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Rare cubs at Tanganyika Wildlife Park (November 29, 2012) |
Tanganyika Wildlife Park will open its gates this weekend to showcase newly-born Amur leopard and white tiger cubs. Both sets of cubs will be on display in the Animal Nursery this weekend.
“Though the Park is normally closed for the winter, the warmer weather predicted this weekend will allow us to open up and give people the only opportunity they may have to see these cubs,” said Tanganyika’s Assistant Director Matt Fouts.
The two Amur leopard cubs were born on November 1st to mom Lizchinka and dad Kosma. The cubs – one male and one female – are both healthy.
The Amur leopard is critically endangered and is considered the most endangered of the big cats. Fewer than 40 individuals remain in the wild, making successful breeding in captivity incredibly important to conservation efforts.
White tiger pair Sky and Gilbert welcomed a litter of 3 cubs – one male and two females – on November 2nd. This was Gilbert and Sky’s second litter of 2012.
White tigers have a genetic variant giving them chocolate brown stripes and blue eyes, though they are not considered a separate tiger subspecies. All subspecies of tigers are endangered, and the white variant has not been seen in the wild since the 1950s.
Despite successful breeding of both cats in the past, births at this time of year are rare. Most Amur leopard and white Bengal tiger births peak in the spring and summer in captivity.
“Having both sets of cubs isn’t that unusual,” said Stephanie Jeter, Tanganyika’s Animal Curator. “But having both Amur leopard and white tiger cubs this late in the season is pretty special.”
Both sets of cubs were moved to the Animal Nursery so that Tanganyika staff could closely monitor their health, especially with temperatures at night dropping below freezing.
Tanganyika will be open 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Saturday, December 1st and Sunday, December 2nd, giving visitors the chance to experience all Tanganyika has to offer possibly for the last time in 2012.
Tanganyika’s gift shop will also be offering up to 40% off select merchandise just in time for the busy holiday shopping season.
