- Title: CRIMEA-TIGER CUBS Crimean safari park welcomes rare Amur tiger triplets
- Date: 20th July 2015
- Summary: BELOGORSK, CRIMEA (RECENT - JULY 17, 2015) (REUTERS) PEOPLE NEXT TO ENTRANCE TO SAFARI PARK LETTERS READING (Russian): 'BELOGORSK, TAIGAN SAFARI PARK' PEOPLE WALKING IN PARK TWO OF THE AMUR TIGER CUBS CLOSE OF CUB'S PAWS TWO OF THE ARUM TIGER CUBS PEOPLE LOOKING AT CUBS AMUR TIGER TRIPLETS TOGETHER CLOSE OF PAWS TIGER CUBS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) OWNER OF TAIGAN SAFARI PARK,
- Embargoed: 4th August 2015 13:00
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- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVABMJXBGUU7BM77FS8DKSVZPV4A
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- Story Text: Crimea's safari park, which claims to be the biggest lion and tiger park in Europe, welcomed rare Amur tiger triplets to its fold in July.
The little tiger cubs born from a tigress named Gretta are perfectly healthy and being looked after by their mother, park zoologists say.
Triplets surviving after birth are a rarity in tigers, usually when multiple cubs are not all survive, according to animal experts.
The triplets born in the Taigan Safari Park, near the town of Belogorsk, along with their mother have now been put on display to the delight of visitors.
Safari park owner Oleg Zubkov says the triplets are doing so well that they may even be released into the wild in Russia's Far East, when they are older and stronger.
"The mother is taking care of the cubs herself, this means that they will grow healthy, will thrive and will be able to perspectively join the ranks of declining species of Amur tigers in Ussuri taiga," Zubkov said.
Visitors to the safari park could see the cubs up close as they played together behind a fence. The cubs were born on July 9 and their eyes were still partially closed.
Amur tigers also known as Ussuri tigers or Siberian tigers are the world northernmost tiger species. In the beginning of the 20th century the population of the Siberian tigers was declining with just dozens of animals inhabiting the Russian Far East. By 2015, the population increased to about 500, but scientists still consider the species endangered.
The little cubs are quick to draw a crowd at the safari park.
"The tiger cubs are really nice. First of all they are babies, whoever they come from. They are very nice and beautiful. It is good that they breed here in your park and to see them here in the park is really pleasant," said Svetlana Ivanova, a tourist from Russia's St. Petersburg.
"They are very sweet. I have never seen them (tigers) so close. I wish I could touch them, both the adults and the tiger cubs," said another tourist from Russia, Daniil Doronin.
Olga Bogucharova, who had travelled to Crimea from the Russian far north, said seeing the tigers cubs was a moving experience.
"This is unbelievably beautiful. I have never in my life seen tigers. For me is it something so far away. I came from the far north and for me it is such a happiness to see them so close. I wish I could touch them, play with them. But I understand that they are predators and you can only look and feel happy," said Bogucharova, smiling.
The Taigan Safari Park is home to more than 2,500 animals, including 60 lions, 40 tigers and many big hoofed animals. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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