One enclosure for breeding tigers

[OrangePerson]

If you are going to breed tigers is one enclosure enough? I was wondering this a few weeks ago because Yorkshire Wildlife Park are going to have 2 pairs of tigers & 2 enclosures & hope to breed. What happens if you can't leave the male in with the female after the cubs are born?

My only experience of 'cubs' (they were huge at the time) was at Auckland where Oz could go out in a separate enclosure.

Does it work with one enclosure, does 1 animal just have to stay inside (the female?) for a time? How soon would are the cubs would be safe with the male or could that be never? I realise many places don't have the luxury of enough space for 2 enclosures so do they just alternate them outside.

 

[Arizona Docent]

Yes, they would have to alternate if they do not have a second exhibit. There is only one place I have seen where the males stay in with the cubs (not just tigers but most of their cats) and that is Le Parc Des Felins in France. I suspect they can do this because the enclosures are so much bigger than most other zoos.

My zoo, which has had a male (only) malayan tiger for about a decade, recently acquired a female for breeding and we are currently dividing the exhibit in two. This is to allow both the male and the female with cubs to be on exhibit at the same time. (I am not too keen about cutting our exhibit in half, but I guess it is the only solution other than not breeding).

The San Diego Safari Park is about to start construction on a new three exhibit sumatran tiger area, I presume to allow better breeding groups. (They currently have a nice and very large exhibit, but must keep several tigers in their bedrooms at any given time). Phoenix Zoo will also be starting construction soon an a sumatran tiger habitat that will accomodate up to six tigers, but I have not heard details about whether it will be multiple yards or just one yard with several large bedrooms.

 

[Gary]

I would think it more than likely that an enclosure would be subdivided should serious breeding plans become reality.

To do otherwise doesn't seem very wise

 

[OrangePerson]

It partly struck me because cats' indoor areas are generally relatively small and pretty basic as far as I have seen. That's OK if they are able to go out but could be a bit grim if they are staying in for a prolonged period.

 

[cracker]

Yes, they would have to alternate if they do not have a second exhibit. There is only one place I have seen where the males stay in with the cubs (not just tigers but most of their cats) and that is Le Parc Des Felins in France. I suspect they can do this because the enclosures are so much bigger than most other zoos.

My zoo, which has had a male (only) malayan tiger for about a decade, recently acquired a female for breeding and we are currently dividing the exhibit in two. This is to allow both the male and the female with cubs to be on exhibit at the same time. (I am not too keen about cutting our exhibit in half, but I guess it is the only solution other than not breeding).

The San Diego Safari Park is about to start construction on a new three exhibit sumatran tiger area, I presume to allow better breeding groups. (They currently have a nice and very large exhibit, but must keep several tigers in their bedrooms at any given time). Phoenix Zoo will also be starting construction soon an a sumatran tiger habitat that will accomodate up to six tigers, but I have not heard details about whether it will be multiple yards or just one yard with several large bedrooms.

I think whether males stay in with females with cubs completely depends on the individuals themselves. The male amur tiger which recently died at the Highland Wildlife Park was one such individual. He had (I think) at least two litters cubs with the female Sasha while housed at Edinburgh zoo previously and then at least one other litter after they moved to the Highland Wildlife Park. At Edinburgh zoo there are facilities to split a pair of tigers if needs be with but there was never any need to do that with this pair of tigers.
It is certainly wise I think to have the option of splitting the male and female for any reason so the facilities to do this would be preferable.

 

[Jordan-Jaguar97]

Port Lympe's male Tug or Tugar is a superb father and often left with the female(Ingrid)and cubs.

I don't think if there wanting to breed 2 pairs with just 2 enclosures that will be enough won't it?I think it depends on the indoor accompadation too.