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164658
Mon, 02/28/2011 - 11:03
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https://oananews.org//node/164658
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Al Ain zoo welcomes white tigers
Al Ain, Feb 28, 2011 (WAM)- Two white tigers, donated by Shaikha Latifa bint Rashid bin Khalifa bin Saeed Al Maktoum, . The nearly two-year old siblings (a female and a male) are said to be in good health and seemed quite happy in their new home. They were named Sugar and Spice by Shaikha Latifa when they were just three-months old cubs according to a report in "Khaleej Times."
“After long consideration, I decided to donate Sugar and Spice to Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort as I know it will take good care of them. The zoo has a great reputation for its spacious animal enclosures and world-class care for the animals. I am very excited to see the tigers now on exhibit and exploring their new home in the zoo’s cathouse,” said Shaikha Latifa.
After spending some time in quarantine, the new enclosure for the two white tigers was opened for public viewing over the weekend, with a ceremony attended by Shaikha Latifa and other members of the ruling families of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
“For the first time, white tigers will be on public display in the UAE and we are excited that the debut happens at our zoo, which has one of the largest collections of big cats worldwide. Our Animal Collection team worked very closely with the team of Shaikha Latifa bint Rashid bin Khalifa bin Saeed Al Maktoum to make the relocation of these two precious white tigers from Dubai to Al Ain as smooth as possible,” said Farshid Mehrdadfar, manager of the Animal Collection at AWPR.
White tigers, not to be confused with Siberian albino or snow tigers, are a colour morph of the tiger, caused by the recessive gene. Dark-striped white individuals are believed to be part of the Bengal tiger, also known as the Royal Bengal or Indian tiger.
Currently, several hundred white tigers are in captivity worldwide, with about one hundred being found in India. The average weight of these tigers is 182-250 kilograms and length ranges from 2.7 to 3.4 metres. Litter of white tigers is from one to six cubs.
“White tigers only exist in zoos and animal collections and their popularity makes them ideal ambassadors for the tiger,” said Dr Michael Maunder, chief of Conservation at AWPR.
“Wild tigers are in urgent need for protection, preservation and conservation. Out of the nine known subspecies, three are extinct with the remaining six being either endangered or critically endangered. The display of these white tigers will promote increased public awareness about the desperate situation of tigers in the wild.”
Only about 5,000 to 7,400 tigers are left in the wild today. Three tiger subspecies, the Bali, Javan, and Caspian tigers have become extinct in the past 70 years.
“After long consideration, I decided to donate Sugar and Spice to Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort as I know it will take good care of them. The zoo has a great reputation for its spacious animal enclosures and world-class care for the animals. I am very excited to see the tigers now on exhibit and exploring their new home in the zoo’s cathouse,” said Shaikha Latifa.
After spending some time in quarantine, the new enclosure for the two white tigers was opened for public viewing over the weekend, with a ceremony attended by Shaikha Latifa and other members of the ruling families of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
“For the first time, white tigers will be on public display in the UAE and we are excited that the debut happens at our zoo, which has one of the largest collections of big cats worldwide. Our Animal Collection team worked very closely with the team of Shaikha Latifa bint Rashid bin Khalifa bin Saeed Al Maktoum to make the relocation of these two precious white tigers from Dubai to Al Ain as smooth as possible,” said Farshid Mehrdadfar, manager of the Animal Collection at AWPR.
White tigers, not to be confused with Siberian albino or snow tigers, are a colour morph of the tiger, caused by the recessive gene. Dark-striped white individuals are believed to be part of the Bengal tiger, also known as the Royal Bengal or Indian tiger.
Currently, several hundred white tigers are in captivity worldwide, with about one hundred being found in India. The average weight of these tigers is 182-250 kilograms and length ranges from 2.7 to 3.4 metres. Litter of white tigers is from one to six cubs.
“White tigers only exist in zoos and animal collections and their popularity makes them ideal ambassadors for the tiger,” said Dr Michael Maunder, chief of Conservation at AWPR.
“Wild tigers are in urgent need for protection, preservation and conservation. Out of the nine known subspecies, three are extinct with the remaining six being either endangered or critically endangered. The display of these white tigers will promote increased public awareness about the desperate situation of tigers in the wild.”
Only about 5,000 to 7,400 tigers are left in the wild today. Three tiger subspecies, the Bali, Javan, and Caspian tigers have become extinct in the past 70 years.
