Calgary Zoo says goodbye to 1 male tiger, hello to another
The Calgary Zoo is getting a new tiger that is expected to be a perfect match for female Sarma, and will hopefully lead to the pitter patter of little paws.
Sarma, a 10-year-old Amur tiger, came to the zoo in 2017. A year later, another tiger, male Youri, came to the zoo from Quebec.
It was hoped the pair would mate as they were recommended for breeding by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Tiger Species Survival Plan (SPP) – described by the Calgary Zoo as a "modern-day dating app for animals."
However, Sarma and Youri have not successfully bred since they've been together.
As such, the zoo is bringing in a new match for Sarma found via the SPP: nine-year-old Samkha.
Samkha was born at the Calgary Zoo in 2012 but has lived in Winnipeg since 2014. (Assiniboine Park Zoo)Samkha was born at the Calgary Zoo in 2012 but has lived in Winnipeg since 2014.
He'll return to Calgary in the next few weeks.
“Sarma and Samkha are genetically valuable individuals within the global Amur tiger population," said the zoo's director of animal care, health and welfare Jamie Dorgan.
"Supporting them to successfully produce offspring is critical for the international efforts to save wild Amur tigers from extinction.”
Because Youri and Sarma weren't a successful match, Youri will be leaving the Calgary Zoo and instead live in the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg.
Youri will be leaving the Calgary Zoo and instead live in the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg. (Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo)"Until he has a new breeding recommendation, Youri will be reunited with his sister, Volga, who currently resides at the Assiniboine Park Zoo," a news release explained.
When Samkha arrives in early December he will spend a short time in quarantine before joining the other tigers.
Mating season for Amur tigers is typically December to January.
Tigers have a gestation period of three to four months and the average litter size is three or four cubs.
If Sarma and Samkha successfully mate, their cubs will likely stay at the Calgary Zoo until they mature, at which time they'd head off to new homes.
The last time the Calgary Zoo had tiger cubs was back in 2012.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.