Who said cats hate water? (From Wiltshire Times)

Who said cats hate water?

9:04am Saturday 11th August 2007 in News By Wiltshire Times Reporter

WHO said cats hate water? Longleat's new trio of Amur tigers can't get enough of it, and they are certainly making a big splash with visitors.

No sooner had the rain clouds vanished than sisters Shouri, Soundari and Svetli made a beeline for their outdoor pool to enjoy some wet and wild action.

"They really love playing in the water," said head warden Keith Harris.

"Amur tigers are actually named after a river which flows through their native territory in the far east of Russia, and it's easy to see why.

"We've provided them with various objects to play with and they are having a ball diving in and generally getting as wet as possible."

The tiger trio are new to Longleat having come from Mulhouse Zoo in eastern France and were only released into their enclosure back in May following a six-month quarantine.

"We're delighted with the way they have settled in to their new home," added Keith Harris. "There are lots of exciting new sights and smells, mature trees and plenty of space for them to explore.

"Of the three, Soundari is definitely the most confident and she's usually the first to take the plunge into the pool with the other two hanging back until they're sure it's safe," he said.

It is hoped the young tigers will one day form part of a breeding programme for the endangered species.

The Amur tiger is the largest of all the big cats and is native to the far east of Russia.

In the 1940s they had nearly died out, with only around 40 tigers left in the wild. Although they are still listed as critically endangered, wildlife experts believe the current population of around 500 individuals is the highest for a century.

Fully grown females can weigh up to 160kg (350lb) and measure more than two metres in length.