Mandi one of the Asian Tigers that resides in the Benidorm Theme Park, Terra Natura has just been to the dentist!
The six year old tigress had not been eating which alerted staff at the Benidorm park. They monitored her closely and decided to intervene when the situation did not improve. She was sedated and when examined it was found that she had broken a fang.
Seven people took part in the orthodontic procedure, including two vets, two Terra Natura park keepers and three dental surgeons. The 125 kilo tigress was given an anaesthetic and then administered gas to keep her sedated during the procedure.
The surgeons removed the nerve from the tooth and Mandi has been given antibiotics and painkillers. All her food will be cut into small pieces over the next few days and any bones removed.
A tiger’s fang can measure approximately 6 centimetres compared to the 2 centimetres of our eye teeth.
The Asian tiger is considered to be the largest cat species. In the wild this tiger would probably have died, not being able to hunt and feed, as the pain from a broken fang coming into contact with its prey or the meat would be extremely painful.
Experts at Terra Natura, the animal and nature park in Benidorm introduce young Susto to another female rhino.
Susto caused quite a stir when he was born in Terra Natura in Benidorm in February 2012, as he is the only Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) to be born in captivity in Spain.
Before he was conceived his mother Shiwa shared her enclosure with another adult female called Nisha. Both females came to the Benidorm park in 2004 and were only apart when taken to mate and then during Shiwa’s pregnancy.
Since Susto’s birth, mother and calf have lived alone to avoid any possible attacks from Nisha but the time has now come for the two adults to be reunited and Susto introduced to other adult rhinos. Susto needs to adapt to other members of the species to be able to develop both physically and psychologically.
Mother and calf appeared calm when reunited with Nisha, but Nisha had other ideas and there was a moment of tension when she threatened the mother and calf.
Shiwa protected her offspring admirable and now staff from Terra Natura will pay close attention to their behavioural patterns over the next few days and will separate them again if the aggressive behaviour continues and then reintroduce them again until they become familiar with each other again.
Watch the video of Susto’s birth.
Read previous articles:-
Great Expectations in Terra Natura Benidorm
Terra Natura Benidorm confirms pregnancy of an Indian Rhino
Terra Natura Benidorm install a camera system to monitor the imminent birth of a baby rhino
Baby Indian Rhino born in Terra Natura Benidorm.
