IT is believed there could be as few as 500 Sumatran tigers left in the world, which is why when Ballarat’s newest resident went on show to the public on Tuesday, it was such a special occasion.
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Maneki, an 11-year-old Sumatran Tiger, one of the most critically endangered breeds in the world made her Ballarat debut in her new specially-built ‘Tiger Sanctuary’ at Greg Parker’s Ballarat Wildlife Park.
And while she was a bit shy in coming out into the warm sunshine, she put on a shaded display that delighted first onlookers.
Maneki was hand raised at Australia Zoo, however Tuesday was the first time she had been on public display.
Tiger Keeper & Operations Manager at Ballarat Wildlife Park Robbie Doyle said Maneki travelled well from Australia Zoo and had been settling in well to her new surrounds over the past few weeks
“This is a major coup for tourism in Ballarat, there’s not a lot of places where one can see these amazing creatures,” Mr Doyle said
“Maneki travelled well from Australia Zoo, accompanied by our assistant curator Beth Astles.
“It was a special moment when she arrived, having big cats is a first for Ballarat Wildlife Park. We’ve really taken our time and care to make sure everything was perfect before their arrival. “
“Her carers from Australia Zoo have also been in Ballarat to help her settle in.”
The new conservation display has been designed to ensure a stress-free environment for its new inhabitants, as well as training staff to provide a positive quality of life that every animal living in captivity deserves.
The home features swimming pools, climbing poles, shady areas, heated dens and are double the size of the standard requirement for a tiger enclosure.
The enclosure also includes state-of-the-art security to ensure the tigers and the community are kept safe.
A second Sumatran Tiger, one Maneki has already been successful breeding with at Australia Zoo, will join her in the enclosure early next month.
It is hoped that the pair will be able to reunite and hopefully breed again to help raise the numbers of the species which has been decimated by poaching and civilisation’s growth.
Visit Ballarat chief executive Noel Dempsey the new tiger exhibit provided another reason to visit the city.
“Greg and the team have done a great job her and just think in the last year we’ve had meerkats, penguins and now tigers,” he said.
“But I think the real story is about conservation and that’s going to attract a bigger audience.
“There’s only a few hundred Sumatran Tigers in the world and putting it on the map here highlights that challenge.
“We’re really happy that this will not only attract visitors, but also tells an very important story.”
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