Incredible photographs capture a heartwarming scene as a mother Siberian tiger gives her mischievous cubs a thorough wash, showcasing a whole new meaning to “tongue lashing.”
At the Parc des Felins in Seine-et-Marne, France, photographer Eric Cunha had the privilege of witnessing and capturing these tender moments between the rare Siberian tiger family.
Watch the video at the end.
The mother’s determination to complete the task was evident as she used her massive paws to keep her playful cubs in place.
Despite their initially unimpressed expressions, the young tigers couldn’t escape their mother’s affectionate grooming.
Each cub received a good licking, emphasizing the strong bond between them. These delightful scenes display the surprising tenderness of these magnificent creatures.
A Paris-based photographer, Eric Cunha, spent several days observing and photographing the tigers and their expensive enclosures.
Due to the large size of the enclosures, Cunha utilized powerful telephoto lenses to capture these captivating shots.
The images have garnered significant attention, with people amazed by the affectionate behavior displayed by these majestic cats towards their offspring.
Siberian tigers, also known as Amur tigers, are a species primarily found in the Sikhote Alin mountain region, with a small population in the southwest Primorye province of the Russian Far East.
The population of these tigers has remained relatively stable for over a decade due to focused conservation efforts. However, concerns persist regarding the declining Russian population.
Unlike Bengal tigers, Siberian tigers very rarely pose a threat to humans. The Tungusic people revered the Siberian tiger as a near-deity, often referring to it as “Grandfather” or “Old man.”
Similarly, the Manchu considered the Siberian tiger as Hu Lin, meaning the king. Even in the Manchu Qing Dynasty, the most esteemed unit of the Chinese Imperial Army was named Hu Shen Ying, translating to “The Tiger God Battalion.”
These captivating photographs not only showcase the adorable moments shared by the Siberian tiger family but also highlight the importance of conservation efforts to ensure the survival of these majestic creatures for generations to come.
He said: ‘Each enclosure is between two and five hectares and it can sometimes be challenging to observe the animals.
‘I used very long telephoto lenses to get these shots.
‘I’ve had a great reaction to the pictures. People are amazed by the tenderness these big cats show to their babies.’
The Siberian tiger, also known as the Amur tiger, is a species inhabiting mainly the Sikhote Alin mountain region with a small population in southwest Primorye province in the Russian Far East.
In 2005, there were 331–393 adult-subadult Amur tigers in this region, with a breeding adult population of about 250 individuals. The population has been stable for more than a decade due to intensive conservation efforts, but the Russian population is believed to be deteriorating.
Unlike the Bengal tiger, the Siberian tiger very rarely becomes a man-eater.
The Tungusic people considered the Siberian tiger a near-deity and often referred to it as ‘Grandfather’ or ‘Old man.’
The Manchu considered the Siberian tiger as Hu Lin, the king.
The most elite unit of the Chinese Imperial Army in Manchu Qing Dynasty is called Hu Shen Ying, literally The Tiger God Battalion.
Watch the video below:
