Animals
First offspring of Siberian tigers in Serengeti Park
The Siberian tiger Anastasia (6) plays with her two cubs, which are almost three months old, in the Serengeti Park. photo
© Philipp Schulze/dpa
The Siberian tiger is considered to be the largest living cat on earth – but it is also critically endangered. Now the zoo in Hodenhagen has achieved a breeding success.
“In order to save this unique cat, we are part of the European Endangered Species Program EEP with our animals. We are therefore particularly proud of our first and great breeding success of the Siberian tiger,” says Fabrizio Sepe, owner and managing director of the park.
Anastasia and Nanu have been living in Hodenhagen since 2020. Since it is Anastasia’s first litter, there was a certain amount of tension at first. “In the first few weeks, only a very small group of our team entered the tiger house and only to do the most necessary work,” reports the head of the big cat area, Marcel Müller. “Any unnecessary excitement for the young mother should be avoided as we have not yet been able to assess how well she is caring for her cubs.” In the meantime, one is relieved: “Anastasia is a loving and protective mother who takes good care of her two little ones.”
Two young cats
Both cubs are well developed and agile. After the last check it is clear that there are two tomcats. When fully grown, they can weigh up to 300 kilograms. The brothers are now around two and a half months old and fit enough to explore the outdoor area.
Unlike its tropical relatives, this tiger species inhabits cold climates. Originally, the tigers lived in a vast area in the Amur Basin and adjacent regions between Lake Baikal to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east. Due to human influence, the current distribution area is only about 200,000 square kilometers. The last Siberian tigers are only found in eastern Russia and adjacent north-eastern China. Massive tiger hunting and habitat destruction reduced the population to around 30 to 40 individuals in the 1940s. Intensive protective measures have meanwhile succeeded in increasing the wild population to around 500 animals, according to a statement from the park.