Week 258 (1st – 7th August 2008)
Madonna settling down to prepare…
This week started like any other week, tigers getting fed, tigers feeding, tigers pacing, tigers playing and of course JenB and Jix working on Cathay’s nerves. However one of them is experiencing a change in behaviour, Madonna. Madonna is being watched very closely these days as the date of birth for her cubs is approaching quickly. It is expected to happen some time next week and everyone is very excited.
But Madonna’s behaviour is starting to change. Although she was never the friendliest tiger on Laohu, she is becoming more defensive. This is probably because the birth of her cubs is just around the corner. In the past when she was fed, she would come up to the fence and chuff. Sometimes she would give you the occasional hiss. But this last week it changed into a prominent hiss. She pulls her ears back, open her mouth to expose the teeth and give this loud hiss. And to tell you the truth, it is pretty intimidating even with a 3m high electric fence between the two of you.
Becoming more defensive is not the only change in behaviour. In the past, a lot of her time during the day was spent pacing along the fence. This last week she slowed down, she does not pace that much anymore. I actually just saw her pacing once or twice this whole week. She now spends most of her time in the bush area close to her pole shelter, but it seems like she did not enter the shelter yet.
Lets all hope for the best with Madonna’s birth and that she accepts them all, how many ever there will be. We will try to keep you updated from this side.
All the other tigers are still doing just fine and look good and healthy. 327 is still roaring and TigerWoods is still pacing. Hulooo still talks like a canary and Cathay, JenB and Jix are still one big happy family.