Rare Amur Tiger Joins Detroit Zoo

2-year-old Darya arrives from Saint Louis as part of conservation program.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:21pm

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An impressionistic, blurred scene of a lush, green tiger habitat with soft, warm pools of light and color, conveying the tranquil and natural environment of the Detroit Zoo's new Amur tiger.The Detroit Zoo's new Amur tiger arrival brings hope for the conservation of this endangered big cat species.Today in Detroit

The Detroit Zoo's Devereaux Tiger Forest habitat has welcomed a new addition - Darya, a 2-year-old Amur tiger who arrived from the Saint Louis Zoo. Zoo staff say Darya is adjusting well to her new home as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, a coordinated effort to conserve rare and endangered species.

Why it matters

Amur tigers are an endangered subspecies, with only around 500 remaining in the wild. The Detroit Zoo's new arrival helps contribute to critical conservation efforts for this beautiful and threatened big cat.

The details

Darya, a female Amur tiger, was transferred to the Detroit Zoo from the Saint Louis Zoo as part of a collaborative program to maintain healthy, genetically diverse tiger populations in zoos. The Devereaux Tiger Forest habitat at the Detroit Zoo is designed to provide Darya and the zoo's other tigers with a naturalistic environment to thrive.

  • Darya arrived at the Detroit Zoo in April 2026.

The players

Detroit Zoo

A 125-acre zoo located in Royal Oak, Michigan that is home to over 2,000 animals representing 230 species.

Darya

A 2-year-old female Amur tiger who recently arrived at the Detroit Zoo from the Saint Louis Zoo.

Association of Zoos and Aquariums

A non-profit organization that accredits zoos and aquariums and coordinates conservation efforts, including the Species Survival Plan program.

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The takeaway

The arrival of the rare Amur tiger Darya at the Detroit Zoo highlights the important role zoos play in endangered species conservation through collaborative programs like the Species Survival Plan.