AquaZoo Leeuwarden in Friesland, Netherlands, celebrated a significant milestone with the arrival of four Amur tiger cubs, marking the zoo’s first-ever birth of this majestic species.
The cubs were born in the early hours of June 15, bringing joy to the staff. Chief animal caretaker William Kreijkes was excited, stating, “The birth of youngsters is always extraordinary. You hope for it, but when it happens, it is extraordinary.”
The mother and her cubs are indoors, as the little ones’ eyes are still closed. Kreijkes noted that the timing for their first outdoor adventure is uncertain, as it will ultimately depend on the cubs’ readiness to explore their enclosure.
Amur tigers, which inhabit the region between China and Siberia, are critically endangered, with only a few hundred remaining in the wild.
Their survival is threatened by habitat destruction due to forest fires and logging, as well as poaching for traditional Asian medicine.
To combat these challenges, European zoos, including AquaZoo, are involved in management programs to preserve the Amur tiger population. These programs focus on breeding and relocating animals without any financial transactions.
Last year, AquaZoo enhanced its conservation efforts by welcoming two adult tigers to a spacious enclosure miming their natural habitat.
General manager Jeroen Loomeijer expressed his delight at the cubs’ birth, especially as it coincides with the zoo’s twentieth anniversary.
In addition to caring for tigers in captivity, AquaZoo actively supports wildlife conservation efforts. The zoo collaborates with initiatives like the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which works to combat poaching and protect the natural habitats of Amur tigers, including closing logging roads that facilitate illegal activities.
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