Media release

31 August 2013

Tiger Weekend

Auckland Zoo is celebrating and raising awareness of the plight of Sumatran tigers, as there are less than 400 left in the wild! There will be tiger encounters (12.30pm and 3pm), tiger storytime at the Band Rotunda (10.30am), facepainting, tiger chalk art, fun tiger games and activities, plus you can learn about tiger patrol units and what Auckland Zoo is doing to help tigers in the wild.

Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 August 2013, 10am - 4pm

Normal Zoo admission fees apply

Did you know?

§ The tiger is the largest member of the cat family.

§ A tiger's night-time vision is six times better than that of a human

§ Tail twitching tells a tale, especially the excitement of an impending hunt - this impulse still prevails in domestic cats.

§ Stripes provide camouflage against the shadows of leaves, so prey is often unaware of the stalking tiger.

§ Unlike most cats, tigers are keen swimmers; they also use water as a way of cooling off.

§ They move slowly and quietly to stalk their prey for up to 30 minutes

§ Their front paws are large and strong, with retractable claws, designed to bring down prey. A tiger will pull their claws in while walking, helping to keep them sharp.

Conservation

The decline of tiger populations inspired conservation measures to protect it in the wild. Education and anti-poaching laws are key components of tiger conservation programmes, as deforestation and poaching remain the greatest threats to all six sub-species of tiger.

How Auckland Zoo is helping

Through the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund and 21st Century Tiger, Auckland Zoo supports wildlife conservation projects in Sumatra that help protect and conserve the Sumatran tiger.

Ends

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