The tiger (Panthera tigris) is a highly endangered carnivore, with only perhaps 3,500 individuals remaining in the wild.  In North America, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Tiger Species Survival Plan (SSP) scientifically manages captive populations of Amur, Malayan, and Sumatran tigers that serve as a backup and a “genetic insurance policy” for their wild counterparts.
The Tiger SSP is using analyses of long-term breeding recommendation data and female hormone data to understand which factors influence breeding success in the tigers it manages. This will lead to improved management and greater sustainability for these small tiger populations.  The Minnesota Zoo’s Ulysses S. Seal Conservation Grant Program provided funding for female hormone analyses for this study.  This project was championed by Ron Tilson, Director of Conservation at the MN Zoo.