Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium Welcomes Baby White Tigers

June 16th, 2009

A pair of rare white tiger cubs is now on display at Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium. About 1 month old, the female cubs will be featured at an indoor exhibit during the warm summer months at the all-new Wildlife World Aquarium.  In addition to fish from all over the globe, Arizona’s only major aquarium complex features reptiles, birds, and some mammals.  Visitors will be able to view the cubs behind a large glass panel as they eat, play and sleep.  
 
“The aquarium is an ideal location to temporarily display the cubs during the summer,” comments zoo director, Mickey Ollson.  “Their indoor exhibit is climate controlled for the young cubs and for our visitors, too.”  Eventually, the cubs will be relocated to a permanent outdoor exhibit in the fall when daytime temperatures moderate.
 
While the zoo’s grounds are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the aquarium offers guests additional viewing opportunities, as it is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.  The extended aquarium-only evening hours also allow visitors to enjoy cooler evenings and to take advantage of reduced admission pricing after 5 p.m.  Guests can also enjoy dinner at the Tiburón Restaurant, sip a cool drink on the spacious patio in the Flamingo Lounge and even get soaked on the log flume ride.
 
“It’s a great way for families to beat the heat and see animals during the summer,” comments Ollson.
 
All subspecies of tiger are endangered with poaching and habitat loss as the two most significant threats to tiger survival.  One hundred years ago, there were as many as 9 species of tiger spread throughout Asia and Indonesia with a population numbering in the tens of thousands.  Recent surveys suggest that fewer than 2000 tigers (representing 5 or 6 subspecies left) remain in their original home ranges.