4 Siberian tiger cubs born at Joburg Zoo
THE Johannesburg Zoo has notched up another success in an impressive list of captive-bred endangered species.
Four Siberian tiger cubs, already around 60kg, were born to mother tiger Ganeshee five months ago and were exclusively mother-reared. The cubs came out to play yesterday, before their public introduction at the zoo next week.
The four playful felines left their “night-room” tentatively and slouched into the garden area, curiously sniffing toys placed on the sloping area by Agnes Maluleke, carnivore curator.
The sight of humans elicited snarls and surprisingly deep growls as the cats explored. When Ganeshee joined the furry animals, they made squeaking sounds and became braver, venturing to the top of the enclosure.
They played with the hay, tried their teeth on pieces of raw meat and followed her around.
The cubs will be placed in an “enrichment structure” opposite the Elephant park next Wednesday where the public will be able to view them.
Maluleke said the four mottled cubs were “able and capable” and had a great relationship with their mother.
“The cubs have really great genetics – you can’t tell them apart yet because their facial colouring is changing constantly.”
She said she had no doubt they would not hesitate to hunt and kill if they found wild prey.
Ganeshee is just 3 but proved to be an excellent mother following three weeks of solitude before the birth. The cubs would be separated from her next week and in a year’s time rehomed to another facility, said Maluleke.
The acting head for the zoo, Oscar van Heerden, said the zoo had ebbs and flows of new animals being born and dying of old age. But the facility was intent on being a source of entertainment, education and science.
“We have modern facilities and we are in the business of conserving our natural environment and conducting research. The Siberian Tiger is hugely endangered with less than 4 000 on the planet,” he said, adding that they were proud of the four cubs.
Animal nutritionist Cassandra Ramos said the cubs started showing an interest in meat after a few months of suckling, so they introduced mince. Now they receive around 1kg a day of a variety of food, including chicken, horsemeat and guinea pigs.
“We upped the mother’s meals to sustain her milk, but soon one of the male cubs started trying her food and at times would hang on to her tail to get up on the feeding table.”
The cubs did not have names yet because the zoo wanted to let the public help name them, said Maluleke.
The public is encouraged to submit names for the two male and two female cubs on the Johannesburg Zoo facebook site from September 19 to October 31, or to adopt a cub. Call 011 646 2000.