In the midst of Harbin’s Siberian Tiger Park, Li Xin’s life has become a captivating tale of tiger tales, with a staggering 24 cubs gracing the scene this summer. Ever since his debut as a breeding-programme wizard in 2004, the 40-year-old has woven his days intricately with the majestic cats.
Beyond the façade of ferocity, Li discovered the playful and charming side of the tigers, forging a bond that transcends the ordinary. His routine involves more than feeding and monitoring health; it’s a symphony of care, where cleaning living quarters transforms into a daily dance with these wild companions.
The Siberian tigers’ love story unfolds during the mating season in January and February, leading to a crescendo of births from April to June. Li and his dedicated team embark on a marathon, taking turns for 24-hour shifts to ensure the comfort of expectant tigers.
Imagine meticulously disinfecting spaces, fine-tuning temperatures to a feline-friendly 17-20°C, and playing guardian to pregnant tigers for a remarkable 105-to-110-day gestation period. Li’s expertise extends to crafting nutrient-rich diets, an array of culinary delights that include milk, eggs, and a symphony of vitamin-packed treats.
This year, the tiger saga took an enchanting turn, as eight tigers gifted the world not just with twins or triplets but with the rare spectacle of quintuplets on May 10. Li Xin’s days became a whirlwind of joy and responsibility, as most of the young tiger moms faced the daunting task of raising their cubs.
In this extraordinary narrative, Li Xin and his team don’t just play caregivers; they become surrogate parents, stepping into the role of nurturing these wild wonders. It’s not just a job; it’s a dance of compassion, a unique ballet of man and tiger, unfolding in the heart of Harbin’s Siberian Tiger Park.
In the mystical transition from newborn vulnerability to wild resilience, the tiger cubs faced an unexpected chill post-birth. Rushed to the futuristic embrace of the incubator, their journey began – a 24 to 48-hour odyssey under the watchful eye of Li, the custodian of their feline fate. As their body temperatures found equilibrium, a designated room transformed into a sanctuary, echoing with the rhythmic cadence of artificial nourishment.
In this choreography of survival, the debut week unfolded like a poetic sonnet – a bespoke concoction of tiger formula powder crafted into a lifeline, administered with unwavering precision every three hours. Li, the maestro, orchestrated a symphony of care where appetites, body temperatures, and even the enigmatic language of feces became notes in the opus of tiger cub well-being.
Siberian tigers, elusive and endangered, dance on the precipice of extinction, with less than 500 pirouetting in the wilderness of northeastern China and eastern Russia.
Enter Harbin’s enchanted park, a realm within the China Hengdaohezi Feline Breeding Centre, where sister sanctuaries in Mudanjiang and Shenyang join the dance. Over three decades, this haven has woven a scientific tapestry for the revival of Siberian tiger grace.
From an intimate gathering of 20 souls in 1986, the centre now pulsates with over 800 vibrant lives. This surge isn’t just a numerical triumph; it’s a heartbeat echoing with the promise of a species finding its rhythm, dancing towards a future where the roar of Siberian tigers resonates with the triumph of resilience.