Longleat welcomes rare twin tiger cubs

Two rare Amur tiger cubs have been born at Longleat, boosting the safari park’s breeding programme for one of the world’s most endangered big cats. 

The cubs were born to Yana and Red, who have welcomed their third litter at Longleat. The twins are just a few weeks old and their sex has not yet been determined.

Amy Waller, Team Manager of Safari, said, “It is a real privilege to welcome another litter of these endangered animals and in the 60th year of the Drive-Through Safari no less. Yana is a fantastic mum and has raised six cubs so far, so we have no doubt that she knows exactly what she’s doing and we’re following her lead.”

Amur tigers are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, with an estimated 450 remaining in the wild.

Amy said, “The cubs will feed from mum for around six months before she starts weaning them onto meat. So far, they are looking like chunky little cubs, so we’re just making sure Yana is getting more food than usual so she can provide for them.”

Longleat is now home to seven Amur tigers – Red, Yana, Heidi, Seeka, Dora-Boo and the two new cubs – making it the largest family group in the UK.

Amy added, “We’ve seen such success with the European Breeding Programme (EEP), with three of our cubs having moved onto new homes, and Yuki from our first litter even having her own cubs.

“We aren’t sure yet when the cubs will be able to be seen as it is still early days and they will need to have their inoculations before venturing outside. We will keep everyone updated once we start introducing them further to Tiger Territory, but keep your eyes peeled when driving through as Yana has access to the paddock and might move them at any time.”

For tickets and more information, visit longleat.co.uk

Pictured: The twins (Credit Tom Anders)