WINNIPEG – Sarma, the Assiniboine Park Zoo’s two-year-old Amur tiger, is heading east to Saint John, N.B.
The zoo announced Wednesday that the tiger, which was born at the zoo, will be going to the Cherry Brook Zoo.
Sarma’s parents, 14-year-old Kendra and 19-year-old Baikal, will remain in Winnipeg. Baikal came to Winnipeg from the Cherry Brook Zoo.
“Sarma’s at the point in her life where she would typically leave her mother and she’s going to an excellent facility that is thrilled to welcome her,” Dr. Brian Joseph, director of zoological operations at Assiniboine Park Zoo, said in a news release.
Sarma’s move is part of the Assiniboine Park Zoo’s participation in the North American Species Survival Plan.
“She can play an important role in the species survival plan and we’re very pleased to contribute to those breeding efforts and assist in growing the Amur tiger population in Canada,” Joseph said.
The Winnipeg zoo recently announced it plans to expand its Amur tiger habitat to a 26,000-square-foot area. Zoo staff are working with other facilities to acquire more tigers for the expanded exhibit.
One of the Cherry Brook Zoo’s tigers, a six-year-old animal named Nyla, was euthanized in summer after it became ill.
Amur tigers are also known as Siberian tigers.
Comments