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Tigers Go on Diet: Park Bans Feeding for Health
25 Feb
Summary
- A daily rotation bans visitor feeding in one tiger zone.
- The park aims to prevent digestive issues and preserve hunting instincts.
- Over 10,000 visitors daily during Spring Festival create feeding surge.
The Siberian Tiger Park in Harbin has introduced a "light-fasting" rotation plan for its tigers to mitigate health risks from excessive visitor feeding during the busy Spring Festival. This daily system designates one of the 13 free-range areas as a "light-fasting zone" where visitors cannot throw meat strips, while other areas remain open.
The policy, effective from February 1 to March 31, addresses the significant increase in visitor numbers, with over 10,000 people arriving daily. Park director Huang Haitao explained the rotation prevents overburdening the tigers' digestive systems and weakening their hunting instincts. This approach helps tigers restore natural hunger rhythms and regulate their digestive systems periodically.
Information about the plan is disseminated through entrance notices, bus broadcasts, and on-site guidance. Visitors have largely been cooperative, understanding the measure supports the long-term health of the critically endangered species. Park breeders adjust the fasting schedule based on tiger health and visitor flow, demonstrating a commitment to scientific and humane management for conservation efforts.
