Tiger Forest the size of 6 soccer fields; Baekdu Mountain tiger diet consists of chicken and beef

According to a video released by the Korea Forest Service, the largest natural-style 'Tiger Forest' in South Korea boasts an area of 3.8 hectares, equivalent to the size of 6 soccer fields. This space, which preserves the mountainous terrain and trees as they are, is designed to allow the endangered Baekdu Mountain tigers to live in an environment similar to the wild. It is being utilized as an educational venue to preserve the wild nature of tigers that once faced extinction on the Korean Peninsula and to promote the importance of species conservation.

Tiger food intake and prey vary by season

Instead of wild hunting methods, chicken and beef are provided to the tigers living in the Tiger Forest. According to the explanation in the video, the food intake of tigers varies greatly depending on the individual and the situation. In the case of certain individuals, they eat 3 to 4 chickens, or consume anywhere from 5 beef carcasses to a maximum of 1 ton. Interestingly, the appetite of tigers is influenced by the seasons.

In the summer, as temperatures rise, tigers tend to show a decrease in feeding desire. Much like humans, tigers also reduce their activity levels in hot weather and spend more time lying still, which leads to a decrease in food intake. On the other hand, in winter, as temperatures drop, biological activity becomes more active and food intake tends to increase.

Behavioral enrichment programs that awaken wild instincts

The Tiger Forest is not simply a space where tigers are confined, but it operates 'behavioral programs' so that they can maintain their instincts from the wild. Wild tigers constantly mark their territory, dig the ground, and engage in activities exploring their surroundings. To reproduce this, various structures such as boxes are placed in the Tiger Forest to help the tigers avoid boredom and induce natural behaviors.

Information regarding the physical abilities of tigers can also be confirmed. Tigers possess the ability to jump long distances, but their standing high jump is found to be limited to about 3 to 4 meters. Additionally, while the lifespan of a tiger in the wild is a maximum of about 12 to 15 years, they can survive for up to 20 years if properly managed in a captive environment. This corresponds to a long lifespan of approximately 120 years when converted to human age.

Currently, tigers of various ages reside in the Tiger Forest, including 'Uri' born in 2011, 'Han' and 'Do' born in 2013, and 'Taebum' and 'Mugung' born in 2020. Visitors must walk for about 30 minutes from the entrance to the Tiger Forest, and entry is recommended up to 1 hour before closing to ensure the stable rest of the tigers.