Thursday 26 June 2008

It’s a girrl - Feisty boy turns out to be fiery girl

In the wee hours of Monday June 9, three tiny cubs were born at Dreamworld’s Tiger Island; two little girls and their feisty baby brother. But during routine health checks last week, Dreamworld veterinarian Vere Nicholson and Tiger Island Manager Patrick Martin-Vegue stumbled across something very interesting; our feisty little guy is actually a fiery little girl.

“At the time, our main focus was to check the health of the cubs and get them back to Soraya as quickly as possible. Determining the sex was a bonus,” said Vere, before adding that, “It’s a bit difficult to differentiate the sex of tiger cubs when they are small as there is literally a millimetre of difference.”

“The three girls have helped redress an imbalance towards males in the Australasian region. From a genetic management perspective it’s good to have an equal breakdown for regional planning of the captive breeding population.”

Said Martin-Vegue, “At least now that we know there are three confirmed girls, we can have our Dreamworld team give one an appropriate female style name.”

Sharing a birthday with their mother Soraya, the as yet unnamed cubs were born after a gestation period of between 100 to 110 days, the Tiger Island team monitoring mum around the clock through closed circuit television.

It won’t be long before the whole of Australia will go ga-ga over the all girl group as they leave the den and make their public debut on June 26, 2008 at the purpose-built glass fronted Tiger Island nursery.

Four weeks after that the trio are set to cause mischief as they come out from behind the glass to directly interact with the public. From July 24, 20 guests will be able to experience a rare encounter with two Sumatran sisters at Cub Experience sessions. Held in an exclusive area behind Tiger Island, guests of all ages will be able to pat and have their photo taken with the cubs.

Tiger Island Manager Patrick Martin-Vegue said, “During Cub Experiences Dreamworld guests will have one-on-one time with the cubs and learn more about the tigers from our handlers. They will be able to see the cubs play and wrestle and start to develop their own personalities.”

But eager guests don’t have to wait until July for a Cub Experience. Already breaking hearts in Tiger Island’s Cub Display, is Sali, the sole survivor of a litter of four cubs from Perth Zoo. Sali was flown to Dreamworld on Saturday, May 17, 2008 with the aim to be integrated with the new trio once they are vaccinated.

Starting this week, ten guests of all ages have been joining Sali on her own 20 minute Cub Experience sessions.

Cub Experiences cost $80 per person and are not included in the entry price.

Thursday 19 June 2008

Close Encounters of the Cub Kind

It won’t be long before the whole of Australia will be going ga-ga over Dreamworld’s tiger triplets when they leave the den and make their debut on June 26, 2008 at the purpose-built glass fronted Tiger Island nursery. Four weeks after that the trio are set to cause mischief as they come out from behind the glass to directly interact with the public.

From July 24, 20 guests will be able to experience a rare encounter with the Sumatran sisters at the limited Cub Experience sessions. Held in an exclusive area behind Tiger Island, guests of all ages will be able to pat and have their photo taken with the cubs.

Tiger Island Manager Patrick Martin-Vegue said, “During Cub Experience’s Dreamworld guests will have one-on-one time with the cubs and their handlers to ask questions and learn more about the tigers. They will be able to see them play and wrestle and start to develop their own personalities.”

But eager guests don’t have to wait until July for a “Cub Experience”. Already breaking hearts in Tiger Island’s Cub Display, is Sali, the sole survivor of a litter of four cubs from Perth Zoo. Sali was flown to Dreamworld on Saturday, May 17, 2008 with the aim to be integrated with the new triplets once they are vaccinated.

Starting June 21, ten guests of all ages will be able to join Sali on her own 20 minute “Cub Experience” session.

Cub Experiences cost $80 per person and are not included in the entry price. Tickets to the Cub Experience can only be booked on www.dreamworld.com.au. Terms and conditions apply.

Dreamworld’s bouncing baby girls… The as yet unnamed cubs were born on Monday, June 9 following a gestation period of between 100 to 110 days with the Tiger Island team monitoring mum around the clock through closed circuit television.

The triplets are three of a very limited number of Sumatran tiger cubs born in the Australasian region in last 10 years and are part of a globally co-ordinated breeding programme to save the species. With less than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, their importance can not be underestimated.

The cubs will remain under the watchful eyes of Dreamworld’s on-site vet, Vere Nicolson, Tiger Island Manager, Patrick Martin-Vegue and the Tiger Island team which collectively has more than 40 years experience caring for and working with tigers.

“Fortunately, captive bred cubs have a 90 percent chance of survival because of their stable environment. For cubs born in the wild, the survival rate is just 25 to 50 percent due to poor nutrition, rejection by mothers and predators,” Mr Martin-Vegue said.

The cubs’ parents, Raja and Soraya have the purest blood lines in the Australasian region and will make a significant contribution to the conservation of Sumatran Tigers.

“Our aim is to ensure the appropriate genetic management of the remaining captive population of the species and raise conservation funds to support initiatives such as educating residents in areas where tigers are found in their natural habitat. This will hopefully provide a safety valve that will prevent the extinction of the species,” Mr Martin-Vegue said.

Dreamworld’s Tiger Island plays a leading role in tiger conservation world-wide through donations and hands-on involvement with field projects actively saving tigers in the wild.

With the goal of hitting the million dollar mark in July, Dreamworld’s Tiger Fund actively contributes to anti-poaching activity including anti-poaching patrols on the ground in Indonesia, India and Russia.

SpongeBob swaps his Square Pants for FlyPants

Nickelodeon’s number one character, SpongeBob SquarePants will today test launch his own ‘Australian first’ ride at Dreamworld’s Nickelodeon Central, ahead of the official public launch on June 20. Twenty-four test pilots will undergo a “goofy goober” obstacle course which includes mastering the “Scuba Bop” before they take to the skies on the new attraction.

The new ‘SpongeBob FlyPants’ ride plunges guests into an imaginary deep sea world where they can soar and spin through the fantasy ‘Jellyfish Fields’ with the world’s number one cartoon character and his friendly neighbourhood invertebrates.

Modelled on the visuals of the television episode, guests lie flat on their stomachs – a first for Australia - and weightlessly weave around a larger-than-life SpongeBob as he takes flight aboard a giant wild jellyfish.

Perfect for the whole family, SpongeBob FlyPants has the capacity for 24 people, with two guests per carriage taking to the sky at a super fun speed for everyone.

The ride is set in Jellyfish Fields, home to millions of invertebrates whose ‘majestic command of the sky’ captivated SpongeBob SquarePants in the cartoon episode titled, The Sponge Who Could Fly. Desperately wanting to join them, television’s number one sponge invented a series of flying machines including a banana lounge motored by helium balloons; each proved a monumental flop.

It wasn’t until some friendly jellyfish squished beneath SpongeBob SquarePants and lifted him up, that he first took to the watery skies. In SpongeBob’s nasally terms, “If you want to fly, all you need is friendships.”

Dreamworld's innovative introduction of Nick Central in 2002 set the benchmark for what is now a dynamic precinct bursting with 17 rides and attractions targeting the 6-13 year old market devoted to the Nick phenomena. The precinct taps into the popularity of Nickelodeon TV characters that have a global audience exceeding four million people.

Dreamworld Chief Executive Officer Stephen Gregg said the new project is an exciting addition to the Nick Central precinct.

“Every component of Nick Central reflects the much loved madness of Nickelodeon and places the world’s number one brand of kids’ entertainment and characters at kids’ fingertips,” Mr Gregg said. “There is nowhere else in the world that fans can feel such a part of SpongeBob’s big adventures.”

SpongeBob SquarePant’s extra bubbly personality soaks up a massive fan base proven daily by the rock star treatment he receives at Dreamworld and the popularity for photographs. In between ruling his new ride, guests can catch him in a live show extravaganza, Stories From Bikini Bottom, the SpongeBob SquarePants Show on stage at Nick Central’s Slime Bowl, or during his regular meet and greet appearances.

No need to pack your snorkel, just bring your wild imagination when you dive into the colourful whirling world of Jellyfish Fields and the new ‘SpongeBob Flypants’ ride.

Thursday 12 June 2008

Dreamworld’s Sumatran tiger cub triplets get comfy at Tiger Island

It’s day three into the lives of Dreamworld’s as yet unnamed Sumatran tiger cubs and the trio are settling into their new surroundings with ease.

Sharing a birthday with their mother, Sumatran tiger Soraya, the two sisters and their brother were born the morning of June 9 weighing a healthy 1.3kg, 1.28kg and 1.13kg.

Tigers are known for the speed at which they grow and the tiny trio are no exception already gaining an average of 113 grams thanks to Soraya’s natural mothering instincts. At this rate it will be only a fortnight before they make their public debut at Dreamworld’s Tiger Island nursery.

Said Dreamworld Life Sciences General Manager Al Mucci, “We are so lucky that Soraya is such a great Mum. She’s given us two beautiful tigers in Indah and Rahni and now, second time around, she’s blessed us with three more.”

Tiger Island Manager Patrick Martin-Vegue was present for the birth and is as proud as any Dad could be.

“Both Soraya and the cubs are doing really well. Like most newborns they spend most of their day tucked tight into Mum, sleeping and eating.

“The first two came early morning Monday but the third took its time and was born just before 11am. They had their first vet check yesterday and have all been given a clean bill of health.”

Senior Tiger Handler Dan Hodges was the “night watchman” when Soraya began to show signs of labour.

“Soraya entered her den box at around 4.30am and started showing nesting behaviours like excessive grooming. The real contractions began around 6.30am, an hour before the first cub was born.”

All nine Tiger Island staff rushed to Dreamworld in time for the birth.

“It was an amazing experience; about nine handlers crowded into our staff room watching the birth on monitors and letting out cheers as each cub came out.”

Heralding the new litter was Sumatran tiger cub Sali (pronounced “sarli”) who arrived at Dreamworld on Saturday, May 17 after being rejected by her inexperienced first time mother at another zoo. Now almost nine weeks old, Sali will hopefully be integrated with the new litter in the next few weeks.

News of the tiger trio’s arrival has spread as far as China and the USA. It won’t be long before the whole of Australia will be going ga-ga over the cute cubs when they leave the den and make their debut at the glass fronted Tiger Island nursery.

“Sali is already breaking hearts and, pending their health, the new cubs will relocate to Tiger Island’s nursery in time for the Queensland school holidays.

“By the end of July we’ll start offering cub experiences and guests of all ages will be able to play with, pat and have their photos taken with the cubs. Cub experiences are a great chance for the cubs to get out and start interacting with people and to raise much needed funds for conservation projects working tirelessly to save tigers in the wild.”

Wednesday 11 June 2008

Dreamworld launches new Bilby education program

Dreamworld teams up with the Bilby Brothers and the Minister of Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation to launch a new education program designed to save an Aussie animal in trouble

June 11, 2008 … One of the biggest tourism players in Australia has sharpened its pencil on the issue of conservation and today launched a hands-on education program aimed at raising awareness about one of Australia’s most endangered animals, the bilby.

With a reported 600 of the tiny creatures remaining in the wild in Queensland, Dreamworld has teamed up with the Bilby Brothers, Frank Manthey and Peter McRae, to create a one hour on-site education program designed to encourage students from grades four to seven to help save the embattled marsupial. Dreamworld hopes to attract at least 1000 students to the program in the first year of operation.

Launching the program before 26 students from St Francis Xavier Runaway Bay School, Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said, “This is a case of conservation, education and tourism coming together to put one of our most endangered creatures at the forefront of young minds.”

“Dreamworld is one of the few wildlife parks in the state with bilbies on display and the only non-government institution with approval to breed the marsupials for release back into the wild. It’s heartening to see them working towards the conservation of this endangered animal.”

Kevin Bradley, COO of Dreamworld and WhiteWater World, added that, “Most people have visions of thrills and spills when they come to Dreamworld and White Water World. But behind the colourful rides there are two giant parks with big hearts actively committed to ‘conservation through education’.

“With more than 1.5 million visitors passing through the Dreamworld gates annually, including 60,000 school students on excursion, our aim is to take the conservation issue off the whiteboard and into an environment where both guests and children are relaxed and receptive to learning,” he added.
The bilby education program takes students on a journey through the changing world of the bilby beginning with an overview of the current situation and ending with simple tactics for action.
Students visit three stations: Dreamworld’s specially-built bilby enclosure and breeding centre; a food web activity that highlights the dramatic and devastating effect introduced species such as foxes and cats have on the bilbies’ natural environment; and a billboard of the two metre high 25 km2 fence that has been built at Currawinya National Park. The fence provides a safe haven for captive-bred bilbies – including those from Dreamworld - to be released into the wild.
Students end their journey with the opportunity to see and touch a real Bilby.
Ms Dominique Burgess, Dreamworld’s Education Manager who trialled the program on June 10 before a class of 25 students from Kingston State School said the bilby education program is curriculum relevant and links to both the Study of Society and Environment and Science syllabi.

“This program uses a real conservation issue to push the awareness of a relatively gloomy environmental situation. Not many kids can get out to Currawinya National Park to see conservation in action, so this course is designed to bring it to them.”

Her comments were echoed by Kingston State School teacher, Matthew Knight who said his combined year 4 and 5 class enjoyed the experiential side of the program.

“It ties in really well with our units at school and reinforces the lifestyle and habitat studies in grade four and threats and adaptation in grade five,” he said.

“We have the future leaders of the country here. They are the ones to make a decision on conservation and unless they have awareness of the situation, there is no way they can make improvements for the future.

“Until today there was not a lot of understanding of the bilby. Most kids know about the (iconic) animals like the koala so it was good to have an animal that is less known. They enjoyed the hands-on aspect of the program.”

Following the program, students are offered the chance to tour through other endangered species located at Dreamworld including the Tasmanian Devil, the Cassowary and the exotic Sumatran Tiger.

Mr Knight said the students were also looking forward to an afternoon on the rides.

“We’ve broken the day up. We’ve done the education program and now we’ll explore one of the animals which the class studied. Then we’ll hit the rides this afternoon. You can’t walk through Dreamworld and say ‘no’ to the rides.”

Dreamworld’s Bilby Education Program costs $21.00 per student and includes the one hour journey through the world of the bilby and access to all shows, rides and attractions available at Dreamworld. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling 07 5588 1184 or emailing: education@dreamworld.com.au.

Tuesday 10 June 2008

Dreamworld’s Sumatran tiger Mum Soraya gives birth to a litter of three on her sixth birthday

On the morning of her sixth birthday Dreamworld’s Sumatran tiger Soraya, mother of tiger twins Indah and Rahni, has received the best birthday present any mother could hope for having given birth to a litter of three healthy tiger cubs.

The birthday bundle consists of two girl cubs and a boy, the first weighing in at a healthy 1.3kg, the second 1.28kg and the third 1.13kg.

Tiger Island Manager Patrick Martin-Vegue was present for the birth and says Soraya is doing a great job nursing the cubs so far.

“The first two came early this morning but the third took its time and was born just before 11am. Both Soraya and her litter are doing great so far.”

Life Sciences General Manager All Mucci is equally proud of Soraya’s new litter.

“We are so lucky that Soraya is such a great Mum, she’s given us two beautiful tigers in Indah and Rahni and now, second time around, she’s blessed us with three more.”

Heralding the hopes of the new litter was tiny six week old Sumatran tiger cub Sali (pronounced “sarli”) who arrived at Dreamworld approximately three weeks ago on Saturday, May 17.

The now eight week old Sali will hopefully be integrated with Soraya’s new litter in coming weeks as the new cubs grow old enough to meet and play with their adopted sister.