Can anybody tell me the situation with the Siberian tigers at Marwell Zoo at the moment? The zoo’s 2012 stock list says that there was a pair of tigers at the beginning of the year, 2 tigers arrived, 2 died and 1 was sent to another collection. One animal, a female, remained at the end of the year. What is the situation now – are there any tigers at Marwell as of November 2013 and, if so, what are their names? Continuing the theme of cats at Marwell, I went to see the snow leopard cubs a few days ago, on 12th November, and spent about half an hour watching them playing with each other and their long suffering mother – a wonderful experience! I couldn’t help noticing that only 2 cubs were visible and assume no. 3 died. Does anybody know what it died of and what sex it was (the litter originally contained 2 males and 1 female). When the mother Irina had her first litter (also of 3 cubs) in 2011 the female cub died – don’t know what from. A great shame that the same thing has happened again this time, but the survivors look very healthy and happy!
paradise wildlife park gave them there male tiger while a new female could be found for marwell. and yes snow leopard cub no.3 did die.
At the start of 2012 - The 1.1 pair were Gamin and Yena, Marwell's former breeding pair. However Yena died in Spring 2012 (due to old age) leaving Gamin (also elderly) on his own. Given the fact that Marwell had a spare enclosure following Yena's death they were asked by the studbook keeper to temporarily house female, Bela who was en-route from Lisbon to Blair Drummond but couldn't go there straight away because of building work at BD being behind schedule. Marwell accepted the request and she arrived in June 2012 before departing for Scotland at the end of that year. In the Autumn Marwell were lucky enough to be offered female, Milla from Zoo Zlin, leaving them was 1.2 for a short time. Unfortunately Gamin's health then took a turn for the worse and he passed away in November 2012. Following Bela's departure at the end of 2012, Marwell were left with 0.1 Since then a 2nd female (Kushka) has arrived on loan from Paradise Wildlife Park as company for Milla whilst Marwell waited to be assigned a new breeding male. Last update was that a new male had been agreed and that Kushka was about to be returned to Paradise Park. However that was a few weeks ago, so she might well have left by now Unfortunately one of the male cubs passed away sometime ago now... The cause was not announced as is normal with most collections PR policy
Kushka has now left Marwell, not back to Paradise Wildlife Park but their other park Wildlife Heritage Foundation in Kent. Marwell now just have Milla but a new Male will arrive next month from Wuppertal in Germany.
Milla - born 7/2009 at Zoo Zlin (her brother, Marty is at HWP) New male - will be one of the litter of four cubs born 26/6/2012 at Wuppertal (siblings to Tschuna who recently transferred from Dudley to YWP)
More queries... Zoo Chat moderator Nisha says that Milla's brother Marty is at HWP. Is HWP short for Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent? Nisha also said that Milla's mate Bagai is one of a litter cubs which are siblings to Tschuna who recently moved from Dudley Zoo to YWP. Is YWP short for Yorkshire Wildlife Park? And does anybody know the name of the male snow leopard cub which died? All 3 cubs were named, as Marwell's website says.
HWP - Highland Wildlife Park, Scotland Highland Wildlife Park ? Highland Wildlife Park - Scotland's Wildest Family Day Out - Highland Visitor Attraction YWP - Yes, Yorkshire Wildlife Park