Amur Tiger Changbai Departs as Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Prepares for New Tiger Habitat
Phase One of a Multi-Year Plan Begins This Fall
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – September 28, 2023 – Changbai, a sixteen-year-old Amur tiger and the mother of cubs born at the Zoo in 2017, is scheduled to depart Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. Born on May 24, 2007, Changbai arrived at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo in January 2017 from the Philadelphia Zoo. After a brief transfer to the Columbus Zoo, Changbai returned in 2020. Her departure is scheduled for early next week. After the birth of two endangered Amur tiger cubs in November 2017, the Zoo began a campaign to create a new, more spacious home for its tigers. Pamela Kochiss Werth first stepped forward with a $1 million pledge for a new tiger habitat, with additional funds raised from Zoo supporters. In April 2022, the Zoo received $4.1 million in funding from the state in bond awards, which made the new tiger habitat a reality. |
With Changbai’s departure, Phase One of the multi-year plan is ready to begin. Architect’s renderings are now finalized, and a plan for construction will shortly be underway. The first step will be demolition of the existing holding facility, followed by construction of the new indoor holding area. The new building will be double the size of the existing one, with maternity and neo-natal spaces designated, along with a kitchen and specialized animal care areas.
Phase Two will be a redesign and expansion of the outdoor habitat. The total cost estimate for both phases is $4.5 million, with $3 million for Phase Two allocated from bond funds awarded to the Zoo by the state in 2022.
“The existing tiger habitat was built several decades ago and has long been on our list to expand and renovate. We’re very excited to begin the plan to create a larger habitat for our tigers’ welfare,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “Zoos today serve as arks for endangered species, offering both a place of sanctuary and a Species Survival Plan to ensure that the species doesn’t vanish.
“Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo continually adapts over the years to new standards in animal welfare and conservation,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “ With this latest Zoo improvement, we continue to lead the way into a brighter future. Our heartfelt thanks to Pamela Kochiss Werth, all of our generous Zoo donors, and the state for the bond funds.”
Amur tigers are very rare and are critically endangered in the wild. According to the AZA, today Amur tigers are thought to occupy less than seven percent of their original range. Threatened by habitat loss and degradation, poaching, tiger-human conflict and loss of prey, four of nine subspecies have disappeared from the wild just in the past hundred years. The future of the Amur tiger has been a major concern of the world’s zoos for many years.
About Amur tigers
The Amur, or Siberian tiger, is a rare subspecies of tiger, and the largest cat in the world. Adult male tigers can weigh up to 675 pounds, with females weighing up to 350 pounds. Similar to people’s fingerprints, no two tigers have the same striped pattern. Amur tigers differ from other tigers with fewer, paler stripes, and a mane that helps to keep them warm. They live in southeast Russia as well as small areas of China and North Korea. They live for 10-15 years in the wild, and up to 22 years in human care.
Phase Two will be a redesign and expansion of the outdoor habitat. The total cost estimate for both phases is $4.5 million, with $3 million for Phase Two allocated from bond funds awarded to the Zoo by the state in 2022.
“The existing tiger habitat was built several decades ago and has long been on our list to expand and renovate. We’re very excited to begin the plan to create a larger habitat for our tigers’ welfare,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “Zoos today serve as arks for endangered species, offering both a place of sanctuary and a Species Survival Plan to ensure that the species doesn’t vanish.
“Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo continually adapts over the years to new standards in animal welfare and conservation,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “ With this latest Zoo improvement, we continue to lead the way into a brighter future. Our heartfelt thanks to Pamela Kochiss Werth, all of our generous Zoo donors, and the state for the bond funds.”
Amur tigers are very rare and are critically endangered in the wild. According to the AZA, today Amur tigers are thought to occupy less than seven percent of their original range. Threatened by habitat loss and degradation, poaching, tiger-human conflict and loss of prey, four of nine subspecies have disappeared from the wild just in the past hundred years. The future of the Amur tiger has been a major concern of the world’s zoos for many years.
About Amur tigers
The Amur, or Siberian tiger, is a rare subspecies of tiger, and the largest cat in the world. Adult male tigers can weigh up to 675 pounds, with females weighing up to 350 pounds. Similar to people’s fingerprints, no two tigers have the same striped pattern. Amur tigers differ from other tigers with fewer, paler stripes, and a mane that helps to keep them warm. They live in southeast Russia as well as small areas of China and North Korea. They live for 10-15 years in the wild, and up to 22 years in human care.
So, You Want to Move a Tiger—Sure, No Problem!
Have you ever wondered how many people it takes to move a tiger? Our Animal Curator Rob Tomas explains the process of moving an Amur tiger and keeps count of just how many people are involved in the process in his blog post here.
FAQ
Where is Changbai going?
Changbai is going to another Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited Zoo, where she will receive care that meets the most rigorous standards for animal welfare. She'll continue to be an ambassador for her species there.
Where is the new zoo?
Changbai's new home is the Racine Zoo in Wisconsin!
Why is Changbai leaving?
We're excited to begin construction on our long-planned new tiger habitat. Phase One will begin with the demolition of the existing building. There won't be space to house tigers during construction.
Will the new habitat be bigger?
The new building will be double in size, with space for maternity and neo-natal areas, a kitchen for on-site meal prep, and animal care areas. The surrounding outdoor habitat will also be substantially larger.
How long will construction take?
Architectural drawings are finalized! Removing the old holding facility and building a new, spacious, modern building is next for Phase One. Phase Two will be the creation of the outdoor tiger yard. We anticipate that the process will take two to two-and-a-half years.
Will Changbai return?
No. At sixteen years old, she is an older member of her species. The new building is being created to meet the need for the AZA's Species Survival Plan (SSP), which means young tigers will be making their home here when construction is complete.
Changbai is going to another Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited Zoo, where she will receive care that meets the most rigorous standards for animal welfare. She'll continue to be an ambassador for her species there.
Where is the new zoo?
Changbai's new home is the Racine Zoo in Wisconsin!
Why is Changbai leaving?
We're excited to begin construction on our long-planned new tiger habitat. Phase One will begin with the demolition of the existing building. There won't be space to house tigers during construction.
Will the new habitat be bigger?
The new building will be double in size, with space for maternity and neo-natal areas, a kitchen for on-site meal prep, and animal care areas. The surrounding outdoor habitat will also be substantially larger.
How long will construction take?
Architectural drawings are finalized! Removing the old holding facility and building a new, spacious, modern building is next for Phase One. Phase Two will be the creation of the outdoor tiger yard. We anticipate that the process will take two to two-and-a-half years.
Will Changbai return?
No. At sixteen years old, she is an older member of her species. The new building is being created to meet the need for the AZA's Species Survival Plan (SSP), which means young tigers will be making their home here when construction is complete.