Buffalo Zoo welcomes new young male tiger Sungari

Buffalo Zoo Press Release & Photo

The Buffalo Zoo is excited to announce the arrival of Sungari, a young male tiger, who has joined the family. Born at the Saint Louis Zoo on Nov. 13, 2023, Sungari is currently 1 year and 3 months old.

Sungari comes to Buffalo on a Species Survival Plan recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. His arrival marks an exciting new chapter for the Buffalo Zoo, bringing back a male tiger for the first time since 2011.

While Sungari is still settling into his new surroundings, keepers are quickly discovering his laid back and vocal nature. He is beginning to come out of his shell, showing increasing comfort and interaction with his caretakers.

"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Sungari to the Buffalo Zoo family," said Lisa Smith, president and CEO. "He's a stunning young tiger with a charming personality, and we're already seeing him develop a strong bond with his keepers. We're confident our visitors will fall in love with him just as quickly as we have."

Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, are listed as endangered in the wild by the IUCN Red List. It was estimated in 2022 that around 350 remain in the species’ native habitat, the forests of the Russian far east and historically northeast China. Due to its native habitat, the Amur tiger is the only subspecies that has adapted to live in cold, northern climates.

Zhanna, the Buffalo Zoo’s 16-year-old tiger, is still here and will rotate with Sungari in the tiger habitat.

Visitors are encouraged to visit the Buffalo Zoo and welcome Sungari to his new home. More information on Sungari, including updates on his progress and public viewing times, will be available on the Buffalo Zoo’s website and social media channels.

Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo is a 501(c)(3) organization and is the third-oldest zoo in the U.S. Each year, the Buffalo Zoo welcomes nearly 400,000 visitors annually and is among the most visited tourist attractions in Western New York. Located on 23.5 acres of Frederick Law Olmsted’s beautiful Delaware Park, the site provides interactive and educational family experiences throughout the year. With a diverse collection of over 800 wild and exotic animals and more than 320 different species of plants, visitors are introduced to and inspired by nature each time they visit.

For more information, visit www.buffalozoo.org.