A BENGAL tiger cub has been born at Cantabria's famous Cabárceno Park – the first in 18 years.
Her mother, one of nine of her species at the huge open-air safari complex along with her daughter, three males, including Lario, the father and five other females - is 10-and-a-half years old and is said to be in good health.
Five of the tigers were brought to Cabárceno last summer from Terra Natura in Benidorm when they were just a few months old.
The new baby, who weighs seven kilos (15lb 6.5oz), is the only one of the litter to have survived.
She was born on July 26, but the news has only just been revealed as Cabárceno staff wanted to ensure she was in good health before announcing her arrival.
The last time a Bengal tiger was born at the complex was in the year 2000.
But at least 100 babies have come into the world at the park in the past year, including three elephants, seven bears, a gorilla, two camels, three zebras, two bisons, three watusi – a type of giant antelope – plus numerous red deer, fallow deer and elands.
Cabárceno Park is the result of a mine explosion which literally rent the mountains apart, giving the massive rural complex its prehistoric-type landscape, and is a firm fixture on the tourist trail in Cantabria.
Wild animals roam freely in vast, open areas designed to mirror their natural habitat as closely as possible.
Photograph of Peché and her newborn daughter by Cantabria regional government
