Latest news with #WildCatsConservationAlliance
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Photographer thrilled after trail camera shows elusive apex predator after years of waiting: 'It was such an explosion of joy'
After four years of working and waiting, wildlife photographer Vladimir Cech Jr. caught a rare glimpse of the critically endangered Sumatran tiger in Indonesia. Thrilled to see the fruits of his labors, which involved using trail cameras "triggered by animal movement," Cech described his reaction to BBC's Discover Wildlife in an early-May report. "It was such an explosion of joy," Cech said, "that the guys from rangers thought something had bitten my a** because of how quickly and unexpectedly I jumped into the air while looking at the display." The Sumatran tiger is one of the rarest big cats of all. The International Fund for Animal Welfare has estimated that there are only around 600 left in the wild, though their elusive nature makes an accurate count difficult. They are reportedly the only remaining tigers on Indonesia's Sunda Islands, as the Balinese and Javan tigers, sadly, have already become extinct. The Sumatran tiger's survival is threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation caused by land clearing for palm oil plantations, other agriculture, and logging, per Discover Wildlife. Tigers can also be subject to rampant poaching, sometimes because of the animal's role in traditional Asian medicine. As apex predators in their natural habitats, tigers play an essential role in the ecosystem. They're what's known as an "umbrella species," meaning their presence protects a myriad of other fauna. Tigers regulate the populations of the species they prey upon and limit the habitat destruction that overpopulation can cause. Additionally, with each hunt they succeed in, tigers aren't feeding themselves alone but also other species. As the Wild Cats Conservation Alliance notes, a tiger usually only eats "about 65-75% of the edible portions" of its kills. Cech's years-long photography project shows the critical role that trail cameras can play in conservation efforts. They're not just a great tool for researchers seeking to inform effective strategies to protect rare and elusive animals — they can also be a source of inspiration for the public. As Cech told Discover Wildlife, "These sharp, detailed and colourful pictures can help to raise awareness about this amazing subspecies of tiger and other animals that live in this area." Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
BBC News
18-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
First outdoor steps for West Midlands Safari Park endangered cubs
A set of critically endangered tiger cub triplets born at a wildlife park have taken their first steps outdoors, after developing "with no concerns".The three Sumatran tiger cubs, who arrived at West Midlands Safari Park on 17 January, were outside following a first health check that confirmed there are two girls and a keepers know the sex of them, they have selected the name Nova, meaning new star, for one girl, while the public will choose the other cubs' names. They were weighed and given first vaccinations, ready to follow 13-year-old mother Dourga outdoors at the Bewdley attraction. On Monday, when the door opened to the outside area, Dourga did a check to make sure it was safe, "then returned to the cubs, 'chuffing' at them to encourage them to follow her", the park said.A chuff "is a low, soft noise which tigers use as a friendly greeting, or in this case, to comfort cubs".The male took the first steps outside, followed by the sisters who "seemed delighted to see big sister, Lestari, who is almost two, watching them curiously from the other side of the fence". Veterinary nurse Sarah Smith said: "The cubs have been showing their own characters recently and we really saw their feisty side during their examinations."We were thrilled to discover that we have two females and one male, and loved watching them venture outside." Veterinary surgeon Lindsey Baines said the park was delighted it had three healthy tiger cubs. "The vet team have been monitoring their development carefully since they were born through the CCTV to ensure there were no issues."Their first health checks and vaccinations all went swimmingly, and they are developing as we would expect with no concerns." The park estimated there may only be about 400 Sumatran tigers left in the Sumatran tigers at the park are part of a collaboration between European zoos, aiming to conserve endangered species. The site also partners with conservation organisation WildCats Conservation Alliance, and donates to the Kerinci Seblat Tiger Protection Project, which operates tiger protection and conservation units in a 12-week health check, Dourga and the cubs will be able to go into the wider Tiger Tropics area, where Lestari and dad Nakal are currently seen. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
