Zoo welcomes the New Malayan Tiger

Posted by Craig Newberry, Communication
Photos of Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo welcomes a new tiger to its naturalistic Banyan Wilds habitat. Male Tiger Angin (I-Yin), 14, arrived from Ellen Trout Zoo in Texas and is now roaming the Zoo’s Malayan Tiger-Habitat.

Angin, which means wind in Indonesian, is the brother of Woodland Park Zoo’s second male Malaysian tiger, 14-year-old Bumi (boo-mee), which means soil in Indonesian. Tigers are lonely animals, so guests do not see the brothers or 8-year-old Azul, the zoo female Malaysian tiger roaming around the habitat. All three big cats will be on a rotational plan in the habitat.

Angin weighs approx. 260 pounds and has spent the last few weeks getting to know his new home and animal holders. While Angin’s Animal Keepers has only known him for a short time, he has already made a big impression and has a similar personality as his brother Bumi and is more reserved; He also enjoys playing in the water.

Want to see tigers in action? Woodland Park Zoo has demonstrations of Tiger training at. 11:30 every Saturday and Sunday. Zoo’s animal holders will show how they work with these huge predators safely, as well as how these workouts allow the tigers to participate in their own health care system.

Malayan tigers are a critically threatened species with only approx. 300 left in nature. In total, there are six subspecies of tigers: Malayan tigers are slightly smaller than Bengal Tigers and are found in the tropical and subtropical moist broad -leaved forests of the southern tip of Thailand and peninsular Malaysia.

In an attempt to save these iconic large cats of extinction, Woodland Park Zoo created a partnership with Panthera and Rimba, a field partner at the Zoo in 2012, to launch the Malaysian tiger conservation project. This project is now entering its second 10-year initiative with Terengganu State Government to protect tigers in and around Taman Negara National Park in Peninsular Malaysia.

While the decline of the population of these massive cats is serious, there is still plenty of hope for their future, and many steps that everyone can take to protect them. The biggest threats to their survival are trade in wildlife and loss of habitats – much of it related to the palm oil industry.

You can help protect tigers:

Find certified, sustainable palm oil. Palm oil is common in many sweets, foods and household products. The Malaysian tigerhabitat has been decimated by the creation of unsustainable palm oil plantations trying to follow the global palm oil demand. Fortunately, many companies have changed to use certified, sustainable palm oil. For cute occasions, use this treat guidance that pleases your loved ones and saves forests and wildlife a world away. The guide contains companies that are actively working to make a difference.

Learn more about the Malaysian Tiger Conservation Project And the successes that the program has already celebrated. Visit www.zoo.org/tigers. If you would like to make a gift for Tiger Conservation, visit www.zoo.org/donate, where you can write “Malayan Tigers” in the notes to the design box to make sure 100% of your gift supports this program.

Be a knowledgeable traveler! When looking for souvenirs abroad, remember that some jewelry and ornaments may be made of illegally cooked animal parts. Don’t be afraid to ask what the product is made of and where it came from. By making informed choices, you can avoid getting your souvenir confiscated and you will support the preservation of wildlife around the world. Visit Seasavvytravel.org to take the knowledgeable Traveler promotion and pick up wildlife-friendly tips for your next adventure.

Adopt a tiger. Show your love for tigers with a Malayan tiger recording. The Zooparent program supports ZOO’s animal care, education and nature protection efforts in the Northwest Pacific and all over the world.