--- title: "Gut Aiderbichl takes in five Bengal tigers at Liska Park enclosure; now living in a new Liska Park enclosure" sdDatePublished: "2026-07-29T11:05:00Z" source: "https://www.gut-aiderbichl.com/en/news/international-tiger-day/" topics: - name: "environment" identifier: "medtop:06000000" - name: "nature" identifier: "medtop:20000441" - name: "animal" identifier: "medtop:20000500" - name: "conservation" identifier: "medtop:20000420" locations: - "Bhutan" - "Cambodia" - "Vietnam" - "India" - "China" - "Russia" - "Laos" - "Nepal" --- Gut Aiderbichl takes in five Bengal tigers at Liska Park enclosure; now living in a new Liska Park enclosure International Tiger Day | Gut Aiderbichl Obituary for the horse Nadira The tiger – the largest predator and, at the same time, the guardian of the earth Tigers are the guardians of the earth and maintain the balance of the jungle. Alongside lions, wolves and the great white shark, tigers sit at the top of the food chain. Within the ecosystem, they are responsible for regulating, protecting and preserving the food chain in their respective habitats. Preserving the ecosystem with the help of tigers Animals such as tigers hold together the fabric of the ecological needs of animals, plants and micro-organisms, thereby creating the conditions under which an ecosystem can develop and thrive to the fullest extent possible. The tiger as a hunter and patron of a healthy ecosystem in the jungle It preys on old, weak or sick animals, thereby keeping the population healthy. Every large prey animal killed by tigers creates a hotspot that attracts scavengers in particular. These scavengers break down the remains of the prey to such an extent that a vast amount of nutrients is released into the soil. In this way, fertile areas develop where plant growth is disproportionately high. In tiger habitats, soil erosion is less prevalent, which results in less flood damage. Through its hunting behaviour, the tiger shapes its environment. Herd animals are constantly on the move and remain vigilant so as not to be caught by the tiger. Herbivores that remain in the same location constantly destroy all vegetation in their vicinity until only bare earth remains. As a result, genetic diversity declines, small competitors for food lose their means of survival, soil erosion increases and the drainage of rainwater is impeded. Humans as a threat to the survival of the world’s largest big cat People have always held the tiger in awe because of its imposing appearance. It is powerful and can run at a speed of around 60 km h. However, the tiger is no longer a ruler, but is hunted by humans. At the start of the 20th century, there were still 100,000 tigers living in the wild and around 20,000 in captivity. Currently, there are around 5,500 tigers living in the jungles. A hundred years ago, tigers were found throughout Asia; today, they are found in only ten countries, such as India, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Russia. The tiger population in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam has been wiped out. The reasons for the decline in the tiger population are Poaching – Tigers are hunted for various body parts used in traditional Chinese medicine or as souvenirs Habitat destruction – Roads, deforestation and urban development are reducing their natural habitat Decline in prey populations and The superstition surrounding death – a kilo of tiger bones fetches 7,000 US dollars on the black market. The bones are said to help and cure rheumatism, malaria, epilepsy affecting the eyeballs, and even sleep disorders. To date, no evidence has been found to support the efficacy of tiger-based medicines. Courage is the first step towards action In the end, it’s all about happiness. Gut Aiderbichl took in five Bengal tigers. The decision was not made without some criticism, but these were tigers in distress, and Gut Aiderbichl helps animals in need. The tigers were born in a circus and had been hand-reared, meaning they could not be released into the wild. The trainer spent over a year ‘re-training’ the tigers to show them what life outside the circus looks and feels like. With the help of a donor, Gut Aiderbichl built a spacious indoor enclosure as well as outdoor enclosures with areas for resting, bathing and so on. The atmosphere at the opening of the enclosures was just like it was back in 2011 when the former laboratory monkeys were allowed into their outdoor enclosure: it was a truly spine-tingling moment. The tigers strolled gracefully and curiously into the enclosures. They embraced their new living situation with majesty: their new home in the Liska Park enclosure has now become a paradise for the Bengal tigers. This most unusual animal rescue by Gut Aiderbichl will remain unforgettable. Roxy, Sandy, Sonya and Tango are living happily in their new home (unfortunately, Floy has passed away). “Speak softly – and carry the heart of a tiger.” We're looking forward to your visit! Find out everything you want to know about the animals at Gut Aiderbichl at a glance. We inform you about current topics and summarise the most important information for you to read in our magazine.