The Racine Zoo in Wisconsin announced last week that their endangered Amur Tiger, Changbai, died on Sunday, July 26, at the age of 19 years, 2 months.
The decision to humanely euthanize her came after her health quickly went downhill. The zoo remembers her for her independence, playful personality and bond with her keepers.
Here in Connecticut, we remember her as a beautiful, powerful resident of the Beardsley Zoo.
I believe I witnessed a miracle on August 21, 2017, visit to the zoo during a total solar eclipse. Many animals were behaving differently and the two adult tigers were extremely amorous. On November 25, Changbai gave birth to four cubs. Sadly, only two females survived but they were rejected by their mom and hand-raised by zoo staff.
The majestic Changbai remained a favorite of zoo visitors for her playful demeanor and beauty. But the cubs, Reka and Zeya, were adored as they grew from cute, clumsy, playful little babies to stunningly beautiful, graceful adults. (Always separated from their mother)
The Cubs
In October 2021 Zeya was sent to Rosamond Gifford Zoo, in Syracuse, NY, as an excellent genetic match to that Zoo’s resident male tiger, Thimbu. The pair bonded immediately and on April 29, 2023, Zeya gave birth to two cubs, a male, Zuzaan, and a female, Coba
Unlike her mother, though, Zeya’s instinct instantly kicked in with her cubs, and was an exceptional mother since their birth. You can see photos and video of Zeya and her cubs at the Rosamond Gifford Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/syracusezoo
In November 2021 Reka went to the Saint Louis Zoo in Missouri. On November 21, 2023, she became the proud mother of triplets, two boys Ussuri and Sungari, and one girl, Darya. Like her sister, Reka immediately proved to be an excellent mother.
You can see photos and videos of Reka and her cubs on the St. Louis Zoo Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/stlzoo
Changbai was the last Tiger at the Beardsley Zoo. On October 2, 2023 she left for her new home so construction of the long-awaited larger Tiger enclosure could begin. It’s been nearly 3 years, and on a recent visit, I was dismayed to see that nothing has changed in the cramped old tiger exhibit area.
Changbai’s legacy lives on through her daughters and grandchildren, and all of the happy memories she left with us over the many years she spent in our backyard. Rest easy beautiful girl. You can now roam free without barriers.