Zoo Leipzig euthanizes three tiger cubs
Leipzig Zoo has made a difficult decision to euthanize three newborn Amur tiger cubs due to serious health issues that could not be treated successfully. The cubs, born on Wednesday evening, were not cared for by their mother, Yushka, a first-time mother, and deteriorated rapidly over two days[1][2].
The zoo's veterinarian, Andreas Bernhard, explained that when the cubs no longer showed active behavior, no stimulus for care or milk production was triggered in the mother[1]. In such a situation, it was necessary to spare the cubs the suffering of starvation.
Despite the loss, the zoo plans to continue breeding with Yushka. Zoo director Jörg Junhold believes that Yushka has the potential to contribute to the preservation of the Amur tiger species[2]. The zoo's breeding program with Yushka is focused on the preservation of the Amur tiger species, which is facing a decline in its population[2].
The zoo's decision to euthanize the cubs was not taken lightly. Hand-rearing was not an option due to the zoo's commitment to species-appropriate care[2]. The rapid health deterioration and failure to thrive under natural conditions made euthanasia necessary to prevent prolonged suffering[2].
This behavior is common in the animal kingdom, according to zoo director Jörg Junhold[2]. Yushka, the Amur tiger, is capable of making a natural contribution to the preservation of the species[1]. The zoo's continued breeding attempts with Yushka are part of an effort to preserve the Amur tiger species[1].
Meanwhile, another female Amur tiger cub at the same zoo, whose survival was deemed critical, is being hand-reared[1]. The zoo intends to continue attempting to breed with Amur tiger Yushka, with the hope that her potential breeding could aid in the preservation of the Amur tiger species.
References: 1. Leipzig Zoo Hand-Rearing Critically Endangered Tiger Cub 2. Leipzig Zoo Euthanizes Newborn Tiger Cubs
The Leipzig Zoo, with its focus on health-and-wellness and the conservation of endangered species, has decided to continue breeding with Yushka, an Amur tiger, despite the loss of three newborn cubs due to health issues, as Yushka has potential to contribute significantly to the preservation of the Amur tiger species. The zoo's science-based approach necessitated euthanasia to prevent prolonged suffering for the ailing cubs.
In a different context, the zoo is currently hand-rearing another female Amur tiger cub to improve its chances of survival, demonstrating their commitment to both fitness-and-exercise and mental-health of its animals.
