The world is watching a tiger cub in South Dakota, zoo says

The Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum in Sioux Falls issued another news release recently about its lone suriving Amur Tiger cub. It seems the cub is getting attention from media outlets all over the world, and lots of people are pulling for its survival.

Here’s the release from the zoo:

World watching amur tiger cub 

      The story of the sole surviving Amur Tiger cub at the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History has captivated the Sioux Falls area and is now touching people around the world.

      Many news outlets have been following the cub’s progress since its birth last month.  The story of the lone surviving cub out of a litter of six is now fascinating people from around the United States and globe.  Since the Great Plains Zoo released news of the surviving cub on August 4, the story has been picked up by more than 50 national and international news outlets including CBS News, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, CTV of Canada, the Miami Herald, the Las Vegas Sun, the Honolulu Advertiser, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Guardian of the United Kingdom, and even a Polish pet magazine.   

      “This shows people are truly concerned about these beautiful, endangered animals,” said Elizabeth A. Whealy, President and CEO of the Great Plains Zoo. “Every animal birth is special, but with fewer than 400 Amur Tigers left in the wild, this birth becomes even more significant.  The world is captivated by the success story of this cub.” 

      There are only 133 Amur Tigers in captivity in Association of Zoos and Aquarium (AZA) accredited zoos in the country.  The remaining cub is one of just four surviving Amur Tiger cubs born in U.S. zoos this year.

      The Amur Tiger cub continues to do well, now weighing about seven pounds.  Her eyes are fully open, her legs are gaining strength, and she is beginning to explore her surroundings.  The cub is also chuffling with the Zookeepers, meaning she is making the greeting sound Amur Tigers make to one another.    

      The Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with gates closing at 6:00 p.m. Visit the Zoo online at www.greatzoo.org or call 605-367-7003 for more information about the Zoo and Museum.