Korol and Kunali Moving to Alaska

2 Rosamond Gifford Zoo tigers going to Alaska

by Pedro Ramirez III
Wednesday May 21, 2008, 9:10 AM

Syracuse, NY - Two tigers born at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in 2004 will be leaving Syracuse for a new home at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage, zoo officials said today.

Korol and Kunali were born on June 7, 2004. The exact date they are leaving has not been determined, zoo officials said, adding that visitors will have a couple of weeks to say bye to the Amur tigers. Korol and Kunali leave behind father (Karana), mother (Tatiana), and sister (Naka), all of which remain on exhibit on the Wildlife Trail at Rosamond Gifford Zoo.

The move was recommended by the Species Survival Plan (SSP), a program administered by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Amur tigers, also called Siberian tigers, are an endangered species with less than 400 animals left in the wild.

"We are looking forward to having Korol and Kunali join our family," says Patrick Lampi, executive director of the Alaska Zoo.

Alaska Zoo keepers will come to Syracuse to travel with Korol and Kunali on a special Federal Express flight to Anchorage.