Tiger "Cathay"'s Amazing Hunt in South Africa

It is a battle between a South China tiger named Cathay, a young antelope, its mother & sibling, at Laohu Valley Reserve in South Africa.

Inspired by the Battle at Kruger, we thought to put our prized video of this fantastic hunt in our rewilding project on YouTube for the public.

Tigers Cathay (the one with Radio Collar), TigerWoods and Madonna, newly re-released into the 42 hectare large training camp were hunting, following the gorup of antelop called Blesbok. Cathay however split off and disappeared into a gully. When TigerWoods got quite close to one antelope he started to chase. The antelope crossed over the gully and back in the direction towards where Cathay had been crouching low, not knowing that she has been hiding in the grass waiting for them. Cathay singled out a young antelope-about 8 week old and in a split second, leapt out and cuaght hold of it but it wriggled out of her grasp. The Tiger managed to snatch it again, back and forth a few times. The strange thing was that Cathay (who we thought was TigerWoods initally due to the distance) could have easily killed the small antelope but she did not. She seemed to be playing with it.

Meanwhile the mother of the young tried to save its child! She and another charged back and forth at Cathay in an extraordinary action. Perhaps it was motivated by maternal instinct, or perhaps it simply under-estimated the ability of the tigers, having successfully escaped from being hunted in the past year. However its action finally cost it its life.

When Cathay seemed to be playing Catch & Release, the mother antelope came charging back at the tiger. Cathay, in a most unexpected move of lightening speed, let go the young and grabbed the mother. The antelop was however very stoic and stood stiff as Cathay tried to topple her using the force of her mouth, but it took the tiger quite a while to drop the antelop. Only then was Cathay able to deliver the final bite.
The young antelope meanwhile, had run away! It appears its mother's sacrifice had saved her child. WE saw it reunited with the antelope group two days later.

Two things are extraordinary: First, an antelope mother does not try to save her offspring in the wild very often, knowing she would be no match for a predator. Second, Cathay could have easily killed the young antelope but instead she played with it. Was it because she was using it to attract the bigger one, or because her maternal instinct told her to capture the young antelope alive for the younger tigers so they could practice hunting by playing with it, just like big cat mothers in the wild?

This video is copyrighted and cannot be used without the express permission of Save China's Tigers.
www.savechinastigers.org

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[alicellahuang]

I think the biggest concern to put tigers in Afirca is that lions also live there. Two most powerful animals live together will absolutely cause many problems anf fightings. and other big cats like leopards and cheetahs are no chance of winning over thhem... these species will decrease dramatically.,. since tigers can climb trees better than lions.. so leopards will be affected...(change the ecosystem etc..) well, it is only my thought,,

[SAVECHINASTIGERS]

@alicellahuang

There is no healthy ecosystem in Laohu Valley Reserve to begin with. This is a reserve rebuilt from 17 defunct sheep farms and there is no healthy ecosystem there to begin with. Tigers being there actually helps to built a new balanced eco-system in that area. All the prey items were brought in from other places to restock the land with animals. =) These Tigers will be sent back to China once they completed their training in South Africa. =)

[car77fig]

Can tigers be relocated in africa pleae answer??

[SAVECHINASTIGERS]

This is a question with huge debates and no common consensus? Can Tigers be relocated in Africa? In a biologically point of view, Tigers are great hunters with one of the best adaptability of felines and are fully capable of adapting to Africa and thrive there. Yet on the other hand, Tigers should not be relocated there as they don't belong there and may cause healthy ecosystem to be lost.

That is why we are using South Africa as a platform for rewilding before sending them back to China. =)

[Sanaomi8635]

So you're saying tigers should'nt be put there? thats rediculous the animal is going extinct. any enviorment that can be used for rewilding, should be used in my opinion. I mean it's a huge fenced off area so the tigers arn't going to interfere with any other animals enviorment/ecosystem whatever have you.

[SAVECHINASTIGERS]

@Sanaomi8635

Thank you for your support and the words you spoke for us. Yes, you are very right, this is a reserved rebuilted from 17 defunct sheep farms and there is no healthy ecosystem there to begin with. Tigers being there actually helps to built a new balanced eco-system in that area. All the prey items were brought in from other places to restrock the land with animals. =)

[jsagarcia]

fuckin' music

[addking1]

Mmm, tigers in africa.

[Notmineonline]

@SAVECHINASTIGERS @Sanaomi8635 You both really don't know a radish about eco-systems.

[MrShirinzebo]

the antelop wanted to survive her baby

[handekecipe]

They are tigers but still like pet. Cathay play with young antelope just like a house cat play with mouse, bird or squirrel instead of killing it immediately. Look they don't even eat the antelope like house cat playing with its dead victims like a toy.

[isko19905]

fuckin sound quality...