Amur tiger cubs set to leave Longleat to boost international breeding programme

Two of the young Amur tiger cubs at Longleat are set to leave to bolster the international breeding programme.

Ginger Biscuit and Seeka are set to move onto new homes as part of the European breeding programme, where the hope is they will breed to help protect the species, believed to have only 450 remaining in the wild.

Ginger Biscuit, Dora-Boo, Heidi and Seeka were born to mum Yana and dad Red in May 2024 and are approaching their second birthday.

Amy Waller, Team Manager of Safari, said “It’s been such a wonderful journey having these four playful cubs. Seeing Yana be such an attentive mum once again has been brilliant.

“Young tigers would typically spend two – three years with mum before leaving for their own territory, as they are solitary animals. Having four girls has meant they have been able to spend more time with mum, however the time is coming for two of them to move onto new homes.

“International breeding programmes are vital to ensuring the species survival and that there is genetic diversity within the population.

“We anticipate the girls to be leaving soon, so we wanted to let our guests know in advance to make sure they can visit the four of them one last time. They may not always be out in the main Drive-Through but will be able to be seen from the paddocks.”

The park’s family of amur tigers can be seen in Tiger Territory as part of the Drive-Through Safari, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.