Racine Zoo's new Amur tiger, critically endangered species in wild
Changbai the Amur tiger: (Credit: Jack Bradley and Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo)
RACINE, Wis. - Racine Zoo announced the arrival of a new Amur tiger Monday, Aug. 23.
Changbai is a 16-year-old female tiger coming from the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The name roughly translates to "forever white mountains," the zoo said.
Racine Zoo said Changbai is a well-traveled tiger having spent time in Philadelphia and Columbus before her time in Connecticut. At Beardsley, she successfully gave birth to three cubs. She was then donated to the Racine Zoo by the Beardsley Zoo to live out her golden years.
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Racine Zoo’s keeper and medical staff are well-versed in caring for Amur tigers of advanced age, a news release said. Keeper staff carefully evaluated the existing enclosure space and made several adjustments to help make Changbai more comfortable.
"Changbai is very beautiful and has such a strong personality," said Dan Powell, Racine Zoo’s curator of animal care and conservation. "We are so happy that she is with us at the Racine Zoo."
The largest of the felines, Amur tigers can reach up to 10 feet in length and weigh up to 600 pounds, the zoo said. The big cats lead solitary lives in the wild and are mainly found in Russia. The species is considered critically endangered with only an estimated 350 to 400 animals left in the wild. Main threats to Amur tigers are poaching and habitat loss, which amount to 85% of all wild deaths. To learn how to help save the Amur tiger, visit the WildCats Conservation Alliance website