Tiger Island (Dreamworld)

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Tiger Island
Tiger Island Logo.jpg
Dreamworld Tiger Island.jpg
Trainers interact with the tigers in the exhibit.
Theme Asian rainforests
Attractions
Total1
Shows1
Dreamworld
Coordinates 27°51′52.91″S153°19′4.13″E / 27.8646972°S 153.3178139°E / -27.8646972; 153.3178139
StatusOperating
Opened1995 (1995)

Tiger Island is a wildlife attraction in the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. [1] This exhibit houses for both the Bengal and Sumatran tiger species. The tigers have been raised within the compound and are free to roam and interact with the visitors in the amusement park. [2]

Contents

History

Tiger Island opened in 1995 as one of only two interactive tiger exhibits in the world. The exhibit featured various locations for the tigers to live, swim and play. Three years later, in October of 1998, Dreamworld welcomed their first litter of four Bengal tiger cubs consisting of Rama, Sita, Sultan and Taj. In 2006, the first litter of Sumatran tiger cubs was born featuring Indah and Rahni. [3] A nursery and smaller tiger enclosure were constructed to showcase the younger tigers before being released into the main exhibit. [1] [4]

On June 20, 2012, Mohan, one of Dreamworld's original Bengal tigers, died after a battle with kidney disease. [5] [6] Mohan was born on November 2, 1994, in the United States before being transferred to Dreamworld for the opening of Tiger Island. [7] When he arrived he was known as the "King of Tiger Island". [7]

In 2015, two litters were born to Raja (father) and Nika (mother). On July 25, Kai, a male cub, was born, while two female cubs were born on November 29, to the same mother and father. Later during a competition in conjunction with Channel 7's Sunrise Morning Show, the two female cubs were named Akasha and Adira.

On February 19, 2016, two white tiger cubs were put on public display in a temporary quarantine enclosure, found in Ocean Parade, in front of Zombie Evilution. These two cubs, who were later to be named Kiko and Kali, were flown in from Japan under Dreamworld's partnership arrangement with Hirakawa Zoo in Kagoshima City.

On February 29, 2016, the Tiger Island area closed for refurbishment. It re-opened on Sunday, September 18, 2016, with designs by Jamie Durie. [8]

Tigers

NameSpeciesDate of BirthSexColourWeightOtherInformationMeaning of nameNotes
JaviSumatran/Siberian26 April 2019 Golden with dark stripesJavi was born to Adira and Pi and is a brother of Zakari.Victorious [9]
JayaSumatran9 June 2007 Golden with dark stripes70 kilograms (150 lb)Jaya was born with two sisters Shanti and Ndari.Victorious [10]
KaiSumatran/Siberian25 July 2015 Golden with dark stripes25 kilograms (55 lb)A male cub born to Nika and Raja, big brother to the two female cubs born on 29 November 2015Strong and Unbreakable [11]
KhanSumatran/Siberian26 May 2019 Golden with dark stripesKhan was born to Nika and Raja and was the only cub of his litter.Leader who focuses on important issues [9]
NikaBengal/Siberian15 April 2006 Golden with dark stripes160 kilograms (350 lb)Born in Poland, Nika was transferred to Dreamworld in 2013. Her genetics are an important addition to the Tiger Island program. Nika has not been hand-reared and cannot be handled by Tiger Island staff.Belongs to God [12]
PiBengal/Sumatran19 July 2010 Golden with dark stripes125 kilograms (276 lb)Born at Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve, Pi was mis-mothered and transferred to Dreamworld to be hand-reared by Dreamworld's experienced tiger handlers. The transfer has given Pi the opportunity to socialise with the other big cats.The main character in the book "Life of Pi" [12]
RajaSumatran25 December 2003 Golden with dark stripes110 kilograms (240 lb)Due to not being hand-raised, Raja cannot be handled by Tiger Island staff and lives in a purpose build exhibit in the back of house.King [13]
ZakariSumatran/Siberian26 April 2019 Golden with dark stripesZakari was born to Adira and Pi and is the older brother of Javi by 35 minutes.Those who desire to inspire others, to a higher cause [9]
ShantiSumatran9 June 2007 Golden with dark stripes70 kilograms (150 lb)Shanti was born with two sisters Jaya and Ndari.Inner Peace [14]
AkashaSumatran/Siberian29 November 2015 Golden with dark stripesOne of two sisters born to Nika and Raja, part of the second litter in 2015.Akasha is of Indian origin where tigers are still able to be found in the wild [11]
AdiraSumatran/Siberian29 November 2015 Golden with dark stripesThe second of two sisters born to Nika and Raja.Adira means strong and noble, reflecting the majestic nature of tigers. [11]
KikoBengal2 November 2015 White with dark stripesOne of two female white tiger cubs flown in from Hirakawa Zoo in Japan to be part of Dreamworld's breeding program. [15]
KaliBengal2 November 2015 White with dark stripesOne of two female white tiger cubs flown in from Hirakawa Zoo in Japan to be part of Dreamworld's breeding program. [15]

Former tigers

This section shows a list of tigers that were present at the park, but are no longer there.

NameSpeciesDate of BirthSexColourWeightOtherInformationMeaning of nameNotes
MelatiSamutran24 January 2018 Golden with dark stripes45 kilograms (99 lb)Sister to Mya, Melati was transferred with her sister to the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra in early September 2018.Jasmine Flower
MyaSumatran24 January 2018 Golden with dark stripes48 kilograms (106 lb)Sister to Melati, Mya was transferred with her sister to the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra in early September 2018"Beloved" or "Great"
IndahSumatran31 March 2006 Golden with dark stripes80 kilograms (180 lb)One of the first litter of Sumatran tiger cubs born at Dreamworld. Her father is Raja. Sister to Rahni. Indah was transferred to Western Plains Zoo, DubboBeautiful
KatoSumatran24 October 2001 Golden with dark stripes160 kilograms (350 lb)Born in a wildlife park in Sydney and was transferred less than a month later. Kato was later transferred to Symbio Zoo, SydneyPure
RahniSumatran31 March 2006 Golden with dark stripes80 kilograms (180 lb)One of the first litter of Sumatran tiger cubs born at Dreamworld. Her father is Raja. Sister to Indah. Now lives at National Zoo and Aquarium, CanberraBrave [16]
SaliSumatran11 April 2008 Golden with dark stripes70 kilograms (150 lb)Born in captivity at Perth Zoo.Steadfast [17]
SultanBengal23 October 1998 Golden with dark stripes200 kilograms (440 lb)Son of Mohan and Samara, and brother to Rama, Sita and Taj. Part of the Awesome Pawsome born at Dreamworld. Died on 16 January 2016.Sultan means "Ruler." [18] [19]
SitaBengal23 October 1998 Golden with light stripes135 kilograms (298 lb)Daughter of Mohan and Samara, and sister to Rama, Sultan and Taj. Part of the Awesome Pawsome born at Dreamworld. Died on 30 May 2017.Goddess of the Land [20] [21]
TajBengal23 October 1998 White with light stripes195 kilograms (430 lb)Son of Mohan and Samara, and brother to Rama, Sita and Sultan. Part of the Awesome Pawsome born at Dreamworld. Died in 2013.Crown [22]
RamaBengal23 October 1998 Golden with light stripes180 kilograms (400 lb)Son of Mohan and Samara, and brother to Sultan, Sita and Taj. Part of the Awesome Pawsome born at Dreamworld. Died in December 2017. [23] Kindly God [24]
IncaCougar4 July 1995 FawnBetween 35 kilograms (77 lb) and 40 kilograms (88 lb).Born in New South Wales and moved to Dreamworld three weeks after birth with her sister Sierra. Off public exhibit, but still alive as at July 2016.Abundance [25]
SierraCougar4 July 1995 FawnBetween 35 kilograms (77 lb) and 40 kilograms (88 lb).Born in New South Wales and moved to Dreamworld three weeks after birth with her sister Inca. Off public exhibit, but still alive as at July 2016.Mountains [26]
BaruBengal2 March 2012 Golden with dark stripes165 kgBrother to Ravi. Born in a wildlife park in Sydney and was transferred less than a month later. Has now been transferred to National Zoo and Aquarium, Canberra
NdariSumatran9 June 2007 Golden with dark stripes70 kgNdari was born with two sisters Shanti and Jaya. Has now been transferred to National Zoo and Aquarium, CanberraFull Moon
RaviBengal2 March 2013 Golden with dark stripes165 kgBrother to Baru. Born in a wildlife park in Sydney and was transferred less than a month later. Has now been transferred to National Zoo and Aquarium, Canberra
MohanBengal2 November 1994 White with light stripes180 kgOne of the original tigers when Tiger Island opened in 1995. Died in 2012. Father of Sultan, Sita, Rama and Taj. Died on 20 June 2012.Charming [27]
SamaraBengal1994 Golden with dark stripesOne of the original tigers when Tiger Island opened in 1995. Moved to the National Zoo in Canberra where she died in 2004. Mother of Sultan, Sita, Rama and Taj.
BakkarBengal30 December 1994 Golden with dark stripesOne of the original tigers when Tiger Island opened in 1995. Moved to Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo, Then to the National Zoo in Canberra where he died in June 2016. [28]
RakkhanBengal22 December 1994 Golden with dark stripes150 kgOne of the original tigers when Tiger Island opened in 1995.
KylaBengal1994 White with dark stripesOne of the original tigers when Tiger Island opened in 1995. Died in late 1996. [29]
JaiBengal1994 White with dark stripesOne of the original tigers when Tiger Island opened in 1995.
KaashaBengal24 October 2001 Golden with dark stripesBorn in a wildlife park in Sydney and was transferred less than a month later. Sister of Kato, died less than a year after arriving at Dreamworld.
SorayaSumatran9 June 2002 Golden with dark stripes85 kgHad 5 cubs in two litters with Raja. Was moved to Mogo Zoo to breed with another male.Princess

Tiger presentations

A tiger drinking milk from a trainers hand during a tiger presentation. Dreamworld Tiger drinking milk.jpg
A tiger drinking milk from a trainers hand during a tiger presentation.
One of the tigers retrieving food from the top of a post during the show. Tigershow.JPG
One of the tigers retrieving food from the top of a post during the show.

Tiger presentations are performed twice daily in the main exhibit. Guests can watch as the tigers perform feats which showcase their agility. During the presentation, the tigers climb 20-foot (6.1 m) trees and jump up to 10-foot (3.0 m) into the air. [30] [31] In 2013, Cub College featured some of the younger tigers' performances. [32]

Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation

In 1997 Dreamworld created the Dreamworld Tiger Fund which aimed to support various projects to help save tigers in the wild. The fund contributed over a million dollars to this cause. The fund used a percentage of profits from merchandise sales, tiger walks and tiger photos as well as donations from the Dreamworld's guests and the wider community. [33]

In March 2012, the DWF was established, collaborating with existing wildlife conservation groups to bring substantial financial support to the conservation movement on a global scale.

An internationally recognized fund committed to the protection, education, and conservation of the earth's most magnificent creatures and habitats, crucial to their survival. Through this initiative individuals may adopt some of the species of animals found in the Dreamworld Corroboree, such as Tasmanian devils, crocodiles, red kangaroos, and cassowaries, alongside the Tiger Island tigers. [34]

Shopping and dining

Overlooking the tiger exhibit are retail facilities for tiger merchandise at Tiger Bazaar and a dining outlet called Island Noodle Hut. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

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