ZB ZB
Opinion
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

'Harsh reality of the wild': Auckland Zoo expert on Sumatran tiger killing second cub

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 5 Sep 2023, 6:38pm
Photo / Supplied
Photo / Supplied

'Harsh reality of the wild': Auckland Zoo expert on Sumatran tiger killing second cub

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 5 Sep 2023, 6:38pm

Auckland Zoo is dealing with the harsh reality of wild animals.

Sumatran tiger Zayana gave birth to her first two cubs on Friday.

But when the first was stillborn, she followed a natural instinct and killed the live second cub.

Carnivore team lead Lauren Booth says a tiger needs two to three cubs to make it worth raising them.

"The mortality rate within the first two years is about 50 to 70 percent. So there's a bit of maths that goes on there in terms of the resources they're going to put into those animals."

LISTEN ABOVE

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you