Starting today, visitors to the Racine Zoo can see a female Amur tiger donated from a zoo in South Carolina.

Anya, a 10-year old female Amur tiger donated from Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina to the Zoo, makes her official debut in a revamped exhibit on October 7.

Anya replaces Niki, the Zoo’s beloved 19-year old Amur tiger and one of the country’s oldest tigers, who passed away earlier this year.

This comes in time for the event Roar and Pour beer-tasting taking place tonight from 6 to 8 PM.

“She is really beautiful,” said Beth Heidorn, Racine Zoo Executive Director.  “Our tiger exhibit has been vacant for too long after losing Niki. It’s wonderful to have another ambassador representing this magnificent species.  We can’t wait for guests to meet her!”

 “We’ve noticed soon after she arrived that Anya demonstrates the same diva-like behavior as Niki,” joked Theresa Donarski, Curator of Conservation and Animal Care at the Racine Zoo.  “She has extremely long whiskers and loves the smell of Calvin Klein Obsession just as Niki did. Maybe it’s a tiger thing!” laughed Donarski.

Guests can visit Anya on exhibit year round in Great Cat Canyon beginning October 7.  Tickets are still available for Roar and Pour, taking place near the tiger exhibit, can be purchased at racinezoo.org, the Zoo administrative office, and Timer’s Beverage Center located at 3800 Northwestern Avenue for $30 each.