Tiger cubs born in F State
2009-11-05 22:25
Bloemfontein - Five tiger cubs were born at Tiger Canyons, near Philippolis in the Free State this week, founder John Varty said on Thursday.
A zoo-born tigress, rehabilitated at the reserve gave birth to five cubs, including a white tiger, on November 1.
"The sight of Julie with five cubs was one of the most magical moments of my life. If she raises the white cub it will be the only free-ranging white cub in the wilds in the world," Varty said in a statement.
"However the white cub will have to compete with the other four cubs for milk."
"It is unlikely that Julie will raise all five cubs, but we will not interfere. Nature will take its course."
Varty said Tiger Canyons now had more wild tigers than India's flagship tiger reserve, Ranthambore.
He said there were around 1 000 wild tigers left in the world, and that this number was rapidly diminishing.
- SAPA