Afscheid van iconisch dier bij ZooParc Overloon: laatste witte tijger vertrekt

ZooParc Overloon will soon say goodbye to the white tiger Asia. The animal, born in 2014, is moving to Zoo de la Flèche in France. Asia was an iconic and beloved animal in the park for many years. After her departure, a new Amur tiger will arrive in Overloon.

"Asia is an iconic animal in our park and beloved by our visitors," says Steven van den Heuvel, zoological manager at ZooParc Overloon. "For the next few weeks she can still be seen by our visitors, but then she will leave for a zoo in France. There she will live together with another white tiger. In consultation with the European tiger management program, we came to the conclusion that it would be more pleasant for both animals to spend the last years of their lives together. It is therefore great that we were able to find a good place for her at a zoo affiliated with EAZA (European Association for Zoos and Aquaria)."

Asia's move is part of a broader strategy within European zoos. White tigers are Bengal tigers with a genetic defect. White tigers do not live in the wild, nor are they able to survive in the wild because of their abnormal coloration. In addition, white tigers are more likely to have physical problems. Therefore, the European management program has instituted an extinction policy: the animals are no longer allowed to reproduce and will eventually disappear from recognized European zoos.

Species conservation

Soon a young male Amur tiger from Poland will arrive in Overloon

overloon. The new Amur tiger will initially live separately from the female animal already in the park. Perhaps later they will be introduced to each other, with the possibility of them having cubs together. Given the age of the female, time will have to tell if this will work out.

ZooParc Overloon cooperates with other recognized European zoos to contribute to the preservation of endangered species. Through international management programs (EEPs), zoos ensure healthy populations that can serve as reserves and be researched. This not only helps preserve species within zoos, but also helps protect their peers in the wild.