Tiger romance at Highland Wildlife Park

01/02/2021 in Highland Wildlife Park

Love is in the air at Highland Wildlife Park after endangered Amur tigers, Botzman and Dominika, were caught on camera together for the first time.  

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland began carefully introducing the pair in November and, following promising behavioral cues, brought them together last week. 

Staff at the wildlife conservation charity are encouraged by how well the new couple are getting on so far and are hopeful they will have cubs in the future as part of the European endangered species breeding programme,. 

Highland Wildlife Park is currently closed due to Covid19 restrictions. You can help feed and care for the animals there by donating today at highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/help  

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Images: 

Hi-res video and a still are available at the following Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9qv49ze59xtkgei/AAAk5fqy9zJepfXx5uxA6C8ca?dl=0  

Images are free to use. Please credit RZSS 

Notes to Editors: 

• The keepers identified important behavioural cues that the pair were interested in each other, including calling, scent marking and the female rolling on her back.  
• Tiger gestation is around 3 months.  
• Dominika and Botzman will remain together during the days when she is in season. 

• Botzman arrived at Highland Wildlife Park in October 2020. Read more: highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/news/article/18896/new-tiger-arrives-at-highland-wildlife-park/  
• There are only 500 endangered Amur tigers remaining in the wild. 
• Previously known as Siberian tigers, the Amur tiger was renamed in the 1990's as the last tigers had long disappeared from Siberia. They are now found only in isolated populations around the Amur river valley in the far east of Russia and on China's north east border. 

 About the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland   

• The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is the wildlife conservation charity (SC004064) which owns RZSS Edinburgh Zoo and RZSS Highland Wildlife Park. 

• Founded in 1909, the Society’s purpose is to connect people with nature and safeguard species from extinction. 
• For further information about RZSS conservation projects in Scotland and around the world, please visit rzss.org.uk 
• RZSS Edinburgh Zoo and RZSS Highland Wildlife Park are members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).  BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums. 

For more information, please contact comms@rzss.org.uk