Woburn, Milton Keynes, UK - June 19, 2024

In a heartwarming encounter, two endangered Amur tigers, Dmitri and Minerva (known as Vera), came face to face for the very first time at Woburn Safari Park earlier this month. Dmitri, a five-year-old male, and Vera, a twelve-year-old female, were introduced in the hope that they would form a breeding pair as part of the Endangered Species Programme (EEP).

Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, are critically endangered in the wild according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The successful integration of Dmitri into Woburn Safari Park from ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in 2022 has been a carefully managed process. Keepers have acclimatized Dmitri to his new surroundings in the expansive woodland reserve, preparing him for this momentous meeting with Vera.

Visitors to Woburn Safari Park have been treated to the sight of the tigers getting acquainted just meters away from their vehicles in the Kingdom of the Carnivores drive-through. Deputy Head of Carnivores, Tommy Babington, expressed optimism about the pair's future prospects, noting their positive interactions and friendly greetings.

As summer unfolds, guests can witness Dmitri and Vera's developing relationship firsthand, possibly witnessing the beginning of a new chapter in the conservation of these majestic creatures.