Ussuri tiger Tori — a representative of the rare tiger subspecies also known as the Amur tiger — “moved” to Tbilisi Zoo from Riga Zoo. After the 2015 flood, which virtually destroyed the former zoo, Tori was among the first animals sent to Tbilisi from other zoos to help restore the collection.
Tigers are solitary animals, and Tori is no exception. He does not suffer from loneliness, calmly roaming his enclosure, with his main activity being retrieving food hung from trees.
Visitors rarely concern him, and he seldom approaches the edge of the enclosure. Here, he has plenty of secluded spots, including specially designed shelters.
Посетители его мало волнуют, он редко подходит близко к краю вольера. Здесь у него много мест для уединения, включая специально созданные для этого укрытия.
Tbilisi Zoo‘s history spans nearly a century. It was founded on 10 February 1927 on the basis of the Caucasian Society for the Acclimatisation of Animals, which had been keeping wild animals since the early 20th century, though without official zoo status.
The zoo was originally built on 70 hectares in the Vere River gorge. Over the years, the expansion of the capital — and later the devastating flood of 13 June 2015 — significantly reduced the territory of the old zoo. Today, it covers five hectares and is home to around 1,500 animals, each with its own story.
In this video series, we will introduce you to the residents of Tbilisi Zoo. We will show how their day unfolds, how they interact with other animals and people, and how their behaviour changes depending on the weather and the season. Get ready to hear many fascinating stories.
