Oakland Zoo in California welcomed a new female tiger in July! The new addition is named Sitara, which is Hindu for “star”.
Sitara was one of five tigers rescued by the zoo. These tigers were abandoned at a private facility, and they all had physical ailments like blindness, arthritis, or spinal disease.
Oakland Zoo vets treated the tigers, then three of the tigers were transferred to other facilities for lifelong care. One of the tigers had health issues that were too extreme and had to be euthanized.
Sitara will stay on at Oakland Zoo as her permanent home. The Animal Care staff is training her so she learns how to navigate pools, a waterfall, raised platforms, grass, and vegetation in her new habitat. These are all features she’s never experienced before!
For thirty years, Oakland Zoo has rescued big cats who have been impacted by private ownership and the commercial wildlife trade. They work with government agencies and other accredited organizations to provide care and forever homes to big cats who have been mistreated.
To learn more and to support Oakland Zoo’s efforts, see their website.
For more information about tigers, see our article, Siberian Tiger.
