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Amur Tiger
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Panthera
Species: tigris
Range & Habitat
Northern China, Korea and eastern part of the Soviet. Forests in shrub covered mountain sides up to 3,000 feet, and in reed thickets.
Reproduction & Growth
Tigers mate at any time during the year. The female shows she is ready to mate by leaving urine deposits and scratch marks on the trees. She is receptive for only three to seven days. During this time, the pair will court, play and will mate many times after which the male leaves to mate with another female. Females rear cubs alone (usually 2-4) weighing about 2-3 pounds each, which are born blind and helpless. At about eight weeks of age they leave the den to follow their mother as she hunts for food. She keeps grunting softly so they will follow her and when ready to hunt she will bed them down in concealed brush. A female tiger with cubs must kill every 5-6 days. Cubs are totally dependent on their mother for food until they are approximately 18 months old, and may continue to use their mother's range until they are 2-2 1/2 years old. They then disperse to seek their own home ranges as young adults, living on the periphery. Sexual maturity is reached by three-four years of age.
 Diet - Carnivore
In the Wild: Deer, wild boar, elk, badger, hare, salmon and other fish.
In the Zoo: Natural Balance Beef Carnivore diet, beef, chicken, rabbit, and beef bones.
General Information
The largest living member of the Felidae. This species is threatened with extinction. 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.
 No two tigers have the same pattern of stripes. Face markings can be used like man's fingerprints to identify individuals. They can tolerate temperatures as low as minus 45 degrees F, due to long, thick fur coat and a fat layer as much as two inches thick on its belly and flanks. Their vision is six times more acute than that of humans under poor illumination, making them mainly nocturnal. They are normally solitary except for courting pairs and females with their young. They are primarily terrestrial, but are excellent swimmers. Tigers construct several dens throughout their territory beneath fallen trees, rocks, in stone cavities or rotten thickets.
Tigers hunt alone, depending on sight and hearing more than smell; actively searching for prey more often than waiting in ambush( when stalking, they stay under cover, their stripes being effective camouflage). They attack from the side or from the rear, seizing prey by the shoulders, back or neck. For larger prey, a throat bite is used causing strangulation. Only one in 10-20 tries to catch major prey is successful. Strong, curved canines serve as daggers, the tiger's most important weapon. Their only enemies are humans. Their life expectancy is approximately 15 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity.
 In the Zoo
Zhanna, the female Amur tiger, arrived at the Brandywine Zoo in June 2011. She was born on April 28, 2008 at the St. Louis Zoo. Her mother was born at the Philadelphia Zoo and her father came from Russia as an orphaned tiger (his mother was killed by poachers). 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 stayed with her mother at the St. Louis Zoo.
Species Survival Plan
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 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 in global wildlife conservation, and an important link to helping animals in their native habitats.
WATCH OUR VIDEOS:
Delaware 28TV video about Zhanna
WWTV 22 video about Zhanna
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