STORY: Injured Amur tiger gets intensive care at reproduction center in Moscow
DATELINE: July 29, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:42
LOCATION: Moscow
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of the tiger
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Russian): IRINA KOVZEL, Tiger keeper
3. various of the tiger
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Russian): IRINA KOVZEL, Tiger keeper
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Russian): PAVEL ROZHKOV, Deputy head of Moscow Zoo's Center for Reproduction of Rare Animal Species
 
STORYLINE:
 
This female Amur tiger was supposed to be a majestic predator roaming the forests of Russia's Far East.
 
But in December 2021, she was found severely wounded in Primorsky Krai with a shattered lower jaw and a severed tail. 
 
After undergoing several surgeries, she was transferred to Moscow Zoo's Center for Rare Animal Species Reproduction in August 2022, where she received specialized care and rehabilitation.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (Russian): IRINA KOVZEL, Tiger keeper
"Now she's quite aggressive, but she is somehow loyal to me, because she understands that I feed her."
 
The staff here call her Amura. She has regained some of her strength, being able to bite and chew again. But she still faces difficulties in hunting by herself, as her teeth are misaligned.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Russian): IRINA KOVZEL, Tiger keeper
"We hope to get cubs from her. And most likely, she will stay with us either in the reproduction center or in the Moscow Zoo. She is unlikely to be released into the wild."
 
According to the zoologists, Amur tigers have a life span of merely 10 years in the wild, but can live up to 25 years in captivity.
 
SOUNDBITE 3 (Russian): PAVEL ROZHKOV, Deputy head of Moscow Zoo's Center for Reproduction of Rare Animal Species
"These animals from the wild are usually very valuable in genetic terms. So, to avoid inbreeding, the so-called new blood, i.e. new animals, is needed."
 
The breeding of rare and endangered animal species has been the key mission of the center. When cubs grow up a little, the center will distribute them to different zoos and parks of the world.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Moscow.
(XHTV)