Tiger Island (Dreamworld)

Tiger Island
Trainers interact with the tigers in the exhibit.
Location	Dreamworld
Coordinates	27°51′52.91″S 153°19′4.13″E / 27.8646972°S 153.3178139°ECoordinates: 27°51′52.91″S 153°19′4.13″E / 27.8646972°S 153.3178139°E
Opening date	1995
Attractions
Attractions	1 total
Shows	1

Tiger Island is a wildlife attraction at the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.^[1] In February 2016, the area was home to ten adult tigers and five cubs.^[2] The exhibit is home to both the Bengal and Sumatran tiger species.^[3]

History

Tiger Island opened in 1995 as one of only two interactive tiger exhibits in the world. The exhibit featured various locations for the tigers to live, swim and play. Just three years later in October 1998, Dreamworld welcomed their first litter of four Bengal tiger cubs consisting of Rama, Sita, Sultan and Taj. In 2007, the first litter of Sumatran tiger cubs were born featuring Indah and Rahni.^[4] A nursery and smaller tiger enclosure were constructed to showcase the younger tigers before being released into the main exhibit.^[1][5]

On 20 June 2012, Mohan, one of Dreamworld's original Bengal tigers died after a battle with kidney disease.^[6][7] Mohan was born on 2 November 1994 in the United States before being transferred to Dreamworld for the opening of Tiger Island.^[8] He weighed in at 180 kilograms (400 lb) and was known as the "King of Tiger Island".^[8]

During 2015, two litters were born to father Raja and mother Nika, on the 25th of July, Kai, a male cub, was born, while two female cubs were born on the 29th of November, to the same mother and father, later named during a competition done in conjunction with Channel 7's Sunrise Morning Show, the two female cubs were named Akasha and Adira.

On 19 February 2016, two white tiger cubs were put on public display in a temporary quarantine enclosure, found in Ocean Parade, in front of Zombie Evilution. These two cubs were later to be named Kiko and Kali were flown in from Japan under Dreamworld's partnership arrangement with Hirakawa Zoo in Kagoshima City.

On 29 February 2016, the Tiger Island area closed for refurbishment. Information pertaining to this refurbishment is yet to be released.

Tigers

Name	Species	Date of Birth	Sex	Colour	Weight	OtherInformation	Meaning of name	Notes
Jaya	Sumatran	9 June 2008		Golden with dark stripes	70 kilograms (150 lb)	Jaya was born with two sisters Shanti and Ndari.	Victory	[9]
Kai	Sumatran/Siberian	25 July 2015		Golden with dark stripes	25 kilograms (55 lb)	A male cub born to Nika and Raja, big brother to the two female cubs born on 29 November 2015	Strong and Unbreakable	[10]
Nika	Bengal/Siberian	15 April 2006		Golden with dark stripes	160 kilograms (350 lb)	Born in Poland, Nika was transferred to Dreamworld in 2013. Her genetics are an important addition to the Tiger Island program. Nika has not been hand-reared and cannot be handled by Tiger Island staff.	Belongs to God	[2]
Pi	Bengal	19 July 2010		Golden with dark stripes	125 kilograms (276 lb)	Born at Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve, Pi was mis-mothered and transferred to Dreamworld to be hand-reared by Dreamworld's experienced tiger handlers. The transfer has given Pi the opportunity to socialise with the other big cats.	The main character in the book "Life of Pi"	[2]
Raja	Sumatran	25 December 2003		Golden with dark stripes	110 kilograms (240 lb)	Due to not being hand-raised, Raja cannot be handled by Tiger Island staff and lives in a purpose build exhibit in the back of house.	King	[11]
Rama	Bengal	23 October 1998		Golden with light stripes	180 kilograms (400 lb)	Son of Mohan and Samara, and brother to Sultan, Sita and Taj. Part of the Awesome Pawsome born at Dreamworld.	Kindly God	[12]
Shanti	Sumatran	9 June 2008		Golden with dark stripes	70 kilograms (150 lb)	Shanti was born with two sisters Jaya and Ndari.	Inner Peace	[13]
Sita	Bengal	23 October 1998		Golden with light stripes	135 kilograms (298 lb)	Daughter of Mohan and Samara, and sister to Rama, Sultan and Taj. Part of the Awesome Pawsome born at Dreamworld.	Goddess of the Land	[14]
Akasha	Sumatran/Siberian	29 November 2015		Golden with dark stripes		One of two sisters born to Nika and Raja, part of the second litter in 2015.	Akasha is of Indian origin where tigers are still able to be found in the wild	[10]
Adira	Sumatran/Siberian	29 November 2015		Golden with dark stripes		The second of two sisters born to Nika and Raja.	Adira means strong and noble, reflecting the majestic nature of tigers.	[10]
Kiko	Bengal	2 November 2015		White with dark stripes		One of two female white tiger cubs flown in from Hirakawa Zoo in Japan to be part of Dreamworld's breeding program.		[15]
Kali	Bengal	2 November 2015		White with dark stripes		One of two female white tiger cubs flown in from Hirakawa Zoo in Japan to be part of Dreamworld's breeding program.		[15]

Former tigers

This section shows a list of tigers that were present at the park, but are no longer there.

Name	Species	Date of Birth	Sex	Colour	Weight	OtherInformation	Meaning of name	Notes
Indah	Sumatran	31 March 2007	Female	Golden with dark stripes	80kg	One of the first litter of Sumatran tiger cubs born at Dreamworld. Her father is Raja. Sister to Rahni. Indah was transferred to Western Plains Zoo,Dubbo	Beautiful
Kato	Sumatran	24 October 2001		Golden with dark stripes	160 kilograms (350 lb)	Born in a wildlife park in Sydney and was transferred less than a month later. Kato was later transferred to Symbio Zoo, Sydney	Pure
Rahni	Sumatran	31 March 2007		Golden with dark stripes	80 kilograms (180 lb)	One of the first litter of Sumatran tiger cubs born at Dreamworld. Her father is Raja. Sister to Indah. Now lives at National Zoo and Aquarium, Canberra	Brave	[16]
Sali	Sumatran	11 April 2008		Golden with dark stripes	70 kilograms (150 lb)	Born in captivity at Perth Zoo.	Steadfast	[17]
Sultan	Bengal	23 October 1998		Golden with dark stripes	200 kilograms (440 lb)	Son of Mohan and Samara, and brother to Rama, Sita and Taj. Part of the Awesome Pawsome born at Dreamworld. Passed away January 2016.	Sultan means "Ruler."	[18][19]
Taj	Bengal	23 October 1998		White with light stripes	195 kilograms (430 lb)	Son of Mohan and Samara, and brother to Rama, Sita and Sultan. Part of the Awesome Pawsome born at Dreamworld.	Crown	[20]
Inca	Cougar	4 July 1995		Fawn	Between 35 kilograms (77 lb) and 40 kilograms (88 lb).	Born in New South Wales and moved to Dreamworld three weeks after birth with her sister Sierra. Off public exhibit, but still alive as at July 2016.	Abundance	[21]
Sierra	Cougar	4 July 1995		Fawn	Between 35 kilograms (77 lb) and 40 kilograms (88 lb).	Born in New South Wales and moved to Dreamworld three weeks after birth with her sister Inca. Off public exhibit, but still alive as at July 2016.	Mountains	[22]
Baru	Bengal	2 March 2012	Male	Golden with dark stripes	165 kg	Brother to Ravi. Born in a wildlife park in Sydney and was transferred less than a month later. Has now been transferred to National Zoo and Aquarium, Canberra
Ndari	Sumatran	9 June 2008	Female	Golden with dark stripes	70 kg	Ndari was born with two sisters Shanti and Jaya. Has now been transferred to National Zoo and Aquarium, Canberra	Full Moon
Ravi	Bengal	2 March 2013	Male	Golden with dark stripes	165 kg	Brother to Baru. Born in a wildlife park in Sydney and was transferred less than a month later. Has now been transferred to National Zoo and Aquarium, Canberra
Mohan	Bengal	2 November 1994	Male	White with light stripes	180 kg	One of the original tigers when Tiger Island opened in 1995. Passed away in 2012. Father of Sultan, Sita, Rama and Taj	Charming	[23]
Samara	Bengal	1994	Female	Golden with dark stripes		One of the original tigers when Tiger Island opened in 1995. Moved to the National Zoo in Canberra where she passed away. Mother of Sultan, Sita, Rama and Taj.
Bakkar	Bengal	30 December 1994	Male	Golden with dark stripes		One of the original tigers when Tiger Island opened in 1995. Moved to Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo, Then to the National Zoo in Canberra where he passed away in June 2016.		[24]
Rakkhan	Bengal	December 22 1994	Male	Golden with dark stripes	150 kg	One of the original tigers when Tiger Island opened in 1995.
Kyla	Bengal	1994	Female	White with dark stripes		One of the original tigers when Tiger Island opened in 1995. Passed away in late 1996.		[25]
Jai	Bengal	1994	Female	White with dark stripes		One of the original tigers when Tiger Island opened in 1995.
Kaasha	Bengal	24 October 2001	Female	Golden with dark stripes		Born in a wildlife park in Sydney and was transferred less than a month later. Sister of Kato, passed away less than a year after arriving at Dreamworld.
Soraya	Sumatran	June 9 2002	Female	Golden with dark stripes	85 kg	Had 5 cubs in two litters with Raja. Was moved to Mogo Zoo to breed with another male.	Princess

Tiger presentations

A tiger drinking milk from a trainers hand during a tiger presentation.

One of the tigers retrieving food from the top of a post during the show.

Tiger presentations are performed twice daily in the main exhibit. Guests can watch as the tigers perform many natural behaviours which showcase their agility. Throughout the presentation the tigers climb 20-foot (6.1 m) trees and jump up to 10-foot (3.0 m) into the air.^[26][27] In 2013, Cub College will feature some of the younger tigers performing in the presentation.^[28]

Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation

Since 1997, Dreamworld has run the Dreamworld Tiger Fund which aims to support various projects that help save tigers in the wild. The fund has contributed over a million dollars to this cause in the past 15 years. The fund relies on a percentage of profits from merchandise sales, tiger walks and tiger photos as well as donations from the Dreamworld's guests and the wider community.^[29]

In March 2012, the DWF was established, collaborating with existing wildlife conservation groups to bring substantial financial support to the conservation movement on a global scale.

An internationally recognised fund committed to the protection, education and conservation of the earth's most magnificent creatures and habitats, crucial to their survival. Through this initiative, you are able to adopt some of the species of animals found in the Dreamworld Corroboree, such as Tasmanian devils, crocodiles, red kangaroos and cassowaries, alongside the Tiger Island tigers.^[30]

Tiger Cub Kindy

Upon the closure of Zombie Evilution for the off-peak season, the attraction (and the surrounding area) was fenced off and a portable building appeared, this was later revealed to be a quarantine enclosure that would feature the white tiger cubs now known as Kiko and Kali who were flown in from Japan. A larger playground for the cubs was constructed on the old Stingray ride footprint and the Zombie Evilution exit is currently being used as a temporary Tiger shop during the refurbishment of Tiger Island. The portable building was used from the 19th of February for a temporary home for the white tigers as they needed to be quarantine for a month, the portable building is where the four tigers currently sleep during the refurbishment.

Shopping and dining

Overlooking the tiger exhibit exists a merchandise and a dining outlet. Guests can purchase tiger merchandise at Bengal Bazaar and buy food and beverage items at the Bengal Tea House.^[5]

See also

• The Lair, an adjacent exotic animal exhibit at Dreamworld
• Dreamworld Corroboree, the Australian wildlife exhibit found at the park

References

1. "Park Map" (PDF). Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
2. "Tiger Island | things to do | Dreamworld". www.dreamworld.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
3. "Tigers at Dreamworld". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
4. "DW-School's History" (PDF). Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
5. Dreamworld and WhiteWater World Park Map (2009).
6. "Dreamworld mourns loss of tiger Mohan". Gold Coast Bulletin. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
7. Jabour, Bridie (21 June 2012). "Rare white Dreamworld tiger dies at 17". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
8. "Mohan". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
9. "Jaya". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
10. "Dreamworld Tiger Cubs | Dreamworld Tiger Island". www.dreamworld.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
11. "Raja". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
12. "Rama". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
13. "Shanti". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
14. "Sita". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
15. "Dreamworld Tiger Cubs | Dreamworld Tiger Island". www.dreamworld.com.au. Retrieved 2016-02-26.
16. "Rahni". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
17. "Sali". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
18. "Sultan". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
19. "Dreamworld Australia | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
20. "Taj". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
21. "Inca". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
22. "Sierra". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
23. "Mohan". Courier Mail. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
24. "Bakkar". Australian Broadcasting Company. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
25. "Kyla". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
26. 27enchantres (3 January 2009). "Tiger Island FULL Show". Video. YouTube. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
27. "Tiger Presentations". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
28. Quinlivan, Elouise (19 December 2013). "Dreamworld's tigers to roar into action on Boxing Day". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
29. "Helping to Save the Tigers". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
30. "Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation". www.dreamworld.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-31.