FW: Asia Conservation Tiger: Three tiger cubs born in captivity at Zoo Melaka

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Three tiger cubs born in captivity at Zoo Melaka

 

12/18/2002

The New Straits Times

Main/Lifestyle; 2*

07

(Copyright 2002)

 

MALACCA, Tues. - A tigress which was caught in the wild and sent

to Zoo Melaka gave birth to three cubs last Friday.

 

The tigress, fondly called Mai by zoo workers, mated with another

tiger in the zoo.

Zoo Melaka director Mohd Nawayai Yasak said the cubs were healthy

and were being well taken care of by their mother.

 

" This is another success for our zoo in getting wild tigers to

breed in captivity, " he said.

 

Mohd Nawayai said the zoo has yet to identify the sex of the cubs

as the tigress was protective and fiercely guarded her cubs.

 

He said Mai was paired with Paka another wild tiger which was

sent to the zoo, and the pair hit it off immediately.

 

" The tigress has been at the zoo for slightly more than two years

while the tiger has been there longer. Both now accept the presence

of humans more than some of the other wild tigers which we have

here, " he told the New Straits Times.

 

The Melaka Zoo now has 20 tigers, of which 18 were caught in the

wild in the country.

 

The high number of tigers at the zoo has caused overcrowding and

strained the zoo's resources but the problem is expected to ease

when six tigers are sent to other zoos, including three to Germany.

 

Nawayai said a pair of tigers would be sent to Johor and another

to Sarawak. The tigers are expected to be in their new homes by

early next year.

 

The zoo is currently waiting approval from the Science,

Technology and Environment Ministry to send three tigers to the

Hulle Zoo in Germany.

 

Nawayai said the zoo had requested for a tiger and two tigress in

exchange for various other animals.

 

He added that a representative from the Hulle Zoo had visited Zoo

Melaka to select the tigers.

 

New additions: Mai and her cubs at Zoo Melaka.

 

 

 

Folder Name: Asia Conservation Tiger

Relevance Score on Scale of 100: 98

 

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