22 April 2012

Sumatran Tiger

 Location: Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, N.S.W.


 A great opportunity to get a photo of this beautiful animal between lots of other people, wherever I could nudge me and my camera, without treading on anyone's toes.

Feeding on a young kangaroo

and naturally the tiger chose to eat it's meal way back from the audience, in the shade of a tree




Signage reads: Sumatran Tigers are the smallest and darkest of all tigers  Less than 400 Sumatran Tigers are left living in five national parks and two game reserves on the island of Sumatra.  Some lie in unprotected forests which will soon be lost to agriculture.

Almost three quarter of Indonesia's forests have been destroyed.  However, half of the remaining forest is now protected by the Indonesian Government.

Zoos in Australia have committed their resources to support the Sumatran Tiger.  They work together with European zoos on a coordinated breeding program for this species.  Financial support is also given to a number of conservation projects in Sumatra.

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25 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

gorgeous animal. are kangaroos typically killed for meat for zoo animals? just curious. here they'd probably be fed a shank of beef or something.

Carole M. said...

well you've made me curious too Theresa; I've left a comment for the zoo to provide the correct information which I'll pass on when addressed. Perhaps they're road-kills that are bought in (and that happens often on the country roads, dawn and dusk especially).

Brian King said...

Tigers are such beautiful cats with the striping and coloration! Your photos turned out great despite the shade! It's not always easy to get good photos at a zoo. There's usually something in the way or the animals won't even show themselves. These are really nice, Carole!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

You really got some great photos of this beautiful animal, Carole!

Carletta said...

Tex asked what I was thinking. I like the idea of roadkill.
Wonderful shots of this beautiful tiger! The big cats have always been a favorite of mine.

SquirrelQueen said...

What a handsome animal. It is a shame that such a magnificent animal has been driven to the point of extinction. I hope the breeding programs can help preserve them.

Anonymous said...

Lovely shots of this magnificent creature!

Karin M. said...

Such gorgeous animal...magnificent photos...
Greetings Karin

Stewart M said...

What a splendid animal!

Stewart M

Red Nomad OZ said...

Tigers are my favourites - and I'm a tiger in the Chinese horoscope, so maybe that explains it!!

Phil Slade said...

A wonderful animal with the usual sad story attached. Thanks for sharing Carole.

Roan said...

Great shots of these truly amazing creatures. I'm curious also, re the kangaroo food.

Lisa Gordon said...

What a magnificent creature Carole, and you have captured it so beautifully!
Happy Sunday to you!

Jeanne said...

What beautiful shots these are Carole! I was at the zoo yesterday also... what a coincidence. So interesting that they feed the tiger kangaroo. Beautiful capture and what a stately cat this is.

theconstantwalker said...

Tigers have to be one of the most beautiful animals on the planet Carole.
I am a cat lover and these are my favourites.. Lions? "King of the Jungle" move over there is a tiger in town.
Your images are stunning. xx

SandyCarlson said...

These are some amazing photos of that powerful animal.

Dianne said...

You have captured this beautiful tiger perfectly ...Bravo!

Nadege, said...

Fantastic captures.

Carole M. said...

and the response from zoo staff reads:

Kangaroos are not killed to feed Sumatran Tigers. The Zoo purchases various types of meat from strictly licensed suppliers that we feed out to the carnivores in our care. This includes beef, chicken and kangaroo meat. Some of this is provided with fur/feathers intact as enrichment for the carnivores.

lina@happy family said...

Amazing Sumatran tiger shots!
I'm glad to read the zoo staff's response about the kangaroo.

Thanks for dropping by.

Kathy said...

Wow, amazing cat! If they were here - and it were road kill - they'd be feasting on deer!
Thank you for sharing and I hope you have a marvelous week,
Kathy

jeanlivingsimple said...

Yes...what a handsome creature! Hope the breeding program is a success!

Jan Castle said...

Great photos...I'm sure you enjoyed the opportunity...even with tHe nudges! TFS
Jan

Les fous du cap said...

Carole,
Thank you to follow us on "Les Fous du Cap".
CĂ©line & Philippe

Icy BC said...

You remind me to go to the zoo soon..Beautiful shots of this tiger! Such a majestic one!