Animal Diaries Archive

Tiger Toys

7 January 2005

Interactive displays between tigers and handlers are enjoyable to visitors, handlers and the animals. With only a handful of interactive tiger displays around the world, Australia Zoo is one of the newest zoo's to take on this exciting venture.

Having handlers spend all day with tigers is not just a great way for us to educate visitors to the Zoo about these awesome predators, it is also a great way for us to enrich the cats. Tigers, like many big cats, can get frustrated and even bored if left with little to do for too long. We are out to give our tigers the best quality of life and one way in which we are able to do this is through the use of toys.

Selecting "Tiger Toys" can sometimes be a bit of a problem though. Having exceptionally sharp teeth and claws, toys don't usually last very long. Soccer balls for instance will only usually last about ten minutes. What we have found is that tough, expensive toys aren't always the solution - hard plastic barrels don't even last. Instead it is the simple toys, like an inflated bag on the end of a pole, that are most effective; they really love to destroy stuff!

While we are still searching for the ultimate "Tiger Toy", we will continue to come up with new ideas for toys. They may not last very long but is sure keeps us busy.

Until next time - Tigers Rule!