The Fort Worth Zoo announces the births of two female critically endangered\u00a0Sumatran tiger cubs. The births bring a lot of firsts for the Zoo \u2013 the first Sumatran tiger cubs\u00a0born in Fort Worth Zoo history, the first tiger cubs born in the renovated Predators of Asia & Africa tiger habitat,\u00a0which\u00a0opened in 2023, and the first tiger cubs born at the Zoo in nearly two decades. (The last tiger cubs born at the Zoo were the Malayan subspecies born in 2008).\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are fewer than 650 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, primarily\u00a0due to habitat loss\u00a0and deforestation.\u00a0The Zoo\u2019s expanded and enriching tiger habitat\u00a0in Predators of Asia & Africa\u00a0opened\u00a0in 2023 and doubled the size of the previous tiger habitat. The enlarged yard and renovated behind-the-scenes barn allowed the Zoo to renew its focus on conservation work for this species. The Zoo\u00a0participates in a cooperative\u00a0Sumatran tiger breeding program\u00a0with other North American zoos\u00a0to ensure a genetically diverse, healthy population of this subspecies\u00a0and the two new cubs will contribute to this growing population in managed care.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The sisters were born on July 1\u00a0to first-time mother Ndari and father\u00a0Rakan. At just 1 week old, they\u00a0weighed\u00a0approximately\u00a03 to 4 pounds\u00a0and\u00a0measured about 10 to 12 inches long \u2013 about the size of a plush teddy bear.\u00a0At 12 weeks old, they now weigh 18 pounds and 20 pounds respectively, and measure about 25\u00a0to\u00a029 inches long \u2014 similar to a large pumpkin!<\/p>\n
The tiniest tigers\u00a0have been spending time behind the scenes\u00a0growing and\u00a0bonding with mom while keepers have kept a close eye on their growth and development.\u00a0\u00a0Over the last several\u00a0weeks, the little ladies have surpassed many\u00a0milestones, including learning to jump, run and climb, starting a small meat diet (though they still nurse often), practicing their balance,\u00a0exposure to water, beginning to play and play-fight with each other and Ndari.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
As a first-time mother, Ndari is exhibiting ideal maternal behaviors, including allowing frequent nursing opportunities and bathing, playing\u00a0with\u00a0and carrying the cubs as she moves about the den.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The two cubs have been given names inspired by their\u00a0demeanor and behavior.\u00a0 For the smaller sister, Barani means \u201cbrave,\u201d as she is described by her keepers as a \u201cspitfire,\u201d often playing and initiating play-fights with her sister around the clock. For the other sister, Malu means\u00a0\u201cshy or reserved.\u201d Her keepers say she\u00a0is\u00a0more independent and often seeks alone time in a neighboring barn stall to nap.\u00a0The names Barani and Malu are inspired by Indonesian languages,\u00a0reflecting the\u00a0native\u00a0range of the Sumatran tiger\u00a0on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always exciting to welcome\u00a0new babies and watch them\u00a0grow here at the Zoo,\u201d said Ramona Bass, chairman of the Fort Worth Zoo. \u201cBut we\u2019re hopeful that these cubs\u00a0will inspire a\u00a0new generation to\u00a0learn about and\u00a0care for their wild counterparts and the future of this\u00a0critically endangered species.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Because these are the first cubs\u00a0born in the new Predators of Asia & Africa tiger\u00a0habitat, zookeepers want to be sure Barani and Malu are big and strong enough to navigate the new space, including the many\u00a0water features.\u00a0The Zoo\u00a0is hopeful the cubs will make their public debut in the coming weeks and will be sure to share updates on the Zoo\u2019s website and social media.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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