Iconic tiger statue moved to a new spot at Atascadero zoo. See where
An iconic animal statue at Atascadero’s Charles Paddock Zoo migrated to a new enclosure during a recent makeover of the Caribbean flamingo habitat.
Previously housed with the flamingos, the zoo’s bronze tiger sculpture can now be found in the Thelma Vetter Red Panda Experience, Director Cynthia Stringfield said in a news release.
“We have a large breeding flock of 39 flamingos, and removing the tiger will provide this group more room for nesting,” Stringfield said.
The zoo is renovating the Caribbean flamingo area to better represent the biodiversity hotspot, the release said.
The Charles Paddock Zoo specializes in animals present in these hotspots, which are threatened areas of high biodiversity. According the the zoo, they represent just 2.5% of Earth’s land surface but support nearly half of all endangered bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species.
The move also more accurately reflects the ecosystem of the red panda habitat.
Tigers are naturally found in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, so the sculpture was moved to this area of the zoo, next to the red panda enclosure, the release said.
It also creates a great photo opportunity for guests, the release said.
The last time the 1,700-pound, all-bronze hollow statue was moved was seven years ago when artist Susan Beatie arranged for a cleaning, the release said.
Porter Construction handled the moving of the sculpture this time, the release said. The move began on Nov. 8 and was complete the following week, city spokesperson Terrie Banish told The Tribune.
For information, go to charlespaddockzoo.org or call 805-461-5080.
This story was originally published November 19, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
