Tiger Cubs in Dublin Zoo
07th July 2009
For the past two years now I have being photographing the animals at Dublin Zoo. You can see my images in all the Zoo publications and posters. Also all the images in the Animal Gallery on this website are the very same images but in black and white of course. However my favorite animal is the Tiger.
Dublin Zoo have two subspecies of tigers, the Siberian and the Sumatran.
The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, and is critically endangered. It is the smallest of all living tiger subspecies, with adult males weighing between 100–140 kg (220–308 lb) and females 75–110 kg (154–242 lb) Their small size is an adaptation to the thick, dense forests of the island of Sumatra where they reside, as well as the smaller-sized prey. The wild population is estimated at between 400 and 500, seen chiefly in the island's national parks. Recent genetic testing has revealed the presence of unique genetic markers, indicating that it may develop into a separate species,[specify] if it does not go extinct. This has led to suggestions that Sumatran tigers should have greater priority for conservation than any other subspecies. While habitat destruction is the main threat to existing tiger population (logging continues even in the supposedly protected national parks), 66 tigers were recorded as being shot and killed between 1998 and 2000, or nearly 20% of the total population.
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Kepala, a male Sumatran tiger arrived in Dublin Zoo from Chester Zoo in January to pair with Sigra ( both pictured above ) our tigress whose mate Indah passed away late last year. Dublin Zoo is very proud to be playing an active role in the European Breeding Programme for Sumatran tigers, and Sigra's first litter of cubs, born in 2005, has been carefully placed in selected Zoos around Europe, where they will hopefully soon play their own role in the conservation of this critically endangered subspecies of tiger.
This is where I come in. I was asked to get some photographs of Kepala ( pictured above ) and Sigra together. I was given access to the tigers above what the public usually see. I was able to get real close to them as the image above shows. You can count the whiskers on his face. Why did they want these images? Well for an article in the Summer edition of Zoo Maters called "Love at first stripe!"
Well what do you know, 6 months later Sigra's second litter of cubs were born.
One male and one female ( pictured above ). This time a was able to have complete access to the cubs and even hold them. They are about 3-4 weeks old in the images here with the female tiger having a smaller head than her brother. I will be keeping a very close eye and camera on the cubs as they grow up. I am now their Official Photographer and will be taking photos every couple of weeks . The next photos to get will be when they are released into the open with the mother for the public to see.
Dublin Zoo have two subspecies of tigers, the Siberian and the Sumatran.
The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, and is critically endangered. It is the smallest of all living tiger subspecies, with adult males weighing between 100–140 kg (220–308 lb) and females 75–110 kg (154–242 lb) Their small size is an adaptation to the thick, dense forests of the island of Sumatra where they reside, as well as the smaller-sized prey. The wild population is estimated at between 400 and 500, seen chiefly in the island's national parks. Recent genetic testing has revealed the presence of unique genetic markers, indicating that it may develop into a separate species,[specify] if it does not go extinct. This has led to suggestions that Sumatran tigers should have greater priority for conservation than any other subspecies. While habitat destruction is the main threat to existing tiger population (logging continues even in the supposedly protected national parks), 66 tigers were recorded as being shot and killed between 1998 and 2000, or nearly 20% of the total population.
[
Kepala, a male Sumatran tiger arrived in Dublin Zoo from Chester Zoo in January to pair with Sigra ( both pictured above ) our tigress whose mate Indah passed away late last year. Dublin Zoo is very proud to be playing an active role in the European Breeding Programme for Sumatran tigers, and Sigra's first litter of cubs, born in 2005, has been carefully placed in selected Zoos around Europe, where they will hopefully soon play their own role in the conservation of this critically endangered subspecies of tiger.
This is where I come in. I was asked to get some photographs of Kepala ( pictured above ) and Sigra together. I was given access to the tigers above what the public usually see. I was able to get real close to them as the image above shows. You can count the whiskers on his face. Why did they want these images? Well for an article in the Summer edition of Zoo Maters called "Love at first stripe!"
Well what do you know, 6 months later Sigra's second litter of cubs were born.
One male and one female ( pictured above ). This time a was able to have complete access to the cubs and even hold them. They are about 3-4 weeks old in the images here with the female tiger having a smaller head than her brother. I will be keeping a very close eye and camera on the cubs as they grow up. I am now their Official Photographer and will be taking photos every couple of weeks . The next photos to get will be when they are released into the open with the mother for the public to see.
