Tiger birth in the zoo – Fædrelandsvennen

– It is always gratifying births, but this is a little extra attention because it is so rare it happens. Besides, it is one of the world’s most endangered animals, where both parents are highly ranked in the international conservation program, said zoo director Per Arnstein Aamot to Fædrelandsvennen.

See video of the newborns by pressing the image at the top of the case.

The four tiger cubs were all born the night of May 17, hence the tiger population has doubled in the park.

Previous birth in 2004

The zoo has had two tiger births previously, in 2002 and 2004, but the two groups consisted of only three pups together.

The Siberian tigerhunnen Boonya (4), who came to Kristiansand Zoo from Siberia two years ago, has thus become the mother of four overnight.

– So far it looks as if maternal instinct is as it should be. Ever since the birth has four year old Boonya looked after their young. She keeps them together, licking them and nurse them, says biologist Helene Axelsen in the zoo, and can honestly say that all is well with both mother and child.

zookeeper Hilde Strædet was the first to see the kids. In recent weeks, she got up every night at 4:00 to check surveillance camera that has been placed inside at Boonya.

At 07 o’clock himself national day she spotted the little ones.

– There did not take long before we could conclude that there were four kids. It was really fun to be at work when this happened, telling Strædet.

The zoo will on Monday seek assembled a live camera on the outside of the viewing room, where the mother and children is. This weekend will likely audience could take them closer look.

Give away to other parks

The first few days will Boonya and the kids kept shielded for them to get the most rest. Although no danger Ulysses (14) is meeting them for a while.

They are probably placed around the other zoos.

– Many internally suggested they could have a kitten at home a few weeks, for they are quite beautiful, says Per Arnstein Aamot.

According to biologist Helene Axelsen has both Boonya and father Ulysses very valuable genes. A DNA test has resulted in that both are ranked among the most valuable Siberian tigers in the world, genetically speaking.

The news is expected to be very well received in the international conservation program. It also means that they are unlikely to remain so long.

– Most likely we retain them, but it depends a little on gender. They are probably placed around the other zoos after they have been here for one to two years, says Aamot.

The mother walked into a trap

Tigers as other kittens; they crawl around, sleeping and drinking milk. After a few weeks they open their eyes and start to play. When they are six months old teacher mother them to hunt.

In addition to the four kids and parents made up the population of male Rex from previous litters, and “old mother” Ryeka.

The reason that Boonya arrived Kristiansand two years ago , was that the management of the conservation program meant it needed a new bloodline, and would not that Ulysses and Ryeka would multiply several times.

Boonya was born in a zoo in Novosibirsk in Russia in 2011. Her mother lived in the wild in Siberia, but stuck leg in a snare victim of poachers. She was all successfully found by friendly forest guards and handed over to the zoo.