First Look at Topeka Zoo's Tiger Cubs
May 15, 2014
On May 4, Topeka Zoo in Kansas welcomed three Sumatran Tiger cubs! Mother Jingga gave birth to the first cub around noon and a few hours later the third cub was confirmed. Jingga has her cubs tucked away in a den box located in an interior holding space. Staff are keeping an eye on the new family using a camera installed in the den box, and the cubs recently had their first veterinary checkup.
Photo credit: Topeka Zoo
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For the next two weeks, access to the zoo's tiger holding building will be very limited. "We want Jingga to feel safe as she gets to know her cubs," Zoo Director Brendan Wiley said. "We don't want to take any chances." The cubs are expected to be on display in about 90 days, but the zoo hopes to release video of the newborn cubs soon.
Sumatran Tigers are listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with fewer than 1,000 individuals in the wild.