Two endangered big cats are the Philadelphia Zoo’s newest residents

Philadelphia’s big cat population has officially increased by two.

That’s thanks to the Philadelphia Zoo’s newest residents, Rory, a 4-year-old Amur tiger, and Rafferty, an 8-year-old Amur leopard. The pair arrived in Philly early this summer as part of an endangered species survival program, and are now available for viewing in their habitats at Big Cat Falls, the zoo said in a statement.

The cats came to the zoo on a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan Program, which aims to protect threatened and endangered species from extinction. Amur tigers such as Rory are considered to be endangered, with wild populations estimated at less than 500 animals. Rafferty’s species, the Amur leopard, is estimated to have a population of less than 150, making it critically endangered.

“One of our most important roles is to protect endangered species from extinction,” said the zoo’s vice president of animal well-being and conservation Rachel Metz. “We are excited to welcome these two beautiful big cats to their new home and are equally excited for our guests to meet them.”

Generally, new animals at the zoo go into quarantine before being exhibited full time. In July, both cats began appearing more frequently, and have been in their homes and in public view more regularly the last two weeks, the zoo said.

Both species are native to Russia’s Amur River Valley near the Chinese border, and face the threat of extinction due to factors such as poaching and habitat loss, the zoo said. The plan is to pair Rory and Rafferty with potential mates of their respective species who already call the Philadelphia Zoo home.

Rory will be paired with either Wiz or Dimitri, a pair of 13-year-old Amur tiger brothers. She was born in July 2021 at Ohio’s Toledo Zoo, and is considered fully grown at 300 pounds. Her whiskers, the zoo said, are longer than those of any of the Philadelphia Zoo’s other tigers.

Rafferty is to be partnered with 11-year-old Kira, the zoo’s other Amur leopard. Born in February 2017 at Utah’s Hogle Zoo, he previously fathered cubs at Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse in 2019. His eyes, the zoo said, are two different colors, and are being monitored by caregivers to ensure his health.

Neither of the new big cats has yet been introduced to their prospective mates just yet, but animal care workers at the zoo are monitoring them for signs that should happen. In past years, the zoo has had success in breeding both species, with Amur leopard cubs being born there in 2000 and 2002, and a litter of Amur tigers arriving in 2017.

“We are keeping our fingers crossed that we will welcome cubs in the coming years,” Metz said.

Earlier this year, the zoo saw the arrival of seven Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise hatchlings, marking the first time that species was bred and hatched at the zoo in its 150-year history.