Sumatran tiger cub born

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

HARI the tiger is a dad.

The Sumatran big cat, on loan to Perth Zoo from the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve, recently helped his species’ survival when his partner gave birth to three cubs.

One of those youngsters, a female named Sali, has already found a new home at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast after its mother rejected her.

Safari reserve manager Jenny Jattke said with only 450 Sumatran Tigers in the wild, Hari’s services were crucial.

"Hari is a bit of a stud. He is pretty valuable," she said. "Zoos around Australia are working together to help save his magnificent breed."

Ms Jattke said Hari would stay in Perth until Christmas in a bid to father another brood.

While Hari enjoys his time in Perth, two new African serval cats are set to arrive at the Cairns reserve on Wednesday after flying in from Mogo Zoo near Newcastle.

The servals are light but tall grassland cats with impressive skills.

Ms Jattke said a new roofed enclosure had been built to house the athletic cats that can jump several metres in the air and take birds in flight.

"We have roofed the enclosure in case they can hump higher than that," she said.

It will be big week for the zoo, as on Friday it begins the first of its extreme dining experiences where guests can eat dinner in the lion’s enclosure.

"When you are sitting down having diner you have 38 lion eyes staring at you and contemplating their own meal," Ms Jattke said.

Settling in: Sali the Sumatran tiger cub explores her new home on the Gold Coast. Sali’s dad Hari is on loan from Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve to Perth Zoo.

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