Zoo confronts significant duties: Three newborn tigers spend their nights there
The Leipzig Zoo has made headlines following the euthanization of three newborn Amur tiger cubs after their mother, Yushka, showed no signs of caring for them. This decision was a specific response to the particular case of maternal neglect, rather than a common practice at the zoo or elsewhere.
The cubs, born on Wednesday evening, were hand-rearing not considered a viable option due to the aspects of species-appropriate wildlife husbandry. Veterinarian Andreas Bernhard explained that if no active behaviour was observed in the cubs and no stimulus was triggered in the mother for care or milk production, the zoo had to take responsibility and spare the cubs the suffering of starvation.
The birth was the first litter of Yushka, the Amur tiger at Leipzig Zoo. The zoo intends to continue trying to breed with Yushka in the future, with the zoo director, Jörg Junhold, stating that she could make a natural contribution to the survival of the Amur tiger species.
The decision to euthanize the cubs was met with both outrage and support. Animal Rebellion, an animal rights organization, sharply condemned the killing of the Amur tiger cubs and called for an end to the breeding of animals in zoos. They argue that zoos do not protect species but preserve them to display and justify the killing of healthy animals under the guise of conservation.
On the other hand, Zoo Director Dag Encke defended the action taken in the Nuremberg Zoo, stating that such behaviour, while sad from a human perspective, is common in the animal kingdom. Encke also mentioned that the zoo made the decision to end the cubs' suffering due to their mother's neglect.
The cubs' death occurred a few days after their birth. Over the two days, the cubs became chilled and increasingly weak due to their mother's neglect. The zoo faced criticism from organizations like PETA, which filed complaints, suggesting that the practice is controversial and not universally accepted.
Despite the controversy, the Leipzig Zoo remains committed to its breeding programme for the endangered Amur tiger species. The zoo director, Jörg Junhold, stated that Yushka could make a natural contribution to the survival of the Amur tiger species. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in conservation efforts and the delicate balance between animal welfare and the preservation of endangered species.
The Leipzig Zoo, in light of the recent incident, refrained from engaging in any sports-related activities during the week, focusing solely on the care and breeding of their Amur tiger, Yushka. Despite the controversy surrounding the euthanization of newborn Amur tiger cubs, the zoo's staff members continue to participate in various sports activities during their off-hours to maintain their physical and mental well-being, understanding the importance of sports in fostering resilience and teamwork.
