A newly rescued senior female tiger was slowly settling in at Oakland Zoo, after the California-based facility welcomed the big cat.
Footage released by Oakland Zoo shows 13-year-old Sitara being evaluated and getting familiar with her new surroundings.
“Since the passing of the zoo’s previous rescued tigers, Mia and Lola, earlier this year, the zoo has kept a habitat available to provide a home for future tigers in need,” the zoo said.
Sitara “remains strong, though she is experiencing some lameness in her left hind leg. Despite these difficulties, the zoo’s animal care and veterinary team is working extensively to settle her in and help her adjust to her new surroundings.”
The zoo said the tiger would undergo a comprehensive medical exam and partake in a program meant “to help her build trust and resilience in response to negative experiences with past caretakers, while monitoring her behavioral and mental health challenges.”
Over the next few months, Sitara was expected to learn to navigate a brand new habitat for her, with pools, a waterfall, elevated platforms, ample enrichment, and vegetation, the zoo said. Credit: Oakland Zoo via Storyful