Tiger Island (Dreamworld)

Tiger Island

Trainers interact with the tigers in the exhibit.
Location Dreamworld
Coordinates 27°51′52.91″S 153°19′4.13″E / 27.8646972°S 153.3178139°ECoordinates: 27°51′52.91″S 153°19′4.13″E / 27.8646972°S 153.3178139°E
Opening date 1995
Attractions
Attractions 1 total
Shows 1

Tiger Island is wildlife attraction at the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.[1] In 2010, the area was home to twelve tigers[2] and two cougars.[3] The exhibit is home to both the Bengal and Sumatran tiger species.[2]

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. Just three years later in October 1998, Dreamworld welcomed their first litter of four Bengal Tiger cubs consisting of Rama, Sita, Sultan and Taj. In 2007, the first litter of Sumatran tiger cubs were born featuring Indah and Rahni.[4] A nursery and smaller tiger enclosure were constructed to showcase the younger tigers before being released into the main exhibit.[1][5]

On 20 June 2012, Mohan, one of Dreamworld's original Bengal tigers died after a battle with kidney disease.[6][7] Mohan was born on 2 November 1994 in the United States before being transferred to Dreamworld for the opening of Tiger Island.[8] He weighed in at 180 kilograms (400 lb) and was known as the "King of Tiger Island".[8]

Tigers

Name Species Date of Birth Sex Colour Weight Other Information Meaning of name Notes
Baru Bengal 2 March 2012 Golden with dark stripes 12 kilograms (26 lb) Brother to Ravi. Born in a wildlife park in Sydney and was transferred less than a month later. Noble [9]
Jaya Sumatran 9 June 2008 Golden with dark stripes 70 kilograms (150 lb) Jaya was born with two sisters Shanti and Ndari. Victory [10]
Kato Bengal 24 October 2001 Golden with dark stripes 160 kilograms (350 lb) Born in a wildlife park in Sydney and was transferred less than a month later. Pure [11]
Ndari Sumatran 9 June 2008 Golden with dark stripes 70 kilograms (150 lb) Ndari was born with two sisters Shanti and Jaya. Full moon [12]
Rahni Sumatran 31 March 2007 Golden with dark stripes 80 kilograms (180 lb) One of the first litter of Sumatran tiger cubs born at Dreamworld. Her father is Raja. Brave [13]
Raja Sumatran 25 December 2003 Golden with dark stripes 110 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 [14]
Rama Bengal 23 October 1998 Golden with light stripes 180 kilograms (400 lb) Son of Mohan and Samara, and brother to Sultan, Sita and Taj. Part of the Awesome Pawsome born at Dreamworld. Kindly God [15]
Ravi Bengal 2 March 2012 Golden with dark stripes 10 kilograms (22 lb) Brother to Baru. Born in a wildlife park in Sydney and was transferred less than a month later. Noble [16]
Sali Sumatran 11 April 2008 Golden with dark stripes 70 kilograms (150 lb) Born in captivity at Perth Zoo. Steadfast [17]
Shanti Sumatran 9 June 2008 Golden with dark stripes 70 kilograms (150 lb) Shanti was born with two sisters Jaya and Ndari. Inner Peace [18]
Sita Bengal 23 October 1998 Golden with light stripes 135 kilograms (298 lb) Daughter of Mohan and Samara, and sister to Rama, Sultan and Taj. Part of the Awesome Pawsome born at Dreamworld. Goddess of the Land [19]
Sultan Bengal 23 October 1998 Golden with dark stripes 200 kilograms (440 lb) Son of Mohan and Samara, and brother to Rama, Sita and Taj. Part of the Awesome Pawsome born at Dreamworld. Ruler [20]
Taj Bengal 23 October 1998 White with light stripes 195 kilograms (430 lb) Son of Mohan and Samara, and brother to Rama, Sita and Sultan. Part of the Awesome Pawsome born at Dreamworld. Crown [21]

Cougars

Name Meaning of name Date of Birth Sex Colour Weight Other Information Notes
Inca Abundance 4th July 1995 Fawn Between 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. [22]
Sierra Mountains 4th July 1995 Fawn Between 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. [23]

Tiger presentations

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.

Tiger presentations are performed twice daily in the main exhibit. Guests can watch as the tigers perform many natural behaviours which showcase their agility. Throughout the presentation the tigers climb 20-foot (6.1 m) trees and jump up to 10-foot (3.0 m) into the air.[24][25] In 2013, Cub College will feature some of the younger tigers performing in the presentation.[26]

Dreamworld Tiger Fund

Since 1997, Dreamworld has run the Dreamworld Tiger Fund which aims to support various projects that help save tigers in the wild. The fund has contributed over a million dollars to this cause in the past 15 years. The fund relies on 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.[27]

Shopping & Dining

Overlooking the tiger exhibit exists a merchandise and a dining outlet. Guests can purchase tiger merchandise at Bengal Bazaar and buy food and beverage items at the Bengal Tea House.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Park Map". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Tigers at Dreamworld". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  3. ↑ "Cougars at Dreamworld". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  4. ↑ "DW-School's History". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Dreamworld and WhiteWater World Park Map (2009).
  6. ↑ "Dreamworld mourns loss of tiger Mohan". Gold Coast Bulletin. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  7. ↑ Jabour, Bridie (21 June 2012). "Rare white Dreamworld tiger dies at 17". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Mohan". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  9. ↑ "Baru". Dreamworld. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  10. ↑ "Jaya". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  11. ↑ "Kato". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  12. ↑ "Ndari". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  13. ↑ "Rahni". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  14. ↑ "Raja". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  15. ↑ "Rama". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  16. ↑ "Ravi". Dreamworld. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  17. ↑ "Sali". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  18. ↑ "Shanti". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  19. ↑ "Sita". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  20. ↑ "Sultan". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  21. ↑ "Taj". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  22. ↑ "Inca". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  23. ↑ "Sierra". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  24. ↑ 27enchantres (3 January 2009). "Tiger Island FULL Show". Video. YouTube. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  25. ↑ "Tiger Presentations". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  26. ↑ Quinlivan, Elouise (19 December 2013). "Dreamworld's tigers to roar into action on Boxing Day". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  27. ↑ "Helping to Save the Tigers". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.