Page 77 - Club Braman Magazine_Fall-Winter.22

The SSP ensures a healthy population of
animals in human care infused with genetic
diversity for future generations. This is a
crucial directive, as only two females within
the AZA have recently given birth to cubs—
one of which is our very own Api. As recently
as May 2020, Api raised three healthy tigers,
in addition to two other cubs previously. She
has proven to be an outstanding mother.
Along with reproductive science specialists
from the South-East Zoo Alliance for
Reproduction & Conservation (SEZARC),
the Palm Beach Zoo’s team was able to
track Api’s cycles and determine when her
hormone levels were at their highest.

This then kicked off the first of several
meetings between Api and Kadar, known
as “howdys.” During these “dates,” the two
viewed each other through a barrier of
protection. The successful howdies led
to introductions in the habitat, which
spanned a few hours over the course of three
consecutive mornings. Much to the delight
of the Zoo’s staff, both expressed interest in,
and readily recalled the other, prompting
several more “dates” to be scheduled in
accordance with each tiger’s comfort.
Club Braman members can continue to
follow along on this journey of love on the
Zoo’s social media accounts. Stay tuned to
@PalmBeachZoo for more.

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2022-Fall-Winter Magazine_v3.indd 77
2022-Fall-Winter Magazine_v3.indd 77 9/7/2022 6:19:27 PM