Tiger Buddies Bond at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
October 13, 2012
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