Rare Gorilla Twins Surprise Staff at Burgers' Zoo
First Arctic Fox Cubs Born at Hellabrunn in Zoo's 102-year History

Tiger Twins’ Birth Caught on Camera at Chester Zoo

1013411_10151636866425912_529644242_n

In remarkable closed-circuit television footage, Chester Zoo’s female Sumatran Tiger Kirana gives birth to the first of two cubs on June 2.  The cub appears about 30 seconds into the video.

1017100_10151636881360912_252979885_n

1000434_10151636877795912_64638621_n

1016514_10151636878760912_1902171139_n
Photo Credit:  Chester Zoo

 

Kirana’s mate, six-year-old Fabi, does not participate in the birth at all, and in fact walks away during the event.

The gender of the two healthy cubs is not yet known.  They will spend several weeks behind the scenes with seven-year-old Kirana. 

This is the second litter for Kirana, who also gave birth to sisters Nila and Tila in 2011. Both of those cubs have moved to other European zoos as part of a cooperative breeding program aimed at increasing genetic diversity among these endangered cats. 

Only about 400 Sumatran Tigers remain in the wild on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.  Zoo breeding programs could prove vital to the survival of this species, which is at great risk from habitat loss and poaching.

See more photos below the fold.

1001176_10151636885240912_2124174007_n

970716_10151636882210912_342742386_n

Tiger 8 pb Custom.ashx

983607_10151636882745912_581638873_n

Comments