Toronto’s New Tigers Help Save Species
By Francois Zucco
The Toronto Zoo has renewed its effort in the
global fight to save the Amur tiger from
extinction, taking in two tigers last week.
As a participant in a world wide initiative
headed by the Species Survival Plan, the zoo will
take care of sibling tigers Kira and Vasili until
breeding partners can be found. The zoo
ensures the health of newborn cubs by
arranging exchanges with other menageries
such as those in Calgary or Japan.
Maria Franke, the curator of mammals at the
Toronto Zoo and a member of the tiger Species
Survival Plan committee in North America, says
the initiative has long-term goals.
“The whole purpose of the SSP is to maintain
genetic diversity over one hundred years,” says
Franke. “Tigers are moved and paired based on
their genetics for breeding.”
Kira and Vasili were born in the Calgary Zoo, but
approximately five hundred Amur tigers remain
on the verge of extinction in the wilderness of
eastern Siberia and north-eastern China.
They face stark odds. Tiger pelts and penises are
prized by poachers. Reduction in prey
populations and the destruction of their natural
habitats by humans have driven this sub-
species, also known as the Siberian Tiger, into a
final bastion around the Amur River. Franke
suggests that the worsening effects of climate
change could damage the population levels.
“The Amur is a northern cold-climate tiger, so
I’m sure there’s going to be adjustments in their
habitat,” says Franke. “It’s a matter of whether
these animals can adapt or evolve quick Despite progress, the fight to save the Amur
enough.” Tiger from extinction continues as the future
promises new challenges for the conservation
Continued efforts by the Tiger Conservation
campaign. Kira and Vasili, ignorant of their
Campaign, headed by the SSP, have offered
crucial role as saviours of their species, remain
hope.
content in their new home at the Toronto Zoo,
Data collected by the Russian Government in where visitors can see them and donate to their
2016 shows anti-poaching strategies have cause.
contributed to stabilizing tiger populations.
These tactics include anti-poaching patrols and
closing old logging roads to deny poachers
access to tiger habitats.

Franke explains some of the ways the SSP

makes an impact in other countries.

“We’re working with the Wildlife Conservation

Society to reduce tiger-human conflict by
constructing tiger-proof livestock pens in
villages and increasing awareness to local
communities about safe practices [around]
living with tigers, and the importance of
protecting tigers,” says Franke.

The Toronto Zoo maintains its fervent

involvement in tiger conservation. In addition to
participating in the breeding program, it has
contributed $20,000 to the Tiger Conservation
Campaign since 2008, hosting fundraisers for
the cause.

“We also have really passionate keepers that

work with both of our tiger species,” says
Franke. “They actually do a lot of tiger events
where they raise funds that are sent to help
with tiger conservation in the wild.”

Global cooperation is a central theme of the

cause to save tigers. Through the tiger SSP, the
Toronto Zoo is a part of a larger movement that
spans three continents.

“The Wildlife Conservation Society has a strong

footprint in tiger range countries,” says Franke.
“They’ve established, over the years, good
relations with governments, to then continue
their work to preserve tigers.”