Amur tiger moves in at Whipsnade Zoo
Image: Botzman
New home and conservation effort for rare tiger An Amur (Siberian) tiger, who belongs to the world's largest tiger species, has made an appearance at his new home, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
The 18-month-old tiger named Botzman has been setting in behind the scenes at the zoo since just before Christmas, after travelling just less than 2,000 miles from Moscow.
Amur tigers are endangered, with between 300 and 400 thought to be left living in the wild, however, Botzman belongs to the European Endangered species Programme (EEP) for Amur tigers and is hoped to breed at Whipsnade.
Botzman is gradually being introduced to Whipsnade's female Amur tiger, Anastasia, who resides in the zoo's Tiger Falls enclosure. He is hoped to move in with Anastasia in a few week's time, when the keepers are happy that the pair will settle in together comfortably.
Keepers say Botzman, who already weighs 158 kilos (25 stone), has been excitedly exploring his paddock and investigating his new home.
"Botzman is settling in really well," said Siobhan Sellwood-Brown, senior keeper at the zoo. "He's extremely lively and very inquisitive – its fantastic to see him enjoying his new surroundings. He's a beautiful boy; visitors are fascinated by him."
ZSL focuses on population monitoring, anti-poaching efforts and increasing education and awareness to help the conservation of Amur tigers, and has been involved in Amur tiger conservation in the Russian Far East since 1995. ZSL has also been running a Amur tiger project in Lazovsky State Nature Reserve since 2006.
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