He has never been separated from them. Even in the footage of their birth you can see him come in and greet Sveta then take a peek at the cubs. He is very relaxed around them and is often seen with them, and only recently as they've started to get interested in meat has he started to get a little grumpy with them. And even then, he just gives a quick growl then takes his food to the top of the tower where they can't get him. I have asked a friend if she remembers when he was a cub if their dad was kept away or not, I shall let you know the answer.
A lot of Tiger breeding pairs in the UK seem to have males that are trusted with the cubs. Howletts have bred them like rabbits for decades, nearly always with the male there. Ditto Marwell and Whipsnade. And after all, there is quite a bit of data from India of male Tigers interacting in a friendly manner with cubs that they know are theirs.
I have a feeling that for whatever reason keeping the male with the cubs is less often done with Sumatran Tigers. Anyone feel able to comment?
I know at Le Parc Des Felins (France) they do it with most of their cats, both big and small. But I thought they were a rare exception. I had no idea so many UK zoos kept male tigers in with cubs. This is truly interesting!
I know at Chester Zoo the male has been in the enclosure with the female and cubs since they were very little... Could this be in zoo's as the male is the only one there and therefore the cubs are his and no competition from others for territory or mating? (I don't know a lot about the topic so just a stab in the dark)
i think it is because if the cubs were separated from their dad from a young age then put in with him months on he would have more chance of killing them. but when he is used to them from birth he should be OK!
i think it is because if the cubs were separated from their dad from a young age then put in with him months on he would have more chance of killing them. but when he is used to them from birth he should be OK!
Largely a correct assumption. If a tiger pair grow up together or have shared an enclosure harmoniously for a long time, the birth of cubs shouldn't disturb the adults' normal relationship. A pair that don't normally live together, or have not been together long, would be less likely to have that calm relationship- in such a case the father could be less safe with the cubs.
On one of the recent TV shows about animal babies there was film of the birth of these tiger cubs . The male wandered into the den to check what was happening then left again , the female seemed totally relaxed with this .
