Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Amur Tiger

Ha, when I opened this photo this morning, I can see why I had never posted it before - too blurry for my liking! Taken at the Calgary Zoo on 16 April 2013. Not sure which two tigers these are - maybe Mom and one of her three cubs? Born on March 30, 2012, the two male cubs were almost full grown when they were moved to the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, on a recommendation from the Species Survival Plan (SSP), based on the genetics of these Endangered animals for future breeding. "The Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), also known as the Amur tiger, is a tiger subspecies inhabiting mainly the Sikhote Alin mountain region with a small population in southwest Primorye province in the Russian Far East. In 2005, there were 331–393 adult and subadult Amur tigers in this region, with a breeding adult population of about 250 individuals. The population had been stable for more than a decade due to intensive conservation efforts, but partial surveys conducted after 2005 indicate that the Russian tiger population is declining." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_tiger

All three "cubs" were in a sleepy heap along with Mom when I visited the Calgary Zoo on 16 April 2013. These are two of the cubs, who have grown so big that they aren't that much smaller than the adults now - still very playful, though. The three beautiful but endangered Amur Tiger cubs were born March 30, 2012 at the Calgary Zoo. They were out in the main enclosure, but I managed to zoom in fully to avoid most of the faint blur from the wire fence. Three new animals make such a wonderful addition to the endangered Amur Tiger population. By the way, the Tigers have a huge area of trees, grass, fallen logs and a small creek running through the area - not like being in the wild, of course, but so much better than a small cage. They also have just a very small separated area, with a hammock, where certain animals can be separated when necessary, for various reasons. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_tiger Later note added on 14 June 2012: Tigers that used to be known as Siberian Tigers are now known as Amur Tigers. The name change is because their range now only includes the Amur Valley in Eastern Siberia. The link below is from YouTube, showing the three Amur Tiger cubs at the Calgary Zoo. This video from the den box camera was taken on Friday, April 20. youtu.be/XFyAFe0nCeY

Didn't have time to add a description to my three photos this morning, as I had to meet a group of friends at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary early this morning. After walking all morning, I think the highlight was seeing several Mountain Bluebirds down on the pebbles at the edge of the Bow River. Usually, you have to go out of the city to see these birds, but occasionally they do come within city limits. We also saw a Harlan's Hawk, flying high in the sky, plus some of the "usual suspects" such as Chickadees and Nuthatches. The sun was out today and it felt SO good. We've all been waiting for this to happen. The Calgary Zoo is only a few minutes' drive away from the Bird Sanctuary, so I always try and call in afterwards, even though I was there just a week ago. The Boston Marathon tragedy (along with the ongoing Jodi Arias death penalty trial down in the US), makes for difficult TV watching, so a break for sunshine and fresh air was good. How I feel for all those people facing such an unimaginably horrific time. This photo was taken a week ago, on 9 April 2013. Mom and her three cubs were in the small area away from the main, open enclosure, so it's somewhat easier to get a closer photo. I couldn't believe how huge the cubs are now - not all that far off from full size, really, but still very playful. When I was there just after lunch today, they were all out in the snow in the main enclosure. "Siberian (or Amur) tigers are the world's largest cats. They live primarily in eastern Russia's birch forests, though some exist in China and North Korea. There are an estimated 400 to 500 Siberian tigers living in the wild, and recent studies suggest that these numbers are stable. Though their northern climate is far harsher than those of other tigers, these animals have some advantages. Northern forests offer the lowest human density of any tiger habitat, and the most complete ecosystem. The vast woodlands also allow tigers far more room to roam, as Russia's timber industry is currently less extensive than that of many other countries." animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/siberian-t...

Yesterday afternoon, I called in at the Calgary Zoo, and found one of the beautiful, endangered Amur Tiger cubs (born on 30 March 2012) feasting on some rather disgusting looking part of an animal. The adult female and this cub's two siblings were also all in the small, separate enclosure, spending time relaxing in the sun. Poor Mom could barely keep awake - and no wonder, with three energetic youngsters to look after. Every once in a while, one of the other cubs would slowly inch towards the feeding cub, hoping to get the food for itself, but the cub in my photo did a great job of defending his meal. The colour of this cub is exaggerated in my photo - there were so many people viewing through the glass and so many people seem to wear white or light coloured clothing, which reflects horribly in the dirty glass. Took two or three of my photos using a different setting, resulting in more vivid colour, but at least I was able to capture better detail. Later note added on 7 October 2012: Tigers that used to be known as Siberian Tigers are now known as Amur Tigers. The name change is because their range now only includes the Amur Valley in Eastern Siberia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_tiger Wishing my family and friends, and all Canadians everywhere, a very Happy Thanksgiving. We have SO much to be thankful for, even in difficult or sad times. Enjoy this long weekend - and if you are driving, please drive carefully and don't drink and drive!

The three endangered Amur Tiger cubs, born on 30 March 2012, have grown so quickly. Though perhaps not as cute as when they were first allowed out for the public to see, it is still fun to watch them play and intereact with Mum and each other.

Much as I don't like seeing zoo "bars" in my photos, there is nothing I can do about it sometimes : ) This is one of the three beautiful, endangered Amur Tiger cubs, born March 30, 2012 at the Calgary Zoo. What a sad, sad day it would be if these majestic animals became extinct. Just occurred to me that this photo might give the impression that the cub is "depressed". Trust me, all three are such fun to watch because they are so active and playful and when Mum is there, too, they love to climb all over her, including when she is enjoying the small pool in that part of the enclosure.

The adult female (i.e. Mom) made her way into the tiny pool in this separated area that is used when certain of the Amur Tigers at the Calgary Zoo have to be kept away from the other adult Tigers. Her three cubs, born March 30, 2012, joined her instantly and had great fun climbing over her back and playing with her tail - they love it in there! Photographed though a very dirty window with reflections of all the people watching in front of me and behind me, but a little darkening made it fit to post : ) Taken on 21 August 2012.

I finally made it to the Calgary Zoo yesterday afternoon - I desperately needed endless colourful and beautiful things to photograph, lol. Luckily, when I passed the endangered Amur Tiger area, the three baby Tigers came outside for a short while. This one was just emerging from the covered, closed area, where you can just make out the mother lying down inside. There were so many people standing there and there always seemed to be tall people wearing light-coloured clothing that created really bad reflections in the glass. I managed to touch up this photo sufficiently to post : ) Don't you just love those huge paws and that tongue sticking out? Kind of reminds me of my baby pictures - I had my tongue sticking out in so many of them, ha! Three new animals make such a wonderful addition to the endangered Amur Tiger population. By the way, the Tigers have a huge area of trees, grass, fallen logs and a small creek running through the area - not like being in the wild, of course, but so much better than a small cage. They also have just a very small separated area (seen in my image above), with a hammock, where certain animals can be separated when necessary, for various reasons. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_tiger Later note added on 14 June 2012: Tigers that used to be known as Siberian Tigers are now known as Amur Tigers. The name change is because their range now only includes the Amur Valley in Eastern Siberia. The link below is from YouTube, showing the three Amur Tiger cubs at the Calgary Zoo. This video from the den box camera was taken on Friday, April 20. youtu.be/XFyAFe0nCeY

Taken through (dirty) glass, of course, lol! One of the magnificent Siberian Tigers at the Calgary Zoo. Photographed on September 14th. Doesn't he look soft and cuddly, ha? "Siberian (or Amur) tigers are the world's largest cats. They live primarily in eastern Russia's birch forests, though some exist in China and North Korea. There are an estimated 400 to 500 Siberian tigers living in the wild, and recent studies suggest that these numbers are stable. Though their northern climate is far harsher than those of other tigers, these animals have some advantages. Northern forests offer the lowest human density of any tiger habitat, and the most complete ecosystem. The vast woodlands also allow tigers far more room to roam, as Russia's timber industry is currently less extensive than that of many other countries." animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/siberian-t... Posting so late this evening (around 9:45 p.m.) as I only got home around 9:15 p.m. from a wonderful day out with friends at Moraine Lake and the switch-back hike up to the beginning of Larch Valley. There was the expected Bear ruling, that people must hike in tight groups of 4 or more people - and there were only three of us. After waiting quite a long time, we asked a couple if they would like to join us. They hadn't planned on going on the hike, but they spent the next few hours "puffing and panting" with us up an endless series of uphill switchbacks through amazing forest. The view looking down though the trees on the turquoise waters of Moraine Lake was spectacular. I'm sure this couple, on holidays from England, won't soon forget their moment of madness when they agreed to accompany us, ha! They were delightful company and so patient when they had to wait for "some" of us to stop and rest our painful joints at regular intervals : ) They seemed to enjoy themselves, though - and they even had a few mushrooms pointed out to them. The day started off at around 1C with very dense fog in places. The light was pretty low for taking photos all day, and the gorgeous Larch trees had already lost a lot of their yellow needles. Nonetheless, we soaked up the beautiful scenery that surrounded us. How lucky we are to be able to visit and explore such places! Thanks so much, Stephen, for driving us on such a long trip - it was an absolute treat and so much appreciated! That Tim Horton's coffee on the way home sure hit the spot, too! Later note added on 14 June 2012: Tigers that used to be known as Siberian Tigers are now known as Amur Tigers. The name change is because their range now only includes the Amur Valley in Eastern Siberia.

I don't remember seeing one of the Siberian Tigers at the Calgary Zoo actually in the stream that runs through their enormous enclosure before. Taken on August 26th. "The endangered Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), also known as the Amur, Altaic, Korean, North Chinese or Ussuri tiger, is a subspecies of tiger which once ranged throughout Western Asia, Central Asia and eastern Russia, and as far east as Alaska during prehistoric times, though it is now completely confined to the Amur-Ussuri region of Primorsky Krai and Khabarovsk Krai in far eastern Siberia, where it is now protected. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_tiger Later note added on 14 June 2012: Tigers that used to be known as Siberian Tigers are now known as Amur Tigers. The name change is because their range now only includes the Amur Valley in Eastern Siberia.

This is Vitali, the young Siberian Tiger that was born at the Calgary Zoo on March 21 2007 at 11:30 p.m. to a mother who previously delivered a litter of four tigers in 2000. Amur, or Siberian, tigers are part of a species survival program, so every birth is significant. The attention, coupled with a lack of interference from zoo staff, helped with the bonding and mothering. 11-year-old Kita, an experienced mother, has taken very good care of her cub. The father is another of the facility’s tigers, Lashka. There was no competition for milk from a litter mate, so this young tiger thrived well. Later note added on 14 June 2012: Tigers that used to be known as Siberian Tigers are now known as Amur Tigers. The name change is because their range now only includes the Amur Valley in Eastern Siberia.

I was so lucky yesterday when I went to the Zoo. Normally, I just give a quick glance over to the tigers near the entrance to the Zoo and then hurry on my way to see the Snowy Owls. However, yesterday, this gorgeous creature was lying on a platform at my eye level, pretty close to where I was standing. For some of the animal enclosures, there are small, glass-windowed shelters where people can stand and look. That way, you can get photos through the (filthy!) glass without the usual wire fence in the way. It was a rather uncomfortable feeling, I must admit, making eye contact with this huge, majestic animal. I was SO thankful that there was something between it and me! Later note added on 14 June 2012: Tigers that used to be known as Siberian Tigers are now known as Amur Tigers. The name change is because their range now only includes the Amur Valley in Eastern Siberia.

All three "cubs" were in a sleepy heap along with Mom when I visited the Calgary Zoo on 16 April 2013. These are two of the cubs, who have grown so big that they aren't that much smaller than the adults now - still very playful, though. The three beautiful but endangered Amur Tiger cubs were born March 30, 2012 at the Calgary Zoo. They were out in the main enclosure, but I managed to zoom in fully to avoid most of the faint blur from the wire fence. Three new animals make such a wonderful addition to the endangered Amur Tiger population. By the way, the Tigers have a huge area of trees, grass, fallen logs and a small creek running through the area - not like being in the wild, of course, but so much better than a small cage. They also have just a very small separated area (seen in my image above), with a hammock, where certain animals can be separated when necessary, for various reasons. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_tiger Later note added on 14 June 2012: Tigers that used to be known as Siberian Tigers are now known as Amur Tigers. The name change is because their range now only includes the Amur Valley in Eastern Siberia. The link below is from YouTube, showing the three Amur Tiger cubs at the Calgary Zoo. This video from the den box camera was taken on Friday, April 20. youtu.be/XFyAFe0nCeY