“She is really beautiful:" A tiger is once again on exhibit at the Racine Zoo

Anya, a 10-year old female Amur tiger



RACINE -- The Racine Zoological Society is happy to announce a tiger is once again on exhibit at the Zoo.

Anya, a 10-year old female Amur tiger donated from Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina to the Zoo, makes her official debut in a revamped exhibit on October 7th, just in time for the Roar and Pour beer-tasting event that same evening from 6 to 8 p.m.

“She is really beautiful,” said Beth Heidorn, Racine Zoo Executive Director. “Our tiger exhibit has been vacant for too long after losing Niki. It’s wonderful to have another ambassador representing this magnificent species. We can’t wait for guests to meet her!”

Anya replaces Niki, the Zoo’s beloved 19-year old Amur tiger and one of the country’s oldest tigers, who passed away earlier this year.

Anya, a 10-year old female Amur tiger



“We’ve noticed soon after she arrived that Anya demonstrates the same diva-like behavior as Niki,” joked Theresa Donarski, Curator of Conservation and Animal Care at the Racine Zoo. “She has extremely long whiskers and loves the smell of Calvin Klein Obsession just as Niki did. Maybe it’s a tiger thing!” laughed Donarski.

Guests can visit Anya on exhibit year round in Great Cat Canyon beginning October 7. Tickets are still available for Roar and Pour, taking place near the tiger exhibit, can be purchased at racinezoo.org, the Zoo administrative office, and Timer’s Beverage Center located at 3800 Northwestern Avenue for $30 each.

The largest of the felines, the Amur tiger can reach up to 10 feet in length and weigh up to 600 pounds. These large cats, who lead solitary lives in the wild, love to climb, swim, and don’t mind spending time outdoors during the colder winter temperatures.