27-10-2008
From Paignton's website today:
One of Paignton Zoo’s rare Sumatran tigers is heading off to start a new life in the north of England.
Two and a half year old Kirana is moving to Chester Zoo to start a new breeding group.
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park Director of Operations and Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment said: “We are very pleased that Kirana, as one of the highest ranking females in the Sumatran tiger EEP, has gone to such a good zoo to further the breeding of her species. With luck Tenang and Banda will have their second litter in 2009.”
Kirana and her brother Topan were born at Paignton Zoo on 8th May 2006 to mother Banda and father Tenang. They were the first tiger cubs to be born at Paignton Zoo since 1988. Topan died of a heart condition in December 2006.
Chester Zoo currently has one Sumatran tiger, male Kepala, who’s three. However, as he is related to Kirana, a different male will arrive at Chester to form a new breeding pair with her.
Both zoos are members of the European Endangered species Programme (EEP) for Sumatran tigers, which means they are part of the global effort to save the species from extinction. Captive and wild populations are protected and managed in an attempt to prevent this subspecies following the Bali and Javan tigers: these subspecies became extinct in the 1940s and 1980s respectively.
Banda and Tenang, who have been separated since the cubs were born, are now back together.
|
