Siberian tigers roam free in arboretum
Two Siberian tigers roam inside the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum. Photo courtesy of Baekdudaegan National Arboretum
By Kim Hyun-bin
Three Siberian tigers have been released into “Tiger Forest” at Baekdudaegan National Arboretum in Bongwha County, North Gyeongsang Province, as part of efforts to preserve the endangered animal.
The arboretum allocated 48,000 square meters of land, equivalent to seven soccer fields for the tigers.
This is the first time the country released tigers to roam freely.
The tigers ― 17-year-old male Duman, 13-year-old female Hancheong, and seven-year old-male Uri ― were released last month.
“The tigers were also temporarily released in the tiger forest in January and June last year,” said an arboretum spokesperson. “We have installed a safety fence and have been training the tigers. We completely released them into the tiger forest starting last month.”
The tigers have been undergoing training to help them adapt to their new home including meal training.
The tigers are given two meals a day and their daily consumption consists of five chickens and 1.7 kilograms of beef. One day a week the tigers must fast to help maintain their appetite.
Five employees care for the tigers and a veterinarian conducts daily check-ups.
The tiger forest is similar to their natural environment and has safety fences to prevent the tigers escaping and to ensure visitors’ safety.
Two male tigers, Geumgang 11 years old, and Duman who was 16 at the time, were donated by China and were raised at the O-World amusement Park in Daejeon. However, Geumgang died of urine poisoning eight days after his temporary release in January last year.
The last Siberian tiger, also known as the Mount Baekdu tiger, was captured on the peninsula in 1921. Today 50 Siberian tigers are being raised in zoos around the country.