Two rare Amur tiger cubs at Longleat have marked their second birthday with a frozen feast ahead of their departure to new homes next month.
Ginger Biscuit and Seeka, who were born at the Wiltshire safari park alongside sisters Dora-Boo and Heidi on 9 May 2024, were treated to special frozen “cakes” made using some of their favourite foods.
The cubs, whose names were chosen by the public, were the second litter born to parents Yana and Red and have become a popular attraction for visitors over the past two years.
Longleat has confirmed that Ginger Biscuit and Seeka are expected to leave the park in early June as part of the international breeding programme designed to help protect the endangered species.
Senior keeper Ian Turner said it was difficult to believe how quickly the cubs had grown.
“It doesn’t feel like two years has passed since they were tiny and feeding direct from mum,” he said.
“Their arrival was so important for the international breeding programme as the species is endangered, with only around 450 left in the world.”
He added that while staff would be sad to see the pair leave, there was pride in knowing they would contribute to global conservation efforts.
Longleat is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year as the first drive-through safari park to open outside Africa, and the tiger cubs have formed part of the landmark celebrations.
Visitors still have a short window to see all four sisters together before Ginger Biscuit and Seeka depart.
“So there are just a few weeks left to see all four in the safari,” Ian said, “before hopefully Ginger and Seeka go on to become mums themselves.”
The cubs are expected to remain at Longleat throughout the May half-term holidays, giving families plenty of opportunities to catch a glimpse of the growing tigers before they move on.
