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Rare tiger cubs explore ahead of release into safari

Ian Turner/ Longleat An Amur tiger gently uses her head to nudge her cub into a pond, which is surrounded by sand and greenery. The tiger cub looks a little nervous venturing into the water.Ian Turner/ Longleat
With a nudge from mum, Yana, one of the four Amur tiger cubs takes a dip in the pond

Four rare tiger cubs are becoming "increasingly confident" as they acclimatise to their new habitat.

The female Amur tiger cubs were born in May, making Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire home to the largest group of tigers in the UK.

They join their mum Yana, their dad Red, and their older sister Yuki in the paddock of the 10-hectare Tiger Territory enclosure.

Now fully vaccinated, the cubs are gradually exploring the outdoors in short bursts, as keepers slowly introduce them to the drive-through safari park.

Ian Turner/ Longleat An Amur tiger cub walking through a pool of water in its enclosure at Longleat Safari Park. The pool is surrounded by sand and bushes. Ian Turner/ Longleat
In the wild, Amur tigers can live between 10 and 15 years, but in captivity, they live closer to 20 years old

Amy Waller, team safari manager, said: “Tigers have a natural affinity to water, keeping cool, cleaning, entertaining themselves and of course sometimes using it to support hunting.

“The cubs really are growing in confidence but need mum from time to time to nudge them in the right direction. She also decides when it’s time to go back indoors.

"They aren’t yet ready to be in the drive through safari on a regular basis, but guests can see them when they are in their paddock, which continues to be for a few hours daily.”

A public poll to name the cubs has now closed, and keepers say they will be announcing the names next week.

Ian Turner/ Longleat A tiger cub perched on the water's edge, looking at its own reflection in the pond water. The pond is surrounded by sand, grass, and mossy rocks.Ian Turner/ Longleat
One of the cubs curiously studies her own reflection in the water

The species is currently listed as endangered, with the Longleat cubs equating to more than 25% of births across Europe in the previous two years.

The species was on the brink of extinction in the 1940s, due to hunting and logging.

It is currently estimated there are only 450 Amur tigers left remaining in the wild.

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