AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL
MEDIA RELEASE
13 September 2006
Sumatran tiger about to clear customs
One of the most highly anticipated arrivals at Auckland Zoo is just days away. Sumatran tiger Oz is on his way from
Israel and will touch down at Auckland Airport on Thursday, 14 September.
Twenty-month-old Oz (Hebrew for strength, courage and power) from Ramat Gan Zoo, Tel Aviv, will be transported from the
airport to the zoo before undergoing health checks. All going well, Oz should be ready to start “meeting his public”
early next week.
Oz’s arrival holds special significance, as he will enable the zoo to progress its captive breeding programme for this
critically endangered species, which now numbers fewer than 400 in the wild. The original plan was for Oz to breed with
Nisha, the zoo’s only female Sumatran tiger, but Nisha died suddenly earlier this year and her sister Molek, is heading
up from Hamilton Zoo later this year to be paired with Oz.
Auckland Zoo has spent the last year preparing for Oz’s arrival. The preparations include a brand-new, state-of-the-art
enclosure, which is located in the newly branded “Bakers Delight Tiger Territory”. His enclosure offers visitors to the
zoo a great opportunity to see Oz through a large glass-viewing window. Carnivore’s team leader Andrew Coers says, “We
designed his enclosure to maximise the experience visitors to the zoo will have. If Oz is near the front of the exhibit,
you will be just metres away!”
Integral to bringing Oz to Auckland has been the zoo’s “Tiger Time” campaign, which raised money to help build the new
enclosure. This campaign also contributed to the zoo’s conservation fund, which supports the 21st Century Tiger Project
to protect tigers in the wild of Sumatra. Andrew says, “We see the support of this project as fundamental to assist all
Sumatran tigers, and the zoo will continue to support this project.”
The introduction of the new tigers and their enclosures has also attracted a major new sponsor to Auckland Zoo – the
popular baking chain Bakers Delight.
Bakers Delight Country Manager Colleen Milne says, “We are delighted to provide official support for the zoo’s new
tigers – Oz and Molek. We value our new partnership with Auckland Zoo and feel a natural affinity with its family
audience and wholesome values.
“We know the Bakers Delight Tiger Territory will be a wonderful addition to Auckland Zoo and hope that everyone will
visit this amazing new attraction to meet them in person. We are privileged to be involved in such an important
initiative that will have a significant role in saving this critically endangered species”
With just days to go before Oz arrives, the excitement for the “Tiger Team” zookeepers is high. Andrew Coers says, “We
have been looking forward to and preparing for this day for over a year! I know everyone at the Zoo is excited about
Oz’s arrival, including the tiger team of course! We all feel incredibly privileged to be part of what the breeding
programme aims to achieve.”
Viewing of Oz in his new enclosure is subject to health and vet checks. Auckland Zoo recommends public check
www.aucklandzoo.co.nz for updated information to avoid disappointment.
ENDS