Keepers at Woburn Safari Park have been over the moon to welcome a 165-kilogramme Amur tiger named Dmitri donated from ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
Having been born at the latter zoo in 2018, Dmitri is set to mark his arrival at the safari park by celebrating his fourth birthday on June 23.
Having been born at Whipsnade, he’ll share his nine-acre drive-through enclosure with Woburn’s female other tiger, Minerva, with hopes he will join her as an important member of the international breeding programme of the Amur tiger.
Amur tigers are the largest big cats on the planet, with males being able to grow to an incredible 320 kilogrammes.
Ben Davies, acting head of the carnivores section at Woburn said; “Woburn Safari Park is synonymous with tigers and Dmitri’s arrival couldn’t have come at a better time. His joining us is the start of an amazing new adventure for all the team here. He and Minerva will be able to assist in our fundraising campaign coinciding with the Year of the Tiger and we are sure that our visitors will love getting to know him!
“For the Woburn team, it will also be lovely to once again have another tiger at the park; after having to say a very sad goodbye to Elton, the park’s old male tiger, in January. Hopefully, one day we will also see Dmitri become a father to his own set of cubs, to help safeguard the future of this iconic species.”
Sarah Mcgregor, predators team leader at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, said: “We are all very excited for Dmitri to begin a new chapter as he leaves ZSL Whipsnade Zoo to start his next adventure at Woburn Safari Park. It has been such a privilege to have worked so closely with Dmitri since he was born here, and to get to watch him grow into the playful, inquisitive character he is today! Whilst he will be missed by our team and regular visitors, we are all very excited for what his future holds!”
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