Rare White Tiger becomes a Teenager - Online
18th May 2009

Rare White Tiger becomes a Teenager - Online 18th May 2009 Not only will Zena the white tiger be celebrating her 13th birthday on the 24th May – but she will be doing so live on the internet. The introduction of a web camera, with live video streaming, at the Isle of Wight Zoo, is already providing a great opportunity for a large online audience to enjoy and connect with Zena and her sister Zia in real time on a daily basis. These captivating TV quality images can be found on the live video site www.checkitlive.com and are creating a growing following of admirers for the beautiful tigers. At the same time they help to highlight the conservation of an endangered species. “It was a real pleasure to be able to offer Charlotte Corney (CEO, Isle of Wight Zoo) this unique opportunity to show off their very special tiger at the zoo. The installation of the live video feed in the Kanha Tiger enclosure has created some wonderful images of Zena and Zia, a growing favourite at the CheckItLive website.” Mark Welch, CEO at CheckItLive The growing online audience will be able to share in Zena’s birthday celebrations on May 24th. They are being led by Paul Bailie, Head of Department at the zoo, who has a number of exciting ideas ‘up his sleeve’ for her special day. No doubt the celebrations will have to include her favourite pastime of ‘water-play’. Whether trying to fight with the water shooting out of a hosepipe, or splashing around in the stream in her enclosure, she certainly seems to enjoy getting wet. Charlotte has expressed the enjoyment that Zena and Zia had on their visits to the beach as cubs: Zena trying to ‘attack’ the waves, whilst Zia would hide behind Charlotte for protection whenever a Jack Russell happened to walk by. The best time to see Zena and Zia at www.checkitlive.com is firstly 8 – 10am, when they are patrolling or scent marking; they are usually active until about 11.30am. The tigers will then generally rest until about 2pm, but become more active again in the afternoon, before retiring to their den about 6pm.