Darwin’s 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment gets new Bengal tiger recruit

A BENGAL tiger has earned its military stripes, becoming the latest mascot for Darwin’s 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment

Darwin’s 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (5 RAR), welcomed Quintus Durga as the new unit mascot in a small military ceremony at Crocodylus Park. Picture: Che Chorley

A BENGAL tiger has earned its military stripes, becoming the latest mascot for Darwin’s 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment.

Quintus Durga, a Bengal tiger that lives at Crocodylus Park in Berrimah, was officially enlisted into the Australian Army during a small military service yesterday.

The enlistment of the exotic cat coincides with the 51st anniversary of the Vietnam War’s Battle of Binh Ba, which took place on June 6 and 7, 1969.

5 RAR completed two successful tours of Vietnam and fought in the Battle of Binh Ba, the most significant battle in the Battalion’s history involving fierce close-quarter fighting.

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Darwin’s 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (5 RAR), have welcomed Quintus Durga as the new unit mascot in a small military ceremony at Crocodylus Park. Picture: Che Chorley

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Dirago said it was “fitting” to welcome Quintus Durga during this anniversary which “illustrates the Battalion’s remarkable history and fighting spirit”.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Quintus Durga as the mascot of the ‘Tiger Battalion’ and helping with her care and upkeep at Crocodylus Park,” he said.

“Our ongoing relationship with this Darwin cultural institution is a great way for us to engage with the local community.”

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Quintus Durga replaces Corporal Quintus Rama, the Bengal tiger that served as 5 RAR’s mascot from 2012 until his death in May 2019 at the age of 17. The average lifespan of a Bengal tiger in the wild is eight to 10 years and up to 18 years in captivity.