2004 Diary Entries
) |
| One big happy family! Our 3 Bengals and 3 Sumatrans relax together |
Working to create an interactive display of Tigers takes a lot of time and patience. The five tigers that currently reside in Australia Zoo’s Big Cat Facility are more than happy to spend the majority of their day together. The difference in size between our Bengal and Sumatran Tigers was something that we needed to take into consideration when starting the interaction process. Being only cubs, we were there to ensure the Bengals were not getting too rough whilst playing with the younger cubs.
The introduction started early and the first few sessions were conducted either side of the enclosure fence. After a number of days, the tigers were taken in with each other under the control of a leash. Through weeks of this on a daily basis, the tigers were released and able to have contact with one another. Even to this day, if the tigers are in the same enclosure they are always under the watchful eye of one of the handlers.
The Sumatrans really enjoy hanging out with the ‘Big Guys’ and they will spend a lot of time together in the future, especially when our massive Interactive Tiger Display opens to guests very shortly.
) |
| Che, with Khan and Manas the Bengal tigers |
Only weeks after celebrating their first birthday, Khan and Manas have reached another milestone in their early years of life. The two Bengal Tigers have already reached 100 kilograms. Tigers do the majority of their growing in the first year and the Bengal species, found through parts of India, Nepal and Bangladesh, grow to be the second largest species in the world today. Capable of reaching weights in excess of 240 kilograms, Khan and Manas still have some growing to do, being only half of their expected weight.
Khan and his brother Manas arrived at the Zoo in December 2003 at only three weeks of age. At the time they weighed only two kilograms and could fit nicely in the palm of our hands. Taking only a year to reach this big size, these two giants stand taller than any of the handlers (almost seven feet tall).
All of our tigers are fed once a day on a varied meat diet that includes fur, flesh and bone. Khan and Manas are fed about two kilo’s of meat, six days a week (with one fast night where they are offered a bone to chew on). Being strict carnivores, fast nights are beneficial in keeping their digestive system balanced.
Our three Sumatran Tigers are doing very well and are catching up in weight. Ranu and Juma are already 55 kilograms with our little girl Singa weighing 50 kilograms. Although they won’t grow quite as big as the two Bengals, they will still live happily with each other as adults in our big cat facility. Despite being heavier than us, we still see Khan and Manas as our BABIES!) |
| The tigers enjoying the shade |
Summer has come around again and you know what that means - hot weather. Tigers, unlike us, do not produce sweat to thermo regulate their body temperature and although both species of tiger that we have are naturally from a warm climate, they rely heavily on shaded areas and water sources to keep cool.
Now the Australia Zoo tigers really have it made, because in each of their off-exhibit yards there is a pool to allow the tigers to cool down in. However in recent days the temperature has been a little warmer than usual with temperatures in excess of 30 degree’s, so we figured our tigers deserved just a bit more luxury. We set about constructing some specialised tiger shade structures! Since these huts have been put in the tigers have hardly been anywhere else, not simply to escape the sun though. They also work great to keep you dry in the rain!
All in all if the tigers aren’t taking part in the TIGERS LIVE show or meeting Zoo guests on one of our park walks, they're hanging around in their off-exhibits and LOVING IT!
) |
| Khan, Manas and Arjuna enjoying their presents |
Wow!! Who can believe it is already a year since the Bengal Tigers arrived at Australia Zoo? In fact, they recently just had their first birthday. The three boys, Khan, Manas and Arjuna, got to celebrate in style, tearing into presents and eating several large ice cream cakes. Now weighing 100 kilos each, they can eat a lot of cake! Their birthday was made even more special because they got to share it with their friends Juma, Ranu and Singha, the Sumatran Tiger cubs.
The three Bengal Tigers passed another significant step in their development this week, with the loss of some of their baby teeth! Their new shiny canine teeth are now growing 1cm or so every couple of weeks. Although still our babies, they are now really sub-adults!
Until next week, Tigers Rule!