Dickerson Park Zoo Welcome A “Very Special Tiger”

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: December 15, 2021 11:20 am

Jango the tiger during his quarantine period at the Dickerson Park Zoo

Photo Credit: Dickerson Park Zoo

Dickerson Park Zoo have announced the arrival of a 'very special tiger.' Jango is a 7 year old Malayan tiger and is considered one of the most genetically valuable tigers in the North American population.

Jango has been in quarantine since his arrival at the Dickerson Park Zoo in early November. Recently he underwent a quarantine exit exam by Dickerson Park Zoo veterinarian Dr. Stephanie Zec.

During this exam vets also collected a sample of semen from Jango as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). This will preserve his genetic material for potential use in the future.

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“Jango is a very special tiger,” said Shelley Sandmaier, post-doctoral research fellow, Reproductive Sciences at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. “He currently ranks as the number one most genetically valuable male in the Malayan tiger population.”

Dickerson Park Zoo are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Members of the AZA share a mission to save species from extinction. At present the population of Malayan tigers is estimated at just 200 individuals.

“As we improve upon artificial reproductive technologies in big cats, his sperm may be used for artificial insemination procedures, ensuring his genetics can still be represented in the future. Jango now has the potential to contribute to the Malayan tiger population decades from now,” Sandmaier shared.

Currently Jango is off display. He is going through a process of adjusting to his new zookeepers and has begun introductions with female tiger, Berisi.

Learn more about Tigers here – Tiger Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the Dickerson Park Zoo on their website – Dickerson Park Zoo