26-11-2024 (CHIANG MAI) A captivating three-year-old golden tiger has become Thailand’s newest wildlife sensation, joining the ranks of the country’s beloved baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng in capturing hearts worldwide through social media.
The Chiang Mai Night Safari’s recent Facebook showcase of Ava, their remarkable golden tabby tiger, has achieved viral status, accumulating an impressive 34,000 likes and 24,000 shares in just 48 hours. The rare feline, born on February 16, 2021, made her public debut three weeks after her sister Luna.
These extraordinary cubs represent a remarkable genetic variation of the Bengal tiger, distinguished by a rare recessive gene that produces their distinctive golden hue. With only approximately 30 golden tigers known to exist in captivity globally – significantly fewer than the 200 documented white tigers – Ava and Luna are truly exceptional specimens.
The siblings, whose parents were imported from the Czech Republic and South Africa in 2015, can now be viewed at the safari park’s Tiger World zone during designated viewing hours between 11am and 2pm.
According to their handlers, Ava has developed a particularly endearing personality, displaying an unusually gentle demeanour that contradicts typical tiger behaviour. Her playful nature and apparent affinity for children have earned her numerous admirers, with social media users particularly taken by her plush appearance and expressive features.
The golden tiger’s rise to fame follows the tremendous success of Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, who has been captivating international audiences since September. Moo Deng’s popularity has significantly boosted visitor numbers, generating substantial revenue for her home facility, with ticket sales reaching 19.2 million baht (US$587,000) in just September’s first three weeks.
The four-month-old hippo, whose name translates to “bouncy pork” in Thai, has inspired various commercial tie-ins and cultural references, including a Sephora beauty campaign and a memorable Saturday Night Live sketch featuring comedian Bowen Yang.
