GREENSBORO, N.C. — We all know that the Greensboro Science Center is one of the best attractions in the state, but did you know they play a role in animal conservation?
Senior tiger keeper Carolyn Mikulskis said they are thrilled to participate in a tiger breeding program.
"We are so proud to actually get to be a part of the SSP, which is a species survival plan, and essentially we play matchmaker with other facilities to make sure that we have a viable population. So, we introduce the male and the female very slowly because we can't go in and separate them if it goes poorly, so we have to do a lot of bonding beforehand," Mikulskis said.
It is a long process, but Greensboro Science Center is already pretty far along in its breeding program and entering the final stages.
"I am really hoping for a late spring or early summer introduction, so we are pretty much ready to go," Mikulskis continued. "We have our protocols out, we're starting to do our dress rehearsals, and we actually work with a mentor program too with the AZA network, and so those are keepers who have had successful introductions and they're helping us make sure that we have all of the right things going on. You know like we're seeing all the right behaviors from the female and we're seeing all the right behaviors from the male and that we have a really good setup to work with."
We will keep you posted on how the program is doing and just when we may hear the pitter-patter of little cub paws at the Greensboro Science Center.