Albuquerque’s zoo welcomes second tiger, hopes to save endangered species
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Can Albuquerque’s Zoo help save a critically endangered species? That’s the new hope as the BioPark welcomes a second tiger for part of a special new program.
A three-year-old male Malayan Tiger named Triton just got to the zoo about two weeks ago. Soon, he’ll be paired up with a female tiger in hopes that the duo can start a family.
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She’s lived alone at the ABQ BioPark for roughly six months, but now the female Malayan Tiger named Arya will soon have a partner. The zoo is hoping the two tigers will hit it off.
“They are critically endangered, there’s only about 150 left in the wild so any birth is incredibly important for the conservation of the species,” says Casey Taylor, Assistant Mammal Curator for the ABQ BioPark.
Now visible for zoogoers, Triton came to Albuquerque from Palm Beach, Florida. His arrival comes after a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which hopes Triton and Arya will be compatible mates. Although the goal is to eventually breed the two tigers, they say introductions will be slow and could take several months.
“If they show that they don’t want to be together, this is not something that we can force. We can’t force two tigers to get along if they are not liking each other so we won’t push it,” says Taylor.
Zoogoers say it’s exciting news. “I think that that’s great if we can help repopulate I mean I’m all for that,” says Ashley Chavez, a zoogoer.
The zoo has had a couple other male Malayan Tigers in years past including one most recently named ” Bunga” who was moved to a Mississippi zoo in October. The tiger’s newly revamped habitat also includes a dedicated maternity den, made for breeding and caring for cubs.
