ON THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION - A - THE TIGER (Panthera tigris)

[peter]

TIGER 'ALTAI' FROM THE KOLN ZOO

The accident in the Koln zoo happened in August 2012. This post has a few videos I found. 

a - Introduction

The tiger came from the UK in April 2011. This videos were shot shortly after he arrived. At that time, he was about 3 years of age:
  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRwrqw7-Qlg (03:21)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkje-9ZjGP8 (00:53)

b - Tigress 'Hanya'

In the articles I read after the accident, tiger 'Altai' is described as 'large' or 'very large'. He was estimated at 250-280 kg. This would fit the measurements mentioned in the previous post.

Tigress 'Hanya' came from a French facility. She was about 6 when they met. The video shows she was a large tigress: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq3wfuzjiVk (03:08).

c - The accidents in Koln and Munster

When the director of the Koln zoo was informed about the accident, he shot the tiger from an elevated position. After the press had been informed, he was interviewed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNXl9bMjrh8 (01:30)

About a year later, in Munster (not that far away), another keeper was killed by a male Amur tiger. Tiger 'Rasputin', born in Leipzig in 2003, killed him in the same way as the keeper in Koln zoo had been killed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgm6apfQuNo (01:55)

d - The size of Amur tiger 'Altai'

Although photographs and videos provide some information, it's often very difficult to get to a good estimate. What we have, strongly suggest that adult male Amur tigers top the lists in nearly all departments. As good information is still lacking, some of our members decided to give it a try. Based on the tables they posted, I'd say that 210-220 kg. would be pretty close for an average adult male. However. Captive Amur tigers, in contrast to their wild relatives, show a lot of individual variation. Some individuals, like the often discussed male in Duisburg measured by Dr. Gewalt or the male in Odense (recent), approach or even exceed 300 kg. in their prime.

According to those who saw him, tiger 'Altai' was larger than average. Although large, he wasn't exceptional. If he was 240 cm. in head and body and 336,5 cm. in total length and really had a skull well exceeding 16 inches in greatest total length, one wonders about the size of exceptional individuals. Reply