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Rare tiger cubs investigate Halloween pumpkins

Longleat Two tiger cubs staring at large pumpkins in front of them on grassLongleat
The tiger cubs were presented with pumpkins to investigate as part of usual enrichment

Rare Amur tiger cubs have been investigating pumpkins at a safari park as part of enrichment activities.

Ginger Biscuit, Dora-Boo, Seeka and Heidi are nearly six months old and were born to mum Yana at Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire.

Darren Beasley, head of animal operations, said introducing new activities is important by "encouraging and enabling the animals to use their natural behaviours, dynamic senses and natural instincts".

He added that Longleat has the biggest collection of tigers in the UK.

Longleat An adult tiger stands to the left beside a trio of pumpkins as a cub sniffs one and paws itLongleat
The cubs mum Yana had a look at the pumpkins before letting them all investigate
Longleat A tiger sub sites on the grassy ground looking to the right with a pumpkin in front of it between its pawsLongleat
The rare cubs are now nearly six months old

Yana checked the pumpkins before letting the cubs investigate them - they did not last long, the tigers wasted no time in destroying them.

Mr Beasley said Longleat is "really proud of how the cubs have thrived under the care of Yana and our dedicated keepers".

Longleat Two tiger cubs from the side with a pumpkin in between them, both trying to bite and play with itLongleat
Enrichment encourages the animals to use "their natural behaviours, dynamic senses and natural instincts"
Longleat In the foreground, four pumpkins with an adult tiger sniffing one. For tiger cubs are walking up in the background.Longleat
The four cubs are called Ginger Biscuit, Dora-Boo, Seeka and Heidi

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