I had a lovely visit to Banham today (Will post some pictures later) , but sadly found out their female tiger, Malyshka, was found dead this morning due to "A tragic accident". Sorry I have no further details but I am sure you'll agree this is quite sudden. Her two male cubs, Kuzma and Vasya who are 17 months old and their father Mischa are now the only tigers at the zoo.
What a blow to the breeding programme, the female was a high ranking female according to the studbook. Has there been problems with females at the park before, ie: aggressive male or was this the first female to be at Banham?
I have a feeling there was a female before her, who died for some reason. Im pretty sure there was something previous to her. This is a very big shame, Mischa must be quite old now though, definately middle aged? around 13 or so? He wasnt too young when I visited in 2006.
A personal statement by Martin Goymour, Zoo Director Malyshka our female Amur (Siberian) tiger died in a tragic drowning incident on Sunday 18th April 2010 Malyshka, the mother of our 17-month-old male cubs Vasya and Kuzma, was found lifeless in the tiger territory paddock by her keepers early Sunday morning. Despite extensive veterinary examination at post mortem, where drowning was identified as the cause of her demise, there is still no explanation as to how it occurred as Malyshka was such a strong and healthy tigress and showed no signs of external or internal injuries. The pool in the enclosure is not deep or considered hazardous. What is more distressing for the zoo is that the post mortem revealed that Malyshka was pregnant with three cubs which would have been of great importance to the international breeding programme for this endangered species. All the zoo staff, particularly her keepers, are very much saddened by her loss. Further veterinary investigations continue and consultations with the International Studbook Keepers for the Amur (Siberian) tigers will commence immediately. 15 year old Mischa, our particularly placid and good natured male tiger, has not been implicated in this incident. It was unfortunate that his previous mate, Zaliv’ succumbed to cancer in 2003.
Malyshka our female Amur (Siberian) tiger died in a tragic drowning incident on Sunday 18th April 2010. All the zoo staff, particularly her keepers, are very much saddened by her loss.
Despite extensive veterinary examination at post mortem, where drowning was identified as the cause of her demise, there is still no explanation as to how it occurred as Malyshka was such a strong and healthy tigress and showed no signs of external or internal injuries. The pool in the enclosure is not deep or considered hazardous. Investigations continue.
Several Members of the public are posting on faceook that they alerted the keepers to the problem. I am thinking this may have been caused by the tigress having a fit, though pure speculation.
Thanks for that Nisha, I knew he did have a previous mate. Colchester's Anastasia who was born at Linton died after drowning in her pool whilst having a fit a few years ago now. If it was the same problem lets hope it is not passed down through future generations...
Will the 2 male cubs be getting distributed soon? They must be around 18 months/2 years now. Surely Mischa won't want to be entertaining these for much longer. Also I presume Mischa will now be retired from the breeding programme?
Yes I think they are currently finding homes for them Paulkarl08. They cubs are now 17 months old so should be ready to leave now. @Riziki, Ana did indeed sadly drown at Colchester after having a fit. She had had them before on many occasions but unfortunatley this time she fell back into her pool and couldn't be saved. Does anyone know if Malyshka had had any fits before?
Some news articles on the accident: BBC News - Pregnant tiger drowns at Norfolk's Banham Zoo http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/tiger_drowns_in_zoo_enclosure_1_217303 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...e-siberian-tigress-found-drowned-1954211.html
It's now been confirmed that a seizure was the most likely cause of Malyshka's death. Seizure led to death of zoo's rare Siberian tiger Malyshka - mirror.co.uk
Has there been any movement of any of the tigers to (a female?) or from Banham? Presumably if the male is to retire they would keep a cub and find it a female?
As it stands, there have been no movements at all at Banham, in regards to the Siberian Tigers. The enclosure currently holds fifteen year-old Mischa and his son, who I believe is Kuzma.
One of the males (Vasya) was sent to Riga Zoo, Latvia a couple of months ago. Banham is still awaiting a female for Kuzma
