At Mandai, we care for some 15,000 animals, and slight over 25% of them are threatened. Among them is Bongsu, the Malayan tiger at Night Safari. Bongsu became Night Safari’s first Malayan tiger dad in 23 years when he sired two cubs in 2021. Malayan tigers are critically endangered with fewer than 300 of them left in the wild. Our breeding success of the Malayan tiger contributes to sustaining its population in human care.
About Bongsu
His Origin
Born in Zoo Negara, Malaysia in 2011, Bongsu is the youngest kitten of his litter. In fact, his name means ‘youngest’ in Malay! He came to Night Safari in 2015.
Photographed at Night Safari, 5:15pm, 28th October 2020.
His Behaviours
Bongsu’s coat markings are unique. No two tigers have the same stripe pattern. In the wild, these stripes help tigers to camouflage, allowing them to get close to their prey while hunting.
Photographed at Night Safari, 4:40pm, 28th October 2020.
His Personal Space
Tigers leave scratches on trees to mark their territories. This deters other tigers from trespassing. They may stand on their hind legs to leave scratch marks high up in trees to give the impression that they are larger than they really are. Bongsu is trying to do just that!
Photographed at Night Safari, 7:15pm, 25th July 2017.
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