It has been a very busy couple of months for me, our little baby is growing up really quick and having a full-time job and university has meant that this is my first blog since April. However, this will hopefully be the start of several blogs coming in the next few weeks, some focusing on wild tigers, too which is excited.
In late June, myself and Katelynne headed down to Hamerton Zoo, a place I adore as it is a splendid little collection which houses some lovely species. Small carnivores are a specialist at the collection with species such as tayra, Canadian lynx, oncilla, aardwolves and ringtail being present during the time of my visit. The park houses a large collection of South African cheetah as well as two pairs of tiger (yay). The two species present were a brother-sister pair of [white] Bengal tigers (hybrids of course) and the more exciting Malayan tigers.
Having missed Malayan tigers at Berlin Tierpark, I was determined to this species at some point this year. The exhibit itself was opened in 2015 when Sahaja and Cicip arrived at the park. The female, Sahaja was born on the 21st June 2013 at Halle Zoo in Germany whilst the male is genetically very important as Cicip was born on the 3rd May 2009 at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Malaysia. His parents were rescued from illegal wildlife traders, incidentally. Cicip was the tiger involved in the very sad incident with Rosa King back in 2017.My initial first thought upon seeing a Malayan tiger was the fact that they're a lot darker than any other tiger I have ever seen. Cicip was the animal that I encountered first, he appeared from the back of the house into the pen where the viewing window was and it was clear to see how striking he was. Fantastic colours and a very large head, too!
At present, the pair are housed separately, their first introduction wasn't exactly a huge success lets just say! However, the pair are believed to be getting on better these days, I maybe wrong, however, I do not believe that Malayan tigers have bred yet successfully in the UK. The exhibit housing the pair is excellent, it is one huge paddock with multiple viewing windows, a small housing area is attached to the back of the house and situated between the paddock and the house. I didn't really have magnificent views of the pair as Sahaja had access to the main paddock, however, chose to stay in her holding area instead. This however, meant Cicip was restricted to his yard and house.Hamerton as previously mentioned, do hold a pair of [hybrid] Bengal tigers, the pair are a brother-sister pair born at Hodenhagen Safari Park. Mohan and his sister Shiva were born on the 12th October 2012 and arrived in 2014, the one thing I do like about Hamerton is their acknowledgement and signage relating to the impurity of white tigers. Around the whites exhibit are several signage explaining how white tigers are not a conservation issue, which I liked a lot.
Being back at Hamerton Zoo in June was great, five years on from my first initial visit and the park has improved drastically. The place is only small, however, arguably one of the most promising collections in the country with a fantastic team behind them, acquiring some fantastic species along the way.
That is all for now, however, expect more blog within the next few weeks. I have one lined up regarding the latest census from India about their tiger populations and plans to double the tiger population by 2022.
Thanks all,
Jordan
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