Nearly 200 Siberian tigers at the Siberian Tiger Park in Heilongjiang province (Northeast China) are undergoing a rotating fasting regime after a massive feeding spree during the Lunar New Year.
Tourists visit the Siberian Tiger Park during the snowy winter months. Photo: Islami China Travel .
The zoo confirmed this information to Global Times on February 23rd, amidst a surge in visitors during the holiday season, which led to a dramatic increase in feeding frequency for the tigers. The park is now implementing a rotating "fasting" program to protect the health and welfare of the tigers.
A similar notice posted at the gate on January 20th stated that the program would run from February 1st to March 31st, applying to 11 semi-wild enclosures within the park. Each day, one enclosure would be included in the "fasting" schedule on a rotating basis.
Zoo staff said this measure is part of the scientific management process for Siberian tigers. The park is adjusting and optimizing the feeding regimen after a significant increase in visitor numbers, while still ensuring that visitors can experience watching tigers eat at any time during their visit.
Visitors can drive into the middle of the zoo to witness tigers hunting up close. Photo: Reuters.
The announcement also stated that feeding tigers meat sticks is prohibited in designated fasting areas, and visitors are required to comply with regulations to protect the animals' health. The program may be adjusted depending on operational and care needs.
According to local media in Harbin, the number of visitors to the Siberian Tiger Park surged and continuously reached record highs during the Lunar New Year holiday. On February 17th (the first day of the Lunar New Year), the park welcomed 7,708 visitors; on February 18th, the scenic area officially entered its peak period with the number of visitors exceeding 10,000.
The Siberian Tiger Park, covering approximately 800,000 square meters, is a national-level AAAA-rated tourist attraction, encompassing functions such as breeding, raising, scientific research, conservation of Siberian tigers, educational outreach , and tourism.