Orphaned Tiger Cub from Beardsley Zoo Prepares to Move

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: October 15, 2021 12:10 am

Reka the Amur tiger when she was a cub at Conneticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Photo Credit: Jack Bradley

A female Amur tiger hand-reared by keepers at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is preparing to move to a new home. Reka will be transferred to another zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Reka and her sister Zeya had to be hand-reared by keepers after their mother Changbai showed no interest in caring for her cubs. From newborns with an uncertain future to young adults the pair have attracted many followers.

Reka the Amur tiger is preparing to move from her birthplace, Conneticut’s Beardsley Zoo to a new home at another AZA accredited zoo

Photo Credit: Jack Bradley

Last year Zeya was moved to Rosamond Gifford Zoo due to her being assessed as an excellent genetic match for their resident male. Now it is Reka’s turn to follow her sister and move on to ensure a future for her species.

Her move was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). This program recommends transfers with careful attention to gene diversity in the hope that successful breeding will take place.

The mother of Reka and Zeya, Changbai will remain at Conneticut’s Beardsley Zoo.

Reka’s new home will be announced once she has moved and complete a standard quarantine period. Here move is scheduled for later this fall.

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Amur tigers, formerly known as Siberian tigers, are the largest cats on Earth. They are considered critically endangered wild. It is believed they now occupy just 7% of their original range. They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo have celebrated success with breeding a number of endangered species. Over recent years this has included the tiger cubs, maned wolf pups, red wolf pups, giant anteater babies and two Amur leopard cubs.