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Tigers at Istanbul’s Lion Park see snow for first time
Tigers at Istanbul’s Lion Park see snow for first time
Home to around 30 wild cats from 12 different species, the Lion Park in Istanbul’s Tuzla district has released their Siberian and Bengal tigers from indoor spaces to outdoor enclosures for tigers to experience their first snow in the ongoing winter season. (AA Photo)
“We kept them [tigers] indoors for past last three days to protect them from heavy snowfall. Today, we put the tigers in outdoors enclosures for them to experience their first snow,” the park’s management said in a statement on Feb. 17.
According to officials, a 1.5-year-old Bengal tiger was quite shy and timid compared to a Siberian tiger in the snow-covered outdoor enclosures.
“The Siberian tiger was more comfortable in the snow as it is an adult and is used to the cold temperatures,” stated Yücel Yılmaz, a veterinarian at the park.
“Siberian tigers can live in a climate that can be as cold as -20 degrees Celsius, but Bengal tigers love heat,” Yılmaz added.
Noting that there are only 300 to 400 Siberian tigers in the wild across the globe, Yılmaz said: “Their population is decreasing each year. We need to protect them.”
Located on the Asian side of the metropolis, the Lion Park can be visited with a single-entry fee of 59 Turkish Liras ($8.5).
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