Contraception for Wellington Zoo Tiger

19 October 2005

Contraception for Wellington Zoo Tiger

Wellington Zoo’s female Tiger Cantik will be anaesthetised tomorrow for a general health check up and to implant a contraceptive under her skin.

Following an initial anaesthetic dart, Cantik will be transported to the Wellington Zoo Hospital by Veterinary staff and Zoo Keepers for the procedure.

“We’re giving her a contraceptive implant so we can house her with her son Rokan in the same enclosure,” says Wellington Zoo Veterinarian, Kerri Morgan.

Zoo sponsor, Pacific Radiology will assist with the procedure offering their usual plethora of equipment and staff to X-ray Cantik’s knees and hips which have been showing signs of stiffness, indicating possible arthritis.

“We’re really pleased to be sponsored by Pacific Radiology. They’re a great support to us and their help means we can give the animals the best treatment possible,” says Kerri.

One of two Tigers at Wellington Zoo, Cantik is 13 years old and has given birth to two litters of cubs. All her offspring have been sent to other zoos, but Rokan is still at Wellington Zoo.

Endangered in the wild due to habitat destruction and illegal hunting for body parts, Sumatran Tigers are the smallest of the five remaining Tiger species in the world. Sumatran Tigers are closely related to the Javan and Balinese Tigers which are now extinct.

ENDS

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