The Denver Zoo brings a grand offering to guests in 2016, with a new tiger exhibit, called The Edge opening this summer.
Located on almost a full acre on the southeastern edge of the park, The Edge will bring guests closer than ever to the Zoo’s Amur tigers. The expansive, open space will also offer several unique ways to safely connect with these magnificent creatures and to see them from multiple perspectives in yards that mimic their species’ native habitat. The Edge is tentatively scheduled to open to the public in late June. The Edge is made possible through a combination of $2.2 million Better Denver Bond Funds from the City and County of Denver and $300,000 from the Zoo. “I am thrilled to offer these two new features this year,” says Denver Zoo President/CEO Shannon Block. “Seeing tigers up close in this new setting will help inspire guests to love these amazing creatures”.
About The Edge:
As guests approach, they will see the tiger yards up close, at ground level. Rounded, connecting bridges will allow tigers to stride 12 feet over visitors’ heads. The inside of the exhibit’s guest viewing area will feature a perforated wall with small holes forming an artistic design. As guests walk closer, the design will appear to fade away as they discover those holes lead directly into the yards, six exposed inches from the 450 pound cats. This will allow for very unique interactions as guests will be able to smell and even hear tigers through mesh, in addition to seeing them.
The Edge will increase the tigers’ outdoor space by almost 50 percent. A dozen, 120-year-old pine trees scattered throughout the habitat will provide them shade and simulate their natural, forest environment. Large pools will also keep them cool and let them splash and play for enrichment.
Just out front of the exhibit will be a small, multi-level seating area to provide guests different perspectives to see the cats as zookeepers work with them in daily demonstrations.
Finally, a 3,000-square-foot facility in the back of the exhibit will allow zookeepers and veterinarians to provide outstanding animal care with plenty of room to administer procedures, move cats back and forth smoothly and train them to assist in their own health care, like offering their tails for vaccines and blood draws.
The exhibit is called The Edge for a few reasons. First, to illustrate just how close visitors will get to tigers. Second, to reflect the appearance of the new exhibit, which looks as though it’s on the edge of a forest. Finally, to serve as a reminder to guests that although the species is on the edge of extinction, with continued conservation efforts they can be saved. This exhibit is contributing to conservation by caring for the population of Amur tigers in human care.
Amur tigers are the largest living member of the cat family. Adults males can grow up to 12-feet long, from nose to tail, and weigh more than 450 pounds. Adult females can grow up to 9-feet-long and weigh up to 370 pounds. Amur tigers also have longer, thicker fur than other tiger species due to the harsh winter conditions in their habitat.
Amur tigers are classified as critically endangered, with an estimated population of less than 400 individuals remaining in the wild. These animals were once called Siberian tigers because they were found throughout Siberia. They are now almost completely confined to the Far East portion of Asia, along the Amur River, and because of this they are now commonly called Amur tigers. In addition to habitat loss, the biggest threats to these tigers comes from poaching, both for their fur and their other body parts which are used in traditional Chinese medicine.