Banham Zoo announces birth of endangered Amur tigers
A pair of endangered tiger cubs have been born at Banham Zoo following a successful genetically-matched conservation programme.
Last week, the zoo announced that Amur tigers Mishka and Kuzma had become parents following two years of careful planning.
Mishka first moved to Banham Zoo in May from Woburn Safari Park, as part of the European Breeding Programme for the species – an important conservation programme in place to protect endangered animals from extinction.
She was identified as a genetically compatible mate for the Norfolk zoo’s resident male, Kuzma, who was bred at the zoo 13 years ago.
Oliver Lewis-McDonald, team leader of carnivores at Banham Zoo, said: “Amur tiger mothers naturally seek out a suitable secluded den site to protect offspring from any potential predators and to shelter them from the worst of the elements.
“We provided Mishka with a purpose-built cubbing box inside one of the dens.
“The design has been used successfully in the past with tigers and leopards, but Mishka wasn’t impressed with it, so we decided to use a different den design to still ensure the privacy Mishka needed for her cubs at this early stage of infancy.
“Our discreet protective measures led to some public speculation, though, so we are delighted to reveal the safe arrival of the tiger cubs.
“Both cubs look to be developing very well and every day they are moving around with more ease.”
Amur tigers are born blind, and the two cubs are starting to take a first glimpse of their new home as they begin to open their eyes.
“Mishka is proving to be an incredible first-time mother and Kuzma has shown quite a bit if interest, too,” added Oliver.
After spending a few weeks settling into their new surroundings, the cubs will be vaccinated, microchipped and sexed by keepers.
Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, are one of nine sub-species of tiger – three of which are now extinct.
Due to its Siberian habitat, the Amur tiger has a long coat of fur and a large ruff around its jawline. They are the largest of the world’s big cats, as well as the heaviest.
They are classed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to habitat loss and hunting, with only around 500 thought to be left in the wild.
Banham hopes the new arrivals will become more visible in the coming weeks and months, but for now, half-term visitors will have to settle for glimpses of Mishka and the cubs from the zoo’s CCTV footage.