Contact Nancy Falasco, Brandywine Zoo Director, 302-571-7788; or Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9175, or 302-382-0041 or  Necia.Beck@state.de.us 

Siberian Tiger “Zhanna” makes public debut at Brandywine Zoo

WILMINGTON (Aug. 4, 2011) – The Brandywine Zoo hosted the media and public as the zoo’s newest resident, a three-year old Siberian tiger named Zhanna (pronounced ZAN-ah), made her debut today. Zhanna arrived June 29 from the St. Louis Zoo and had been in quarantine at the zoo since then enabling her to get acclimated to her new environment and to bond with her zoo keepers.

Zhanna’s arrival is significant for numerous reasons including the fact that Siberian, or Amur, tigers are critically endangered; there are fewer than 500 living in small populations in far eastern Russia and northeast China. Loss of habitat due to logging activities, human encroachment and poaching are the main threats to their survival in the wild.

“We are so fortunate to have this magnificent tiger as part of our Delaware family,” said Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn. “She joins other zoo tigers as ambassadors for tiger conservation efforts worldwide. Zhanna’s presence takes us to a new level when it comes to the understanding of wildlife conservation in Delaware.”

"We are excited to welcome Zhanna to the Brandywine Zoo and introduce her to thousands of Delaware children and families,” said DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara. “Zhanna will inspire visitors to learn about endangered tigers around the world and better understand the importance of protecting their critical habitat."

“Our emphasis is to help educate people about tigers, the problems tigers face as an endangered species and the efforts zoos and other organizations are making to conserve them and their wild habitats,” said J. Gregory Ellis, president of the Delaware Zoological Society, the non-profit group that champions the Brandywine Zoo’s mission.

The Delaware Zoological Society provided the $75,000 funding needed to create Zhanna’s enclosure, which combined two existing exhibits. The Society’s funds are from memberships and contributions. The construction work was completed in July.

“Zoo staff are looking forward to caring for Zhanna,” said Brandywine Zoo Director Nancy Falasco. “Her new home has been almost completely redesigned and rebuilt. We are so pleased that our zoo keepers, experienced and trained in working with large cats, will have the opportunity to work with this magnificent animal.”

Zhanna was born on April 28, 2008 at the St. Louis Zoo. Her mother came from the Philadelphia Zoo and her father came from Russia and is considered one of the most genetically valuable tigers in North America. Zhanna is part of a litter of five – three females and two males. The males now reside at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. The second female was sent to the Indianapolis Zoo. The remaining female will stay with her mother at the St. Louis Zoo.

Tigers are solitary animals by nature, and are technically known as Amur tigers. Tigers in the wild have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years. In captivity, longevity may reach as high as 20 years.

Amur tigers are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Tiger Species Survival Plan. The plan is responsible for maintaining a genetically healthy population of tigers in North American Zoos, including the Amur. There are approximately 300 tigers in this program.

The last Amur tiger to reside at the Brandywine Zoo was Ashley, the beloved female cat who died in 2010. She was 20 years old at the time of her natural death.

The Brandywine Zoo and the other zoos mentioned herein are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Such facilities are dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader is global wildlife conservation, and an important link to helping animals in their native habitats. The Zoo is managed as part of Wilmington State Parks by the Division of Parks and Recreation with the support of the Delaware Zoological Society.

The public is invited to join the Delaware Zoological Society and contribute to the Brandywine Zoo. Visit the website at www.brandywinezoo.org for more information about membership and donations to support the Brandywine Zoo.

Vol. 41, No. 297