As spring warms the vast expanses of the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, a heartwarming sight unfolds: Siberian tiger mothers are introducing their playful cubs to the world. Among them is a young mother, known as tiger number 44, who, at just six years old, is already proving to be an exceptional parent.
Last year, as a first-time mother, she successfully raised three cubs—a remarkable achievement given the challenges of rearing young in the wild. This year, she’s nurturing her second litter of three cubs, all of whom are thriving under her care. Professor Feng Limin from the School of Life Sciences at Beijing Normal University highlights her success: “Raising all three cubs from her first litter was quite challenging, but she managed it exceptionally well. Her second litter is also growing up healthy. As spring arrives, she will take the cubs out more and more frequently.”
The park’s advanced real-time monitoring system meticulously records every detail of the life histories of each Siberian tiger and Amur leopard. Over the past two months, data reveals that multiple tiger mothers have been venturing out with their cubs to bask in the warm sunshine. Most of these mothers have litters of two to three cubs, with some even caring for four. Encouragingly, most of these cubs are expected to reach adulthood.
According to Duan Zhaogang, director of the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park Administration Bureau, “In 2023, we’ve recorded eight Siberian tiger breeding families. The survival rate of cubs has increased from less than 20 percent to nearly 50 percent now. The stable growth of the species’ population indicates a significant improvement in the quality of the habitat, leading to a remarkable recovery in the ecological functions of the park.”
The positive trend isn’t limited to tigers. Amur leopard mothers have also been spotted with their newborn cubs. With fewer than 100 individuals remaining globally, the robust health and growth of these cubs bring renewed hope for the critically endangered species. Like the Siberian tiger, the Amur leopard is under first state-level protection in China and is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The flourishing of these majestic creatures reflects the successful conservation efforts within the park. As these tiger and leopard families thrive, they symbolize a broader recovery of biodiversity and ecological balance in the region, offering a beacon of hope for wildlife conservationists worldwide.
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Siberian tigers enjoy family time in NE China's national park
cgtn.com
