From Paignton's website: Zoo tiger moves on 09/07/2010 One of three rare Sumatran tiger cubs born at Paignton Zoo last year has moved on. Male Bintang, now nearly 18 months old, has gone to Doue La Fontaine Zoo, Samaur, in the west of France. He travelled by road with a channel crossing by sea from Portsmouth. The journey was about 18 hours, including rest breaks. Bintang is not yet adult but now weighs 80 kilos, is about 1.5 metres long and just under 1 metre tall at the shoulder. He was transported in a special crate. The move was recommended by the European Stud Book keeper as part of the coordinated European breeding programme for Sumatran tigers, of which Paignton Zoo is a part. No moves are lined up as yet for the other cubs. Mother Banda is also likely to move on in the future, with the Zoo bringing in a new female for Tenang. Paignton Zoo Environmental Park Director of Operations and Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment said: “Tenang is higher up the rankings because he came to Europe from Australia so has no relatives other than his cubs in Europe. Banda has siblings as well as cubs and other relatives, so her genes are better represented. Tenang is still ranked as number one – it is important that he breeds again. He’s Top Cat!” The pair have four surviving cubs including female Kirana, born in 2006 and now at Chester Zoo. The cubs in the 2009 litter were treated for osteoporosis, a weakness of the bones. One had to be put to sleep by vets after breaking both shoulders in a fall in the enclosure in July last year. Paignton Zoo is a member of the European Endangered species Programme (EEP) for Sumatran tigers, which means it is part of the global effort to save this endangered species from extinction. Captive and wild populations are protected and managed in an attempt to prevent Sumatran tigers following the Bali and Javan tigers into extinction. Copyright Paignton Zoo 2006
Not suprised to here that they want Tenang to stay on at Paignton. Can't see Banda being bred again though (she's eight in september) Maybe Surya will go to Edinburgh at somepoint (once Chandra has gone elsewhere) and possibly Aryo will join his grandmother Sarah at Dudley since they only have 0:1 at present and a future breeding pair is planned once Sarah dies? Anyway all the best to Bintang and hopefully he will carry on Tenang and Banda's good work!
The wife and I were at the zoo yesterday. We wondered if he was being prepared for a move as we could only see Banda and the two female cubs out in the enclosure. Will be a shame to see Banda move as she is a lovely Tiger. She has been a very good mother over the past 4 years. Although it will be nice to see Tenang on display more often. We have hardly seen him over the past 4 years. You can tell the female cubs are from Paignton though. Like Asha and Kirana at Chester, you can tell when they are in a mood. They won't stand for any rubbish from anyone. Must be something in the South Devon water.
The remaining cubs are 1:1 Aryo (m) and Surya (f) If Rakia can be re-housed then maybe Banda can go to London Zoo and be tried with Lumpar?
