Zoo keepers appeal for donations of PERFUME and aftershave as tigers love to roll in costly smellies
Staff say that the fragrances awakens the tigers' senses and promotes their natural tracking behaviours
A ZOO is appealing for donations of perfume and aftershave for its tigers.
Keepers say its big cats enjoy rolling around in the smellies.
One rare Amur tiger, called Arina, has taken to rubbing herself on grass doused with costly Chanel.
The new odours are sprayed around the animals’ enclosures at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent.
Staff reckon the pongs awaken the tigers’ senses and trigger their natural tracking behaviour.
They also believe the whiffs help the park’s big cats to communicate.
Carnivore keeper Dan Kemp said: “When we put perfume on the ground, you will probably see them roll around in it and, if they show their teeth, it means they are enjoying the scent.
“You will probably also see them cheek rub as they have scent glands in their cheeks. They do that as a form of communication.
“So, it’s all about trying to give them different and novel smells.”
Adrian Harland, the park’s animal director, said big cats enjoy new smells as tracking scents in the wild forms a big part of hunting prey and finding a mate.
Spraying smellies seeks to emulate that and “encourage the tigers to explore their sensual awareness”.
He said: “Enrichment is all about making the tigers’ routine more interesting and helps mimic situations they would find in the wild.”
In a social media appeal, the park, near Canterbury, says: “Our big cats LOVE the smell of perfume, which we spray around the enclosure to promote their natural tracking behaviours.
“We’re reaching out to our supporters to donate their unwanted perfumes and aftershaves for our big cats to enjoy!”