TRDI

KEMAMAN, 26 July - Kemaman Zoo and Recreational Park, under the management of the Kemaman Municipal Council (MPK), marked a significant milestone with the public unveiling of three captive-bred White Bengal tiger cubs.

Terengganu Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris said the rare cubs are expected to boost visitor numbers to the 35-acre zoo.

"Kemaman Zoo has been somewhat overshadowed over the years. But with the arrival of these white Bengal tigers, I believe it will experience a new surge in visitors.

"I hope this will become a new attraction for the zoo," he told reporters after unveiling the cubs yesterday.

The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is one of the largest tiger subspecies and is native to the Indian subcontinent, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and parts of southwestern China.

Although the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) currently classifies the wild Bengal tiger population as stable, the tigers at Kemaman Zoo are distinguished by their rare leucistic trait.

Leucism is a genetic condition that reduces pigmentation, resulting in the tigers' striking white coats while retaining their characteristic black stripes.

The out of ordinary condition is estimated to occur in only one out of every 10,000 Bengal tiger births, making White Bengal tigers extremely rare, with most living in captivity.

Razali said the successful birth of the cubs marked an important achievement for the zoo's breeding programme.

"It all started when the former Yang Dipertua (YDP) purchased two White Bengal tigers, and now they have successfully produced offspring.

"What is remarkable is that there are three cubs. Normally, Bengal tigers give birth to only two cubs, but this time there are three, and all of them are males.

"From the briefing I received earlier, I was also informed that the mother is expected to give birth again in another three to four months. That shows how successful their breeding programme has been," he said.

The four-month-old male cubs, named DB, Rory and Bima, were born at the zoo to Luna Seroja and Lela Andika, a pair of two-year-old White Bengal tigers acquired from a zoo in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2024.

A tiger's gestation period typically ranges from 93 to 114 days, with an average of around 100 days. Luna Seroja gave birth after a gestation period of 104 days.

Razali added that each cub consumes about four kilograms of meat daily, costing approximately RM100 per cub, totalling to RM300 per day.

He also remarked the dedication and professionalism of the zoo's management and animal keepers in caring for the zoo's latest asset.

"I would like to express my sincere appreciation, especially to the YDP and the animal keepers.

"It is clear they have developed a close bond with these White Bengal tigers.

"Although tigers are dangerous animals, I am confident they have received the proper training to care for them safely," he said.

Meanwhile, Kemaman Municipal Council YDP Zuwislan Awang described the public response during the unveiling as overwhelming.

"Just look at the turnout today, it has been extraordinary. We have also been attracting visitors with the durian season, but people have been eagerly waiting to see the White Bengal tiger cubs because they are so rare.

"That is why today's attendance has been exceptional," he said when asked about the large crowd.

Zuwislan said Kemaman Zoo currently receives an average of about 5,000 visitors each month, and the figure is expected to increase with the addition of new attractions.

He added that the zoo plans to expand its petting zoo to encourage more family visits.

"We plan to expand our petting zoo because we believe children enjoy interacting directly with animals. For predators like the tigers, visitors can only observe them from behind the glass.

"The petting zoo is what encourages families to return. Children will ask their parents to bring them back again, so we will continue expanding it and gradually introduce more animals over time," he said.