Zoo hopes for Sumatran cubs in the future
A critically endangered Sumatran tiger has arrived at Edinburgh Zoo, where it is hoped he will form part of a breeding scheme to boost the species.
Male Sumatran Jambi arrived at the zoo from Berlin Tier Park last week and is settling into his new home. He will partner the zoo's existing female, Baginda, and hopefully in time the pair will produce cubs.
It is thought there are less than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild. They are found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, where they face threats from deforestation and poaching. Tiger parts are used in traditional Asian medicine and rising agricultural growth has fragmented the species habitat.
Most of the remaining Sumatrans in Indonesia live in five national parks and two game reserves.
For now, Jambi is living next door to Baginda to allow the pair to get used to the sight and smell of each other. Later, they will be introduced properly.
“We would be delighted to see the pair produce cubs eventually," said Alison Maclean, the zoo's carnivore team leader. "As Sumatran tigers are a critically endangered species it is vital we do all we can to develop the reserve population of these cats."
A staggering 97 per cent of wild tigers have died out in a little over a century.
"It is our hope that we will be able to increase the numbers of this noble species and protect them from a similar fate," she added.
Image © RZSS Edinburgh Zoo
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