Current:Home > ScamsPair of rare Amur tiger cubs debuting at Minnesota Zoo are raising hopes for the endangered species -Global Capital Summit
Pair of rare Amur tiger cubs debuting at Minnesota Zoo are raising hopes for the endangered species
View
Date:2025-04-14 04:43:58
APPLE VALLEY, Minn. (AP) — A pair of rare Amur tiger cubs are making their public debut at the Minnesota Zoo, raising hopes for preserving an endangered species that’s native to far eastern Russia and northern China.
Andrei and Amaliya got to venture outside and feel the grass of their new home under their paws Wednesday for the first time since their 12-year-old mother, Dari, gave birth on May 23.
“They’ve done quite well since then,” zoologist Trista Fischer said. “We’ve monitored them very closely. Dari’s been fantastic. She’s provided outstanding maternal care. And so today we’ve reached the point where they’re fully vaccinated and they’re now about 40 to 45 pounds (18-20 kilograms).”
Scientists estimate the Amur tiger population is just around 400 to 500 in the wild. They were near the brink of extinction in the 1930s and 1940s but have recovered somewhat since then. It’s tricky to breed them, and around one in four Amur cubs don’t make it to adulthood, whether it’s in the wild or in captivity, she said. Poachers are another major threat.
But the Minnesota Zoo, located in the Minneapolis suburb of Apple Valley, has a long history of conserving tigers. Its Amur tigers have produced 57 cubs, 46 of which survived for at least 30 days. Of those 46, 21 have gone on to produce litters of their own, amounting to another 86 cubs. The births of Andrei and Amaliya raised the zoo’s population to seven Amur tigers, including their sire, Luka.
Fischer is the leading coordinator for the Tiger Species Survival Plan, a breeding program in the United States with facilities in other countries that works on a global level to preserve the big cats. The plan manages three groups of tigers: Sumatran, Malayan and Amur.
“This litter is so valuable to the population right now,” she explained, saying the genetic diversity of heathy tigers in human care could someday be used to help support populations in the wild.
Zoo spokesperson Zach Nugent said the cubs will remain housed together with their mom for about 18 months, before Andrei, the male, is moved to separate housing, around the same time a male cub in the wild would start venturing out on his own. Amaliya, the female, may spend a little more time with Dari, up to 24 months. Then Fischer will determine whether either cub should be bred, and potentially moved for that to another accredited zoo, which typically happens after the cubs are 2 years old.
“Aww, I love when they get their little Yoda ears,” Fischer said referring to the pointy ears of the Star Wars character as she watched Amaliya and Andrei explore the new terrain of their enclosure. She said it was an emotional, exciting and proud moment for her and her team.
“Our work’s not over, but all that work so far is really paying off in how well that these cubs are acclimating to a new surrounding, pretty much immediately,” she said as the little tigers roamed outside with their mother. “They’re showing a lot of resiliency, which is something that we work hard for in human care. We want these animals to have a lot of confidence and be able to adapt to new environments just as they’re doing today.”
___
AP writer Steve Karnowski reported from Minneapolis.
veryGood! (1)
Related
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Amari Cooper injury updates: Browns WR's status vs. Jets is up in the air
- Kansas State celebrates Pop-Tarts Bowl win by eating Pop-Tarts mascot
- A Qatari court reduces death sentence handed to 8 retired Indian navy officers charged with spying
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- North Carolina retiree fatally struck by U.S. Postal Service truck, police say
- School bus camera captures reckless truck driver in Minnesota nearly hit children
- Apple Watch ban is put on hold by appeals court
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- Ariana Grande Addresses Assumptions About Her Life After Challenging Year
Ranking
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Rare footage: Drone captures moose shedding both antlers. Why do moose antlers fall off?
- Man led Las Vegas police on chase as he carjacked bystanders, killed father of 7
- Poland says an unidentified object has entered its airspace from Ukraine. A search is underway
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- New Hampshire casino to shut down for 6 months, could re-open if sold by owner accused of fraud
- Tom Smothers, half of iconic Smothers Brothers musical comedy duo, dies at 86
- Stock market today: Asian stocks mixed in muted holiday trading as 2023 draws to a close
Recommendation
Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
China appoints a new defense minister after months of uncertainty following sacking of predecessor
Cardi B Weighs in on Her Relationship Status After Offset Split
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh dodges NFL questions, is focused on Rose Bowl vs. Alabama
California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
Chick-fil-A rest stop locations should stay open on Sundays, some New York lawmakers argue
Out of office? Not likely. More than half of Americans worked while on vacation in 2023
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse chancellor fired for appearing in porn videos