There's a New Tiger in Town!

8/25/2009

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - August 25, 2009 - As part of a national effort to ensure the survival of certain endangered species, Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is the new home to Naka (pron. Nuh-'KAH), a four year old female Amur -- or Siberian -- tiger that recently arrived from the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse New, York. Naka's arrival at the Zoo is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Special Survival Plan (SSP). Naka joins the Zoo's new male tiger, Booskin, which arrived in December 2008.

"We are lucky to add Naka our Zoo family -- both for the enjoyment of our visitors, and to help save this precious species," explained Gregg Dancho, Zoo Director. "The Zoo is proud of its role in Special Survival Plan conservation program. This addition of Naka is a great example of how AZA accredited zoos can work together to help save a species from extinction."

Naka is 'petite' in comparison to her male counterpart, Booskin. Naka weighs in at approximately 275 pounds compared to Booskin's 400 pound girth. Both may be seen, in adjoining exhibits, during the Zoo's daily hours of operation. These enormous cats have pale yellow-orange fur above that shades to creamy white below. They have a long fur coat (up to 3 inches along the belly) to protect them in temperatures to 50 degrees below zero. All tigers have pale blackish stripes with a distinctive pattern on the face as unique as a fingerprint.

Plans are in place to breed Naka and Booskin in the next year. Female Amurs give birth to 2 to 3 cubs, which may stay with their mom for up to two years. The Amur is a critically endangered subspecies of tiger. Only approximately 44 of these great cats survive in northern Asia and suffer from habitat loss and poaching.

The mission of the AZA SSP Program is to help ensure the survival of selected wildlife species. The program started in 1981 as a cooperative population management and conservation program for selected species in zoos and aquariums in North America.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $11.00, children (ages 3 -11) and senior admission (62 and older) is just $9.00, and children under 3 years old are free. Members of the Connecticut Zoological Society are also admitted free. Parking at the Zoo is free of charge.

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About Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo:

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Visitors won't want to miss our Amur (Siberian) tigers, Andean condor, ocelots, red & maned wolves, Andean (spectacled) bears, and golden lion tamarins. Other highlights include our South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, the prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas, the New England Farmyard with goats, cows, pigs, sheep and other barnyard critters, plus the hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer and more. Visitors can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on our colorful carousel. For more information, visit http://www.beardsleyzoo.org