Zoo’s Amur Tiger Cubs Receive Names

One of the Zoo's new tiger cubs with mom Amba

During a special presentation on November 4, County Executive Scott Walker announced the names for the Zoo’s new Amur (Siberian) tiger cubs, born July 8. The names for the female cubs are: Tula and Nuri.

Tula & Nuri
Tula and Nuri
Photo by Dale Gray

The Zoo held a special naming contest for the cubs, and the winner was Ashley Goffin, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Goffin attended school in Durban, South Africa, where she worked with orphan children. The children helped her learn some of their native language, isiZulu. “Tula” means “quiet.” It can have multiple interpretations such as “all is quiet,” inferring a great sense of calm with the birth. “Nuri” means “my flame,” and is Hebrew in origin.

Goffin was presented with several prizes including a yearlong membership to the Zoo courtesy of the Zoological Society, and a couple of plush toy tigers.

The Zoo received more than 1800 suggestions to name the two new cubs. Staff from the Zoo, the Zoological Society and the feline zookeepers reviewed the entries and selected the winning names.

The cubs were born to mother Amba, and father, Bachuta. This is the first litter born to Amba.  Tula and Nuri are making regular appearances in their indoor exhibit in the Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country, usually between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily. The last time the Milwaukee County Zoo had Amur tiger cubs was in 1995.

 December 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20
Breakfast and Lunch with Santa
 Sponsored by Racine Danish Kringles

Breakfast & Lunch with Santa

Make a day out of a holiday-themed meal and enjoy time visiting the Zoo! Families can share a breakfast or lunch with Santa and enjoy tasty treats, a live sing-a-long and even an appearance by Mrs. Claus! Afterward, stay and enjoy the Zoo and see the winter animals like the Amur tigers and polar bears. 

Breakfast is served at 9 a.m. on Saturdays only, and lunch is at noon on both Saturdays and Sundays. Each meal, held in the Zoo’s Peck Welcome Center, includes a visit from Santa, a gift for each child and admission to the Zoo. All seats are reserved, and registration is limited.

Get more details and register online!

Zoo Hours 2009


January 2 through February 2009 / November & December 2009
Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

March 1 through May 22, 2009
Daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

May 23 through September 7, 2009
Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

September 8 through October 31, 2009
Daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Zoo accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
Unfortunately, we do not accept personal checks.

General Admission Rates 2009
View our Education Rates or Group Rates

January 1 through March 31, 2009
and November 1 to December 31, 2009
Adult: $10.75
Junior (age 3 to 12): $7.75
Child (2 and under): FREE
Senior Citizen (age 60 and over): $9.25

April 1 through October 31, 2009
Adult: $12.25
Junior (age 3 to 12): $9.25
Child (2 and under): FREE
Senior Citizen (age 60 and over): $11.25

Parking fees: $10 for cars, $14 for buses

Milwaukee County residents with I.D. receive $1.75 off regular Zoo admission everyday except Wednesday. On Wednesdays, Milwaukee County residents with I.D. are admitted at a reduced rate of $7 for adults and $4.50 for children (age 3 to 12).

For more information, call the Zoo at (414) 256-5466.