This week, four rare Amur tiger cubs took their first steps into the outside world at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire. Born in May, the cubs ventured into a paddock with their mother, Yana, under her careful watch.
Longleat keepers described the moment as a significant milestone. Having received her own space first, Yana ensured the environment was safe before calling her cubs out to explore.
Eloise Kilbane, a representative from Longleat, shared how the young tigers seemed full of energy and curiosity as they played on the grass for the first time.
“Yana was out rolling around, scratching, and marking her scent before signaling to the cubs to join her,” Kilbane said. “Days like this are a dream come true for keepers. Watching them thrive and knowing the breeding program is successful makes it all worthwhile.”
Amur tigers are critically endangered, with only about 450 remaining in the wild. These four cubs were born to Yana and their father, Red, both nine years old. This is Yana’s second litter; she had given birth to two cubs, Rusty and Yuki, in 2019.
While the cubs will gradually be introduced to the outdoor environment, they are expected to enter the main paddock later in the summer.
Darren Beasley, head of animal operations at Longleat, explained that this gradual approach is important for the cubs’ well-being.
“Yana is leading the way,” Beasley said. “We want to make sure the cubs are confident and Yana is comfortable with their surroundings before they move to the larger area visible to park visitors.”
Native to Russia’s Far East, Amur tigers are the largest of the big cats, capable of weighing up to 300kg.
The species nearly disappeared in the 1940s due to hunting and habitat destruction, with the population dwindling to as few as 20 to 30 individuals. Conservation efforts have since helped the species recover, though they remain critically endangered.
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