The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has announced the development of a new enclosure at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo for its pair of endangered Sumatran tigers.
Tiger Tracks will launch in June and be the new home for Jambi and Baginda, the adult breeding pair that experts at the conservation charity hope will eventually go on to have cubs and increase the numbers of the species.
Work on the new enclosure will begin shortly, and a new picnic and play area are also being developed to the north of Tiger Tracks, and are scheduled to open to the public this Easter.
A new home
Tiger Tracks will be more than three times the size of the existing Sumatran tiger enclosure at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo and development is set to cost in the region of half a million pounds.
It will feature a ground level viewing tunnel for visitors, covered pathways, a high level viewing area, feeding post and cubbing den.
Tiger Tracks will also boast climbing structures for the tiger pair, heated rocks to relax on, ponds to splash in and a new indoor house.
Visually, the enclosure will reflect elements of an Indonesian tiger reserve in its design.
Darren McGarry, head of Living Collections at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, said: “The enclosure will be as natural as possible and highly immersive. One of the key features of Tiger Tracks will be a glass viewing tunnel that will make visitors feel as if they have walked right into the enclosure itself and come face to face with a powerful Sumatran tiger.”
More about Sumatran tigers
The Sumatran tiger is a subspecies of tiger found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra and it is estimated that fewer than 400 of these majestic tigers are left in the wild.
Whilst these tigers are protected by law in Indonesia, increased deforestation and poaching has led to their significant decline and, without help, the Sumatran tiger faces the threat of extinction.
Group visitors
GTOs booking for parties of ten or more will receive discounted rates, and should call 0131-314 0326 or e-mail info@rzss.org.uk to book tickets.
For further information visit www.edinburghzoo.org.uk.
We take a look at some of the biggest new openings for groups to consider…
Organisers of the Glow Marwell Christmas event at Marwell Zoo near Winchester have promised that this year’s illuminated trail will be bigger and better than ever before.
Tickets for Longleat’s huge winter event, The Festival of Light, are on sale with groups able to uncover iconic stories throughout.
The award-winning musical by Jethro Compton and Darren Clark will transfer to the West End following a sold-out run at Southwark Playhouse.
