Siberian tiger Kharlan († July 14th 2015)

An old picture I did not previously upload to Zoochat. This picture of Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) male Kharlan was taken on the 25th of January 2009, during my coldest visit to Antwerp Zoo ever during one of the coldest winters we've had in Belgium during my lifetime. This picture is one my favorite pictures of animals I've ever taken and I believe also one of the best.

The tiger Kharlan is now long deceased, he was euthanized due to old-age related health problems on July 14th, 2015. His long-time companion Yessie died later that summer, on August 31st. With the death of Kharlan and Yessie the Siberian tiger left the collection of Antwerp Zoo (for the time being?).

To my current knowledge the plan is for Antwerp Zoo to build a new tiger enclosure during the restoration of the Jubileum complex which is supposed to happen in the coming years. I do not however have knowledge of or official comfirmation on the current plan for what species will be kept after the renovation of the cat cages and terraces.

Good photo.