A Sumatran Tiger, which has called the Akron Zoo home since 2009, will be on the way to London very soon.
Jae Jae is being transferred to the London Zoo where he will be paired with a female tiger for breeding purposes. Jae Jae's last day in the exhibit will be on Friday, October 12th.
Jae Jae was born at the San Francisco Zoo in 2008, and arrived in Akron the following year.
The Sumatran Tiger is considered to be critically endangered, with only about 300 left in the wild.
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(press release) AKRON, Ohio – One of the Akron Zoo’s male Sumatran tigers, Jae Jae, will be leaving for the London Zoo soon. Jae Jae arrived at the Akron Zoo in 2009 from the San Francisco Zoo where he was born in 2008. He is being transferred to the London Zoo to be paired with a female Sumatran tiger for breeding purposes as part of the Sumatran Tiger Species Survival Plan® (SSP). The London Zoo will feature the pair in their new tiger exhibit, Tiger Territory, which will open in the spring 2013.
Jae Jae will continue to be on exhibit through October 12, 2012. Starting October 13, 2012, the zoo’s other male tiger, Berani, will be on exhibit every day. Berani was born at the National Zoo in 2001 and arrived in Akron from the San Antonio Zoo earlier this year.
The female tiger that Jae Jae will be paired with, Melati, came to the London Zoo from the Perth Zoo in Australia last month.
“We are sad to see Jae Jae leave Akron, but very excited and proud to participate in the Sumatran Tiger SSP and work with the London Zoo. This is a great example of how the global zoo community is working to help this endangered species to make sure it is sustained for many generations,” commented L. Patricia Simmons, Akron Zoo President & CEO.
As a participant in the Sumatran Tiger SSP, the Akron Zoo is working with the SSP, the London Zoo and DHL International to safely transport Jae Jae to London from Akron. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums SSP programs work to conserve and manage a variety of threatened and endangered species in accredited zoos and aquariums across North America. Each SSP develops and manages breeding and transfer plans designed to meet the needs of a sustainable, healthy, genetically diverse population.
Sumatran tigers are indigenous to the Indonesian island of Sumatra and are classified as a critically endangered species. Today it is estimated that there are less than 300 Sumatran tigers left in the wild. The Akron Zoo, London Zoo, Sumatran Tiger SSP, European Endangered Species Breeding Program and the Global Species Management Program are working together to try to save Sumatran tigers in zoos, as well as in the wild. This international effort is making a difference for this critically endangered species.
The Akron Zoo is open 361 days a year. The Akron Zoo hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and admission is $10 for adults, $8.50 for senior citizens, $7 for children (ages 2-14). Children under two are free and parking is $2. For more information visit www.akronzoo.org or call (330) 375-2550.
Founded in 1953, the Akron Zoo is a non-profit, world conservation Zoo with over 700 animals from around the world. Located just west of Downtown Akron, the Zoo strives to provide a dynamic, financially responsible, guest centered animal experience that is energized by innovation and fun. The Akron Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.
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