Although the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo is without a tiger, for now, the lions and bears are providing plenty of good news.
The zoo has two new lion cubs, sisters Sauda and Amana. They are in the area previously occupied by Sunny Delight, the tiger.
The lions are six months old and have already completed the mandatory quarantine for new animals.
The lions are six months old and have already completed the mandatory quarantine for new animals. The keepers are already learning how the sibling tigers’ personalities differ.
“Sauda is the braver of the two — she’s a lot more naughty as well,” according to keeper Kate Beyersdorf. “Amana is shyer. They love playing together. They love each other a lot.”
Brews with Bears
The Zoo Society is planning a fundraiser, “Brews with Bears” from 6-10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16, at the zoo.
Tickets are $10, but Zoo Society members can get in for $8. The price is $5 for kids 4-12 years old and kids under 4 will be admitted for free. Tickets (and Zoo Society memberships) are available at the Raptor Center, in the zoo. Food, beer and other beverages will be available to purchase. Guests can view the bears and, starting at 7 p.m., they can enjoy live music by the band Freelance. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket.
Tickets are available online now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brews-with-bears-tickets-37023926561, and they will be available at the door on September 16.
Sarah Shirer, secretary of the Zoo Society, said this event is part of a membership drive before the annual meeting on Oct. 14. That meeting will feature a catered dinner and a guest speaker. Memberships are $25 and all of the money goes to help the zoo and its animals.
Future tigers?
Zookeepers mourned the loss of Sunny Delight, the zoo’s Bengal tiger. He died in August, less than a month from his 19th birthday. An elderly tiger with health issues, he was humanely euthanized after veterinarians determined his quality of life had deteriorated to the point that he could no longer be kept comfortable.
It will be some time before there are tigers again at the zoo, Beyersdorf said. Sunny’s former exhibit area will be occupied by the lion cubs for at least a year or two, until they are big enough to be safely introduced to Luke, the male lion.
