Milwaukee Co. Zoo welcomes new male tiger, recommended to breed

Visitors at the Milwaukee County Zoo can notice a new addition to its animal exhibits — a male Amur tiger named Strannik.

The tiger was acquired from the Toledo Zoo in Ohio and arrives with a recommendation to breed with Amba, one of the zoo's current female tigers. Amba is also the mother to the zoo's last tiger litter born in 2009.

"Strannik" is a Russion word meaning "pilgrim," according to a news release from the zoo. He consumes a daily diet of about 12.5 pounds of meat.

The tiger was born in February 2003 at Utah's Hogle Zoo and weighs about 400 pounds. He is in "great bodily condition," according to the zoo.

Zookeepers reported that although it took Strannik some time to become acclimated with his surroundings, he's now a "giant baby." Keepers have noticed his chuffing sounds directed at female tigers.

Chuffing is a non-threatening vocalization between cats to express a type of greeting or excitement, according to the zoo.

Visitors can see Strannik periodically in the indoor or outdoor displays. He will rotate exhibit time with the zoo's three female tigers. According to the zoo, keepers try to rotate animals through the areas during the day in order to offer new experiences, smells and interactions in both the indoor and outdoor exhibits.

A number of new animals have made their way to the Milwaukee County Zoo in recent months; the zoo welcomed two new lionnesses, Savannah and Amali, in February. A baby giraffe was born at the zoo in October and a baby seal named Siku was born in June.