PREVIEW

**VIDEO AVAILABLE: CONTACT INFO@COVERMG.COM TO RECEIVE**

Longleat’s rare Amur tiger cubs had a roarsome first birthday thanks to a special meaty cake prepared for them by their keepers.

The four tigers, who are now two-thirds of the weight and size of mum, Yana, were born on 9 May last year and are the second litter for mum and dad Red.

After a public vote, they were named Heidi, Seeka, Dora-Boo and Ginger Biscuit and as girls, they can stay with mum for up to another year to 18 months, giving Longleat the biggest family of Amur tigers to be seen on Safari in the UK.

Their birth was important for the international breeding programme as the species is currently listed as endangered with only around 450 of the species in the world. At the time, their arrival equated to over 25 per cent of births across Europe in the previous two years.

A frozen meat extract and ostrich egg cake with sardines as candles proved a popular treat for the four. It was also devoured in minutes.

Caleb Hall, Lead Keeper, said: “The cubs are about two thirds the weight and size of mum and growing fast; Heidi is the largest at around 70-75kg and the smallest is Dora-Boo at approx. 60-65kg. It’s hard to believe they were just 700gm when they were born.

“They range in size, strength, confidence, speed and agility because they are not identical siblings and all have differences that would have a benefit to survival in the wild.

“They all enjoy playing, being in the pond splashing and swimming and having naps in the sun which Yana appreciates as its tiring raising and looking after the four.”

The young tigers eat around 12kg of meat each week.

Fellow lead keeper Eloise Kilbane added: “Yana is an exceptional Tiger and mother; she has always been good at nurturing each cub according to their strengths and weaknesses ensuring they are the best they can be.

“For example, when the cubs practice hunting mum, Yana will only run and play with the cubs if they genuinely surprise her which is teaching them that they have to stalk and to be subtle if they want to catch anything.

“She plays rough with the biggest cubs teaching them how to fight and plays smart with the smallest teaching them to watch and observe the perfect time to surprise an attack.”

Fellow carnivore keeper Ryan Baines added: “Heidi loves food of all kinds and she will often challenge mum for food and mum lets her win if she communicates properly.

“Ginger Biscuit is very playful and seems the youngest at heart, very watchful and cautious and especially loves running and splashing through the pond.

“Seeka is the second largest; very similar to mum, quite reserved and happy with her own company but loves playing and joining in when all her siblings do. Always the first to spot anything new to her environment.

“Dora-boo is the smallest and has a sweet nature. She likes spending time with mum and less likely to be involved with the rough and tumble with the others. Very smart and observant.”