Sumatran Tigers are listed as a critically endangered species, and a very special big cat had just arrived at his new home in Tampa Bay.
Everyone say hi to Bandar!
Bandar is the newest member of the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay family, he's a 9-year-old critically endangered male Sumatran tiger who's joined the parks diverse collection of more than 200 animal species.
Bandar was transferred to Busch Gardens from the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Special Survival Plan that manages and protects endangered species in accredited zoological facilities.
This 9-year-old Sumatran is the very first Sumatran tiger to be in the care of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay!
In his new habitat, he'll join Rukayah and Zahra, a Malayan and Bengal tiger, over in the Jungala realm of the park.
Next time you're in the park, be sure to stop by and pay Bandar a welcoming visit!
Sumatran Tigers are currently listed as a critically endangered species, with less than 400 tigers in the wild. These tigers are at the brink of extinction due to habitat loss, poaching, and human conflict within their environment.
With the new addition of Bandar, Busch Gardens announced that guests are able to book a ‘Tiger Insider Tour’ that allows them to learn more and have an up-close look at Bengal, Malayan, and Sumatran tigers.
“Watching Bandar settle into his new home is exciting and inspiring,” said Jenny Mendoza, Vice President- Zoological for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. “We are very thrilled to provide him with a home for him to thrive, share his story with our guests, and have our zoological facilities serve as a building block for the prosperous future of all tigers.”
