SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The Rosamond Gifford Zoo plans to acquire new Amur tigers, but the process of getting new animals and bringing them to the zoo takes longer than one might think.
The Rosamond Gifford Zoo works with Species Survival Plan programs, or SSPs, to acquire new animals to help those endangered species. In the 1990s, the zoo constructed their tiger exhibit and committed to the Amur tiger SSP.
The Zoo then reaches out to the SSP, which is overseen by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, that manages the species they are trying to acquire. They discuss which animals would be the best fit, which accredited zoo they would come from, and more. Most animals are then transferred from other accredited zoos in the U.S., but occasionally they come from European zoos as well. The zoo transferring the animals and the zoo receiving the animals coordinate and arrange for shipment. According to Ted Fox, Director of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, you would be surprised that many animals are shipped on commercial airlines.
“You could be on a plane going to San Diego today, and there might be a whole bunch of animals in the cargo hold,” Fox said.
Some animals are too large for commercial airlines and the zoos make other arrangements. If the zoo the animals are coming from is within driving range, the two zoos will try to avoid shipping by plane and just drive to meet halfway instead. Fox said driving when possible is much safer and less stressful for everyone involved, both the animals and the animal care staff.
“We know how it feels for us to travel,” Fox said. “You have some anxiety, but you understand what’s happening. And knowing that the animal doesn’t really know, it’s really hard for them [the staff] because they want the animals to be as comfortable as possible.”
When new animals arrive at the Zoo, they are quarantined for at least 30 days so staff can make sure they are healthy. If the new animals are to be integrated in an exhibit that already houses members of that species, staff will do what is called “howdying.” During that time, the animals are put near each other so they can see and smell each other, but they are separated by a barrier so they cannot physically get to each other. Even after they are allowed to be in the same area, care staff are very observant to make sure that the animals stay safe.
Fox said visitors love new animals, but their personal connections with the species at the Zoo make any losses of older animals even more emotional.
“People in the community, these are their animals,” Fox said. “We don’t own them, the community does. We have members and regulars that come, they can recognize the different animals, they know them by name, they’ve talked to the keeper staff, the animal care staff, about what their favorite foods are and all those things, so there’s a much deeper connection than there ever has been before.”
The Zoo is looking into acquiring new Amur tigers as part of the SSP for the species after its male Amur tiger, Toma, passed away recently. Toma was 18 and his mate, Tatiana, is nearly 20 and in geriatric care. It is likely still going to be at least a few more months before visitors will see new tigers at the zoo, but the long process to get them here is already underway.
We are sad to share that Toma, our male Amur tiger here at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, has died at age 18. Toma was the…
Posted by Rosamond Gifford Zoo on Tuesday, October 1, 2019
