By Trish Svoboda

The Rolling Hills Zoo announced the addition of Viktoria, a female Amur tiger.

As part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, Viktoria was relocated to Salina on a breeding recommendation from Roosevelt Park Zoo in North Dakota, where she was born in March 2022.

According to the Zoo, tigers are on the brink of extinction. Today, fewer than 3,900 live in a mere 4% of their historic range and there are estimated to be between only 265 – 486 Amur tigers remaining in the wild.

Habitat loss from deforestation and poaching make them one of the most endangered carnivores across the globe.

As part of the breeding plan, once Viktoria reaches maturity, the zoo will receive a male.