WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Wild tigers have become so rare, there are more of the animals in captivity than in the wild.
What You Need To Know
- The Tiger Forest invites visitors to observe and learn about three Malayan tigers named Api, Kadar and Olan
- The new tiger habitat at the Palm Beach Zoo has the big cats walking above guests and going behind the scenes to feed them
- Wild tigers have become so rare, there are more of the animals in captivity than in the wild
- The zoo prides itself on one-on-one animal encounters, including getting close to otters, tigers and birds
It’s estimated that about 4,500 still live in the wilderness.
The Palm Beach Zoo has created a new tiger habitat that allows the animals to walk above guests on large cat walks and even retreat to one of their bedrooms on zoo property.
Zoo curator Mike Terrell says the new space gives tigers the ability to be visible to visitors or to hide when they want.
“What that allows us to do is to move the tigers between the habitats, just like they would in the wild, and move between different spaces where they have different smells, different activities that they can participate in,” Terrell says.
Three Malayan tigers named Api, Kadar and Olan call the Tiger Forest home.
Guests can also go “behind the scenes” and watch experts feed the animals raw meat and ask questions about the tigers.
“It’s a great learning experience, where you get to see these large animals up close,” Terrell says.
The Palm Beach Zoo prides itself on unique experiences with its animals.
On any day, visitors may encounter a colorful McCaw or a porcupine eating some vegetables during strolls along the zoo pathways as part of its 12 animal encounters.
A number of exclusive animal experiences are separate from the zoo’s entry fee, such as meeting a panther, otter, koala bear or an Aldabra tortoise.
The cost to enter the Palm Beach Zoo is $35.95 for adults and $29.95 for children ages 3 to 12 years old.
