ZooBorns

UPDATE: Baby Tiger Gets Her Bottle at Point Defiance Zoo

A 3-week-old endangered Sumatran Tiger cub made her first public appearance at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium last week, and zoo visitors can now watch twice a day as the cub, named Kali, is bottle-fed by zoo keepers.

Photo credit: Jesse Michener/Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

 

The Tiger was born April 17 to mom Jaya. Malosi is her father.  “She’s spunky, robust, and energetic,” zoo staff biologist Steven Ok said. Kali gets about three ounces of formula five times a day.  Zoo visitors can watch the 10 am and 2 pm feedings.

Sumatran Tigers are critically endangered. Kali is only the third Sumatran Tiger born in North America this year.  There are 74 Sumatran Tigers in North American zoos, and an estimated 300 left in their native habitat on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

The Species Survival Plan® works to ensure genetic diversity in the zoo-based Tiger population through careful breeding recommendations and management.  Habitat loss and poaching are the Tigers’ greatest threats.

“Every Tiger is precious,” said Karen Goodrowe Beck, zoo general curator, who also chairs the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Sumatran Tiger Species Survival Plan. “We are very pleased at the birth of this cub and with her progress to date. Female cubs are particularly needed in this population. She is a welcome addition.”

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One Little Leopard Cub, Just Nine Days Old

Good news! A healthy male Clouded Leopard cub was born at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium on the morning of May 1. He is the third litter born to Chai Li and her mate Nah Fun. They are part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Plan, which manages and maintains a population of this species. 

The cub is being bottle-fed and will be hand-reared by zoo staff with extensive experience in the care of these exotic cats. This has produced the best results in terms of health and well-being of newborn cubs. Clouded Leopards are listed as Vulnerable in the wild according to the IUCN, so every one is a precious addition to the population. 

Photo Credit: Point Defiance Zoo

UPDATE! It's Nap Time for Point Defiance Zoo's Sumatran Tiger Cub

Point Defiance Zoo's tiny baby Sumatran Tiger, whose birth was first announced HERE on ZooBorns, is growing. She's gaining weight too, as staff feeds and cares for her around the clock. This cub is a rare and precious gift, as she is one of only three Sumatran Tiger cubs born in North America so far this year. She does not yet have a name.  Her mom, Jaya, is back in the exhibit and doing well.

Sumatran Tigers are highly endangered. There are only 74 in North American zoos and approximately 200 in zoos around the world. Only about 250 to 300 remain in their native habitat on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Watch as the little one takes a snooze:

Photo Credit: Point Defiance Zoo

Critically Endangered Tiger Cub Born at Point Defiance

This past Wednesday the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington welcomed a critically endangered Sumatran Tiger cub. Zoological staff are closely watching over mom Jaya and the 2.5-pound female cub. Both appear to be healthy and are resting behind the scenes.

It’s the third litter for 9-year-old Jaya. The father is Malosi, who came to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium from Honolulu Zoo last year as part of an approved breeding program through the Species Survival Plan for Sumatran Tigers.



“We are elated with this birth,” Goodrowe Beck said. “Sumatran Tigers are highly endangered. There are only 74 in North American zoos and approximately 200 in zoos around the world. Only about 250 to 300 remain in their native habitat on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.” Goodrowe Beck chairs the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for Sumatran Tigers.



Zoo deputy director John Houck celebrated the zoo’s leadership in the breeding program. “Today there is one more precious Sumatran Tiger in the world,” Houck said. “This is a confirmation of worldwide efforts to conserve this magnificent species.”

Jaya’s two sons, 3-year-old Bima and 8-month-old Dumai, are among the five Sumatran Tigers now at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. The zoo also is home to Berani, an 8-month-old Malayan Tiger.

Tiger Mom, Jaya

Photo credits: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

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Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce the births of two litters of Clouded Leopard cubs. On March 26, Jing Jai gave birth to one female cub and Baylie gave birth to one male and one female. All three are doing well and are being hand-raised by the Zoo’s animal care staff.

“Nashville Zoo is a leader in Clouded Leopard conservation, with 18 Clouded Leopards born at our off-exhibit breeding facility since 2009,” said Karen Rice, carnivore supervisor at Nashville Zoo. “These cubs will remain a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Clouded Leopard population as breeding cats, education or exhibit animals. Whatever role they play, they will contribute to the ongoing conservation effort.” 

Photo credits: Amiee Stubbs

 

Clouded Leopards are considered endangered because of deforestation, poaching and the pet trade. Nashville Zoo is a member of the Thailand Clouded Leopard Consortium, an ongoing collaboration with the National Zoo, Point Defiance Zoo, Clouded Leopard Species Survival Program and Zoological Park Organization of Thailand (ZPO) to develop a multi-faceted clouded leopard conservation program that includes a viable self-sustaining captive population. 

See more pictures and learn more below the fold...

Presenting Lilo, Mushu, Grimsby, Basil and Fidget!

The Feb. 26th birth of 5 Meerkat kits, Lilo, Mushu, Grimsby, Basil and Fidget, brings the total Meerkat population at Tacoma, WA's Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium to 26. Each new kit is around as heavy as 2/3 of a cup of water! This is the zoo's second batch of kits this month. Zookeepers in the zoo’s Kids’ Zone area say at least one group of adults and kits will be on exhibit for at least half of the day during regular zoo hours.

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Meet Frick and Frack, Point Defiance Zoo's Newest Additions

The Meerkat gangs at Point Defiance Zoo have grown again, and the newest kits – Frick and Frack – are now on exhibit in the Kids' Zone. The two were born to mom Darwin on Feb. 3 and weigh about 140 and 150 grams. That’s around 5 to 6 ounces -- about the same as two-thirds of a cup of water! They will grow to be about 1.5 to 2 pounds each and will measure approximately 14 inches long, not counting the length of their tails.

Meerkats are very social animals, and live together as families known as gangs. Each gang at the Zoo is referred to by the dominant female’s name. So Frick and Frack bring the number of Meerkats in the Darwin gang to seven. There are two other gangs - the Amelia gang of nine and the Huxley gang of five. Each assume roles within the group; Darwin has had help from one or more "babysitters" in the gang, who look after the new babies as they explore and adapt to the habitat. Meerkats belong to the mongoose family and live in the savannahs in the south of Africa.

Photo Credit: Point Defiance Zoo

See more of Frick anf Frack after the fold!

Tiger Buddies Bond at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Dumai, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's 7-week-old male Sumatran Tiger cub, has a new buddy! Berani, a 6-week-old male Malayan Tiger cub, arrived at Point Defiance from the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum a few days ago.  (Berani is on the left in the above photo.)  Both cubs were the only members of their litter, and they were not cared for properly by their mothers.  As a result, they were removed from their mothers’ care and hand-reared by zoo staff. 

The two cubs are already getting acquainted in the Cub Den at Point Defiance.  They enjoy playful swats, pouncing, wrestling, and snuggling, with plenty of naps in between.  The staff is thrilled that the two cubs are getting along so well.

ZooBorns has profiled Dumai several times since his birth on August 22.  You can see dozens of photos if this adorable cub on ZooBorns. 

Sumatran Tigers, listed as critically endangered, are the smallest subspecies of Tiger and their fur is a darker orange than that of Malayans.   As few as 300 live in the wild on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.  Malayan Tigers are native to the tropical forests of peninsular Malaysia.   Fewer than 500 remain in the wild.  Each of the Tigers will reach 275-300 pounds when fully grown.

Berani’s move to Tacoma is a fantastic example of the cooperation that exists among zoos to provide the best for each animal in their care.  In this case, the cubs will grow up socializing with another cat, which will better prepare them to enter the breeding programs of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) of the Association of Zoo & Aquariums (AZA). 

Photo Credit:  Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium 

Dumai The Baby Tiger Is About To Make A New Friend

Dumai, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's Sumatran Tiger cub, is getting a new buddy. Meet Berani, a 5-week-old Malayan male cub scheduled to arrive at Point Defiance this week from Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum. Each was the only cub in a litter and pulled from mom within days of birth because the tiny Tigers were not thriving. Once Berani arrives and is checked out, you will be able to see him in the cub den playing and pouncing with Dumai.

Sumatran Tigers, listed as critically endangered, are the smallest subspecies of Tiger and their fur is a darker orange than that of Malayans. Sumatran Tigers also are the only remaining Tiger subspecies that lives on an island. As few as 300 live in the wild on the Indonesian island.

Photo Credit: Tulsa Zoo and Living Aquarium

Malayan Tigers, a bit bigger, lighter in color and lankier in body conformation, are native to the tropical forests of peninsular Malaysia. The Tiger Conservation Campaign estimates that fewer than 500 remain in the wild.

Each of the tigers will reach 275-300 pounds when fully grown. They’ll eventually be placed into zoo-based breeding populations of their respective subspecies to maintain genetic diversity and increase their numbers.

Bringing the Malayan cub to Tacoma is a wonderful example of the cooperative Species Survival Plan work in action. To learn more about the tigers, the Tiger Conservation Campaign and what you can do to help them, visit www.pdza.org.

The Votes Are In! Point Defiance's Male Sumatran Tiger Cub Has His Name

You may have met this six-week-old male Sumatran Tiger cub, born at Point Defiance Zoo on August 22, through our ZooBorn.com article on September 13. In our update of September 28 we announced that the zoo was asking the public to help them pick his name by voting for one of six choices.

And the winning name is... DUMAI! Point Defiance sent their thanks out to all who particiapted.

Sumatran Tigers are Critically Endangered. Only an estimated 300 remain in the wild in their native Sumatra, and their births in zoos are extremely rare. Duma can be seen daily on exhibit, exploring and playing daily in the zoo’s Cub Den, along wtih his parents, Jaya and Malosi.

Photo Credit: Point Defiance Zoo