Sumatran tiger to predict Super Bowl winner Thursday at Montgomery Zoo

February 02, 2012

At 10 a.m. Thursday, one of the Montgomery Zoo’s Sumatran tigers will select the outcome of Super Bowl XLVI, determining whether the New England Patriots or New York Giants will take the title.

Last year, one of the zoo’s tigers correctly predicted that the Green Bay Packers would defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers. How does the prediction work? Two containers of tiger treats, each bearing one of the team’s logos, will be placed on exhibit with the Sumatran tiger. The first container to be ripped to shreds – and that should not take long — will determine the loser of the championship game.

Sumatran tigers are found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra and are listed as critically endangered. It is the smallest of all surviving tiger subspecies. Male Sumatran tigers average 6 feet, 8 inches in length from head to tail and weigh about 300 pounds. Females average 6 feet, 6 inches in length and weigh about 200 pounds. Its stripes are narrower than other tigers’, and it has a more bearded maned appearance, especially the males. The webbing between its toes allows the Sumatran tiger to be a very fast swimmer. The Montgomery Zoo’s Sumatran tigers are brothers and three years old. They came to the Zoo from the Akron Zoo in Akron, Ohio.

The City of Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. At 4:30 p.m., he last admission tickets are sold and major animal exhibits begin closing. Discount combo admission to both Zoo and Mann Museum are: Adults: $14, Children 3-12 yearrs. old $10 and Children 2 yearrs. and younger are free. Zoo-only admission is $10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens 65 and older and $7 for children ages 3 to 12. Montgomery Zoo members and children 2 yearrs and younger are admitted free.

The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum are located off the Northern Boulevard, between Coliseum Boulevard and Lower Wetumpka Road. The address for the Montgomery Zoo is 2301 Coliseum Parkway Montgomery, AL 36110. For more information, please call 240-4900 or visit the web site www.montgomeryzoo.com. You can also follow the zoo on Facebook and Twitter.