Amur tigers join Europe's biggest tiger enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park
Yuri and Sasha, two Amur tigers, formerly known as Siberian tigers, have arrived at Europe's biggest tiger enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie, Scotland
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Hundreds turned out to welcome the pair to their new home, where it is hoped they will continue to breed after having bred six cubs at Edinburgh Zoo, their previous home
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The public were given their first glimpse of the two big cats during their feeding time
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They fed off meat hung 12 feet in the air, and appeared to settle in immediately to their new home
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Eight members of staff were required to carry in each sedated animal, which can weigh up to 318kg
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Their arrival at the wildlife park prompted a need for extra training for the tiger handlers and the requirement for gun licences, a necessity when dealing with the large felines
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It is felt that the addition of the rare tigers will raise the profile of the wildlife park
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Despite the wild population of Amur tigers being the best it has been since before World War II, the creatures still face the serious threat of extinction
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There are currently 500 Amur tigers remaining in the world, it is believed the park can offer a sanctuary in which the tigers can breed and assist in conserving their species
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The Amur tiger is now only found around the Amur river valley in Russia. The species had previously been known as the Siberian tiger, until they ceased to populate that region
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The park staff are very excited to have living conservation icons in their care
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