Amur Tiger

Thanks for the Link CC. That really does throw a different light on the Zoo. They look as though they are into conservation in a big way, and that is so good. I like your comment that they are not so interested in the visitor experience, that is a good sign, because so many Zoos are designed to give the best visitor experience at the expense of the animals comfort, and living quaters. Its right that Zoos are designed with the animals in mind first. It's a shame about Czar, but from what you've been told it looks as though its the best for him, and given their experience, and commitment to Animals, I'm sure they will find him the right place.

WS

So we were at the zoo on Sunday, I and my daughter. It was coldish, -7 degrees, but the sun was shining and the zoo island looked beautiful. The sea around it was covered with ice, and there were people walking, skiing and skating on it. Almost all the windows in Cat Valley (the area in the zoo where all the cats live :)) were frozen, and I had to take most of the pictures through the fences.

Czar resting in his little "cave":



Czar looking at Lara:



Lara looking at Czar:





CC

I am so pleased you and your daughter mde it to the Zoo on Sunday Cremecat and the setting sounds wonderful, I like the way you say it was coldish at -7, to me that would be definiately freezing!
That first picture of Czar is fantastic, I know you say it's taken through the fence but I love the setting f thr photo, its looking through to Czar with the surrounding snow, just beautiful and a great setting for such a magnificent Male. Seeing him and Lara looking at each other just tugs your heart knowing they will be seperated eventually, I know they say Lara can be difficult with him but there must also be an incredible friendship as well. I love the sun shinning off Laras coat, its so golden.
As huge Tiger lover, I am beaming once again this evening, Thanks Cremecat.

littlewid-x-

for sharing your lovely photos Cremecat and great news you were able to make it to the zoo with your daughter.

How lovely everyone was able to skate on the ice, it must have been fun. I do feel for the animals though when it's that cold. Lucky the tigers have such magnificent thick coats

Lai

Those photos are stunning CC. I know you said its through the bars especialy the first one, but as LW says its a beautiful setting. Czar, and Lara look absolutely gorgeous, and really there coats are made for that type of weather. Minus 7c, and coldish Brrrrrr

I hope you dont mind CC, but I played about with your Photo of Czar, so a little present for you, for all the great pics, and info you've given us



WS

I think you missed this one CC so I've copied it from the last page

I hope you dont mind CC, but I played about with your Photo of Czar, so a little present for you, for all the great pics, and info you've given us



WS

Thank you WS!!! The picture looks SO much better now!!

You are really a pro! How did you do it?

CC

Glad you like it CC. I use a cloning technique you take parts of the photo that dont have the bars across, and basicly paint over the bars. I must admit it was a tricky one though, and I had to use a bit of artistic liecence.
WS

I love it!

I saved a copy to my laptop. It will become my next desktop picture.

CC

I tried it as my screen saver CC, and it looks really good.
WS

I love what you have done with that wonderful picture of Czar WS, I reckon Cremecat could get that made into a Christmas card for this year, I would surely buy some and send to friends, it's lovely.

littlewid-x-

What an awesome thread! This love story of the tigers is terrific, though I do think that Lara has a little part cougar in her, given their ages

Some of those pictures are great CC. The one of them kissing though separated is heart-rending, and I really like the latest one of Lara looking at Czar.

You never want to get on the bad side of WS; that man could frame anyone!

He really is a master craftsmen. A for that one is warranted.

6 zoos in Europe last year! You are totally wild about animals!

WS - that's a great picture you've put together of Czar and would make a wonderful card for sure.

GR - that's a good one for today about WS and the framing

Lai

All we need now is for WS to add his art to a killer, and then we can quote it as "framed for murder"

GR - wait til WS sees that one!

Lai

I already framed a killer. Czar is a Tiger, and an apex predator. A natural born killer as all Tigers are as much as we love them, and we would do well to remember that.
A bit of Amur Tiger breeding history from Edinburgh Zoo.


More info on the link below
http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/animals/individuals/highlandwildlifepark/amurtiger.html

WS

WS

Lai

WS, you are the best!!! "I already framed a killer."
I can't wait to see GR's response...

Thank you for the picture and the link to Edinburgh Zoo's website. It is all so interesting!
If only I could have access to all the studbooks of the big cats!

CC

GR, thank you so much! I am always so happy to hear that somebody likes my stories.
And I do have a couple of them left... some are sad, some happy ones.

CC

Thanks for the link WS, it does look like a good place and I think I will sign for their enewsletter, a good way to keep up with whats happening there. I agree about the studbooks cremecat, it would be so nice to track the history of the Tigers back.
It was a shame to read that there are now more Amur Tigers in captivity than there are in the wild.

littlewid-x-

What the Amur Tigers at Helsinki Zoo do at night when we don't see them:

https://youtu.be/Dy0GkydoqMc

(I would say they do mostly what they are doing in daytime )

Can you hear Mohan the lion roaring in the background?

CC

Certainly could hear Mohan roaring in the background......what a roar!!!!

Loved that clip cremecat and it's odd really because watching it you almost forget what powerful predators they are, big cats just sitting around, having a wash, a scratch and a yawn, just like your ordinary pussy cat!!!!!!

I was looking to see if the fireworks spooked them or not, there was a flicker of interest but I don't think they really bothered them at all, they were more interested in preening.

That was so nice to see them at night though just relaxing and doing normal cat things.......albeit big cat things

littlewid-x-

That was lovely to see CC thanks. Love the opening growl from Mohan sent the chills down my spine . Ir's great to see the close ups of the face, and those Fireworks did'nt seem to cause any bother at all
Hmmm Big Cats stud books now there's a thought
WS

My response?



Of course tigers are killers!

I need to do more of this

Big Cat Stud Books - Big Cat Diary's answer to Fifty Shades Of Grey

CC, more stories please. Gimme gimme gimme!