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Press Releases
Minnesota Zoo Tiger Cub Has New Companion Courtesy of Saint Louis Zoo Apple Valley, MN – July 24, 2012 – An endangered Amur tiger cub has found a new home at the Minnesota Zoo. The new cub, transferred to the Minnesota Zoo from the Saint Louis Zoo on July 19, was born July 1 and had been hand-reared since her birth. To ensure the best socialization, animal care staff from both the Saint Louis Zoo and the Minnesota Zoo, along with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Tiger Species Survival Plan Coordinator, decided the new cub should complete her hand-rearing at the Minnesota Zoo with its resident cub, born June 17 and also hand- reared by staff. Hand-rearing was necessary in both cases because the mothers did not successfully nurse the cubs. 
Minnesota Zoo staff is excited for the new addition: “I am proud to be part of such an important collaboration,” says Diana Weinhardt, the Minnesota Zoo’s Northern Trail supervisor. “Working with the Saint Louis Zoo to provide the best social situation for these cubs has been a highlight of my zoo career. We are doing everything we can to make this the best possible situation.” Adds Steve Bircher, curator of mammals at the Saint Louis Zoo: “Tigers learn from other tigers, so that kind of socialization with a cub her age will be good for this cub.” Amur tigers, managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Tiger Species Survival Plan® (SSP), have been part of the Minnesota Zoo’s Northern Trail exhibit since the Zoo opened in 1978. Zoo staff members have coordinated the Tiger SSP for more than two decades, and continue to lead efforts conserving tigers in the wild. The Minnesota Zoo is one of 13 coalition members that comprise the Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance (amur-leopard.org) . These coalition members pool their resources to help support conservation efforts for wild Amur tigers and leopards. Since 2007, the Minnesota Zoo, in cooperation with other North American zoos, has helped raise over $90,000 for these efforts. Minnesota Zoo staff also coordinates the Tiger SSP’s new Tiger Conservation Campaign, aimed at raising awareness about the plight of wild tigers and funding for their conservation. Since January 2012, the Minnesota Zoo and its young professionals organization, AZUL, have raised nearly $15,000 for this program in support of anti-poaching efforts in the Russian Far East, as well as the formation of a Tiger Health Support Program. To learn about and contribute to these efforts, visit mnzoo.org/tigerssp/campaign and The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. For more information, call 952.431.9500 or visit mnzoo.org. The Minnesota Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and an institutional member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
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