Two Sumatran Tigers Join Memphis Zoo to aid in Conservation

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Feb. 9, 2022) - We have welcomed two Sumatran Tigers to the Memphis Zoo family. Gusti, our male tiger, is 4 years old and full of energy. He’s a big, muscular boy who enjoys playing in his yard with enrichment. Dari, our female tiger, is 7 years old. She is very friendly, always “chuffing” at her keepers when they pass by. She is quite a bit smaller than Gusti and she has very fluffy “cheeks”! She is a feminine and petite tiger whereas Gusti is more muscular. They are both very vocal and you can often hear them calling to one another. The two tigers will be slowly introduced to one another when the keepers decide they are ready. If introductions are successful, you can look forward to seeing these two on exhibit with one another in the future!

With less than 250 left in the wild and only about 500 left in the world, Sumatran Tigers are critically endangered and need our help. The Memphis Zoo has been chosen as a home for two young Sumatran Tigers with hopes of expanding the population through a breeding program. The tigers that we raise will serve as ambassadors to their species to educate the public on their need for conservation to ensure their survival. They will also contribute to expanding the genetic pool of the Sumatran Tiger population living in zoos. By housing and possibly breeding Sumatran Tigers, the Memphis Zoo participates in a program called a Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is a formally and scientifically managed program to create an optimally sustainable population across facilities. Sumatran tigers are one of the rare species that are managed globally in zoos and related facilities. The SSP in North America partners with similar formally managed programs in Europe and Australasia to further optimize the diversity of the population. Memphis Zoo is honored to be a part of the conservation effort to save Sumatran Tigers from extinction.

About Sumatran Tigers
Sumatran Tigers are the smallest of the tiger subspecies, more than likely evolving from living on an isolated island habitat. They are native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Habitat loss and poaching are the two biggest threats to this critically endangered species. Zoos and related facilities collaborate to ensure that this species does not disappear from our planet forever.

About Memphis Zoo
Memphis Zoo, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is home to more than 3,500 animals representing more than 500 different species. Recently named as one of the top zoos in the country by TripAdvisor® and by USA Today, Memphis Zoo has completed over $118 million in renovations and expansion since the early 1990s. The Zoo’s animal inhabitants reside in one-of-a-kind exhibit, such as Once Upon A Farm, The Commercial Appeal Cat Country, Primate Canyon, Animals of the Night, Northwest Passage, Teton Trek, CHINA - home to giant pandas YaYa and Le Le, and the all-new Zambezi River Hippo Camp. Memphis Zoo was founded in 1906 and resides on 70 acres in the middle of Overton Park. It is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Memphis Zoo, YaYa and Le Le are trademarks of Memphis Zoo.

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Jessica Faulk

jfaulk@memphiszoo.org