Re: Albino Dino

[Dann Pigdon <dannj@alphalink.com.au>]

Michael de Sosa writes: 

> In addition, it's very rare for captive-bred carnivores to be released back 
> into the wild in the first place, as they don't usually have the hunting skills 
> necessary to survive on their own...
> ...This certainly wouldn't work for tigers, as they are solitary hunters and 
> would have nobody to teach them.

Actually, a pair of captive-bred tigers were released in the wild in Africa 
(of all places). The last I heard they were doing quite well. I've seen 
footage of them cooperating to bring down dozens of prey in quick succession 
(often involving flying tackles and mid-air grappling). It was an absolute 
blood-bath for the poor gazelles. I don't know if this was associated with 
the Tiger Moon Sanctuary in South Africa, or whether it was an independant 
effort (I seem to remember the people training them for release were 
American). 

The Chinese have also sent captive-bred tiger cubs to South Africa to enrol 
them in 'hunting school' to prepare them for release into the wild in China. 

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/12/08/1038950271860.html 

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Dann Pigdon
GIS / Archaeologist              http://geo_cities.com/dannsdinosaurs
Melbourne, Australia             http://heretichides.soffiles.com
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