSL about them both.

http://www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/news/rare-tiger-unveiled-at-zsl-whipsnade-zoo,1046,NS.html

littlewid-x-

Littlewid, I'm looking forward to your dozens and dozens of pictures of Anastasia and Botzman! He sure is a handsome tiger.

I also saw earlier a short video of their first moments together. They were so sweet!  

CC

CC as long as they are not hiding when I am there I will be taking oodles of photos of them both, so keep your fingers crossed they are in a photo snapping mood  

littlewid-x-

I visited Copenhagen Zoo (Zoologisk Have) in the beginning of this week. What a wonderful day I had!  

I knew beforehand that there are Amur Tiger cubs, but I did not know that there are actually two litters of cubs. The two female tigers are sisters, and they were born in 2009 at the CPH Zoo. One of them was about to move to Chelyabinsk Zoo, Russia, but due to the meteor blast over there the transfer was cancelled. Then happened what happens when you put male and female tigers together: the both sisters became pregnant and the transfer could not be done at all.

The first litter of four cubs was born on April 18 and the second of two cubs a week later. When the cubs were about one month old, the zoo decided to try to bring the families together so that they could live in the same space together. As we know, it is not necessary so simple, as there is a risk that one female does not accept the cubs of the other female. But it was a success; maybe it helped that the moms were sisters and spent their whole life together.

The next step was to introduce the cubs to the father. He had been living separated in the tiger house for several days while the cubs had been familiarizing with the outside area. The zoo news tells about the first day like this (translated from Danish with Google):

"As soon as the male made ​​his "family" company in the outside enclosure, he was escorted around by the two females who closely followed his every move. It was obvious that the two females did not want him to get too near the to the cubs. He had a hard time to comply the females' desire and keep himself to himself, as all the six inquisitive tiger cubs seemed to find their father immensely interesting and therefore did everything to come to him.

The male came therefore to run the gauntlet around the plant to get rid of the many young ones who crawled between his huge paws, and the two discriminating females, who were never far away from their little ones.

After fifteen minutes did however peace come to the enclosure. The moms got the pack of clumsy tiger cubs under control and the male could finally take a well deserved break and eat a chunk of meat."

When I saw them, they looked all very relaxed: the adults were lying side by side, and the cubs were playing together and sometimes climbing over the adults and playing with their tails, and so on.  

I posted 50 pics on my FB; here are some:







 

CC

Oh     CC those are lovely pictures and how amazing that the two mums and their cubs can be together, as you say it must be because they are sisters. I imagine that the zoo are secretly pleased that both females became pregnant so that the transfer could not go ahead. I bet you had a wonderful day there and I will try and get on your fb page to check out the rest.
I am going to bed one happy girl tonight  

littlewid-x-

  and   CC. Really stunning photos and it sounds like you had a wonderful visit to the zoo.

Lai

One of the tiger moms with two cubs moved to Knuthenborg Safaripark (in Denmark, too) on Wednesday.
I guess it is better so, because the cubs grow fast, and the tiger enclosure would very soon be too small for the two tiger families.

CC

Then that is good news CC - the tigers need their space.

Lai

Sorry a bit late, I missed those photos CC they re stunAt least as you say ther are going to have more room to grow so that can only be good for themning, and what a wonderful visit you had. Are there still plans for the others to go to Russia or are they staying now ?

WS  

I visited the Helsinki Zoo again last weekend.  

One of the tigers' enclosure was under repair, I think they were fixing the pool. Lara was in the other enclosure, hiding in the bushes, just looking up once so that I could take this picture:



... and this one:



A couple of hours later when we returned to her, she was walking and roaring back to Mohan who was in the lions' enclosure across the road.



I hope sooo very much that the zoo gets a new male tiger as soon as the other enclosure is ready!!! 

CC

Littlewid, did you visit Whipsnade? Did you meet Anastasia and Botzman?    

CC

HI CC
What lovely pictures of Lara, eventhough she was hiding, it looks as if she has a leafy latch over her eye  and you got a to gue shot  nice one  
Mohan is is looking handsome, how is he coping in the Lion enclosure? I am sure they have cleaned it out but I am sure Mohan must still be able to smell them, I would have thoughtthat might have been a little unsettling for him.

Sadly I have not been to Whipsnade yet, we were supposedto go a couple of weeks ago but Tom had to work, so we arranged it for this weekend but very annoyingly I have been flattened with a tummy bug, so I haven't been anywhere. I reckon its going to be Wintertime before we get there at this rate but then again I reckon it will look pretty wonderful at winter. I will surely let you know when we do eventually make it.

littlewid-x-

 I just love that photo of Lara  in the bushs CC, I can just imagine her in hunting mode, waiting for prey opportunity. Fingers X they will get a new Male soon, now that the new enclosure is finished.

WS

Sad news... Lara was euthanized yesterday.
She had serious problems with her teeth, it was very painful for her and obviously affected to her general condition. The was also some problems with her kidneys.
After all, she was already 14 years old...

So sad anyway!

I'll post some more information later this weekend.

CC

Lara's teeth were worn down to the roots, which caused her a lot of pain. In addition to that, the urine analysis showed that there was something wrong with her kidneys.
The zoo staff had noticed that her behaviour had changed, and she was irritated. They gave her painkillers for one week, and on Thursday they made her a thorough examination and concluded that the only responsible decision was to put her down.

I noticed the poor condition of her teeth in this picture I took in April:



My best memory of Lara is however from last December when I saw her kiss Czar. Some of you may remember that...  

Maybe I shouldn't but I do feel a bit sad.  

The zoo is now searching for a new Amur tiger female, as a part of the conservation program. They are hoping to find one before the year end.

The new male has already been found; the problem is that he is still a baby, just six months old, so it will take at least one more year before he can move in. I will tell you all about him later when I am not so sad any more. You can see him on the video I posted here (page 10).  

CC

Oh CC that is so sad  We know how much you loved Lara, and how much joy she brought not only to you, but the rest of us on here. As well as all the people who have enjoyed seeing here, and the Cubs she has brought up over the years. As you said it was a wise if not very hard decision for the Zoo to make. But all credit to them for making it in the interests of Lara, at least now she is not in pain, nor will she have to suffer any painful kidney problems which can cause agony. I know we all understand your sadness at loosing her, and that it will take time to get over her loss. You update when you feel ready my friend, we all share your loss.

WS

Oh My Gosh CC, thats just so incredibly sad, I know how much Lara meant to you and its so heart breaking when you have got to know such a beautiful cat so well, I wish there was something I could say to help you feel a little better. Lara was such a beauty and I remember the kiss with Czar so well.  She not only gave you so much pleasure but us as well through your kindness of posting her pictures and story, so a deep heartfelt thank you  
One good thing is that Lara is no longer in pain and thats a blessing, the zoo did the right thing for her and all credit to them for being so caring towards Lara.
Sending you a huge hug  

Rest in peace and sleep easy beautiful Lara, you will be greatly missed but remembered with such affection  

littlewid-x-

Thank you all for your kind words and hugs! And special thanks to WS for the beautiful tribute to Lara!!!  

What makes an animal special so that it is not just another tiger or lion or leopard... I think it is the story behind them. That is why I always would like to know more about them.  

CC

Such sad news CC and thanks for letting us know.  It is always tragic when an animal we know and love dies but you have to try and remember Lara as she was before the pain and think of her now running free in the great savannah in the sky.

RIP Lara a truly magnificent and beautiful tiger.

Lai

Hi guys, I have some news for you!!!

Helsinki Zoo will get a new Amur Tiger male very soon!!

He was born at the Zoo Leipzig in April 2012.
Actually the mom Bella gave birth to two handsome boys, and we will get one of them. The boys names are Ivo and Tamur, but I don't know yet which one will move to Helsinki within a few weeks.

I found this one picture of them; aren't they gorgeous!

http://www.fotocommunity.de/pc/pc/display/32455370

    

Happy CC

That's great news CC    you must be thrilled.

A lovely photo of them both and I bet you can't wait to get to see whichever one comes to Helsinki zoo.

Thanks for letting us know.

Lai   

    Exciting or what Cremecat    they both look incredibly handsome so I suppose it doesn't matter which one comes but lucky you as you will be able to see them. I for one can't wait to hear which one arrived and then to see you lovely photo's.

Thank you for that brilliant news.....they really are stunning aren't they   

littlewid-x-