Great Cats

What’s the collective noun for a group of tigers? A streak. And here at the Great Cats exhibit in the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, you might just see a streak of Sumatran tigers enjoying a dip in their moat on a hot day. The Great Cats exhibit isn’t just home to tigers. It also houses African lions, some of the planet’s most formidable predators. This exhibit offers a unique opportunity to learn about these magnificent creatures. You can discover fascinating details about their social structures, hunting techniques, reproduction, and the Zoo’s ongoing conservation efforts. The Great Cats exhibit consists of three expansive outdoor habitats. Keep your eyes peeled. You might see the lions and tigers patrolling the edges of their moats. The online Lion Cam also provides another way to observe these majestic animals. The keepers here go above and beyond to ensure the well-being of the cats. They use a technique called enrichment. This involves introducing various stimuli to the cats’ environment. This can include new scents, like pumpkin spice, unusual objects, sounds, or even opportunities for socialization. You can even see evidence of this enrichment. Touch a used boomer ball, scarred with teeth and claw marks. Listen to recordings of the cats’ vocalizations. The exhibit’s design also prioritizes the animals’ natural instincts. Metal and wood collars protect the trees from eager climbers. Natural enrichment, like tree branches and logs, serve as giant scratching posts. Keepers even engage the cats in training. This helps with health checks and teaches behaviors like opening their mouths, showing their paws, and comfortably receiving vaccinations. The Great Cats exhibit also has a fascinating history. For instance, all lion and tiger cubs born here must pass a swim reliability test. This ensures they can safely navigate the moat if they accidentally fall in. The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute has played a crucial role in understanding lion reproduction. Through research involving fecal samples from lions across multiple zoos, scientists have unlocked mysteries surrounding lion fertility and pregnancy. The Zoo is also actively involved in global tiger conservation efforts, particularly for the critically endangered Sumatran tiger. They even launched a unique campaign called the Endangered Song Project. This initiative used a limited-edition vinyl record of a previously unreleased song to raise awareness about the dwindling Sumatran tiger population.