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Canine takes in tiger cubs
It's a dog's life for three newborn tiger triplets in eastern China.
- AP
- Published: 00:00 May 18, 2007
- Image Credit: AP
- Huani feeds tiger triplets and her own puppy (right) at the Paomaling Zoo.
Beijing: It's a dog's life for three newborn tiger triplets in eastern China.
The cubs, whom officials at the Jinan Paomaling Wild Animal World in Shandong province are so far just calling "One," "Two" and "Three," have been nursed by a dog since they were rejected by their mother shortly after birth 10 days ago, said Paomaling manager Chen Yucai.
The trio's adoptive mother, a mixed breed farm dog named "Huani," is expected to nurse the tigers for about a month or until their appetites outpace her supply, Chen said.
Chen said it is common for Chinese zoos to use surrogate dog mothers to nurse rejected tiger cubs. Huani has nursed tigers from Paomaling before, he said.
The zoo didn't have to bother with putting dog urine on the cubs' coats to convince Huani, who seemed not to mind nursing tigers, Chen said.
"The family is getting along well and seems to enjoy each other," he said.
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