(*Updated 22.10.13)
Welcome to the World! “Hear Me Roar!!”
ZSL London Zoo has announced the birth of their first tiger cub in 17 years!
Five year old Sumatran tiger Melati, gave birth to a single cub at 9:22pm on Sunday 22 September.
“We are simply over-the-moon about the birth of the tiger cub; it’s a momentous occasion for everyone at ZSL London Zoo and a real cause for celebration.” ~ Zookeeper Paul Kybett
"This tiger's one of the most important births in Europe this year." ~ Malcolm Fitzpatrick, curator of mammals at the zoo.
"They came from opposite ends of the globe. Melati joined us from Perth at the end of September last year. Jae Jae came from Ohio. When they first saw each other they made the lovely sneezy purr kind of noise that they make. When we introduced them for the first time he trotted up to her and gave her a big head rub so we knew we were going to be getting something quite special." ~ Senior zookeeper Paul Kybett
The new tiger cub, sex so far unknown, is a direct descendant of the Zoo’s last cub, Hari, who is the father of Melati.
Jae Jae and Melati – Tigers Territory
ZSL London Zoo
Tigers Territory:
“Jae Jae and Melati’s new habitat, offers lots of space for climbing tall trees, swimming, snoozing, playing and practising hunting. Male tigers can eat up to 6kg of meat a day! A Sumatran tiger has spots on the back of its ears which it uses for signalling. They like to see a long way so there are warm sheltered areas with a little height to let them look across Regent’s Park. Plants in the territory look identical to those in their natural habitat but are actually look-alikes designed to survive our less than tropical climate!
Tiger breeding:
Breeding is managed globally and Sumatran Tigers (Indonesia) Jae Jae and Melati have been chosen because their genes are under-represented worldwide. The hope is that they’ll have cubs and reinvigorate the gene pool.
Conservation:
In the wild they are threatened by poaching and habitat loss due to agribusiness operations. ZSL conservationists have set up a wildlife crime unit in Indonesia to tackle the trade in tiger parts and are working with the palm oil industry to help reduce its impact on wildlife and biodiversity.
Palm Oil:
Huge areas of forest are being cut down to make way for oil palm crops, destroying the territories of tigers in the wild. Palm oil goes into half of all groceries, from chocolate to shampoo. We can help by shopping sustainably.” ~ ZSL London Zoo
*London Zoo's New-born Sumatran Tiger Cub Update*
(Report from BBC News – www.bbc.co.uk)
A sad end to a joyful story… London zoo recently confirmed that the first tiger cub to be born there in 17 years has drowned.
‘On Saturday, zookeepers could not see the cub on the den cameras and its body was later discovered on the edge of a pool inside the enclosure.’
"We're heartbroken by what's happened. To go from the excitement of the birth to this in three weeks is just devastating. Melati can be a very nervous animal and we didn't want to risk putting her on edge by changing her surroundings or routines, in case she abandoned or attacked the cub. At the time we thought it was in the best interests of Melati and her cub to allow her continued access to the full enclosure as normal.
"We would do anything to turn back the clock and nobody could be more upset about what's happened than the keepers who work with the tigers every day. They are devoted to those tigers and are distraught." ~ London Zoo's Malcolm Fitzpatrick
Sources:
ZSL London Zoo
