Location change too stressful for tiger
(eastday.com)
Updated: 2004-11-04 09:22

A male South China tiger cub originally bound for South Africa to learn how to live in the wild and catch prey has instead ended up in Shanghai Zoo as it was too stressed upon leaving Beijing last month.

South China tiger cubs are sent to South Africa to learn how to live in the wild and catch pery. [newsphoto]

The six-month-old cub, together with another two cubs, was sent to Beijing for quarantine on September 27.

"But this cub became too nervous when its living environment was changed," said Pei Endong, zoo's vice director.

The cub returned to the zoo on October 8. Pei said animals often responded badly to a change of environment.

They can lose their appetite, develop mental disorders and even become prone to self-harm.

The zoo reported the cub deliberately cut its paw.

Yuan Yaohua, the veterinarian caring for the cub, said the zoo does not have professionals able to treat psychological disorders in animals.

Yuan said the cub was slowly recovering and was eating again.

But he still got upset easily.

Pei said the plan to send the cub to South Africa had been postponed indefinitely.

The cub will only be put on public display at the zoo till its condition improves.

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