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Gaultier, E.; Falewee, C.; Bougrat, L.; Pageat, P.
Case study: introduction of a female tiger in a pre-established group of two neutered males
2005  Conference Proceeding

Following a modernization cage plan, the zoological garden staff of La Barben (France) needed to introduce a 15 year-old female tiger _Caroline_ (coming from an old model cage) in a modern one already inhabited by two 5 year-old neutered males _Pavlov_ and _Pouchkine_. The female (Sumatran sub-species) entered the zoo six years ago, coming from a circus. The two males (Siberian sub-species) are from the same litter and entered the zoo in their early years. These two neutered males used to live with their sister _Petrushka_ before she was moved, as a part of the European Endangered species Programs, to the Beekse Bergen Safari (Netherlands) in May 2004. Tigers are solitary animals in the wild. To be housed in group may be perceived as a stressful situation for these three subjects. Moreover, the new cage offers an unknown environment leading to a stressful situation for the female. The classical procedure for introducing a new felid into an inhabited park is to give long action neuroleptics to every individual for about three weeks. Knowing the age of the female tiger, the neuroleptics side effects on social behaviour in senior animals but also the impression led on visitors by sedated wild animals; the zoo scientific manager decided to find a solution avoiding the use of sedative drugs during the period of acceptation. Facing these difficulties it has been decided to combine a multiple steps introduction procedure - minimizing the stress at each step - with pheromonotherapy.

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