EBAY AUCTION YIELDS NAMES FOR TORONTO ZOO'S SUMATRAN TIGER CUBS
1st Born In Canada!
Press Release - For Immediate Release
For More Information
Cynthia Shipley
Supervisor, Public Relations
At (416) 392-5938
December 6, 2003, Toronto, Ontario: The results of an eBay auction to name the Toronto Zoo's three rare Sumatran tiger cubs were announced at the Zoo today, ending the suspense for little Skylar (female), Chelsea (female), and Kougra (male), and their parents. These cubs are the first born in Canada.
In an unprecedented fundraising effort, the Toronto Zoo auctioned off "naming rights" for the cubs, along with lots of other exciting Zoo experiences and collectibles, on eBay from October 26th to November 16th. Out of a total of 103 bids to name the cubs, the following bidders were successful: the Evered family of Guildford, Connecticut, USA, who bought the rights to name two of the cubs (Kougra) and (Chelsea), and the Banks family of Toronto, Ontario (Skylar). The auction raised a total of $16,000. The funds will be used for vital conservation and research programs at the Toronto Zoo.
The Toronto Zoo would like to thank AGF Funds Inc. for donating its right to name one of the cubs back to the Zoo for the "naming" fundraising initiative. AGF Funds Inc., a long-time Zoo supporter, renovated the existing Sumatran Tiger Exhibit in addition to donating Brytne, the cubs' mother. "We were thrilled by the birth of these rare treasures," commented Blake Goldring, AGF President and CEO. "And we now applaud the success of this inspired fundraising event."
While the Species Survival Plan for these animals aims to have 150 Sumatran tigers in captivity, there are presently only 59. In addition, captive births are down recently. These facts make the Toronto Zoo's cubs especially valuable to the North American captive population.
The smallest and darkest of the tigers, Sumatran tigers are native to the tropical rainforests of the Island of Sumatra. Their gestation period is approximately 103 days. At birth, the cubs are helpless and blind, weighing about 1.4 kg (3 Ibs) each. The cubs will nurse for about six months and are independent by the age of two years. In the wild, these tigers live about 15 years, with life expectancy generally longer in zoos.
The Zoo is open throughout the winter (except Dec. 25th), so drop by with the family to watch little Skylar, Kougra, and Chelsea at play in their spacious exhibit adjacent to the IndoMalaya Pavilion.
Zoo hours until March 8: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Last admissions one hour before closing. General Admission 13-64 incl. is $18, Children 3 and under free, Children 4-12 are $10 and Seniors 65+ are $12. Parking is free until March. The Zoo is located at Meadowvale Road and Hwy. 401, Exit 389 east and west bound. For general information, call (416) 392-5929. Visit our website at www.torontozoo.com. For the latest Zoo news, click on our website feature, the "Press Room".
