Topeka ? The Topeka Zoo plans to send one of its female Sumatran tigers to the Akron Zoo this week.

Kemala, a nearly 4-year-old tiger, came to the Topeka Zoo in 2008 along with two litter mates, Rojo and Sari.

In Ohio, Kemala will join the zoo’s male Sumatran tiger Jae Jae.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Monday that the move is part of the Topeka Zoo’s involvement in a national program in which work to ensure that the Sumatran tigers are genetically varied and healthy.

Sumatran tigers are critically endangered, with less than 500 believed to remain in the wild.