The list of things to do on Australia’s golden coastline just keeps on growing as two new Bengal tigers have recently hit the shores. Dreamworld’s Tiger Island, which is located near Queensland, has recently welcomed the arrival of two four-week-old male Bengal tigers.
The little cubs have travelled from a New South Wales private exhibit and will spend their first few weeks in their new home getting used to the handlers before being introduced to adult cats. Dreamworld is one of the largest theme parks in Australia, featuring 13 different worlds. Tiger Island is currently home to 15 tigers including nine Bengal and six Sumatran tigers, as well as two cougars. Located just 40 minutes from Brisbane and 20 minutes north of Surfers paradise, the island of big cats is just one of the many things to see and do on Australia’s Gold Coast.
“Our handlers are very experienced in raising cubs, having bred two litters here at Tiger Island and taking in a number of cubs from other zoos, commented Al Mucci, Dreamworld’s General Manager of Life Sciences. “At Dreamworld the cubs will learn a range of social skills from both the handlers and the older tigers which will result in well-grounded cubs with a good level of social interaction.”
Whilst they might be tiny tigers now, the cats could grow to weigh over 200 kilograms in adult life.
The move for the Bengal cubs is part of the Dreamworld’s Bengal tiger strategy to become ambassadors for the tiger species around the world. The Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation’s Tiger Island Conservation Fund has donated millions of pounds to the cause since 2006.
“Our hope is that as guests admire these amazing animals at Tiger Island, they will learn about the plight of the tiger and be inspired to help conserve these endangered species,” Mr Mucci continued.
Those visiting can help raise funds for the conservation by participating in tiger experiences such as walks, photos and the new exotic animal enclosure, The Lair. Members of the public can already see the new baby Bengal tigers in their enclosure.
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(Images: Chris Watson, jzx100)
