Bioparco of Rome, Kala the tiger is visible to the public from today

Paola Palanza:"The Sumatran tiger is a species seriously threatened with extinction, around 500 individuals survive"

ROME - Kala, the Sumatran tiger born three months ago at the Bioparco in Rome, is finally visible to the public.Today for the first time the puppy went out into the dedicated area.After an initial moment of caution and hesitation, the little feline began to explore the external exhibit inch by inch, under the attentive gaze of the parents Tila and Kasih, who never lose sight of her.
Kala, whose name derives from the union of the names of mother and father, is very lively and curious, plays all day without interruption, alone and with both parents.From birth, the little tiger he lived in a protected area where, thanks to the internal cameras, it was possible to film and share, via i Bioparco social channels, its growth phases, without disturbing the feline family:come on veterinary checks, to parents' cuddles, to weighings.

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The parental pair comes from European zoological facilities: mother Tila was born in 2011 at Chester Zoo, England, and comes from Heidelberg Zoo, Germany.Dad Kasih was born in 2014 at Beauval Zoo, France.

“The birth at the Kala Biopark,” he underlines the president of the Bioparco Foundation of Rome, Paola Palanza– is very important for multiple reasons. Reproduction is a sign of animal well-being and enriches their social experience.From ethologist I also observed good behavior of care and encouragement of exploration on the maternal side and play interaction, even with the father."
“The Sumatran tiger– he continues – it is a species seriously threatened with extinction, around 500 individuals survive.The Biopark of Rome actively participates in international programs for the protection of the species, both through conservation projects in the wild, in-situ, and by contributing to the maintenance of the subspecies in captivity".

Palanza also recalls that "modern zoos, accredited by the European and world associations of zoos and aquariums, Eaza And Waza, play a crucial role in the conservation of biodiversity, as an integral part of the network for the survival of species in theWorld Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN.The work that zoos carry out with the animals entrusted to them, the eco-ethological research, the ex-situ genetic and health monitoring have contributed to saving dozens of species from extinction as well as to the monitoring of threatened animals".

“Unfortunately - highlights the president of the Bioparco Foundation of Rome - the speed and vastness of the environmental degradation due topollution and to indiscriminate exploitation of habitats represent a constant threat to animal and plant species."“Effective and innovative counteractions are needed, combined with public awareness actions, to which the Rome Bioparco contributes with dedication and passion - concludes Palanza - thanks to the staff employed, the management and control bodies and with the support of Rome Capital and of theDepartment of Agriculture, Environment and Waste Cycle“.

(Photo credit:Massimiliano Di Giovanni - Bioparco archive)