Zoo Leipzig euthanizes three young tiger cubs
Leipzig Zoo Euthanizes Three Amur Tiger Cubs
The Leipzig Zoo has announced the euthanization of three Amur tiger cubs, born just a few days ago, due to their mother's inability to care for them.
The mother, Yushka, an inexperienced tigress, initially showed signs of caring for her cubs. However, after a few days, she stopped, leading to the cubs becoming weak and suffering. To prevent prolonged suffering due to starvation, the zoo made the difficult decision to euthanize the cubs.
The Leipzig Zoo continues to breed Amur tigers with inexperienced mothers like Yushka because it aims to contribute to the long-term survival of the species through natural breeding. The zoo rejects hand-rearing by keepers, as it conflicts with their principles of scientific and ethical wild animal husbandry.
Regarding measures to ensure successful rearing, the zoo intends to continue breeding programs with Yushka, hoping that with experience she will naturally rear future litters and contribute to conservation. The zoo emphasizes breeding without "misprints," meaning encouraging natural behaviors without human intervention.
Animal rights groups, such as PETA, have criticized this practice, arguing that breeding Amur tigers in captivity leads to behavioral disorders and is not effective for conservation. They have called for an immediate halt to such breeding programs and questioned the ethics and legality of euthanizing the cubs.
Despite this criticism, the Leipzig Zoo remains committed to responsible wildlife husbandry and animal welfare. The zoo director, Jörg Junhold, explained that such behavior is common in the animal kingdom and that Yushka can still contribute to the survival of the species through natural raising of her future litters.
The zoo will take measures to ensure that future litters are cared for properly, with the hope that Yushka will gain the necessary experience to rear them successfully. The Amur tiger cubs, born on Wednesday, were chilled and weak due to lack of care from their mother for two days before they were euthanized.
The Leipzig Zoo is dedicated to the survival of the Amur tiger species, and this difficult decision was made with the cubs' well-being as the top priority. Veterinarian Andreas Bernhard explained that the cubs were euthanized to spare them from suffering due to starvation.
Hand-rearing the cubs was not an option due to appropriate wildlife husbandry considerations. The zoo plans to continue breeding with the Amur tiger Yushka in the future, with the hope that she will gain the experience needed to rear her future litters naturally and contribute to the conservation of the Amur tiger species.
The Leipzig Zoo, while prioritizing the long-term survival of endangered species through natural breeding, also acknowledges the importance of health-and-wellness for all animals under their care. In the wake of the recent euthanization of three Amur tiger cubs, the zoo intends to focus on science-based methods to ensure successful rearing. This may involve further breeding programs with Yushka, aiming to foster an environment where she can develop the necessary skills for her cubs' wellbeing in the sports of motherhood.
