wild about tiger conservation
Tigers in the wild face a grim future. At the turn of last century (1900) there were more than 100,000 tigers in the wild and today, there are less than 4,000. Man has contributed to the tiger's demise in three major ways: hunting, poaching and the destruction of tiger habitat.
While both white and gold tigers are endangered, white tigers are so rare only around 400 exist worldwide - and only in captivity. White tigers are not albinos; they possess a special recessive gene, which is responsible for their white coat.
All Dreamworld's Bengal tigers were born in captivity, as were their parents, grandparents and great grandparents. They receive a good consistent diet, regular veterinary care and experience a quality of life, which doubles their life-span compared with tigers in the wild. Wild tigers live to between 10 and 12 years, while tigers living in interactive environments like Tiger Island have been known to reach over 23 years of age.
In the sanctuary of Tiger Island, Dreamworld’s tigers live in a stress free environment, obtaining the necessary stimulation from the interaction with their handlers. The Tiger Island enclosure is more than 1,600 square metres in size and features a 13 square metre pool, in which tigers swim throughout the day. Visitors have uninterrupted views of the tigers and handlers playing together from across a moat around the front of the enclosure.
Dreamworld is passionate and committed to saving tigers in the wild and has donated $1.2 million dollars to the cause. Guests can earn their conservation stripes and contribute by getting up close with the tigers and their handlers through:
Tiger walks – where guests join a tiger and handlers their morning walk through the park. Advance bookings essential.
- Tiger photos – guests can have their photo taken sitting with and patting a tiger. Advance bookings essential.
- Tiger presentations – held twice daily demonstrating the tigers' natural behaviours as would be experienced in the wild. Guests can also ask questions and interact with the handlers throughout the day.
- Cougar Presentation – an up close and personal experience with Inca and Sierra daily at Tiger Island.
- Through Dreamworld Tiger Fund donation boxes located at Tiger Island.
- Through the purchase or Tiger Island merchandise.
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
• Funding three anti-poaching patrols in Siberia, India and Sumatra.
• As at May 2010, the single unit in Sumatra consisting of 8 men has made 20 arrests including army officer in illegal trafficking, confiscated hundreds of snares, firearms and traps and identified and reported illegal logging. They conduct 30 patrols per year and believe there is 1 tiger per 23kms walked.
About Tiger Island
Opened in 1995, Tiger Island is the largest interactive tiger facility outside the United States and is an educational conservation-based attraction that actively works to save tigers in the wild. The island offers 1600 sqm of uninterrupted views of the Big Cats playing with their handlers from across a moat.
In the specifically designed habitat of Tiger Island, the tigers and their handlers co-exist peacefully without the constraints of cages. Dreamworld’s tigers are trained (never ‘tamed’) by establishing and maintaining a strong bond, based on trust, respect and affection, between the handlers and tigers.
Currently home to six rare Bengal tigers, six Sumatran Tigers and two cougars, the stars of the shows are undoubtedly the three newest residents, Shanti, Jaya and Ndari. Born at Tiger Island on June 9, 2008 as part of an international breeding program, the girls joined their adopted sister, Sali.
Dreamworld is centrally located just 40 minutes from Brisbane and 20 minutes north of Surfers Paradise and is open from 10am to 5pm every day except Christmas Day. For more details and on line tickets visit www.dreamworld.com.au
