Tigers at Edmonton Valley Zoo get bigger enclosure

The Edmonton Valley Zoo unveiled its new tiger enclosure Friday that’s double the size of the old one.

It’s the new home for Amba and Taiga, the zoo’s two Amur tigers (the species formerly known as Siberian tigers). Zoo staff hope their tigers will use the space to breed and increase the endangered species’ numbers.

“This investment demonstrates our commitment to protecting this amazing species and supporting wildlife conservation in general,” Lindsey Galloway, director of the Edmonton Valley Zoo, said in a news release.

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The new $1.1 million enclosure gives the tigers nearly 4,900 square metres (16,000 square feet) to roam around. It also features new viewing areas and enhanced lighting.

The zoo is also donating a portion of proceeds to protect tigers in the wild. There are fewer than 500 wild Amur tigers alive today, and they mainly live in eastern Russia but may also exist in North Korea and China.

The Edmonton Valley Zoo reopened on June 15 after being closed because of the pandemic. There are still safety precautions in place, and those wishing to visit can book a ticket online.