Breeding

followiiig a sterile coitus is relatively common in the domestic cat so that it is possible that some of the longer inter-oestrus periods observed in the larger felids represent pseudo-pregnancy if the males are infertile. Alternatively, it is possible that matings were fertile and that pregnancy was terminated pre- maturely as the result of the resorption of foetuses. Further work has been commenced to investigate the fertility of the males.

R E F E R E N C E S

ABRAMOV, V. K. (1962): K biologii aniorshovo tigra Paiithcra tigris iotgipilis Fitzinger 1868. Vest. Ceskoslov. Spolecnorfi Zool., 26 (2): 189402. (Seen only as abstract No. 102625 Bid. Abs. 45 (1964).) ASDELL, S. A. (1964): Patterns of mammalian reproduction (2nd edn.), Ithaca, NY: Cornstock University Press. 671 pp. BROWN, C. E. (1936): Rearing wild animals in captivity and gestation periods. J. Mammal., 17: ro-13. COOPER, J. U. (1942): An exploratory study on African lions. Comp. Psychol. Monogr., I7 (7) : 1-48. CRANDALL, L. S. (1964): Management of wild rwammals in captivity. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 761 pp. ECKSTEIN, P. and ZUCKERMAN, S . (1956): The oestrous cycle in the manimalia, Volume I, Part I, Chapter 4 in Marshall’s Physiology .f Repro- drrctiotz, ed. A. S. Parkes, London: Longmans, Green & Co. 688 pp. RABB, G. B. (1959): Reproductive and vocal behaviour in captive pumas. J. Mammal. 40: 616- 617.

BREEDING A N D HAND-REARING OF WHITE

TIGER CUBS Panthrm tigris

AT DELHI ZOO by Daivar Husain‘

Veterinary Officer, Delhi Zoological Park, India

T HI s is a short account of the successfd hand- rearing of two white tiger cubs, Panthera tigris, at Delhi Zoo. The cubs were born at Delhi Zoo on the night of2/3 May 1964 in the southern den of the white tigers’ temporary cnclosure. Two days before the birth the mother, ‘Rani’, had left all her food and had

shown symptoms of labour pains. To keep up her strength she was given milk and tonics. On the morning of 3 May the keeper heard the cries of cubs coming from the den. We were particularly excited by the birth since as far as we knew these were the first white tiger cubs to be born from white parents (see Table I and Figure I).

It is known that carnivores have a special need for quiet and a feeling of security when they have cubs. If the conditions are not right the female will kill her young at birth or com- pletely negelect them. Tigers are highly- strung animals and particularily easily dis- turbed. There are many examples of tigrcsscs completely neglecting their cubs in their first litter or in their first few litters. ‘Hidamba’, a tigress at Prince of Wales Zoo, Lucknow, had her first litter of cubs on 30 August 1958 but she neither licked nor suckled them and the cubs died within four days. The second litter of only one cub was born on 11 September 1960. Every precaution was taken to provide her with complete security and quiet: the male was separated from her, visitors were pro- hibited and the keepers were told not to enter the den for cleaning and feeding (food was dropped in through a hole in the wall). With the provision of these conditions, ‘Hidamba’ was observed licking and suckling her cub and behaving like a normal mother. However on 23 September a great change in her behaviour took place and she neglected the cub com- pletely. The reason for this abrupt change in behaviour could not be ascertained. After these two litters, ‘Hidamba’ became a good mother and has very successfully reared her two subsequent litters.

Contrary to our expectations, the white tigress, ‘Rani’, was seen looking after the new- born cubs with perfect maternal care and affection, liclung and suckling them like an experienced mother. However, the keeper was told to watch her behaviour carefully and not to allow anyone to come near the den.

On the morning of 4 May the male cub was found to have an incised wound in its left paw. It was brought to the zoo hospital by the keeper. Three of its claws had been completely chopped off. The wound was dressed and the

‘In November 1964 Dr Dawar Husain left Delhi Zoological Park to become Assistant Superintendent of the Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens Trust, Lucknow, India.

187

Breeding

Table I . Pedigree of white tigers, Panthera tigris.

F r MOHAN1 (white)

-

X RADHA 1 (normal-culoured daughter ofhfohart) I

Fz I

1st litter b. 30.10.58 all white

I. Raja s (white)

2. Rani 9 (white)

3 . Sukeshi 0 (white)

4. Mohni Q (white)

I RAJA x RANI (white) (white)

1 F3 I

I

1st litter b. 3.5.64 both white I. Rukku Q

(white) 2. Krishna 8

(white)

I 2nd litter b. 18.6.60

I. Neeldari ,-3 (white)

2. Himadari $2 (white)

3 . Malini $’ (coloured)

1 4th litter

I 3rd litter b. March 1962 b. 20.8.64 both white

I. Champa 6 1. d 2. Chameli 2. s

3. ?

(while) (white)

(white) (coloured)

(coloured)

‘Mohan’ was captured in 1951 when his mother and her other cubs which were coloured were shot in the forest near Rewa.

cub returned to its mother. We were unable to discover how the injury had occurred. Possibly the male tiger, ‘Raja’ might have in- jured the paw if somehow it had protruded beneath the partition dividing the two dens; alternatively, the injury could have been caused by the keeper shutting the partition carelessly. As ‘Rani’ had behaved so well until then, we did not suspect her but we told the keeper to watch her even more carefully. The ban on visitors was continued.

On 7 May at about 1300 hours, two paws of the female cub were found to be injured in the same way. This time we suspected ‘Rani’ but were unable to confirm our suspicions. The cub was taken to the hopital and after the wounds had been stitched, dressed and band- aged, it was returned to the mother. The keeper now reported a sudden change in ‘Rani’s’ behaviour. At about 1530 hours on the same day she bit off the tip of the tail of one of the cubs. Fresh blood was seen oozing

from the tail. Since ‘Rani’ had become upset and aggressive we decided not to disturb her any further by removing the wounded cub for dressing. On the morning of 8 May it was discovered that ‘Rani’ had injured two morc paws and tail of the male cub and one paw of the female cub. Her hostility to her cubs was proved beyond doubt. It was decided to separate the cubs from the mother inimediatc- ly, lest she damage them any further.

‘Rani’ had become very aggressive. Wc could not establish why her behaviour had changed so violently but the possibility that she had been disturbed could not be ruled out. We moved her into an adjoining den and the injured cubs, which she had left behind, were immediately taken out and removed to the zoo hospital.

Both cubs had been severely mauled by the mother and as the result were weak and dcbili- tated from loss of blood. Moreover, they were only five days old. We had little hope that they

188

1952

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m

W

I'

I I

1953

1

95

5

19

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S

AY

SO

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1958

1

96

0

NIL

AO

RI

HlY

AO

Rl

YA

LlN

l

19

62

-

CH

AY

PA

C

H A Y

E L I

1964

A

19

64

r I

M:

MA

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F:

FEM

ALE

Fi

gure

z.

Gen

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f cap

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te ti

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.

Bteeding

would survive but we enlisted the help of the most highly-qualified and experienced veteri- narians in Delhi to advise on the cubs' veteri- nary care and nutrition. After thoroughly examining the cubs and learning their history, all were of the opinion that though the chances of thcir survival were remote, every possible effort should be made to save these rare and valuable animals. Instructions were given as to their treatment, nursing and nutrition.

Hand-rearing carnivorous baby animals is not easy. Most cubs contract severe, virtually incurable diarrhoea if they are fed on whole cow's milk. On several occasions tiger cubs haw died as the result of being fed wholc cow's milk. Bearing this in mind, the veterin- arians drew up a hand-rearing formula. This proved to be very successful. Both cubs gained weight rapidly on the milk formula, supplemented by goat's milk.

The zoo hospital was converted into a nur- sery for the white tiger cubs and for about seven months were cared for here. I had a bed in the hospital which meant that the cubs could be looked after at night as well as during the day. Within a short time both cubs were moving round the hospital's operating

theatre and calling for the bottle. The cubs did not have to be coaxed to take the formula. At every feeding time water was heated, the milk formula prepared and the feed administered by me personally.

Young cubs cannot defaecate on their own. In natural conditions, the mother licks the anus of the cub with her tongue, thus pro- viding the necessary stimulus for defaecation. In order to provide the same stimulus for the hand-reared cubs, a soft brush that had been soaked in luke-warm water was gently used to rub the anus. Within a few minutes the cub would pass faeces and urine.

DIET A N D HAND-REARING

The hand-rearing formula consisted of a mix- ture of powdered milk, lime water, multi- vitamin drops, antibiotic and hot water. On 8 May the cubs were each fed I oz evcry four hours, starting at 0900 hours and finishing at 2230 hours. The cubs were also fed from a goat that had recently given birth to kids, at 1730 and 2000 hours. The cubs' body weight and temperature were recorded daily between 0800 and ogoo hours (see Table 2). Froin the following day onwards the cubs were fed the

T a l h t. Daily record of body weight and body temperature of two hand-reared tiger cubs, Panthera figris, born 43.5.64. Unless otherwise indicated, all recordings were taken between 0700 and 0800 hours.

Dafc Tiger cub no. 1 6 Tiger cub no. z 9 Weight in kg Temperature F Weight in kg Temperature F

8.5.64 9.5.64 10.5.64 11.5.64 12.5.64 13.5.64 14.5.64 15.5.64 16.5.64 17.5.64 18.564 19. s .64 20.5.64 2 I . 5.64 22.5.64 23.5.64 24.5'64 25.5.64 26.5.64 27.5.64 28.5.64 29.5'64

1'449 1.410 1.580 1'777 1.870 1.816 1.872 1.890 1.949 2'110 2.162 2'122

2'3 I4 2'407 2.530 2.633 2.632 2.635 2.650 2.765 2.700 2.800

103' 101.4' 100.8" 98O 98' 99.3O 99O 99.4O 99Y0 98.4O 97O 98.4O

99O 98.4O 99.6' 98' 98.2' 99" 98.2' 96.2' 99'4O

98.6'

1.300 1.320 1.545 1-663 1.710 1.632 1.713 1'717 1.742 1-797 1.857 1.817 1'839

2.140 2.223 2.214 2'245 2'295 2.320 2.310 2.380

2'022

1oz.xc 1 0 2 . 3 ~ 1 O l U loob 98.4'

100.2= 101" I oo' 102-3O loo0 roo.go 98.4O 100.4' 1oo.2° 101.8' 98.6" 98.5' 98.2' 98.6Q 97'9 98O 99.4O

[continued]

Breeding

Table 2- (continued)

Date Tiger cub no. I 8 Tiger cub no. z Q Weight in kg Temperature F Weight in kg

- Temperature F

30-5.64

1.6.64 2.6.64 3.6.64 4.6.64 5.6.64 66.64 7.6.64 8.6.64 9.6.64 10.6.64 11.6.64 12.6.64 13.6.64 14.6.64 I 5.6.64 16.6.64 176.64 18.6.64 19.6.64 20.6.64 214.64

3 1.5.64

22.6.64 23.6.64 24.6.64 25.6.64 26.6.64 27.6.64 28.6.64 29.6.64

30.6.64

1.7.64 2.7.64 3.7.64 4.7.64

6.7.64 7.7.64 8.7.64 9.7.64 10.7.64 11.7.64 12.7.64

14.7.64 15.7.64

5.7.64

13.7.64

16.7.64

18.7.64 19.7.64 20.7.64 21.7.64 22.7.64 23.7.64

17.7.64

2.893 2.960 3.110 3'185 3'240 3'500 3'390 3'498 3'577 3'690 3'840 3'940 3'980 4.116 4'255 4.315 4'450 4'403 4.465 4'561 4.608 4'578 4'580

4.800 4'745 4'675 4'790 5'090 5'070 4'908 4'980

4'923

4'793 4'925 4'925 4'803 4'935 4'985 5'045 5'230 5'370 5'390 5'500 5'650 5'830 5'945 6.030 6.240 6.550 6.630 6'790 7'050 7'240

7'490 7.390

9 9 O 100.4' 98.4O 99.5" 98'5O 99'4"

99" 99O

I00.8O I coo 99.6' 99'3O 99.9"

9 9 . 3 O

99'9O 99.8"

100.2°

99@ Io0.2° 101.4~ I00*8"

(1700 hours) 99'4O 98.6O

rm.4" 100.6' 99.7" I W O IOOO IOOO l0I0

(evening) 100.4~ IM)'2°

(evening) IOO'2° 100.5~ 100.6'

9 9 O 99.4O 99'4O

984O

I ooo 99O 99O

99'4O 99O 993O 99'5O 99.6'

I ooO I ooo 100'2O

9 9 ' 9 O

09.6~

99.2'

99.2"

99.2' 99.2'

98.6"

98.8'

191

2'490 2'500 2.560 2.640 2'730 2.690 2.780 2.885 2'947 3'095 3'275 3.288 3.360 3'488 3.625 3'700 3'770 3'753 3'815 3.891 3'928 3.936 3.830

3'900

3.615 3'790 3'900 3'985 3433 3.510

3.650

3'443

3'293 3'425 3.45s 3'437 3'565 3.610 3'635 3.760 3'840 3'850 3'940 4'090 4.200 4'285 4'310 4'440 4'540 4'680 4'760 S'OOO 5.080 S.090 5.240

96.6 i008° 98.6' 99.40 98.5' 99" 98.40 98.40 99.40

100.4' 990 990 99'30 99'90 99.30 99.2' 98" 98.1' 99.40 99.40 98.40 99.2'

101.6' 102.6'

(1700 hours) 99'40 97.2'

100.8" 99"

1 O I . I O 98.6' 9840 99.5"

1010 (evening)

9940 Io2'2°

(evening) 1020 99.70

1010 1000 96.9' 97.30

97.80 1010 1o0.go 980 980 98.40 98.40 990 990

I ooo Ioo.2° 1oo.3" I OOo 100.30 99'90

98.2'

98.6'

[continued]

Breeding

Table z-(continued)

Date Tiger m b no. I 6 Tiger cub no. 2 $? Weight in kg Temperature F Weight in kg Temperature F

24.7.64 7'610 I wo 5'390 99.6" 25.7.64 7'780 loo0 5'510 99.7O 26.7.64 7'91.0 100'3' 5'700 I ODD

27.7.64 7'990 99.9O 5'780 100.2° 28.7.64 8.095 98.4O 5'955 99@ 29.7.64 8.170 99.6' 6.050 1 0 0 O 30.7.64 8.290 100'2° 6.160 IOO.ZO 3 1.7.64 8.490 I0O0 6.390 100.zu

2.8.64 8.630 Iw'2° 6.530 99'4"

4.8.64 8.890 1007' 6.740 101'2° 5.8.64 8.840 1006" 6.790 I W O

1.8.64 8.530 1004O 6.450 100.8"

3.8.64 8.740 I W0 6.650 99.6"

6.8.64 9'040 IW0 6.940 100~4"

milk formula and suckled from the goat al- ternately every four hours, starting at 0630 hours.

On 9 May at 231s hours the female cub started crying with pain from her injuries. I dressed the wound with warm water. The cub at once felt relief and slept.

The cubs' temperature, which on 8 May had been 103'~ (the male) and 102.8'~ (the female) started decreasing daily and the weight increasing. On I I May the male's temperature was 98'~ and the female's IOO'F. The quantity of the milk formula was doubled; the fre- quency of feeding and suckling remained the same.

In the morning of 12 May it was observed that the right eyes of both cubs had partially opened. The left eye of the male also started opening at 0845 hours the same day. The eyes of both cubs were opened completely on 13 May.

From 16 May onwards one anipoule of chicken essence was added to the milk for- mula which was now given at the rate of 2 oz per cub three times daily; they also continued to suckle from the goat three times daiIy. Bottle-feeding and suckling were carried out alternately. The quantity of the milk formula was gradually increased as the cubs gained weight and on 23 May they were each receiv- ing 24 oz at every feed.

On 25 May, when the cubs were about three weeks old, it was noticed that their whiskers had started shedding. By 27 May they had all fallen out. On 27 May it was also

noticed that hair was falling from the base of the cubs' ears.

On I June the male cub was receiving 3 oz of the milk formula and the female 24 oz at each feed, three times daily; they also con- tinued to suckle from the goat thrcc times daily. On 3 June one egg yolk and one Cal- cium-D Redoxon tablet were also added to the milk formula. This was freshly prepared for each feed. On the same day the male was consuming 39 oz and the female 3 oz at each feed.

At the age of 69 weeks both cubs suffered from hook-worm infestation. Their bodies had become completely hairless showing their pink skin. The skin of the abdomen and the inner sides of the thighs were covered with pustules. The body weight of both cubs decreasedand they became anaemic. By suitable care and treatment the infestation was con- trolled and their temperatures which had risen to I O I * ~ " F (male) and 101.6"~ (female) canic down to 98.6'~ and 97.2'~ respectively.

On 28 June a second attack of hook-worm infestation was diagnosed and it was about 10 days before the cubs had fully recovered and were back on their normal diet.

When the cubs were about nine weeks old they started receiving 150 g of goat liver daily in one meal. Bottle-feeding continued three times a day, but suckling from the goat was reduced to one feed a day. The quantity of liver and milk formula were gradually in- creased. On 20 July the cubs were given 300 g of raw mutton instead ofliver.

Breeding

At the age of 12 weeks the cubs were receiv- ing 500 g of raw mutton a day, in addition to three feeds of milk-formula and one feed from the goat.

Until the cubs were four months old their body weights and temperatures were record- ed. They were also bathed once a week. On 5 August suckling from the goat ceased. At this time each cub was receiving I kg of mutton daily in the morning and 8 oz and 5 oz res- pectively of the milk formula at 2200 hours. One day a week they received nothing except a live pigeon. At this time the male weighed 9-04 kg and the female 6.940 kg. Both were in good health.

Throughout the hand-rearing the cubs dis- played the same attachment and affection to- wards human beings as they would have to- wards their parents.

A N O T E O N THE BIRTH OF A N ELEPHANT SEAL

Mirounga leonina AT WEST BERLIN ZOO

by Heinz-Georg Klos Director, Zoologischer Garten Berlin,

West Berlin, Germany

T H E pair of Southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonino, are some of the most attractive ani- mals in West Berlin Zoo. The male, ‘Roland’, weighs about 4,850 lb and the female, ‘Bollie’, 1,562 Ib. Except during the mating season, the pair live in separate pools. Both have lived at the zoo since 1962.

There have been several births of elephant seals in zoos in recent years but until now no zoo has succeeded in rearing an elephant seal calf.

When ‘Bollie’ arrived at the zoo she was already pregnant and two months after her arrival she gave birth to a calfprematurely. On 7 April 1964, after a gestation period of 12 months, she gave birth to a still-born calf. The foetus was male, weighing 41.8 kg and meas- uring 156 cm in length. It seemed unusually large. On 28 April 1965, after a gestation period of 12 months, the female gave birth to another calf. It was a male and appeared strong

and healthy. The female looked after it care- fully so we had every reason for hoping that it would survive. However, the calf died 24 hours after birth. Post-mortem examination revealed the beginning of pneumonia as the result of aspiration of foetal fluid. The calf was in good condition, weighing 38.8 kg and measuring 147 cm in length. In May the pair mated again so we hope that next year another calf will be born and that this time it will be reared successfully.

BREEDING INDIAN ELEPHANTS Elephas nraximus

AT HANOVER ZOO by L. Dittrich

Zoologist, Zoologischer Garten Hanover, Germany

SINCE April 1962 when the new Elephant house was finished, the Hanover Zoo has kept one male and two female Indian elephants, Elephas maximus. Before the animals came to the zoo they had been worked in a circus by their keeper for several years and they are still fully trained. The male, ‘Mohti’ was born in about 1949, the females, ‘Burma’ and ‘Sabu’ in about 1945 and 1947 respectively. In May 1962 another female, ‘Lollo’, born in about 1950, was added to the group. In 1964165 each female gave birth to a calf. Indian elephants were also born at the Hanover Zoo in the years 1934, 1937, 1942 and 1944. All the babies were females and were reared by their mothers.

BIRTH N O . I - 8 JUNE 1964 At the beginning of August 1962 the male started to show much interest in the female, ‘Sabu’, and mounted her numerous times on 8 August. The first signs of a possible preg- nancy appeared in April/May when the elephant’s mammary glands gradually started to swell. The possibility became a certainty in January 1964 when the niammae, which by then had become very swollen, started secret- ing a watery liquid which could be milked off in drops. From March 1964 onwards the elephant wastherefore keptalonein a maternity

I93