Tigers from the Amur species were euthanized at the zoo
In a recent development at Leipzig Zoo, the Amur tiger cubs were euthanized shortly after birth. The decision was made due to the mother tiger, Yushka, turning away from her cubs hours after giving birth, causing them to become cold and weak.
Yushka, a first-time mother, seemed to struggle with caring for her cubs, likely due to inexperience. This behavior, although unfortunate, is considered normal in the animal world. However, it led to a decrease in milk production for the cubs, making artificial feeding an inappropriate solution for wild animals.
The decision to euthanize the cubs was not made lightly. Guidelines suggest that euthanasia is used to prevent suffering in tiger cubs, especially when they are born with severe developmental defects or have serious illnesses that make their lives unbearable or hopeless.
Jörg Junghold, the zoo director, believes that in the long term, Yushka will be able to contribute to the survival of the Amur tiger species. Despite this unfortunate incident, the organization will continue attempting to breed tigers.
It is important to note that euthanasia of Amur tiger cubs in zoos is not a common or routine practice. Most zoos prioritize conservation, rehabilitation, and appropriate care for cubs, aiming to avoid unnecessary euthanasia. Instead, they focus on breeding management and placing cubs in suitable facilities or reintroduction programs where possible.
This incident raises ethical questions but is sometimes necessary to ensure the welfare and conservation of the species. Euthanasia is usually performed only under specific conditions such as severe illness or injury where recovery is impossible or would cause prolonged suffering, genetic management reasons, behavioral issues that threaten the welfare of the cub or others, and situations of overpopulation where no suitable placement options exist.
While there is no direct mention of routine euthanasia specifically for Amur tiger cubs in scientific or zoo management literature available in recent sources, it is clear that such decisions are not taken lightly and are made with the best interests of the animals and the conservation of the species in mind.
[1] Reference omitted for brevity.
Science plays a crucial role in understanding and improving the health-and-wellness of various species, including Amur tigers. This incident encourages mental health professionals and zoo experts to investigate strategies that enhances maternal care in newborn tigers, ensuring fitness-and-exercise and overall wellbeing for mother and cubs.
