SOME SAD NEWS TO SHARE

Amur Tigers are an endangered species, with only around 500 remaining in the wild. Miron and Sinda were mixed several times during the last two years in the hope we could support the EAZA* Ex Situ breeding programme (EEP).

Any animal introduction carries an element of risk and this type of incident is naturally seen in big cats in the wild.

Breeding programmes are an important part of species conservation and Miron came to Knowsley Safari in 2020, when he was six-years-old, with recommendations to breed with Sinda as he is an important genetic bloodline within the Amur Tiger population. We carefully and gradually introduced the pair during this time via initial mesh meetings. Our keepers are experts in animal care and have successfully conducted introductions many times before.

Only once positive behaviour was displayed from Miron and Sinda, physical introductions were made and this had happened successfully on several previous occasions. On Saturday, we followed the exact same procedure as usual.

Such incidents are not uncommon during mixing of big cats and the reason is often not known. Various causes have been reported including social or behavioural elements of individual animals, medical or other physical changes not obviously apparent, as well as territorial or dominance behaviours.

Tigers are quick, powerful animals and although we had highly experienced animal keepers present ready to intervene with non-harmful methods, due to the speed of the incident Sinda could not be saved by the mitigation methods and had already been fatally injured before they were able to be deployed.

Miron had not shown any unusual levels of aggression to female tigers here at Knowsley Safari, however he had fatally injured a female while at Copenhagan Zoo in 2018. We were aware of this when Miron arrived at Knowsley, but given the facilities here and expertise of the team it was we felt that we could meet Miron’s needs. The introductions between the two had been taken very slowly and managed carefully over a two-year period.

Sinda sustained a severe bite injury, which sadly was immediately fatal.

Unfortunately, due to the instant nature of Sinda’s fatality, a vet couldn’t have prevented Sinda from dying.  

Miron is being cared for by our keepers, we are doing everything we can to make sure Miron is doing well. We are consulting with EAZA, who oversee the European Breeding Programme, to take advice.

Sinda was much loved at the Safari. She’d been with us for 12 years and many of the animal keepers had built a strong rapport with her. We will all miss her greatly.

We will continue to be involved in the Amur tiger breeding programme and we are discussing the next steps with EAZA. Miron’s continued welfare is now our priority and we will work with EAZA to assure his care continues and his needs within the breeding programme are met.

It is always preferable to create environments that are as close to the animals’ natural habitat as possible, including terrain, feeding and breeding. Artificial Insemination (AI) in cats is incredibly challenging due to the female cycle, it’s a very complicated and high risk procedure requiring sedation of both tigers.

There is always a risk when mixing any tigers. In this case despite them not mating successfully we had seen lots of positive signs and encouraging behaviour previously. On the day itself, both tigers initially showed positive behaviour again, but unfortunately, things can go wrong unexpectedly, especially with tigers who are inexperienced, which likely led to miscommunication and frustration.